I agree. Don't put drapes on the windows and block even one inch of that view! You have an elegant home and a spectacular view, all of which makes me think of chic, sophisticated colors like the accent pillows in the photo below (metallic green, light grey, dark grey and beige). Your grey sofa, light grey chair and area rug are perfect for these accent colors.

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker

Sorry, I won't be covering the big view window with anything, we have solor blinds on the windows beside the fireplace as we will get a lot of sunlight in the summer on that side of the house. :)

Came across this in another post...space similar to yours...with white sheers...(having drapes doesn't mean you have always keep windows covered )
Fine even without drapes though :)

I look at this space and apparently you have more then two sharing it. I can see a rounded sectional working great here.

Actually, there is a lot of things I love about your room. Love thoes great blue pillows and would love to see a couple coral ones along side them. :)

Also, I think you need to re-arrange your living area. If you can arrange it so that all the seating area is facing your wonderful view, this would help a great deal. If you do have to angle them, I would say, try it the opposite way. Don't have too many tables in the mix as well. The table behind the couch would be better against a wall.

Two couches opposite each other is another good arrangement. A Starburst mirror on the wall, and a fur throw would complete the look.

A couple ideas:

BRAVO! Love the edit! looks so much larger already, the couch feels better. Now i noticed there are lights in the cabinets, but they only light up the top shelf, because of the wood. First thought, is only put items on the top shelves that "look good" lit up, ie, glass, pretty decorative things. the second thought, it so have lights mounted to the front of the book case to wash down the entire thing, third thought glass shelves. I love the minka fan you used!!

I think the sofa would be better facing your beautiful view. Buy a glass rectangular coffee table. Avoid any more round shapes unless you put them in the bookshelves. Separate the silver lamps so they don't appear to be a pair. I love them. I think you could still work with the antique table since it means something to you and it is rectangular. I like the new rug you showed. Is it the same size as the one you have placed? Did someone photoshop the Ikat pillows in, if not they are great. The chairs could be placed angled on either side of your sofa table. I also think your room could handle a matching pair of chairs with a table & lamp between them.. Love the idea of adding some tall art to the bookshelves. Work on those awhile. It will take your mind off the room as a whole. Concentrate on one area at a time. Styling a room is an ongoing process that should never end. Get some little collectioms together for the bookshelves.

Love all the advice! I didn't have any luck finding a coffee table, we are very limited here so back to online shopping, if anyone has coffee table pics please pass them along. I will try and get to moving the furniture around and the other carpet which is huge so will see how it works :]

I love all the ideas, but thought the room was great to begin with. You said OCD and when I looked at the first picture I could not get over the two different lamps. They are pretty but that was the only thing I had a hard time with. Your views are beautiful and your room seems inviting.

I like the lamps in the newer pictures. Separated to different tables.

I agree with most comments in thread. (Gorgeous view and home).
When I first saw your pics my first impression was "disconnected". Most of your millwork is white, but there is nothing in your living room that brings the white "in".
I would suggest an all white area rug or one with a white background. If you're feeling bold - an orange rug with a long low White coffee table The Ikat pillows look great with the sofa and I think orange would make a wonderful accent color.
I feel strongly that white in the room will make a huge difference. - The living room is surrounded by white millwork - there is white even in the adjoining rooms, you need to bring some white accent pieces into the space eg: a throw, some solid white cushions, a long white bench in front of window etc.
Here are some pics for inspiration........

do you have overstock.com or ikea on website. I think they deliver now. try wayfair also.

I agree with ward designs . Adding more white would marry the spaces together. View is what this room is all about, No drapes.

Your purple chair is the correct scale for your sofa. The square-ish one is too big. Here's a great idea - get the purple chair reupholstered in an orange tweed. - POP WOW!!

Jolly, if you are interested you could use this app
Furnishup.com
To create. 3d of furniture layout for ur space...
Got this from another post

Logged onto FurnishedUp.com - seems like a good site but keeps locking up on me.

It's furnishup.com
Not furnished....
I could log in easily though ?!

Love the idea of adding more white. I didn't get to moving furn around or switching carpet but I will!! The more time I spend with my sofa the more I feel it's just not comfortable enough and still wanting something more lux but still modern?? As you can tell I'm not really a matchy matchy person and go more by feel and my living room feels stiff not comfy..

If you really don't like the sofa, then return it and get something that you like. Don't compromise get something your comfortable with.

While I love the look of your couch, if it's not comfy, it needs to go. Be sure to give your next sofa a good test drive before you buy.

Have you concentrated on the bookshelves....get your mind off of the furniture. Let it settle in.

A little pricey, but I love these coffee tables by Lara Moore: http://www.sweetheartgallery.com/be-bella-bella-furniture-art-tables.html

Took me awhile but made a few changes and saw a potential coffee table? thoughts please

and started editing the builtins

I like the new arrangement. I love the rug, though it might be a bit large.

You don't have to fill the shelves on the built in. Try 1/3 books, 1/3 decor, 1/3 open space.

Really nice. I love the white area rug. I like the way you have arranged the shelves. You really can see your nice things this way.

Like the new arrangement. Table looks fine -- just make sure that the height of the table is slightly lower than the top of your sofa seat.

I like the coffee table ....brings in a new shape & lightens things up.

If one of you kind people would put a sofa with chaise or just a comfier one in the room that would be fantastic! seeing as I'm asking and maybe a couple of matching chairs??

Something like this?

1000 % improvement, i think this place looks finished. few touches here and there....love the couch looking toward the view!

I don't think you will want a sectional or at least a sofa this huge. Pretty color

Left click on my name & click your houzz , my ideabooks, & click on sofas/sectionals. sold on Houzz

the color is pretty but I know I would tire of it quickly. also now that I'm liking the sofa facing the view I think this one would be to big.

I've been looking at more of my idea books and am thinking maybe I should get two matching chairs? I'm driving myself crazy! the living room just doesn't look like a house that cost a fortune to build? now I have been contacted by one of our suppliers and a home magazine is interested in putting our home in their magazine!!

They will likely bring a designer with them. Pick his/her brain when they come to stage for the mag. pic.

Really? awesome!!

Usually, at least that is what is done in Alberta and Montreal.. They most certainly will stage at the very least and the design editor or assistant will be there to set up for the shots.

Contemporary couch will go well with your space & contemporary cocktail...good choice there...
The 3 seater looking towards windows is a good move it also visually demarcates living & dining..
you definitely have great taste & your space will come together well... just a matter of time!
You could also consider adding some sculptural element like big porcelain urns etc

Hello hmjilly, how is it going...
your space needs few furniture pieces but with oodles of style...
see the pic with swivel accent sculptural chair

Do you like any of these....what are you inclined towards...
You need to invest in fine quality pieces!

Some decorating tips which might be helpful ...

...

Chuppi, thank you for hanging in there with me and for your time. I love the white ceramic collection and the furniture pieces. I agree I need some modern and amazing pieces so I'm on the lookout ! I saw this sofa and like it but might be to light of a grey?

It's fine as long as you don't have maintenance issues...

Hi! Just saw on London drugs the ottomanI was referring to is on sale. is a copy, but looks nice http://www.londondrugs.com/London-Drugs-Barcelona-Ottoman---Black/L8293979,default,pd.html

Any updates?! Came across these designs...
Like the use of sculptural pieces & colourful big art...
which might work well for your contemporary home design...
Some inspirational images :)

I'm sad to say not much has changed other than the coffee table, white rectangle with chrome legs , however in the meantime while still waiting for my built ins to be changed to house a painting my husband agrees that the sofa is way to uncomfortable, so I'm looking to get a new one with chaise, two matching chairs and maybe a new rug with some color, the one I have in there now sheds as if we have a sheep petting zoo!!

Well good thing is at least you are getting to know what you would want...it helps to live in the space for a while to know what you want.
Slowly but surely you will get there.