I actually like your current paint color. Is there ANY tan/warm color in the tile?

It's difficult not knowing the size of the living room, but I would suggest moving the sofa to one side (probably the side opposite the TV), and your two red chairs side by side facing the sofa, all three pieces away from the wall a bit. As for the fireplace, you might try a large focal piece, such as a large mirror or painting or canvas, hung horizontally, and limit decorative items on the mantle to three, placing them on either side of the art. If you're keeping the furniture (and I totally would), you might be able to pull a paint color from your rug or accent pillows that will look nice with the tile, but not necessarily be all 'matchy'. Don't think you're limited to grey. And you're doing fine! I love your red chairs!

It does have some tan & brown in the variances. I really want a calming, peaceful color like a light blue or silvery gray and blue just doesn't seem to go with our decor. I don't know the dementions, but both rooms are fairly small. The end of the couch (sectional) that isn't shown well is a chaise lounge so if I moved it to the other wall the chaise would be in front of it. The red chair on the left actually goes in another room but I moved it in for company one night and decided to leave it for awhile. Along with the paint and tile redo, we are installing cabinets for pantry organization so I'm probably going to have to make do with what I have as far as rugs, paintings, etc. for a bit.

In my living room I used Valspar's Skyline Shadow (an Allen+Roth color), and it has just enough warm undertone to me to not be cold. This is on the East side of our house, and though we have a shady yard, it is still a soft color. I also used it in my laundry room (because I had enough leftover and my budget is always tiny), and in there it looks cooler. That room is on the northwest side. But it is a deep enough color to feel like a COLOR, but not dark. It also goes great with red and taupes/tans, as well as the yellows and navy that are so popular today.

That said, with regard to decorating the fireplace, that piece over your TV would be FABULOUS over the mantle. I'm constantly borrowing pieces from other rooms in my house, and perhaps you could do that. We decided to stage our home to sell, and I was swapping all kinds of stuff. My sons grew weary of moving furniture for me, but sometimes you just have to keep moving things around until you find a pleasant setting. I'm sure you'll do just fine. The tile you've chosen is gorgeous, IMO. We almost went with a plank like that in this house, but decided on a cheaper tile, as we were fixing it up to sell. But looking at your cabinetry and countertops, I think your house will look just fabulous!

I love your pics! The color, floor, everything! How crazy that I've never thought of using the iron piece over the mantle! Would you leave the walls on either side of the the fireplace empty? If I did that, I could use the "Family Rules" canvas in my guest bath which has a long narrow blank spot above the toilet that needs filling. Our budget is always tight, too, so your suggestions of how to do the most with what we have are super helpful and much appreciated!

Thank you! I put a lot of thought and prayer into putting that room together! And hard work, of course. Thank God I married an electrician!

In answer to your questions- I would leave the walls bare on either side, yes. You want your focal point to be the fireplace, as it is very nice. I would clear the desk, and keep the entertainment center neat (though if you have several children in the house- I have 3 boys- that is much easier said than done!), and again, minimal items on the mantle. Perhaps one of your small pictures on the right side with one candlestick, and the other candlestick on the left standing alone, or the two candlesticks with a small decorative box in the middle, something to that effect. Or as I mentioned before, walk around your house and see what you could move around to create decor that is pleasing to the eye. Even in the bathroom, keep it simple. Every wall doesn't have to have something hung on it. In many cases, less truly is more. I have many blank walls in my home, with strategically placed pictures hung here and there. A bonus of less decorative stuff on walls and surfaces is there is less to dust, which is a good thing for me, as I don't have time to dust very often! Ha, ha!

One last tip I found helpful- take lots of photos of your rooms. Sometimes eyesores don't stand out until you take a photo. I had many cluttered areas that REALLY stood out in pics, and that helped me know what needed to be addressed in each room. DEFINITELY take lots of before and after pics, so you can look back and see how wonderful a job you've done!

I already don't love the backsplash. :( I love the silver medallions that run through the middle but I am just not crazy about beige and browns. Not sure why I chose it..maybe to match the flooring we are replacing? Fortunately, the grouting is is grayish but I do see your point about a more tan color possibly being a better point. I think I could more easily get the backsplash redone than I'll be able to get the walls repainted though so I think I'd rather keep hating the backsplash a bit longer than have a whole two rooms painted in a color I don't love. The Bradstreet Beige looks very close to what we currently have. It has a green look or a more tan/beige look depending on time of day/natural light.

As for the accent wall, I have actually found a wallpaper I'm considering for the fireplace section of the wall.

I would LOVE to clear off some of the clutter and usually do so when we are expecting company, but honestly, it's necessary clutter most days as I work at the desk so I can keep an eye on my kids during the day. We having tons of DVDs the kids like to be able to get out and put in themselves and the clutter on the fridge is their magnetic letters which they love, schedules and reminders for all their activities and picture magnets they've made for me. One day, before I know it, they will be grown and gone and I can declutter but for now I'm ok with it.

Trust me, I do understand about the clutter. The photos I posted are from our real estate listing. Most of the time we have toys and stuff laying around from the boys, as well as fingerprints on the walls and trim! I don't get onto them much, though, because that's not the kind of Mom I want to be. Like you say, they'll be grown and gone before you know it. They do help clean before showings, and a quick straightening before their dad comes home, but, yeah, we do still LIVE here!

I LOVE that wallpaper! I had considered something like that in my dining room, though I ended up just painting it silver. But I love patterns like that! Fabulous!

Allison, definately agree as to the green undertones in your current wall colour, and I understand your desire not to have a wall colour you don't really love. It's difficult though to incorporate a new colour scheme if you have to incorporate existing rugs and furniture. The latest pic you showed us of the wallpaper looks like it would be nice with new floor and your paint colour, but would it look good with the rug? I hope you see what I'm saying, because one change leads to another, and you said budget isn't allowing you to change everything. You can do it over time though, just be warned you may not truly love your space until it's all updated, lol!

Lol! The rug can go! I paid $5 for it at a yard sale to cover up the carpet stains until we redo the flooring. The hubs has promised me I can get a new rug at some point. ;)

Lol! Well, if you change the backsplash tile and area rug, I definitely can see your plan looking a lot more cohesive. I do suggest changing your floor, backsplash And area rug first, and having about three grey paint shades in mind until these updates are done. You can then buy testers of these colours to determine what works best with the new updates.

I am most proud of my new living room wall colors. Aqua walls and red leather sofas... peaceful and bold. Suggests you the same.

We are not quite finished but I wanted to share what we've done so far and how your advice has helped. We went with a warmer cooler (BM Revere Pewter) and love it! We did move the iron piece and are leaving the other two empty. Next, I want to get the brass off the fireplace and add a new screen. My husband surprised me with new appliances on the kitchen and I'm in love (with them & him, too)! Thanks for the help!

Lucky you, nice new appliances. Did you consider a slide in oven with the controls on the front? Then you would see the backsplash above your range. Looks a little cramped with the large microwave above.

my living room is an almond colours and the walls are that colour as well what colours would be good for accents and drapes also it is an open concept and should I keep the accents the same colours throughout. I really like the seafoam blue but my bedroom is in that colour

Hi Bonnie, you can start your own design dilemma..

It does look lovely, Allison. Lucky you, for the hubby and and appliances.

I came home to brand new stainless steel appliances. It never crossed my mind to question whether or not he should have gotten a slide in. I shared bc I was proud of the new appliances and appreciated the advice on the color. Swapping out a brand new appliance is not an option and I feel that questioning his choice would seem ungrateful. I love them all and will continue to work with what I have. Thank you to all who offered positive words of useful advice. :) I'm still unsure about what to put back into the living room as I'm loving it being so open and clutter free. However, it is a bit impersonal and we miss our clock above the fireplace. I may have to shop for a new larger one.

I was just suggesting a slide in because it looks like the stickers are still on and it might not be too late to exchange.
You have a backsplash there, so thought it might work better.
Sorry for the unsolicited advice.
You often get it on Houzz :)

Sorry, the kitchen pics were snapped as soon as I came home (before the tags were removed and spices and such were put back in cabinets). They've been used now (although not as much as they should have been! Haha!). I'm sure you are right about the slide in. Maybe next time we can do that.

Wow, love the new look! Looks really pretty and clean. Enjoy!
Your husband is a keeper....

I did a little photoshop for you. If you want to bring back in a clock, I think something with a frame would be best, and you could put it over the desk if you are bringing it back in. I added in this area rug because I think it relates to your floor, wall, and furniture colours. Just to give you an idea of how the right area rug can tie it all together.

I have got to learn to photoshop!! Thanks! The clock above the fireplace in the above pic (hidden behind the light/fan) is in a black frame. I would like a longer one as opposed to square but supposed I can go with what I have for now. I love that rug!

I found this huge antique frame at an antique store yesterday and still debating going back to get it. I think it would look gorgeous over the mantle but what would I put in it?

Allison, the rug I showed you is from Sears, and only available in 5x7, I think you need larger. The colours in the photo I had saved I think is brighter than it actually is too because the description said brown and green. Maybe you can find something similar, and hopefully gives you a direction of what to look for.

The antique frame looks interesting. Maybe answering the following questions to help you decide. Do you love it? Is it the right size? Is it a good price? If it doesn't work out over mantle could you use it in another room? Does it fit the style I'm going for?

As far at what to do with it, some options are:

- try to find art to fit it, or get something commissioned to fit. There are lots of artists on etsy that will do that, and most likely local artists in your area.

- enlarge a fav photo to fit. Photos can be altered to look like an oil painting and printed on canvas.

- frame some beautiful fabric, or a keepsake. There was a discussion here lately where it was suggested op frame the doilies her mother made.

-fill in the frame with some antique wood, and buy a clock kit to make your own one of a kind clock.

I do love the frame. It's perfectly sized and decent price and perfect for look I'm going for... The clock idea is genius! I also have a beautiful pic of my girls that would look nice. Thanks!

that doesn't really help I was looking for colours that would match