I would lose the sheers entirely. Replace with shades, top down/bottom up would probably work well for you. Then I'd edit heavily. There is too much stuff in the space and one doesn't know where to look. One big plant or photo is better than fifty small ones. Any tchotchke that is mass produced and lining the shelves of Hobby Lobby needs to stay on the shelf at Hobby Lobby.

Here are three looks for you, all gray with green, brown, or yellow undertones:

I'd go with curtains

Is this colour too dark or would my furniture and floors just blend into?

those who posted aqua-grey walls and so add lively transitional rug and wicker chairs with cushion of color...

In your copperpeachybrown post there seems a fair amount of texture in woods etc... you'd have to do that.... possibly a rug above with the cool background... how much difference would there really be between your current color and that one? Do you dislike your present color?
Since you asked I'd put a rug in seating area.... :)

white or floor tone in these wood/bamboo roman shades. Semi-sheers instead of merely sheers might provide sufficient privacy.
http://www.jcpenney.com/shops/back-to-school/jcp-home/jcpenney-home-bamboo-woven-wood-roman-shade/prod.jump?ppId=1d6e1c9&searchTerm=bamboo+blinds&catId=SearchResults&_dyncharset=UTF-8&colorizedImg=DP0711201215281545M.tif

grover's upper left - sort of these grommet in 'lead'
http://www.jcpenney.com/for-the-home/good-housekeeping-seal/shop-now/marthawindow-voile-grommet-top-sheer-panel/prod.jump?ppId=pp5002320293&Nao=24&pN=2&searchTerm=semi+sheer+curtain&catId=SearchResults&_dyncharset=UTF-8&colorizedImg=DP0228201323370577M.tif

teal or 'restoration green' with their pecan blinds and braided rug. They are soft and with all their colors I'd think you could change accessories later easily...
http://www.jcpenney.com/windows/royal-velvet-kathryn-grommet-top-room-darkening-curtain-panel/prod.jump?ppId=pp5003970038&searchTerm=flurry+tab+top+curtain&catId=SearchResults&_dyncharset=UTF-8&colorizedImg=DP0430201405142382M.tif


http://www.jcpenney.com/ashburn-reversible-braided-oval-rugs/prod.jump?ppId=pp5003501016&searchTerm=braided+rug&catId=SearchResults&_dyncharset=UTF-8&colorizedImg=DP1016201317243528M.tif

Yes, your furniture just blends in.

Wow! You guys are awesome! Looks like we are going with the Teal drapes and pecan blinds. My husband really wants to lighten the paint but does not go for grey. So we are trying to decide.
Your input and guidance is so appreciated. Thanks!

Double Windows. One on left is the living room and the one on right is dining room. 4 of the same drapery panels with one at each end. White wooden blinds used on both Windows to control the light. SW accessible beige on walls with white trim. I plan on changing the floors to a darker wood. Just another idea for you. My panels are from JC Penney.

I would hate the idea of painting, but as for you two a question: if you went with teal and maybe a colorful rug [buy one first before painting?] would you be relieved if that worked?
What color is your kitchen I want to ask?
What about colonial is most important to you?

I'm going to go with JCP as well. They also have a nice sale on! Yay!

My kitchen is green. I was going for a Tuscan look and added the reds, dark yellows etc, in towels and placemats. And it has the old white cupboards with the strip of wood along the bottom of uppers, top of lowers and Formica counters, linoleum floors. After we are done with this project, we're heading to the main bath, then the kitchen. Yes, I would be relieved if that worked for sure.

This is a nice colour palette.

And this one will be for our master bedroom.

What do you all think about putting crown moulding in living/dining but not down hallway to bedrooms?

My kitchen is similar to the #4 paint in the pic above.

ok - I think I recognize Martha's super-neutrals, which I saw in a magazine....? :)
Anyway if kitchen is open why not keep that look going - well I guess you said you're buying teal curtains....hmmm let me think....[it might take a bit!] I'm back to edit: remember the peach mirror which highlighted the bathroom? Well cause you didn't comment yet about how you want to use colonial, I'll offer that a braided rug and there are many, say in light blue [with several colors in it] and the pop of peach in a wooden piece? Hey what color from the palette you posted is your wall if there???

Ok, this is just my opinion, so please don't be insulted. You have way too many plants, counter top picture frames, tables, chairs and tchotchkes. Curtains I suspect are just temporary...so, I would place the curtain rods as close to the ceiling as you can. I would extend the rods out on each side so the drapes when open are resting on the wall and not the window. You could complement the curtains by adding roller blinds from Hunter Douglass..the ones that essentially disappear from sight when rolled up. The curtains should go to the floor. (IKEA is good for reasonably priced curtain panels that have lots of length to them). Make sure that you buy enough panels to get a full lush effect, otherwise it will look like you ran out of money.

I would paint out the window trim..and put it the same colour that you choose to put on the wall.....that way it reduces the chances that the window look too busy. This is a large open concept, so I think that your baseboards are just not bulky enough. Install a small moulding about 2inches above the existing baseboards and paint that all white to make them appear more substantial than they actually are. If you don't want to bulk them up, then you should paint them out in the same colour as the wall...this makes it look seamless, clear and doesn't bother the eyes with looking too busy.

The first thing, I would place that long table that is presently against the first window to the back of the sofa...as a sofa console up against the wall. So, put that long thin sofa table where that wall begins next to the balister. Then place the sofa in front of that. Place 2 tall thin decorative table lamps at each end of this table and a nice decorative large mirror mounted on the wall between the 2 lamps.

Remove the antique looking table with folding leafs to the wall where you presently have your aquarium. Unfold one leaf and tuck 2 of the matching chairs...essentially turning it into a work desk (can do puzzles, set down your laptop, etc.). 2 spare chairs can be place on each side of the table. You can dress it up by adding a desk lamp, desk accessories (pencil/pen holder, dictionaries with book ends holding them in place). This would be a great area to put a FEW family photos paired up with one of your smaller plants..to glance at while using the desk. A very large piece of art/canvas art on the wall just above the table....or the largest clock you can find, or a collection of interestingly designed wall clocks. If you can't find something big, then just buy 4 reasonably large canvas art and mount them on the wall in a square formation...so this will give you a size that balances itself out with the table.

The glider chair...place it in front of the first window...facing the couch to creat a space conducive to sit and socialize with whomever is seated on the couch. This will allow for conversation, and take in the view from outside. Put your floor lamp with the glider chair. Tie up this seating area by putting down a large area rug that complements your colour scheme. A large decorative pillow on the sofa (small ones look cheap).

Fish tank placed next to sofa against the wall where your drop leaf table once sat. Hide the tank electrical wiring by running them along the under side and down one of the legs closest to the outlet (can affix using electrical ties in black). Baskets you have under the tank stand are too small...or add another shelf by drilling holes the size of shelf clips...then put a wood or glass shelf...and voilà there you have it...space for more baskets to fill up the emptiness.

You need to choose your healthiest plants and combine then in one large container..like you are creating an assorted bouquet. The struggling ones, get rid of them!

All those photos, put them in a nice photo album and leave the album out for display and it's less dusting, protects your photos and gives you a clean place that doesn't overpower our attention as we walk in to your space. When I saw your space, first thing was "wow, that's lots of stuff".

The display cabinet between both windows...I would leave it there...since your curtains should almost touch it. It is missing height, so, you can put your newly combined plant container on top...or folded up throw blankets for easy access and making the space more relaxed. Go through what's in there and get rid of stuff. Nobody really needs more than 6 wine glasses and a good size drinking glass. The tchotchkes, you need to get ride of most of them. Offer them to the person who gave them to you...tell them you simply don't have the space, and since they are so lovely...you thought you would offer them the opportunity to hang on to them. Or, sell them on Kijiji.

Your lamp fixture above your table is too high. Get rid of all the clutter around the table (chairs, plant table). For a more modern feel, push your hutch on the same wall, however near the corner of the window wall. This would give you the opportunity to get many wall hanging photo frames (that way you can have your photos serving as art). I would wall mount them on the wall above your hutch spaced out evenly across the whole wall. Then on the side of the hutch, I would continue another series of photos. So, essentially making the hutch part of the entire wall display.

Thanks for reading all of this, hope this helps you out. You have a lovely home with lots of light coming in....I'm envious!

I love sage green painted walls with lots of wood, looks awesome, some ideas, the red with it makes it really pop

Ok. I will get rid of some of the plants, transplant my orchids into other pots and condense
That area to remove the ones from the dining room. Plants are life to me especially at this time of year when the days are so grey and lifeless. We have a lot of stuff from combining 4 households. Mine, my husbands (it's our second marriage so we both had stuff), my mother's after she passed and my father-in-law's after he passed, all within the last 4 years. The cabinet in between the windows was a wedding gift from my mother-in-law, it was her's but wanted to give us something special from her. The items inside are not bought items. They are china and crystal from my great-grandmother, my grandmother and my mother so they are now 4 generations. I put my mom's stemware in there after she died as I was not ready to let go. I can condense them now and put the rest away until either my son decides if he wants them or I decide to sell them. I have to clean out the other china cabinet so that it just displays my Hummel plates. I don't have collectibles per se but what I have is very sentimental. I know I'm getting very personal here but just so you have a better understanding of the items.

The tall floor lamp next to the aquarium as well as the one on the table by the glider, were made by my uncle and filled with sea shells that he, my aunt and my mother collected from the beach in Florida where my mom lived. The colours of the shells would actually match the palette I want to use.

The pictures on the table, all but 3 are of deceased family. Just to keep them with us. But I realize it's too crowded and I need to simplify and declutter. You all are helping me far more than you'll ever know.

It's time to turn a new leaf and get on with living. So that is why I reached out to you all. You are all detached and unbiased and that is why I appreciate your opinions and suggestions so much! Looks like I have a great deal of work ahead of me....which is all just fine.

I totally understand where you're coming from nvrbug...gifts from my family, and photos of those who have passed are important to me too. My remembrances of family are in my bedroom, or stored where they can be easily enjoyed, or rotated into my bedroom decor.

Public places in my home are places for art, textiles, photos of landscapes...you get my drift. Once you edit your public spaces, you will have the pleasure of re-designing your bedroom and remembering your family...not an easy project, but important when moving on in your life! Make the most of it!

I think that all of your items could be kept in your space, just moved around and accessorize with lighting.

The three photos of people that are still here with you, those can be used in your space and displayed nicely with a plant and something else...combination of 3s please...but not all three photos together on one surface.

As for the deceased, they need to be moved to another space...or kept with you in a photo album that can be set on a coffee table where you can have them whenever you want. Guests in your home will question you about your lovely photos to spark up conversation....no guest wants to start that conversation and be told that those are pictures of the deceased.

I agree that we need plants in our space, that's why I suggested combining them in one large significant pot...to better display them and avoid having it look like you need a greenhouse.

I like the display cabinet...it just lacks height in my opinion. It needs something added to the top to balance it out. If you have beautiful dishes that are display worthy, then buy three plate hangers and use a display three of them in a vertical line above the unit. The inside of the cabinet needs to be less cluttered...not look like storage, but used as it is intended...for display of nice heirlooms and things you enjoy. You should be able to see these items nicely without having to get up close and have to let your eyes search for the item you want to see tucked behind so many other items. You can incorporate some of the items in your decor, for example...take bunches of three or five wine glasses, turn them over and put nice decorative candles on the base and set them on your table. It's really all about looking at pictures and finding what you can incorporate into your own home.

So, what I'm trying to say, is you have a beautiful home, nice pieces, they just need to be whipped around. You have the bones of it all...lovely floors, new windows, and I especially like the Ballesteros. All you need is the time to do it, and get a few new items to make it cozy, welcoming, and with things you like.....because you live there!

My goodness...autocorrect does a number on what you are trying to say such as "baluster" not "balisteros"!

I'm going to heed these suggestions and in fact will be doing the plants shortly. I want to find a nice photo album as well and go with that. I'm trying to find some boxes to store the additional items until I decide what to do with them.

Vallieres, would a piece of art work be suitable above the cabinet on the wall? My friends daughter is an artist and once I had my colours I was thinking about asking her to do a piece for me.

Please don't hang anything over the curio cabinet. It doesn't need it and it will get lost.

I'm hankering to rearrange the furniture in the living area. The current arrangement doesn't look very functional, but I can't see enough. What are the chair and sofa looking at? The dining table? No TV in here?

They are looking at the fish tank. I sit in the glider and watch them swim. It's quite relaxing. No TV as we use our family room for that. The spot where the "photo table" is looks into the dining room. I tried to keep the seating so that the dining area wasn't the focal point when sitting up here.

This looks more conversational...

Hi!

How about some wooden blinds?

Best of luck!

-K&N Sales

That would be perfect!

Groveraxle! Very nice. What colour is on the wall and where did you find the rug? I have 15' of wall space from the railing to the window. Would 2 chairs be too much?

Actually, I think two chairs would be great. I didn't put anything behind the stair railing because it was too hard and I was tired. Though I wouldn't put a chair there. I'd probably put a plant. Keep the chairs out in the room, not in corners.

As for the color, that's a secret. Actually, I just continued the perceived color from the the light in the corner. Lighting is something you need to work on in this room. The light at the left side of that wall was very harsh, so I eliminated it. You might try changing bulbs. Look at the color temperature and the CRI on the light bulb box and aim for a color temp around 5000 K and a CRI as high as you can get, no lower than 88 or so.

As more posts come, I wonder about where the fish tank is - is it possible that if it were between the windows some sunlight would make viewing better... they are so pretty.... those sitting nearby could see them there.
Where fish tank was, furniture.

We thought about moving the fish tank as well but it cannot be in direct light or too near a heat source which would happen if I moved it toward the windows more. The alge would build up so fast and make it maintenance intensive. I am going to hide the wires as best as possible and also get the fish items more organized in the baskets. We also have lights in the hoods of the tank that we turn on in the evening. It makes it glow.

It was also funny that it was said to beef up our baseboards because that is the exact plan we have. We started in the entrance way after we had the new stairs, railings and floors done. We will be continuing them upstairs in the common areas for now.

The attached photo is a view from the entrance way to the family room standing in the foyer. I put the lights on in the tank.

Close up of tank with lights.

Nice. I didn't think you'd bake those fishy in direct light, but I getcha :)

How about some Custom Interior Plantation Shutters? Shown are 3 1/2" Movable Louvers, I have portrayed 3 panels on the left window and 2 on the right.
I might incorporate a divider rail placed in relationship to where the lower sash is located.
Good Luck.

Love the shutters but would go all white to match the trim.

As you wish..

Very pretty. Going to check out your site.

So these are the changes I've made so far. Next, will reduce items in cabinet, then paint walls a lighter colour and beef up baseboards and paint white. I am also thinking of recovering the chairs in a print material and will put a large mirror, horizontally, on wall between chairs (see photo).

Any thoughts?

I like the idea of two treatments on the windows...one for privacy and another for beauty...I think that duet shades or blinds will give you control of the sun and privacy...Then an added panel treatment will make the window dressing feel completed. I also like the idea of the printed fabric as a valance or even a shaped cornice box. We do window treatments and if you like we can do them for you....even if you live in a different state we can help. interested? please email us or contact me at 714-970-8000. Interior Affairs - Vickie Daeley

Thanks very much Vickie. I live in Ontario, Canada and have lived with drapes and valances for 4 yrs. was looking for something different. I'm definitely going to bookmark your site! Thanks very much!

Completed Living/Dining Room project. Thanks again Houzzers!!!

I see the teal blue curtains, nice! The 3 baskets make for a neat, trim look - great! How does it feel now?

So serene and peaceful, cozy and inviting! And pretty too! I got great deals at Pier 1 so most of the room is from there. I just love it! Working on my computer room slowly. It's too nice to be inside for too long!

I like Pier 1 too.... freedom each Spring to be outside!

Morning

Iwould suggest a bright colourlike lephant breath from farro and ball, simple white silk custains beutifully mde in deeo double pleat.

keep couch neutral and bring in colourwith rug, cushionsartwork and centrepiece for the dining table

I think your windows should have cream colored curtains with grey wall colors. This will bring out your home more.