Oh gosh - two totally conflicted comments here. I absolutely would lose the chair rail. Since you have the soffit in the middle - what about covering this with WOOD to mimic a beam? You can actually do this with composite wood, or a high grade plywood - which you sand first before finishing. I would also suggest doing this and staining it BEFORE you install if you like this idea, then finish in place. Since your ceiling is vaulted and NOT trayed - I would not add crown molding. But do take out the chair rail - it serves no purpose here. - looks chopped up! :-) Since your room seems to be more traditional in nature - and you did ask about ARCHITECTURAL ACCENTS - this space beyond the Soffit/beam just might be the place to add some great open architectural shelving with baskets along the shelves to hold your miscellaneous items - games, videos, toys - magazines - etc. Check out Pottery Barn for ideas or purchase? Painting: I have a totally different perspective - there is NO rule that claims you must paint your trim white - etc. I would either paint it the same color of the room for a continual visual impact, perhaps in a satin enamel finish - but certainly NOT a different color. from what already exists on the walls. IF you enclose the beam in wood to mimic a true beam - then make this match your current window trim? I do however, believe in painted ceilings - this always adds a nice touch . The beam does NOT have to match the trim. It is an architectural accent. - OR stain each a new color of your desire - as long as the wondow trim matchesthe beam - or things might get confused. Have you considered adding one of those non-vented new fireplaces - to be used as a focal point for your room? They are most usually installed with and/or on cabinetry? You could certainly consider this down the line - as it would add yet another layer of interest to your lovely room. I would also match the door hardware with the new window treatment if you use rods & drapery rings. I would consider extending the rod about 12 inches beyond each side of the window below the fan light - use double the fabric for volume and make sure you get a very heavy rod & rings - to match the size of the room for balance. Fluffing this up and filling out this empty space with fabric will add a great texture. I would like to suggest a MUCH larger rug. The furniture should actually SIT on the rug. Otherwise - it serves no purpose - and is too colorless to add to the design elements of the room. I have just been to my rug cleaner place - where they sell investment rugs - for those who can afford them and to my surprise - they have a host of rugs - rather inexpensive -which folks can now order to FIT - your individual space. These types of services will add a trim of YOUR choice (color)! How about that - in highly trafficked areas of our home - I have the natural fiber rugs - with banding - because if they get ruined - they can be replaced inexpensively. There are also softer fabrics which are easier on the feet. Lastly - to save money and have some fun - IF you can DIY - go to a flea market, yard sale, etc. - and look for a an chest. OR Buffet. Repurpose this - think about taking out the doors and making shelves which can be painted a lovely constrasting color - adding baskets to hold media items. OR, find one and refinish in a totally fun out of this world color - add glass on the top - and new hardware. All of your "stuff" can go in the drawers. Add a lamp - get a fun one YOU like - to add some interest to your room. In the back space - find an old chandelier - I bought seveal for our wedding and spray painted them and hung them from trees. Rustoleum has GREAT new finishes - and you can find any time of new little shade you desire. Sorry - but hope all of this helps. Have fun!

Thanks I'll give that a go! Not sure if hubby is going to want to take them down for straightening but I'll try this method in situ... Don't have a laser level but do have a very long level so hopefully that should work somehow. Annoying that you have to pull from the top instead of bottom to straighten!

I doubt this has anything to do with the electrician. Since it's a single line pendant, the problem is probably somewhere in the housing immediately above the glass. Something's crooked there. See if you can remove the glass (are there screws holding it to the housing?), then see what's up.

It would be great to move the entry way to the middle if that's affordable then plan the landscaping around that. Get a designer for creating a new porch and a landscaping designer for the yard. If you're not ready to spring for porch expansion/relocation, here are some interim more affordable steps. --Your house is red brick with some brownish bricks and a gray roof. To tie it altogether, paint all the white trim and foundation in a light brownish gray. (The white has too much contrast with all that brick and foundation.) Add a light brownish gray window box entirely across the lower window. Make sure you have a window treatment there that looks great from the outside. Add a colorful door that blends well with the new trim. A painted pergola in the trim paint below the second-story windows is something that might soften your front. Get some beautiful tall plants to place in your bay window. It's part of the landscaping, too! --Go to a local garden center that has planning services and have them come up with a design for your front yard. At the very least, ditch the fences, the water feature (what were they thinking?). Some taller, well-spaced shrubs of different types arranged along the current walkway with great plantings in front of the taller shrubs would soften and frame your frontage quite a bit.