I am with you biltmore1695, love that rug in groveraxle's first option, and also love two, and three, not so much four

Biltmore, just now saw your question about the rugs. I think 1 is from West Elm, 4 from cb2. Let me see if I can find them.

http://www.cb2.com/banded-color-stripe-rug-8x10/s571137

http://www.westelm.com/products/daisy-rug-t2185/?pkey=crugs-flooring||4294963727%3A4294963733&group=1&sku=723952

Here are a few ideas:

How did you add the rugs to show different options in her livingroom? I am trying to figure out what rug to use in my living room and this would help so much!

Hi Id add something bright and colourful colour and music have the same effect on the emotions and colour would inspire.

How about a gorgeous faux fur? Faux antelope hide rug.

thanks so much groveraxle im going for the striped blue/orange option...not going to move the couch but will remove the filing cabinet-have to fit it in this room though --this is the wall opposite to the bookcase- i think this might be the only way to place it.?

That corner you show behind the Poang chair looks like a good option for the file cabinet.

So maybe after you move the file cabinet, a print on the wall above it?

Lots of choices here

http://www.houzz.com/photos/products/query/violin/nqrwns/p/36

for example

[https://www.houzz.com/products/still-life-with-a-violin-1921-poster-print-wall-art-24x18-prvw-vr~50759278[(https://www.houzz.com/products/still-life-with-a-violin-1921-poster-print-wall-art-24x18-prvw-vr~50759278)

or

[https://www.houzz.com/products/juan-gris-composition-with-violin-16x24-premium-archival-print-prvw-vr~11204067[(https://www.houzz.com/products/juan-gris-composition-with-violin-16x24-premium-archival-print-prvw-vr~11204067)

A small idea to lighten the dark mass of bookcases: put light-colored paper on the back, behind the books...maybe beautiful Japanese papers, grasscloth, or subtle wallpaper. Use removable stick-on squares. Don't fill the bookcases completely.

Love the room with the lamp and rug suggestions another idea would be to swap out the sofa table and the one between the chairs; something round or metal and glass.

Found the violins, my daughter plays and her violin is in its case unless she is playing.

Still fiddling around with the decor in here, I see.

I might be old fashion but I think a Persian style would be pretty. I also like the cowhide rug idea. Putting the couch on the other wall with the pic over it would look best in my opinion as well. I love the lamp Valerie posted it would also be pretty in brass. I think Pottery barn carries one.

A lattice shag carpet in Creme and grey would be cute

I'd pull the bookshelves apart, move the file cabinet out of site and put a wooden desk between the bookshelves with either a mirror or a lovely piece of art above it. The heaviness of the shelves needs to be offset to allow the eye to understand the interest of the couch. And the room needs a focal point that is at eye level.

I love Grover's removal of the cabinet next to the bookcases. Now they look like they need to be moved to the right just a little, to center them on the wall.

You might try islanding the sofa and coffee table facing the bookcase and see how that looks, if it would give you enough room for playing violin.

It is important to remember that the more "stuff" you put into this room, the more you will change the acoustics. A rug, a new print on the wall, papers backing the shelves in the book case--these all have a deadening effect on sound, especially in a room that used to have just a bare hardwood floor. The person who plays music in the room needs to test it out during all of these changes to make sure that there is still enough reverberation to keep it as a music room.

http://www.wayfair.com/Luxury-Home-Milano-Flowery-Piano-Area-Rug-LXH1929.html

I recently purchased this rug and it's fantastic! I teach piano from my home and know the necessity of the bookshelves to hold a large variety of music. Leave them where they are but paint them as they are too dark. A light color with the darker rug will look great! Lighting is also important. You need at least 2-3 various lamps. Panels on the window will help with different acoustics Whatever you do.....play on!!.

Clever rug, Karlyn.

softening the sound would be a good thing for violin practice. The best practice room is an acoustically "dead" one (though not nearly as satisfying). If you stand and practice alot, look at getting a memory foam floor mat to save your back from the hard-wood floors. It could be shoved under the couch when not in use. I couldn't live without mine.

use a large faded-looking pattern to give it a bottom. Colors cream, gray, blue, charcoal. Well worn looking. Also some large non matching lanterns on the floor

Don't get rid of the lamp!! Yes, it's an antique but, they are coming back in style! If you want to bring it into the 21st Century get a new white drum shade for it! I would relocate both the plant and the filing cabinet. Separate the two book shelves place another large picture in between. Under the picture, place a small base only buffet cabinet with a white marble slab counter top. A large area rug is necessary to pull it altogether. West Elm currently has a 20% off sale. Here are just two that would work nicely in this space.

http://rk.weimgs.com/weimgs/rk/images/wcm/products/201614/0143/sarah-campbell-mosaic-triangles-wool-dhurrie-wave-c.jpg

http://www.westelm.com/products/tile-wool-kilim-aquamarine-t981/?pkey=cpattern-rugs-flooring%7C%7C#viewLargerHeroOverlay

A rug, another chair, and Roman shades picking up rug colours would be a big help. Ditch the plant, and update the lamp (either a new floor lamp or a small table with a good lamp).

love the lighting Tribbletrouble44152k7 Trek posted

biltmore1695, I think that wall by the door is a great place for your file cabinet and plant. love the idea of a music themed rug for a music room. Karlyn Peterson-Lundquist link had many other options to choose from. separating the bookcases with a desk or console table between could make it look like built ins and be more functional. agree that the side view of your couch is best to be seen, very cool

Ok here is my two cents worth. move the filing cabinet on the short wall next to the rooms door way. spread you book cases apart hang a print on the wall between them.or consider a floating shelf to give the impression of a desk between the bookcases .If not a desk, use it for fresh flower display.

hang the abstract picture over the couch, get an oriental rug or a floral -I am talking small ,subtle, print-in the blues and greens of the painting. I would tend towards the greens as they will make the bookcase wood look more natural. Low pile, and large enough to have the couch partially on and extend to within about 10" of the opposite baseboard. but remember it will deaden the sound in the room. I would ditch the patterned pillows on the chairs and just use plain white ones like the couch. rolled lumbar support shaped ones would fit best, and duplicate the longer look of the couch pulling them into a whole. I would put a real plant trailing ivy perhaps? on top of the cabinet. You need a light source in the room, your lamp is a little small but could be fit between the cabinet and the window to light up that corner. Look for something larger and more modern/sleek looking to put between the couch and wall at the far end of the couch. Keep the colors subtle, the textures calm, the heart of the room is the music not the gee gaws.

An overdyed rug in blue/aqua would be nice as it has a subtle pattern that doesn't compete with the painting.

Items you might consider: area rug, throw pillows, music-related artwork on the bookcase wall (either above it or on the end with the chair, color or pattern on the back of the bookcase, move the file cabinet, move the plant, new pot or the plant, paint or replace the floor lamp, paint the music stand, a color on the wall, another light source, new ceiling fixture.

If you want to go more traditional (Persian style), I've used two rugs from Overstock in my kitchen and laundry. You might be able to find one in a larger size for your room. Looks great on my Pergo floors. Not expensive, easy to clean. Red works for me but there are other colors available. They also have a large collection of modern designs for reasonable prices, if you don't mind synthetic.

Ottomanson Ottohome Collection Persian Heriz Oriental Design Red Runner Rug (3'3" x 5'0")

You have a beautiful music room! This is such a small thing, but looks fun in the room and makes practicing easier...Get a real music stand, the kind you would find in a school classroom. Ours was from Amazon, under $30, and still folds up. It is black metal and visually anchors the corner where it resides. When the kids aren't practicing trumpet or cello, it holds a pretty piece of music with a colored cover. It looks good, and holds music much better than traveling stands.

Lot's of ways to go in that room.......here's one

I think you need a rug that pops rather than blends with the rest of the room. Have you heard of Moroccan Boucherouite rugs? They're all unique, not expensive, and colorful. Here's just one link to see a few: https://www.etsy.com/listing/249339308/a-powerful-moroccan-boucherouite-rug-rag?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_a-home_and_living-floor_and_rugs-other&utm_custom1=730af158-f5bc-4a6a-b67c-48f1ef7ad88e&gclid=CjwKEAjwxoG5BRCC7ezlzNmR8HUSJAAre36jX6etUuZFOdfaVP780z_97XM12BqqonVpJg9eP2fqVBoCjXbw_wcB

I'd put the couch where the bookcases are, hang the painting, leave the lamp next to the couch, add a carpet with blue and white, put the plant on the floor, and if you need the space for your books, paint the shelves white and put them where the couch is now. I'd also switch out the coffee table for a metal and glass one, preferable with a little bling, like brass or gold metal. I would remove the piece the plant is on entirely. Not sure what it's function is. (?)

Keep in mind that eventually the uv light can affect the hardwood color and leave a shadow where the rug is, so I would suggest moving the rug location every six months to a year. Our entry has light oak hardwood, a million music instruments including both an upright and a baby grand, and featured an area rug under the grand.

We recently had a water leak flood our main floor, and it's a good thing we are replacing all the hardwood, as when I pulled up that rug, much to my surprise, it was still "there"! The rest if the wood had aged darker than the shielded area, leaving a lighter, rectangular light spot, the perfect outline of that area rug! No direct sunlight lands in this room, it was strictly from very little natural light, mostly lighting and age.

Yours is an architecturally beautiful room --- graceful
crown molding, handsome woodwork at the fully trimmed windows, rich wood
flooring --- stunning!

The furnishings, too, are perfectly matched modern pieces
that present an interesting contrast with the traditional setting.

Your color choices --- soft-blue-sky walls, warm woods, highlighted
with white (woodwork, sofa, lamp) --- are an ideal backdrop for you to play
with design.

So, let’s take another look, free up, and have fun with this
lovely music room.

Think about it --- music is movement, flow, creativity. Look at this room, the placement of the
furnishings. Do you see what I see?

Hard rectangles placed mainly against walls.

You have a very good eye for design and style. That you’ve got the idea is evident with your
angled chair and period floor lamp silhouetted against clear blue ---
nice! So, trust yourself.

Play with placement.

First, physically remove visual distractions. Toss pillows, plant, coffee table items, even
the lamp and the handsome picture --- put in another room. Free up the space --- so you can see.

Then look, really look at the shapes and location of each
piece. Ask yourself: How do they relate to each other? To the room itself?

Is this doorway view what I want to see? (This sets the tone for the entire room, so
how can I make it interesting, entrancing, lively, not static?)

Physically moving your things around on that beautiful floor
is not necessary. Simply make a to-scale
drawing of the room (complete with windows, doors, electrical outlets, etc.),
then make separate to-scale cutouts of your furnishings. Move your paper-furniture-outlines around until
you’re pretty sure you’ll like what you’ve accomplished.

Play with various options, starting with the big (anchor)
pieces first.

First, leave the bookcases as they are --- centered and
standing alone together against the wall.
(The file cabinet and the lamp are gone.) This creates “symmetrical balance”: Bookcase-pair centered between identical
areas of “visual resting space.” Quiet,
relaxing, non-competitive.

Now, look at the “couch coffee table” (Think of these pieces
as a unified set within the room space.) against the side wall.

What about floating the “couch coffee table” in the room? Or at an angle? Or in juxtaposition to the unseen window wall
on the right? (Visually anchored in the
space, but never visually or physically blocking the entry.) Your
bookcases will balance pretty much whatever you want to do.

OR How about the “couch coffee table” in front of the
bookcases? Would there be enough easy
bookcase-access room behind the “couch coffee table”? Enough space in front? If so, will the chair and lamp fit into the
created conversational grouping (perhaps floating, angled in relation to the
window-wall and the hallway-wall.) So,
that would place windows on the right and your artwork on the left (with your
file cabinet flipped to the opposite door-wall). Welcoming and interesting!

OR What about moving the “couch coffee table” to the “now-bookcase-wall”
--- directly in the line of vision from this doorway view. With
the picture above it on the wall and new aqua-blue toss pillows on the couch with
the original blue ones to further tie-into-the picture, this would open up the
room --- with a soft, welcoming sofa in front and the heavier bookcases
subordinated by placement and balanced by the window wall.

OR…. Set your mind free! Play with the principles of design
(balance, dominance, contrast, rhythm, proportion and scale) and go for it!

The only other suggestion I have for you is to think about contrasts
(against hard, angular surfaces) and color.

You have two colors going now --- blue and brown. Keep repeating these (as you have in your
picture and toss pillows) but add more. Start
with something you really, really like that has both blue and brown and
something wonderful --- design, texture, pattern, pizazz! It could be a rug, could be a throw, could
be a piece of art --- whatever. Make it
fun. Make it nifty. Wait for it and then build your other colors
around it.

The goal is to create dominance (by placement, repetition,
etc. --- like your blue), spiced with your own special things.

(Look at how “whatever that red thing is on your coffee
table” stands out. It’s tiny and alone
and distracting because it’s not tied into anything. But as part of a design scheme --- support for
the red in the rug or as an accent in the bookcase that supporting an art-piece
on the coffee table or some such --- it could mean something.)

Think “out of the box”!
See interesting possibilities and explore ideas, freely, easily. Your room is beautiful.

These two would look unexpected and awesome. Both Tibetan 80- knot available in 6 x 9 right now.

second design is beautiful

Leslie Isbell- you music room whisperer:)

"balance, dominance, contrast, rhythm, proportion and scale"...thats a language of interior design theory I dont understand:) I feel you wrote a short story to which i have to write an ending without knowing the language..but hey ..you opened a new door for me.Design 101-check

Off topic (as everyone gave great suggestions), but I love your chairs....where'd you purchase them?

seriously Ashley????Thank you ....they are my old IKEA chairs..you can get different color cushions for them so we had red and navy blue and now brown..they go with us wherever we go because they are just soo.......comfortbale!

who said soul searching should not be fun??? An emotionally charged process always gives better results :)

I suggest you also add 2 lighg blue cushion seats

What?!?!? What's the name?

Get a carpenter to build in some book cases that fill the wall, and have the same crown molding at the top, and paint them to match the trip. Then all you need is a persian rug and a grand piano and you're good to go.

Ashley, those are Ikea's Poang chairs.

It's the noise they make if you fit them with springs .

Is the overdyed Persian Tabriz with the skull design too much? :)

Haha, Esmaili!!!!!

http://www.wikigallery.org/wiki/painting_381430/Dutch-School/A-Vanitas-Still-Life-With-A-Violin,-A-Music-Book,-A-Candlestick,-A-Skull,-Books,-A-Conch-Shell,-A-Pipe-And-Jugs

I would like to see the couch facing the bookshelves with the low narrow couch table behind it.. you could put the plant on it leave the painting against the law and get to long haired white furry square Ottomans, In front of where the painting is I love the lamp that would put it behind the couch next to the sofa table,And zebra rug between the bookshelves and the coach for a really fun cool edgy look!