Because the walls are painted a deep color and the mint comforter is pastel it jreally doesn't work very well. If it were my room I would buy a comforter with tan/beige and other deeper, richer colors. (see photos)

I would hang the mirror above the dresser. next I would take the smaller picture (that is hanging over the side table) and hang it over the other side table (centered and low) then I would take the other picture (that is hanging over the chair) and hang it over the table on the right to add balance. I would use this until I could have something big enough to hang over the bed.

Here's a away to make inexpensive (cheap) art: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/10-diy-wall-art-150457 and here's another: http://www.richmondmagazine.com/?articleID=c13430159d985d2dde724b1eecb6b06b

Shop thrift stores, yard sales, craigslist and consignment shops to find nice things at inexpensive prices.

Love seeing the pics! I can definitely see the browns and creams in the comforter working better.

seen this on HGTV under Candice Olsen's gallery and thought of your discussion

Large folding screens make interesting headboards. See if you can find one you like or can recover or paint. I almost always like Candice Olsen's work. Check her on websites for ideas.

consider returning the bedding and get either an solid wite/off white or one with a contrasting border...check out resale shops for two matching lamps that are much taller. measure the front to back size fo the night stand and dont have the shade larger than the depth. the lamps should be either colorful glass, ceramic, of ever clear glass....or you could have dark metal or gold.....silver.... .

Hi Lee! Yes, that HGTV picture is exactly the serene look I liked in the colors of the bedspread and the light night stands. I hadn't thought of dark brown and now I really loves how that looks. I can also picture the comforter having cream colors and adding color with pillows and lamps. Hmmm... what to do. I really like the bedspread but right now it looks washed out.

remember to consider the WHOLE room ...not just the individual parts....each piece adds to the whole and if the whole looks great the individual pieces ....even if you only give them an 8 on a 1-10 scale the room can hit an 11+ as all the 8's work together

all that to say......exchange the spread! its the large piece of interest and right now it is the weakest....the opportunity is there to be worked with and it should be either very strong of very 'not' strong and right now it is sorta ....sorta weakish interesting....which doesnt work

LOL! Gary you're funny... The dresser and the comforter are the only two things I like in this space. Next would be the carpet. Right now everything just blends together-is very monochromatic-including the nightstands---except for the light comforter. I think paint would do wonders for the room-it's the least expensive thing to do and it will make the biggest impact and the newly purchased comforter and nightstands will look great against a different backdrop. :) CheerS!

Gary, I have been convinced. I am staring at it right now and it just looks WASHED OUT! It's frustrating to me that I don't have a knack for this, but thank god you guys are helping me. I guess it's a learning process! I am going to wrap it up now and keep hunting!!

you can't require yourself to be good at everything

Any light color against that wall color will look washed out...
Well I tried...
Good Luck!
[houzz=][houzz=][houzz=]

here you go... http://www.walmart.com/ip/Chelsea-Frank-Group-Elise-Duvet-in-White/14701472

Natalie, my husband is with you. It's sparking good conversation. I appreciate it!!!

I'm telling you-I could make that bedding work---LOL!
Enjoy! :)

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Vintage-Overdyed-Natural-Faux-Silk-Rug/7504937/product.html

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Couture-Lamps-36-inch-Laguna-Table-Lamp/6655009/product.html

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Chicology-Nevada-Timberwolf-Roman-Shade/6145998/product.html

Gary, if you have the time can you see if this would work? The one you showed me doesn't come in a CA king. I'm worried the one I found doesn't have enough white even though it's still very light and similar to what you showed me.

Gary... here you go: http://www.amazon.com/California-Vanilla-Canvas-Egyptian-cotton/dp/B001U5AQ4E/ref=sr_1_39?s=bedbath&ie=UTF8&qid=1352674860&sr=1-39

GOOD JOB i found one are walmart ....try JCP as well

GOOD JOB i found one are walmart ....try JCP as well

as you study ur space consider the base boards ...see how the white is a key part of the space ....run with the white adding white will compliement the trim and bring things together

This one could work: http://www.amazon.com/Chezmoi-Collection-Embroidery-Patchwork-California-cal/dp/B0047QRY8O/ref=sr_1_86?ie=UTF8&qid=1352686554&sr=8-86&keywords=comforter+set+king

or this one: http://www.amazon.com/Pieces-Patchwork-Removable-Comforter-California-cal/dp/B0030HC4SG/ref=sr_1_96?ie=UTF8&qid=1352686752&sr=8-96&keywords=comforter+set+king

Thanks Janishill. I am probably going to order a white duvet cover with tan trim and get a dark brown throw blanket and pillows on it. I need a duvet cover as well. Complicated by being an oversized King duvet which is harder to find. But I think I did with Gary's suggestion of the Chelsea Frank which I ended up finding in the bigger size. I will post pics of any updates. I'd like to get something done before Thanksgiving when lots of family are coming over to celebrate in our new house.

It needs pillows.

good girl

good girl

consider a textured pillow or two....not a cotton print......

As an FYI, I have found some beautiful and sometimes with feather inserts at TJ Maxx and Marshall's. Please post pictures as there has been a lot of interest in your dilemma. I have also purchased lamps from consignment stores and bought new shades or otherwise modified them. And don't forget Ebay.

if youre not planning to paint soon. i would exchange the spread. find something that has a cream background with various colors that area earthy and warm. looks a little too warm right now which is why a cream comforter would help. u can add tall dressing mirrors behind the nightstands to reflect light. By a large stretched canvass from michael's and cover it with some material. hang it over the bed. All the best!

a european coverlet lays on the end of bed. can contrast with shams of same shade/design.

I won't paste links since you already have expert help here.

Sometimes, it is difficult to find something that sleeps/covers you the right way. What do I mean? As an example; down is light but bothers folks who overheat easily and/or have allergies, poly/cotton blends with heavy batting are pretty but often too heavy. I find having to make and unmake a bed bothersome and would rather have something beautiful and comfortable without adding to daily chores. A coverlet and shams take up very little space and are an easy bed make when you rise.

A very light weight comforter cover - if you are convinced this one needs to be different. Comforters are not a dime a dozen.

comfortable comforters. had to clarify that one. :=) the coverlet and shams should add texture. taffeta, silk, ultra-suede (that is once you place the new comforter cover that you like from above) would all work. backdrop; fast fix are wall stickers that do not peel paint.

Also, a set of old doors, an old iron gate, or headboard made with something from your new bedding....a smoother flow. would love to see one natural wood item of some kind. rattan, bamboo, walnut if you are going with pumpkin, tans, chocolates. I tried to find a link to an example, but the pics are in the middle of trip advisor. Anyway, chocolate and this color with off white/butter creams is super relaxing. Enjoy your new home. Very exciting time.

Add some colour in form of comforter of pillows etc , ur room need colour. And remove tht mirror on corner as well. Good luck

http://www.jcpenney.com/dotcom/bed-bath/bedding/view-all-bedding/pomona-reversible-comforter-set-accessories/prod.jump?ppId=1d1234b&catId=cat100250063&deptId=dept20000012&Nao=72&pN=4&dimCombo=null&dimComboVal=null
http://www.jcpenney.com/dotcom/bed-bath/bedding/view-all-bedding/linden-street-westbrook-quilt-more/prod.jump?ppId=1b6b197&catId=cat100250063&deptId=dept20000012&Nao=120&pN=6&dimCombo=null&dimComboVal=null
http://www.jcpenney.com/dotcom/bed-bath/bedding/view-all-bedding/caitlyn-quilt-more/prod.jump?ppId=1d752ca&catId=cat100250063&deptId=dept20000012&Nao=480&pN=21&dimCombo=null&dimComboVal=null

You have a great sized bedroom with beautiful warm paint and carpet. Here are a few suggestions for duvets that would work with your room the way it is now:

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/victoria-duvet-cover/?pkey=cduvet-covers-shams

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/wells-palampore-duvet-cover-sham-blue/?pkey=cduvet-covers-shams

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/duncan-stripe-duvet-cover-sham/?pkey=cduvet-covers-shams

If you went with a duvet you could use it over an old quilt you already have. And you don't necessarily have to purchase matching shams but could purchase inexpensive ones that coordinate. Best of luck!

really don't need to change your bedding. That's what gave me the thought of that headboard/art working in your space.

Your bedspread made me think sernie graden theme. Greens and browns as accents. Lamps, pillows, and headboard and/or art, for now. Soft or yellow Green paint later.

Though your paint is bold it will work...just need to balance with bold accents.

I was attempting to show you how a cool art piece for headboard would work with your current bedding.
Love the one in the picture, but tall shudders, country door, screen, iron gate, tuffed fabric, leather, ect. would be great. Instead of a headboard you could put a cool piece of art...think of a black and white print avaialbe at Walmart of tree hanging over a dock, but anything you love will work. Or even a very artistic mirror. Just add some pillows with texture and color, agian my mind goes green, but that is entirely up to your taste and liking.

Wow! Thank you to all for your thoughtful input! I have until Thanksgiving to start my most basic improvements and I will post pictures!!

Have fun but stay focused

Have fun but stay focused

Made two big moves- lamps and art. Decided to stay with the comforter because I loved the print. Here it is.

Looks good. Add pillows that incorporate your wall color onto the bed.

Looks lovely! I cannot see the print well but it seems to be picked up subtly in your new art. And, hey! It's YOURS and it only matters that YOU love it. Good work.

Looks lovely! I cannot see the print well but it seems to be picked up subtly in your new art. And, hey! It's YOURS and it only matters that YOU love it. Good work.

W E L L F I N E..........................................................Done good! The art could not be better.....and there is just enough space between the pillows and the art for an upholstered headboard when you are ready for it.....congrats

:=) hi beesto. beautiful, serene, and yours...

beautiful!

Isn't Houzz great encouragement to get it done?

WOW what a difference a lamp makes and a piece of wall art. I love the minimalist decor.

Thank you! This house discussion was amazing!! I thought I scored with the art. Glad to hear you agree Gary. I am still tempted to get these burnt orange lamps that would go so well with the art and change the comforter, but I found these green lamps and they went with my current comforter which I did find very serene. This was the less expensive route. I'm glad it works!

just changing the lights and adding the artwork did wonders for that room. I think the comforter works great, you just have to get the right accents to help pick it up. I think your comforter is great. Glad it can still work for you.

Yes, I haev posted for hlep on another thread I started and this place is amazing. I will need help with all my rooms once I get myself organized.