I'd remove the wainscoting and wallpaper below and paint the walls one color. Except, I'd consider painting the FP wall the same color as the curtains! The fireplace and curtains will recede into the wall, yet still be an accent wall. Then, new "crystal" sconces and large round mirror above the FP.

PS... I'd also scoot the furniture closer together and get an area rug to ground the conversation space.

Can the firebox that is left of the fireplace be painted the color of the stone inside? Then fill it up with firewood.

If furniture could be flipped, then the large chair would help obscure the view of the box.

Definitely take down the tall drape.

Or, could doors be added to the firebox?

I'd remove the wainscotting (it is very distracting, and tends to look odd whenever it's not on all four walls). I'd keep the drapes but slide them aside and be rid of the tiebacks (use sheers or blinds for privacy). That way, the fireplace wall is more uniform (all squares, no swoops curves). And just one big piece of art over the fireplace. Avoid clusters and collections, this room has a lot going on as is. And begging to differ, I would not shorten the right hand drape. Exposing a window just complicates the wall (look at the photoshopped pic--my eye is immediately drawn to the naked window in the upper right corner).

I think if the naked window drawing had a real stained glass window in it, it would be less noticeable compared to my stark window drawing :) It's drawn color makes it more focal. I think the drapes at the same height would keep the eye lower and would have a better, smoother flow to that wall.

I would agree that the top window/curtain is throwing the whole room off. I would use a shutter or shade the same color as the walls so that it would blend in. Drapes should be the same height and the scale of your accessories (like the sconces, side table and artwork) needs to be pumped up. A large rug is essential to pulling the room together with the furniture brought closer together for a more intimate feel.

I do like At Your Service's sketch, but I wonder what it would be like to have to get up on a ladder to dust the shutters. And how does one open and close them? I think perhaps LB's idea for some kind of decorative glass might be more practical.

To me, the issue is that your decor is traditional and formal, but the fireplace is informal. Somehow you need to marry the two by dressing up the fireplace and dressing down the room. Perhaps a fireplace screen and staining the hearth top a a cream color. Replace some of the items in the room, like the queen ann coffee table, the wall paper, and some of the accessories, with ones that are more casual and current.

The wainscoting is distracting...get rid of it. It looks like all the windows are different heights...if so, I'd keep drapes as is. Paint the fireplace wall a shade darker than the rest of the room to emphasize it as focal point.

I would also use a larger painting or piece of art on the wall and something with color which stands out and which will act as focal points, especially above the fireplace, this could act as good conversation piece if a nice large colorful artwork is used. I took the liberty of attaching a rough mock up of a painting over the fireplace not the best ,,,but to serve as a concept to spark other ideas for you : -)

thank you everyone. There is a screen on the fireplace but it's black. I like the idea of the sheer and letting the drapes hang straight. The coffee table is from Thomasville and isn;t queen ann, i think it;s a little country french? It's only a few years old. I want to remove the wainscotting. Believe it or not this was the choice of a horrible designer I used. She also had me put up a coordinating walpaper on foreplace wall, it was so distracting I had it taken down. I know I need an area rug, I;ve been looking. I want to replace my sofas.

I like At Your Services sketch not only because they address the window situation but because they treat the fireplace as a whole and put one large piece of art over it. Visually that makes the whole area less busy.

Jeanine- Do you really need a covering over the uppermost window? I'd leave it bare. Also suggest sheer or simple neutral drapes, hung at even heights over the two lower windows, no tie backs. Nix the wainscot. Other ideas re rug, furniture, art posted here are good ones to consider.

What if you didn't do drapes at all, and just did honeycomb cellular shades that match the wall color:

The one on the top window could just be left closed. Seems that would make the unbalanced windows less distracting.

Nice room. But seems cold. No color. I would paint to just warm it up. Remove drapes, not doing anything for room. Over FP, hang a long 4-5 ft long and 30" high art. Something that has WOW factor. Check Z Galleries. Fill left side of opening with wood to top. What's in other side? Gas logs? Then you need to rearrange furn. For a better flow. Find a accent color you like and use it in pillows throws. Accessories on coffee table. Use tall big plants in corners and on one end of mantel. Let it hang over mantel.

Pictures on side are to small. Remove. Remove chair rail and paneling. Then paint a darker taupe with gray undertones. Get samples put on your wall first. Never buy paint with just a paint chip.

If getting new Furn. You could go a gray on walls. Then get a dark gray on sofas. You need some texture and pattern in there to. Try chairs with a pattern. Hard to tell what's going on, need more pics. Is there a TV? Coffee table looks dated. Depending on arrangement of room. Would dictate size and shape of coffee table. Area rug a must, but first decide on furn and arrangement in room.

If you must do drapes. Take the tall side and bring down so it is same height on both side. If not a privacy problem. I would say NO drapes. No pleated blinds, too cold. You could go Roman on lower windows only nothing on that high window. Not meant to be covered.

I agree with 'At Your Service', my drawing was trying to convey the same concept.

I do not think that gray paint is a color for your room. Gray is too overdone in my opinion.

While I initially advocated for not lowering the tall drape, I must say I quite like the sketch with the lowered drape and the shutter. I think that, coupled with one big piece of art, and no tiebacks, is probably the best solution.

I would lighten the mantle color and add a very large art on the right wall.

I absolutely agree with the use of the very large art on the right wall

Thanks again everyone, I will post a full picture of the room soon. There is a large TV on the wall on right. There is also another couch.

I would place the two sofas at L-shape where one sofa is opposite and centered to the fireplace. And bring the left sofa closer to meet the arms.

here's a pic of the TV

I 'm guessing. The two sofas are already in L-shape? One is facing the fireplace?

Great space! I would start with the styling of your fireplace. I think that a gallery of frames would look great there (see attached pic). Once you figure out the main focal point of your space you can go from there! Best of luck!

yes, the couches are in an Lshape facing the fireplace. I will take a full room picture when I get home.

Ok thanks. To start, I think you need to center the sofa opposite the FP center. Then bring the other sofa close to the arm. It will come way from the wall. Maybe sofa table behind that one. Create a cozier grouping.

Maybe you need to move all the furniture closer to the fireplace. Then move tV console too.

This feels like the windows were not mean to be covered. For me, the dark drapery rods are drawing too much attention, in addition to the issues others noted with the curve and color of the drapes. In particular, the top window on right as some others commented, does not need to be covered. Its not clear for me what is outside or how likely another house or public access is to require drapes? Agree with some people commenting about sheers or similar if absolutely need them. Then get rods painted or changed so they do not stand out.

I think if the box to left was filled with wood, as I assume its intended to be/others mentioned, it would not be a focal point. The wood and stone would blend, make the left opening recede, allowing the focus to be the fireplace itself. Agree with placing one large art piece over the fireplace. While not a fan of TV at all in the room, if its a must, would it work better to be over the fireplace(in lieu of art)? Also agree with pulling together the seating area as several already suggested, including rug you I think are already seeking to add.

If the fireplace is less than an object of love...you can flip sofa to turn its back to it! Make the L go the other way. The sofas will open up more to welcome your family and guests as they enter the room, and tv viewing will be the same.

Then sort of downplay the mantle area and add linen sheers to both windows to blend it all away.

The tv wall will be the focal point, so that should be made more dramatic.

To make tv wall more the focal point have a local cabinet maker create something larger to hold or surround the tv.

What kind of art should I look for? floral?

Before commenting on the subject matter of the painting .... I would recommend that you go for an actual painting... as compared to a paper print..... Always choose something that you like,,,,not necessarily something that someone else guides you to....

Thanks Nicky, this room is exhausting, I think I'm going to move and start over!

Some colors to look at... three florals and an abstract..... all depends.... even a landscape could work

You are most welcome Jaanine... hang in there... its going to look fabulous when you are done and you are going to feel so proud of what you accomplished..... :-)

I like the art you posted. I would like to see the teal more visible in the drape fabric.