Wood is back in fashion for panelling, parquetry is also coming back in as a strong trend. Agree with above re furnishings, furniture, that room would be better with those things refreshed. NB the brass fire surround is back in fashion.

Nice photos! The other struggle is the fireplace, rarely used but the gold has got to go and the brick? I would like to place a simple rustic wood mantel.think they make synthetic but don't want it to look cheap. I also need to bring Better lighting via a console table with lamps or some type of floor lamp . I hate the glare from the ceiling fan light kit.. I have several large art pieces from France and want to possible do a focal wall with those... And of course a new rug something simple. I like this but then if I stay with leather I might want more color in rug?

Love the high ceiling - our team suggests staining those beams a dark brown, and also taking the above advice of staining the floors as well. Removing smaller items on the mantle and upgrading pillows can make a world of a difference once the walls have been finished. You could also consider upgrading the furniture as some pieces seem mismatched and a bit dated. The armchair next to the small table would look great placed next to a new couch.

Good luck on your project!

-The Nearly Natural Team

if you need a ceiling fan, replace yours with one that has no light kit, and choose one that has a remote so you dont have to have the chain hanging down.

It is pretty simple to spray paint the brass FP trim with matte black heat proof paint. Do you have access to architectural salvage to look for a new mantel? How about using a log there? Is that too rustic for you? Build one out of recycled barn wood. What kind of art from France do you have? I tend to lean toward letting art direct the color palette in a room. What is opposite the FP? Can you take a photo from the FP looking to the other side of the space?

This is some of my art... We lived in Bordeaux so the bottle was painted by an artist in Toulouse, the park was painted by a local artist and where our apartment overlooked and I walked, the carousel is a Bordeaux landmark and the tree branch was painted by a bordeaux artist. The other is one of Annecy.. I also have an acrylic from Provence but its colorful.. Nothing pops on a Brady Bunch wall. So a couple of these are not suited for this room... .. And yes my husbands "Frazier" chair has to go lol!

I really appreciate this help... I was diagonsed with cancer before the move and my son was in treatment where went to Chicago every 3 months for 4 years.

I dont have any creativity anymore...And decorating has not been a priority.

With the exception of the carousel one, I'd say you had a thing for green while in France. That could be your accent color. I think of a pair of green chairs flanking the FP, but when I hear of a colorful picture of Provence, I think feature of the mantel. What size is it? I try to keep art at the mantel no wider than the firebox opening. If you are fans of wine, you might consider installing a wine bar somewhere it this large space and using the bottle picture to theme that area. Which of all the paintings is your favorite? If you don't think it would work here, what about featuring it in your bedroom? It sounds like you are back on your feet and hopefully everyone is recovering and you're ready to do something uplifting with the room.

I have this above the firepalace now, its an oil I painted decades ago

I like the idea of popping greens and golds. The wine bottle is 22x28

I have seen console type tables with wine storage underneath and we may have a big piece made and framed using these.. I have several from all the chateaus around bordeaux.

So new couch! A couple chairs to balance the couch pulling out some green... A wine themed wall..with console table or similar... The provence pic is a little feminine so may just keep it in my living room...

So what color should I consider! I want light and my husband likes gray and so far revere pewter seems to fit but open to other suggestions.. I am going to have a color consult with a BM person but you know how that goes...

I actually would like something a little rustic for the fireplace mantel... Wondering if we should paint the brick or drywall over it at the top and do stone look.. Its a prominent focal point.. Wish I afford to knock it out and have windows across the back but that won't be happening...

Has anyone had success with the painted paneling? I will hire someone for that. I heard staining these parquet floors can be a pain..but if we keep it, it has to be refinished... we have it long enough they are now back in style lol (not so much these 1983 type) but some of the older designs...

I had sticker shock when I looked at sofas.. I looked at a Hancock and Moore... Beautiful soft leather and a Bradenton young at a place here that is locally owned.. We don't have the best furniture store options here.

If you look at my first comment here, I outlined how to paint the paneling. Three friends and I used this method to paint a commercial building. We changed a lumber yard store where all their different styles of paneling were on the walls, to an upscale antique shop. This method works well but is time consuming. You might do everything except the priming and painting and hire a pro to come in and do that after you've prepped it all. If they're good, they may be the same crew who could stain the parquet. At the FP you can attach a faux stone over the brick. This is often the way stack stone fireplaces are done. Saw one done on HGTV the other night. Glues right on over the brick. Where are you thinking to locate the wine bar? Can we see the other side of the room - across from the FP?

This is a lovely room in a Country French design that might be adaptable for your room. You can have the paneling lightened by refinishing it or put a transparent color wash over it to lighten the wood. The just a matter of hanging a distinctive chandelier and light furnishing.

rusic painted paneling

painted paneling with a modern twist.

Some pictures with different design slants.

So sorry to hear of the health issues for your family. Surely hope things have stabilized. I'm sure your room will be lovely and your paintings from France will bring you happy memories. Florida Girl

I kinda love your room actually! A "grand lodge" sort of feel . If it were mine, I would not paint the wood, but paint the fireplace a pale cream color & the floors refinished a lighter clear finish to contrast w/ the walls. I would put your fabulous largest painting above the fireplace with a new mantle the same light color as the floor . Think a sort of "Swedish or French country-rustic" look. A nice game or card table & chairs by the fireplace/ window area with cushions to match the painting would be lovely.

Then rearrange your classic leather pieces into more of a tight conversation group with the rug you have ( you can always replace later if you need to) and either paint cream or replace your TV cabinet. You could also extend it with cream bookshelves on either side. I would also frame with black ( or paint the frames) of the group you hang above the TV cab/ shelving so they pop against the beautiful wall. A console table will anchor the couch if you center it on the fireplace. Then add lamps there & on the end tables by the chairs/ fireplace. Some lamps can be refreshed with new shades (all the same color, cream), so look at that too. A few simple updates will make it an amazing and refreshed room . Best to you & yours.

I think you both nailed it Patrinkac and Lesliee when it comes to the "feel" I am trying to achieve... Many French friends homes were very natural colors and exposed woods.. I want to keep some warmth and casual feel...Everyone has given me some wonderful ideas and I am so glad I came here for your help! I love those chandeliers! And that painted wall with the table setting is spot on what I l

(Sorry hit butting too soon) spot on what I love. Deco enthusiast has given me courage to rethink the drywall...more money for furniture and trip back to my beloved Bordeaux family..who I miss every....day my little French neighbors...I gave them a lemon tree and wrote notes on the lemons when we left.... She has Alzheimer's like my mom...but she understood what it meant.

. I haveto share a pic of them. I adore them they were like my parents

I miss France too. worked in an art gallery in Paris once; took my son when he was young but haven't been back since. My relative there passed, so I doubt I'll go back. Here are a couple of inspiration vignettes with the green in mind...

I suggest you pick your furniture and area rug. and then hire a decorator to help pick paint color.

We painted our paneling years ago and still love it! We had a similar fireplace. Our walls are taupe which picks up a little of the pink/red color from the fireplace. Grey or an off-white would also work. Keep the beams as they are. Paint or remove the fireplace screen. Remove the valance (you could add sheer drapes to soften the window). I would decide on the floor later.