I like the candlesticks, red vase and bird/books best. Love the red vase with the light shining on it. My second choice would be the ivy plant/birdbooks and candlesticks...but would take away the photo and maybe put the ivy plant/birdbooks closer to the candlesticks.

I am drawn to the second pic with the vintage family photos. The red really sticks out to me. I like the plant and framed pics and candlesticks. It says "home" to me.

I like them all. I am so helpful, right?

I don't like things that stick up higher than the window. Looks cluttered to me. I like just the arrangement with the plant and nothing else.
I particularly don't like that piece of glass...looks cheap, it's too orange for the rest of the orange and rust in your room.
Since your book case and room has sort of an arts and crafts feel to it, how about soemthing like this ( linked below) but on an easel not hung.?
Linda C

Here is a link that might be useful: glass panel

I love the glass! What a perfect place for it to reflect. Great color too.

My vote is for the picture, covered bowl and candle sticks.

Beautiful room!

I like the red vase and I don't think it looks cheap. I like the first arrangement best.

I'm no good at arranging. I just wanted to tell you that I like your bookcase (& wish I could find the same thing but half as tall) & I like the bird in the books a lot too.

I should've been more clear in my description of items. There are actually 3 different sets of candlesticks (all with red candles). So for those who like the candlesticks, which set do you like the best? The second set is the shortest, however, the shorter one also seems to want a skinner candle as the lip is also narrower.

I do see now in the pictures the red glass vase does look brighter. I will play around with it some more tomorrow. Hopefully, the light will be better.

There are also two different pictures I tried out as well, so it would also be helpful to know which one seems to work better.

Keep the comments coming.

I think your room is beautiful, if it were me, I would try to find something that would bounce some light around. Your on the right track bringing in the glass, it just seems sort of big for that spot with the other items next to it. I think it is pretty though so Id definitely find another good spot for it, or just showcase it only, or put it inside the bookcase, with a couple of other items to break up the lines of books. For atop that bookcase I would be looking for something lighter in color along with the other items which are deep in color and dont appear to be very reflective, maybe like a brighter metallic finish or mirrored item. Like I said something to bounce the light around. I always think a room needs some items rich in color -which you already have- or something in black someplace, and then something to sparkle. Ok sounds like Im stealing the comments from Candice Olsen but I read about those basic tips long ago, before she became a household name.

I don't think it needs anything. Maybe a tiny painting over the plant perhaps (if possible).

I think the smaller size candlesticks fit best in terms of size. I like the ones that are lighter in color, though.

I like the last arrangement with the plant. Visually, those elements look balanced. The other arrangements with the vase don't (to me. :)) The vase is probably not the right shape.... as the empty space around it is bothering me.

I like the left hand side of the last photo you posted with the plant and bird book. I would then try the red vase on the right side. I would not use any candlesticks.
I love your bookcase.

I like that delightful bird with books and plant, and I think the height lent by the candlesticks is a good thing. They are like an exclamation point for that whole wall; they keep the eye from wandering off. The red bowl seems too large, though.

Looking at the bookcase, IMO having nothing but dark books on the top shelf gives a very heavy look where it should be light. How about if they were on the bottom (or even the middle) shelf? Then try moving a row of books with colorful jackets and spines to the top shelf - they just might give a real lift and spark to the objects above them.

I always love looking at your beautiful room. You've put so much thought into it!

Adore this room....while I like the red vase etc. I think I like the other vignette with the green plant better.

I like the last arrangement. I like the vase but I think theres enought color with the books. the plant really softens the look and I like the old photo and the lighter candlesticks. Very comfy looking space. The colors are really nice.

Have you ever considered a piece of stained glass for the window? I'd be tempted to try that and leave the bookcase with a clean top.

Love your beautiful room. My thoughts: Candles are too large and high with the other choices. I like your idea about a colored glass, but I am not sure I love that particular one. But, this is where taste comes in and what is important is if YOU really like it.I would vote for the last arrangement.

i like the last set up best with the plant and the bird/books... probably like the double family photo best up there, and like the 2nd pair of candlesticks you show the best!
not crazy about the vase...

pollyanna: Thanks for passing along the Candice Olson tips. Do you think it would look better to swap out the wood frame for a metalic one?

lolauren: I have switched over to the smaller sized candlsticks, though swapped the shorter and taller sides. I think the lighter ones may have a smaller sized candlestick. I will look for it today at TJ Maxx and try it out.

lyban: I will try out that configuration with the red vase on the right, though I'm also feeling it's too squatty. Perhaps I may try a taller orange one I saw there.

sable_ca: Good point about the top shelf all being dark. Unfortunately, that is the only shelf that is tall enough for my photo albums. I wonder if I could stack them horizontally?

loribee: Pls. let me know what you think of vignette below with the smaller candlesticks.

katrina_ellen: Thanks!

ellendi: I tend to agree with your assessment as well. Red vase is going back to the store.

busybee3: What do you think of either of these?

Based on majority feedback, here are a few more tweaks, both with the smaller sized candlesticks, one with larger pic and one with the smaller. Since some preferred the lighter candlesticks, I'm going to look for one in a smaller size since I think they did have one. Also, for the frame would a metallic one look better? What do you think of the plant container? This is one I have on hand, but has a hole in bottom so I will need to get a plate to sit it on--or I could just shop for another. The green container and green plant doesn't provide much contrast. Should I look for something in red or tan or keep the more understated look of the green? Is this the right amount of items? There are 5 (odd number which I like), though the bird/book has 3 parts, so could also be considered 7 items.

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

Before I return the vase, I was wondering does anyone like it here in my DR bay window?

{{!gwi}}

This is what I had before, but I think the tree is too-Christmasy.

{{!gwi}}

The bulb in the glass container is not doing that well. Should I swap it out for another vase? Perhaps a taller one in green or orange or too much color?

I would move the bookcase to the right, and let Guitar Hero stuff move into its place or else where. This will put the tall candlesticks against the wall background, where I think they will look better than in front of the window. I also agree with putting the darker books somewhere other than the top shelf. I like the objects on top that are lower/smaller. And although I like the glass, I don't think the bookcase it the place for it. So, yes, look for a plant container that gives you the bright color you want there.

The new bookshelf arrangement is very nice! I like the red vase in the window too. Maybe you could change the candles to red as well as the plant container.

LOVE the red vase in the dining room window -- just try it in the middle of the window by itself OR try it on the center of the dining room table!

BUT do add some clear stones in it -- and a few tall spring branches with white flowers (silk ones of course! LOL) Nice for the spring!

Val, what a lovely room. Personally I'd go with just the ivy plant and let it grow and fall over the sides of the bookcase as time wears on, though the last two ideas with the candles look very nice too.
The thing that's bugging me, and I'm sorry about this but....the third pane from the left on the top shelf has nothing behind it. I think I'd put the bird and book bookend there.

Beautiful room. I would keep the red glass, but I like reds in my LR. Not loving the candlesticks as much as they are a bit dark. Any chance of brusing some burnished gold to get more of a metallic color? Also, do you have any red red candles to go on the sticks? While stained glass would be great, I am not sure I would like just the one transom set done in stained glass.

Anyhoo, great room. I am sure if you forage around your house a bit, you may find some other "accessories" that may be contenders for the top of the case. I don't think I would like it empty of any accessories tho.

Please post a pic of your final choices!

Regarding swapping out the frames for metallics, I would leave them as they are, they seem to be old style photos and I think your frames are suitable to them. I like the changes you made. You have a good eye.

I love the red glass...I have a thing for windows and colored glass and would be tempted to have 2 dozen bottles up there, dime store being fine.
All the vignettes seem ok to me but I would have nothing but colored glass on the bookcase. While I am not a collector, I do like seeing arrangements of all one thing: a whole bunch of clear glass candlesticks, lots of attractively potted African violets, a dozen+ picture frames, seashells, that sort of thing.

I can imagine what the light coming in through the window does to that red glass. I like it on the bookcase and on the window sill. It gives some bling to the room. The picture of the bookcase without the glass (posted at 12:43) looks common.

I was just wondering if you had decided on your bookcase top and dining room window decor. Did you keep the red vase?

I find it so interesting to see how you decorating talented people work things out!

Val, I love the last shot of the bookcase just before
the pic of the dining room window...the candle sticks
compliment the lamp. The only thing i would change is
the greenish pot the plant is in. I think a brown/bronze
pot would look great.
The room is lovely, I love the new rug.

nancybee_2010: As in most of my decorating projects, I had it 98% complete, but your question gave me the nudge to finish the remaining 2%. I had tried out and returned several pots before settling on just the right one and transplated my other plant in it. I also decided to keep the old photos in my bedroom since I liked them there and bought a new frame that coordinated better with my candlesticks. That 2% remaining was to pick the photo to put in the frame--finally I decided to put last year's Christmas family photo there as I felt the sepia photos didn't look so good in the gold frame, though if others think sepia is better I can scan and tweak this photo for a sepia version.

I should probably still tweak the bookcase some more, but it works for what I need it to do which is store books and photo albums. The photo albums don't fit on the lower shelves so I'm stumped how to change it without just storing the photo albums in a closet and then they are not out for people to see.

As for the dining room, I did keep the red vase. I love how the light reflects in it. I may add some more vases at some point when the bulb actually dies, but so far it's hanging in there.

{{!gwi}}

cliff_and_joann: Thanks for the compliments and feedback. As you see above I did swap out the green vase. Your home is an inspiration to me--esp. your tablescapes. I've been following your DR chairs makeover with interest and can't wait to see the results!

On another note, I recently got a new camera and am very excited that I am finally able to take pictures of window shots without the background getting washed out!

The bookcase top is just perfect! That bird is so sweet. And the glass vase is so pretty with those drapes.

Thank you so much for sharing!