Cream colored tile is fine but don't go too dark on the grout. You don't want it to be to checker--board looking. This is the voice of experience speaking here. I worked in the tile flooring business for quite a few years. The overdyed rug you are considering is marvelous. Are you thinking of some kind of indigo pillows also? Those are fantastic. The new sofa will be fine but I am sure you know that the shelves above it need to go. I have no problem with a acrylic cocktail table as long as it has a more classic form---nothing too contemporary here. Could you please find a way to paint those bookcases.

Engineered wood was designed for installation to a slab. It is much preferred over tile unless you live some place like South Florida.

Thanks for the advice! I've thought about engineered wood but am concerned it wouldn't look right with the other wood in the house. I love my picture ledges! I usually put kids' art in there. Yes, I am loving those indigo pillows and the rug. Swoon! What color would you paint the bookshelves? I think they're awful, but it's more their lines that bother me, not their color. Not sure what to do about those...

Although, on second thought, I love this kind of wall décor for over the couch.

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Paint the bookcases the same color as your walls only in a gloss or semi gloss. It will help them disappear. As for art, that is a personal preference but perhaps you could do a series of prints. I like a company out of Atlanta called Nostalgia Fine Art. They have hundreds of loose and framed art pieces---and every kind of subject. This will give you some pattern and color. I have several of their bird prints. I have also bought antique bird and botanical prints off of ebay. You could frame them with standard frames from Hobby Lobby or spend some money and get them custom framed. Perhaps you could find some prints with blue in them or maybe they could have a blue matte around them. That is what is nice about custom framing---sometimes the possibilities are endless.

I actually adore botanical prints and was just looking at some. Finding some with a little blue would work nicely. I will check into engineered wood, too... I think I have my husband convinced that those bookshelves need to be painted. Now I'm SUPER EXCITED about this room!

Unless you live somewhere tropical or near a beach, tile in a living space is horrible IMO. Cold, hard and unforgiving not to mention a PIA to get rid of when you or the next homeowner gets rid of it. Engineered flooring including wood or cork are better choices. They go down easily and quickly, no toxic fumes to off gas and it's not that hard to choose complementary shades to blend with an existing floor. Love all the other suggestions above.

I love the look of cork flooring, thank you for the suggestion! I hadn't considered it.