What you do with the space depends to an extent on your husband's business. If he is in a financial field, it has to look different from how it would look if he were in a creative field. However, it must be agreed that the old brass dining room chandeliers, brown wainscotting and sad little valance don't really work, no matter what he does. Brightening up the area below the chair rail, changing out the light fixtures, adding a colorful modern artwork and area rug over the brown carpet, and possibly even adding a slipcover to the client seating, would really help. See Houzz photos under "business office" for some examples, some restrained, some less so. After all, regardless of his business, people will see his office as a reflection of himself, his personality, how updated his knowledge is, etc.

What color would you use on the wainscoting (that is ship lap)? Also, do you think if we changed the chandelier glass that would help? What do you think of painting the back wall a color to bring the room closer a little more comfy? Lastly, do think if we put up long panels on the windows instead of the small valances? Thanks so much!