You may not have noticed but I have popcorn ceilings...which I absolutely hate and unfortunately it is throughout the house.

I so sympathize! I have stippled ceilings which I am scraping because I am not going to remove miles of ceiling plaster. THen I'm going to paint the ceilings with texturizer in the paint. Best I can do. What is wrong with people that they would so screw up a ceiling?

Hi. When I saw your post, I immediately thought of a before and after photo I have seen that a local designer has on her website. I am going to post a link. I hope it works.

http://www.cbdesignstudio.net/gallery.html

Changing the look of a room can be as simple as some changes in the trim work. Replacing baseboard,adding crown molding is one easy place to start if you want to make a minor change to a room but still see a big difference. The crown molding help sets the tone for any style space. When using the Beulahs Baby print what a great way to create a focal point. However you can be so creative , by adding large tall cream candle holder that will bring some color down from the print. It best to keep your coffee table style in line with your other seating design especially when you are creating a contemporary look.

I used to have the Beulahs Baby poster, loved the colors in it, and it has so much movement. Maybe picking up the blue from the painting to use in the room? I like the fabric/glass coffee table idea. I also like the crown molding idea. And the natural wood baseboard does stick out, unfortunately. Add color on the windows - Roman shades are nice, and more pictures. You said you are artsy, but that isn't coming through in the room yet. Give yourself permission to take a risk with colors, maybe if you start with things that are easy to change it will be easier. Pillows/throws etc.. What about a wall hanging in fabric? That painting is very a very tactile style, it seems that you might like more tactile objects in the room?

We just purchased a condo in Florida and in addition to the great layout, the neutral decorating is what sold us.
The basics are all very neutral like your room and the prior owner accessorized with oranges and browns in a very contemporary way.

Will try to post pictures, the file must have been too big to go with my initial post.

I agree with not painting an accent wall, especially in this room because you have the L-shape layout. In lieu of this, however, how about some overscale pattern painted onto the back wall or panels of a fun wallpaper? This would bring color and pattern into the room but in a smaller, controlled way. As everyone else has said, add a large, colorful area rug (I would go with a large scale transitional style rather than an oriental, but make sure it's colorful!) and some drapery panels to pull in more color. Add pillows, a throw, accessories - things to make it look like someone lives in the room. I would definitely cancel the black ottoman - it's going to look like it's floating in the middle of the floor and is too high contract to the couch. It will also look very heavy. Find a vintage coffee table in either a mid-century or traditional style, depending upon where you are going with furnishings. It could be wood, metal or painted. To balance out the black chair, I would add a lamp on the opposite end of the couch with a black shade. Again, a vintage lamp, or at least one with a base in a nice accent color would be nice.

I think the dark brown above the fireplace is too much contrast. Either tone it down, or paint the whole thing. Paint the baseboard - it creates a little stripe going all the way around the room and is distracting. You have a good basic start - just keep going!

I think an area rug and curtains will liven up your space. Then find a coffee table that you love. I agree the molding needs paint--but you could also beef it up alittle-especially if you are going to do crown molding at some point. You also need side tables for your sofa that are alittle more in scale. Then art work that compliments your color scheme.

I would think of this room as an art gallery. Let some large art be the anchor and attention getter. (Maybe photographic art of your favorite city or nature setting) I like the previous suggestion of the colorful throw and the painting of the baseboard. I guess what you do depends on if you're looking for a calming effect or stimulating color. If you use area rugs, art, throws and pillows you can change it on a whim. Neutral base rocks when you decide to get something new.

Wow! I am getting some awesome responses. I love it! I am adding to the room one piece at a time. I recently purchased a table lamp, which I loved in the store, but the more I see it, I am starting to question whether its the right pick for the space. I have posted a new picture, which includes 2 area rug samples. Someone in an earlier post mentioned an oriental rug. Let me know your thoughts.

LOVE the big paisley rug - I think that that is the style you need: transitional, to go with your transitional furniture. I thin the oriental is very pretty, but not as interesting. I also like that the pattern is larger in the paisley, and that the light/white color is larger to complement your upholstery. You are going to need a fairly large size rug - in this situation, I would definitely want to see the front legs of the furniture sitting on the rug to ground it; not the rug floating in space in front of it. This will probably mean an 8x10.

This is a fairly big room with chunky furniture - you need accessories that will stand on their own against them. Although I like the lamp, I think it is way too small for the placement. You need a large, arm-high end table in the corner (square); it should visually look about as big as the chair. Put a LARGE lamp on this table (the largest you can find), one with a color on the base and maybe a black drum shade. I'm thinking of maybe a large round glass base, something like this but bigger still http://www.amazon.com/Contemporary-Green-Glass-Fabric-Shade/dp/B000FJJU66 OR this http://www.lampsplus.com/products/Medium-Celadon-Plum-Jar-Table-Lamp__P2486.html This style is possible, too, and I think the scale is better (see the dimensions) and it comes in many colors http://www.lampsplus.com/products/Robert-Abbey-31-inch-Apple-Green-Ceramic-and-Bronze-Table-Lamp__G6571.html Here is another style http://www.lampsplus.com/products/Lite-Source-Orange-Peel-Ceramic-Table-Lamp__F6569.html Anyway, I think you get the picture :-) I would pull the warm tones out of the rug, no matter which one you use.

At the other end of the couch, between it and the black chair, I think I would look for a round end table, to mirror the rounded back of the chair, maybe something like this http://www.ballarddesigns.com/olivia-mirrored-side-table/tables/accent-tables/14345You could pair this with a taller thinner lamp (since the

Oops, it cut me off. The other idea would be to use a garden seat http://www.ballarddesigns.com/garden-seat/10846 with a floor lamp. Since your furniture is neutral, you need to bring all of your color in through accent furniture and accessories. Hope some of these ideas help!

http://www.sunshinemls.com:8081/search/residential_searchresults_report_personalclientreport.asp?eid=5219006

Check out these pictures our sellers had the best combination of subtle shades in a modern environment.

I did cancel the leather ottoman and ordered the table I had initially purchased but returned before it arrived. Here's the link. http://www.homfurniture.com/Online/Home/Store/Product_688710_Lakefield-Cocktail-Table I am getting lots of comments about the baseboards which has been on my list of things to change. I guess its hard for me to imagine the baseboards, trim and interior doors as white/off-white. I like the colorful lamps. The paisley rug is also my favorite. The only color I could think of to pullout of the rug for the drapes is maybe the red/burnt orange color. This would give the room the color that everyone agrees it needs.

You need a larger table at the end of the sofa between the chair and the sofa in the corner. Put the lamp and other things on it for decoration. A throw over the tan chair would be a pop of color. You need a coffee table, perhaps two square wood stands with a glass on top or a large wicker trunk of some sort. Even a rounded one would be good as the black chair is rounded on the back. Some drapes in a color of the green or the orangish red color that is in the rug, sorry i don't know what its called, its the rug in front of the tan chair. Move the little stand to the other end of the sofa. On the mantle i would put a mirror leaned against the wall with a gold frame with some dark stain rubbed into the design of the frame so it will blend with the surround of the fireplace. Add some candles or something tall on either side of it. Add little bird or something. Something needs to be on the floor by the fireplace. Behind the tan chair i would put up a collection of black and white pictures in black frames. Like a set of twelve. Use white matting so it would bring the white of the fireplace over to that side of the room. I would also turn that chair at more of an angle facing the frontroom. Bring in a little bit of greenery on the side tables. :)

kklawler1, I like that coffee table - I think it will give you a nice look - and another place to accessorize - rather than the black ottoman. Yes, I agree: the burnt orange is the color I would pull out of the paisley rug as the main accent. You could also pull the green out in smaller ways (pattern on throw pillows, small items, etc.). It would be a nice blend because green is the complementary color to orange. Also, use different shades - don't try to match all the colors. It will give you a room which looks pulled together and cohesive, but not matchy-matchy. I hope you will post photos when it's done!

# 4 you could paint your walls or slip cover the furniture they are just so close in color, Here is some other suggestion that aren't such big jobs; more colorful cushions, a throw rug (a persian would look fabulous) art on the walls, a lamp , plants coffee table

Christopher Lowell has a great book: The Seven Layers of Decorating. Maybe your library has it, mine does. He has great principles and lots of photos to illustrate them. It'll be well worth your while.

viviennevinyl - we are definitely on the same page, you see my vision for this room and I love your ideas. THANK YOU! There were many other ideas from posts that I will use as well. Thanks everyone for your feedback...I finally see light at the end of the tunnel :)

Hey, did you see this photo? I think it's very similar to what we've been talking about! http://blogs.wsj.com/ideas-market/2011/03/29/tiger-mom-meet-panda-dad/?reflink=djm_wsjnf0411_ql3pub

OK, LOL, that was the wrong link entirely! Try this one
<a href=''></a><a style='text-decoration:none;color:#444;' href=' https://www.houzz.com/photos/family-room-ideas-phbr0-bp~t_720'>family room design</a> by <a style='text-decoration:none;color:#444;' href=' http://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designer/toronto'>toronto interior designer</a> <a style='text-decoration:none;color:#444;' href=' http://www.houzz.com/photos/professionals/19847/Meredith-Heron'>Meredith Heron</a>

Arrrrgggghhh - it's a link to a Houzz photo and I can't get it to work. Search Idea Books for "Dream Home In Toronto"/Meredith Heron/Trickett Family Room. Sorry, I can't seem to figure out how to share photos from the Houzz site ON the Houzz site.

the lamp is almost the same color as the walls, I thought you wanted contrast? If you don't break out and try some color and contrast you will just end up with more of the same

I wanted to share some new pics of the room. Still a work in progress! I currently have a round end table on order. I have purchased and returned numerous art pieces. I am having the most difficult time with the type of artwork. Should it be abstract, floral, whimsical, etc. It needs to be something that will add color to the bland wall. This room has been overwhelmingly stressful do decorate. I am sure it's partly my fault, as I am analyzing things too much. I would also like some ideas on some other colors to pull into the room. Possibly some different pillows...not crazy about the ones I have. - Thanks for your feedback!

I think it's looking great!

I don't think that you can just go buy art work.. it has to find you and speak to you. Perhaps in the mean time you could hang photos? or an oversized map? To the right of the linen colored chair perhaps a console table with a mirror over it- while you are looking for art?
I love what you have done so far!

This looks wonderful. The black anchors the grouping in a great solid way. When you get the round table in the corner with a lamp or something else taller on it, you'll have a space on the wall between the table and chair to hang a small picture kind of low. On the big wall to the right of the chair maybe consider something tall. Like two long matchy paintings. They should say something about you in color, style or subject. Something with another accent color would be nice. A deep tea, auqual or blue to set off your oranges.

Debbv's painting choices look great, I think you want to choose work you really like not just because it looks good. You have to live with it and it should make you feel good!

Hi again kk: I really like your curtains - they pull the color out of the rug. I have to say, though, that I am not crazy about the pillows. The orange ones are too bright and compete with the curtains, and the black one is just too bland. If you want to add a black pillow, I would look for a fabric with some texture to it. I would look for a couple of larger pillows in a complementary pattern (more like what you had in your original photo, but with the curtain color the dominant color) You could also pull out the green/khaki color in the rug in a pillow color. Although I said I didn't think you should paint an accent wall, I can see in your latest photo that the window wall is recessed in the corner. I know you just painted, but I really think that you would see an immediate cohesiveness in the room if you went several shades darker on the window wall and the long living/dining wall (the perimeter of the room) You can do this yourself! It will make the furniture stand out and add instant richness to the space. Orrrr...you could do the window wall in a solid color and do wide horizontal stripes - alternating the new darker with the existing wall color - on the long wall. All it takes is a level and some painter's tape :-) I would paint the fireplace wall the existing wall color to make it cohesive with the marble. How about a mirror over the FP, maybe a funky ornate thrift store find painted black? Or a round mid-century starburst? Round or oval would be more interesting and wouldn't fight the angled wall. Accessorize the mantel with khaki/burnt orange/small dose of black/pattern.

What other colors have you used in your house that you could perhaps repeat in here? As I said before, I would bring in a green - in the pillow patterns, in the lamp/lampshade, etc. Since it is the complementary color to orange, they would look great together, each holding their own.

As far as art work (and as an artist as well as a designer) I totally agree that you

Sorry - I got cut off again (this is my biggest beef with Houzz!) Anyway, as I was saying, you can't shop for art to fit the room. The art should stand on it's own and yet be complemented by the room finishes - not the other way around. It should probably be a lengthy quest to find this piece, so enjoy it! In the meantime, find a wallpaper or fabric that you like and cover a board or frame a large piece of it (large metal frames can be purchased VERY inexpensively at www.americanframes.com)

I like where you're going - just keep on :-)

More: you could also look for a large salvage piece of ironwork, for example, or a vintage sign or something like that. I remember seeing a photo of a huge square old tobacco basket used as art. It was fabulous. Rooms are most interesting when they contain diverse elements. Think beyond the 2 dimensional.

Here's the kind of piece which would work beautifully and yet isn't really related to anything in your room <a href=''></a><a style='text-decoration:none;color:#444;' href=' https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2103'>contemporary living room design</a> by

Forget it - I cannot get photos to copy on Houzz!!!!

Oh vivienevinyl, I agree something textural would be really lovely. Or if you see a fabric that you love you can display stretched on a canvas. I have a couple of stunning vintage scarves framed and love them.

Hello and Happy New Year! Wanted to share some recent photos on my living room, which is still a work in progress. It's still not quite right and I would like to add or remove somethings. Definitely need some art on the bare wall. I have been through numerous painting, mirrors, etc. I am open to any suggestions or ideas you may have. Thanks!

I really like the antique cabinet it looks great! I am an artist and I have many different types of art work in a room. An abstract and maybe a portrait etc. It really just hast to be art you like and it doesn't all have to match. Also it can be things you collect over time and add to your room. I think the room is really coming together. You can change things like throw pillows to suit dif times of year and you can use patterns and texture.

Thank you Joanne. The cabinet was given to me, I knew it was perfect for the space the moment I saw it. I hear you about the art work. It has been so hard. When I purchase a piece that I think I like, for some reason it doesn't look good in the space. Either its too busy or doesn't have the look I am trying to achieve. Its definitely been a journey, enjoyable for the most part :). Did you notice the color on the wall in the dining area? This is my next project. I am looking for a color that will tie the two rooms together, something fun/playful. I was thinking salmon, however the color on the wall is called punch (martha stewart) more of a sherbert orange. I really like whole wheat (the master palette). Let me know your thoughts. Thanks for your comments.

Hey Katina!!! It is looking very nice! I do love that rug and I think the draperies are great - the color and the texture and they are nice and "beefy" looking. I like the antique console, too, although I think you should pull it next to the chair, almost as a side table, and maybe add a nice chunky modern lamp with a shade (accent color and maybe a pattern). I would add a very large floor plant then, in place of the snake plant (put this on a side table or in a cluster with other smaller plants) Also, how about a nice, colorful heavily woven throw on the couch? You are doing well, and i know you said you've got some other stuff coming! You just need to cozy it up. Don't worry about the art work - when you see it, you will know it! Oh, and throw one more odd throw pillow - in a bright color and pattern - on the couch. It will make it look less "composed". Nice job, though - I don't mean to sound bossy :-)

I like that coffee color in the paisley of the rug - that would be nice on the long wall. How about painting the fireplace and accent color to match the drapes?

How about something like this for artwork (although there are tons of images on this website). I would do it large (and they do custom sizes): this one, in a 38"x54" would be $189 on canvas. This is wrapped around the frame but not framed, which I think would work well in the space. I think something somewhat abstract would work the best, but YOU are the one who has to like it :-) http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/sean-jacobs/metamorphic-ii

I also like the cappucino color in the rug, but I love the peachy/salmon color more. I would like to work with this color because its a little more unique and colorful. The coffee color in the dining room would not contrast well with the other wall color. I am not looking to paint the long wall an accent color. I previously had the fireplace wall painted an accent color that (see photo above) I think it looks better as one uniform color. Thanks Kathryn!

Hi Kathryn - Sorry, I didn't read your initial post. You have some great ideas! I agree that the snake plant is not large enough or have enough substance for that area. You said to add another large plant? How tall are you thinking, as tall or taller than the floor lamp? I like your idea about the table lamp on the antique console. Not sure about moving it closer to the chair, that would only open up the space to the left that is already lacking. I thought about hanging the picture that is currently above the fireplace above the console to complete the classic/antique look I like. But it make not be enough for that space. This is definitely a challenge, but still fun. I am so ready to move on to the dining area. Thank you for your wonderful ideas and feedback! Stay tuned...

Hi Katrina In the photo the salmon color looks orange to me, that could just be the photo. I had an idea that something in the blues would look great, because you have some beautiful reds and blue is a compliment. Whatever is opposite on a color wheel is a compliment. That said there are many blues; warm blues toward violet, cool blues toward green, like turquise. So you would have a lot to choose from. By the way I love the painting above the fireplace.

The color on the wall is more orange, I was looking for something salmon. Just experimenting...don't really like it for that space. I didn't think about using the color wheel. I would prefer not to use blue since I have used it in both my room and my sons (in different shades). Green is also a contrasting color, opposite on the color wheel. However, I am already using that color as an accent in the room. Does this matter? I will take a look at some blues and see if I can find a nice shade. This is completely outside of my comfort zone, but its exciting!

Hi again :-) I was thinking about you moving the console closer to the club chair and then putting a large piece of artwork in the "empty" wall space. The art, with the large floor plant (maybe up to the bottom of the shade or so)would fill the space and make it flow. If you are going with the salmon, I would still add the lamp and throw pillow in those shades. I would do the throw in the cappucino. You just need to tie the rooms together with color and repeat the color across the space through your accessories. This is what ties a room together, keeps the eye moving and makes it look "full".

I understand now. The club chair is the black chair, are you suggesting I move the black chair to the otherside of the room and place the console next to it, then I would need to move the matching sofa chair to where the black chair currently is...(???). The wall I was considering painting salmon is the dining room wall around the patio door. (its a very small area). You can see that it is currently orange. I thought that since the salmon color is in the rug (and I like the color) it would work to tie the rooms together. However, Kathryn made a valid point of using a complimentary color to the maroon in the living room, which would be blue or green. I found an apple green ( http://www.myperfectcolor.com/en/color/70866_Ace-37-A-Green-Apple) that I really like, also found some artwork ( http://www.art.com/products/p12838878-sa-i2055985/vincent-van-gogh-almond-branches-in-bloom-san-remy-c1890.htm?sorig=cat&sorigid=0&dimvals=5000084&ui=5484e1723227483794e1142257402e5c) I thought would work as well. Keep the ideas coming! :-) Thanks!

Katina, you could go with a turquoise also a compliment and that way it wouldn't as close to the blues in the rest of the house. In the end you just have to love the color cause your the one living with it and it is easy to change one wall when youwant a change

Sorry about the confusion: no, I meant the white chair. The console and the table seem a little bit like they are floating on their own. If you pull them together and add a lamp, you tighten it up visually and create more function and ambience at night. As for the green, I like it - give it a try! If you are going for a salmon color in the dining room, then I would also bring that in in a pillow or other accessories to the living room. Back to the art work for a minute: I was thinking about something with a vertical format, and something large to then fill the space between the floor lamp and the console. I think you need something vertical because, other than the floor lamp, everything is at the same level. You could also add artwork above the console table when you get everything else in place.

This post may help!
http://dionnedesigns.blogspot.com/2012/01/commit-to-color-if-you-dare.html

@Dionne Trifiro, could you stop copy and paste your comments ... this question was posted 11 months ago.