Hi Kathryn,
Honestly I don't believe the change of paint color will achieve the goal you think it will. It will just make the room darker + closer to the color of the wood paneling. My suggestion would be to add curtain panels on either side of the window + a great piece of art on the empty wall. The curtains will highlight the height of the ceilings and the art will add color + interest. For more design direction please see my blog: http://EncoreDecorBlog.com Hope that helped!! Mindy Miles Greenberg EncoreDecor.com

I want to paint the wall on the left. It's paneled but painted. If I painted that grey blue pewter like color???

You could paint the wall and also the paneled wall any color that you like since everything else it so nuetral. Look for artwork or a patterned pillow to give you a color scheme direction. You could add a different color on the draperies.

Take the curtains all the way up to the ceiling and to the floor. Linen or some such light color panels on pinch rings or flat panel bunched on a rod. Use something easily changed for your pop of color: pillows, great vase or insanely vibrant print (large scale like Georgia O'Keeffe). Leave the blinds if they are doing what you need. I agree that the dark wall is absorbing energy from the room, but if you paint is lighter, your tv and such are going to really pop (and not in a good way). I would like to see a lighter tone on the walls though.

Help! I will do anything to make this god forsaken room light and fresh and modern. Paint walls white, paint brown wall a warm pewter grey, add pretty pillows and curtains, and ARTWORK......???? Help.

Ok, I say take a look at Farrow & Ball colors, you can get a great paint chart free online, I'm pretty sure. Not so many colors that it is overwhelming. Or Restoration Hardware paint colors ( I am not a paint salesman by the way ) Anyway, sounds like you like the pewter grey color which can be beautiful. How about painting all the walls a very soft and light grey, in the pewter hue, just not too dark. All walls in the same color will make the room look less chopped and larger. The windows need to be more of a focus. How about working in deeper rich greys with a bit of the color of the fabric on the sectional, in perhaps a modern stripe, even a modern silk ( see Restoration Hardware ) a combination of dark rich pewter grey, lighter grey and a bit of the warm tone. And, because the room is modern in feel, drapery hardware, installed over each window, maybe in an oil rubbed bronze or greyed metal ( see Restoration Hardware ) and hanging panels at each side to the floor.

And....whatever grey you use,,,,make sure the different greys are from the same color "family" blue greys, warm greys etc....

Start by getting rid of the torchiere lamps. They cast the light up onto the ceiling, not down into the living space where you want and need it. Then reanalyze for paint colors. I like the neutral furnishings as they leave the door wide open for accent colors. Introduce a fun, unexpected color and remove the red pillows. They make the room appear more heavy. Ad some shiny things, ie. mirrors or mirrored wall hangings, glass items for a touch of sparkle and light.
Good luck !

OK...here goes: pull the sectional away from the wall about 2 1/2 - 3 feet, move rug so that it is only about 6 inches out from sofa (see photos), paint the brown wall the same shade of red as the existing throw pillows. Add fabulous printed drapery panels (similar to photo) hung high and wide as shown in attached illustration.

The print behind the sofa is too small. I can't make out what it is a picture of, but it might do well to hang it over or under the other picture.

The floor lamps should be close to the furniture, not the TV!

If you could take a couple of pictures while you are standing in front of the window looking toward the other wall I might be able to help you more.

Also get some pictures from the sofa looking toward the TV. :-)

I'm liking the idea of painting all the walls a light pewter color. Light ceiling to floor curtain panels on rod/rings. Pop of color through pillows, art, vase etc. ?? You guys have been so helpful! Wow!

Yes that's Denzel on my TV.

You have been given some great ideas on color, window treatments, paint etc. Just as a side note I think it would look nice if you pulled the sectional off the wall and let it float more in the middle of the room. I think the sectional should at least somewhat be sitting on the area rug. This would also make the room appear larger because it will allow you to emphasize your windows more without having a big sectional pushed up next to them. Do floor to ceiling curtain panels, and like magic your space will look totally different! Is there a need to have the grey loveseat and ottoman in this room? I don’t think you need that extra seating, there is so much furniture in there! If anything I think a nice long console would look great on that wall with a piece of artwork above it!