Wow! Great job!

Move the couch back and take away the table and put it agenst the far wall from main picture

I think you're on the right track with the mantel arrangement. The part that bothers me regarding your molding: you have ignored the crown molding. The two attached photos show the mantel molding integrated with the crown. That way it looks planned from the beginning instead of as an afterthought.

Yes, furrytoes--I agree. I'm still really ambivalent about the mantel. I may take it all down and make it just the wall color. I have some sconces on order, and some from Lowe's that I am thinking about.... Ugh. I've got some chairs chosen, though, and upholstery almost chosen.... gotten convince the hubby....

Love it! Show us the curtains! The curtains! Did you go with the orange or stick with the brown?
I like the look of the double lamps...glad they stayed.
Where's the fox? Did he get moved to another room?
I liked the look of the big round mirror...the feel of the wood and the oversized scale with the fern (I liked "the vibe"), but then you'd have to balance out everything else...you'd be back to square one with your accessories.
I think you would like a pair of swivel chairs by your piano. I have a couple swivel club chairs and they are everyone's favorite to sit in...comfy and practical. We have a leather ottoman that provides additional seating and doubles as a coffee table/footrest. Easy to clean, forgiving with the grandchildren, and it lifts up to provide storage for throws.
Keep going! You're doing great!

LOL Nikosmomma.... I'll take a pic of the curtains tomorrow. I stuck with the brown/gold--for now... Foxy's still under the piano, but two other foxes have invaded. I loved that mirror, too. But you're right, it would have been back to square one. We've been talking about swivel chairs--the black one we have now is a swivel and it is very nice and comfy. Kids love it! Thanks for the support!

Well, I didn't get the pictures taken and there was a hurricane in the living room...lol. We're going tonight to the furniture store to see what my husband says.... and if he likes the furniture the designer, my mother-in-law, and I picked out with no regard to pricing (or very little, anyway...), I'm hoping i can post some pics of the furniture, fabric/leather we've chosen, perhaps a coffee table or cocktail ottoman, and the curtains (I'm rehanging the sheers and wondering about the color). Just wanted to give an update so you all won't give up on me. I bought some different molding today and am going to make a change to the above-fireplace scene, to try to make it look less like an afterthought. I do like the look of the white continued to the ceiling, making the fireplace stand out a little more. I've also considered painting the fireplace an accent color, like below (not as starkly different, which works in the picture but I don't think would work for me) ... more intrigue to come. Those darn kids, the yard, and other stuff keep getting in the way of my redecorating.

vacox, just read your recent posts & it sounds like you are making huge progress! New furniture is so exciting, isn't it? I like your mantel vignette, but I would try moving the round object (i can't tell what it is) to the right of the mirror overlapping it, then the plant with the statue very close to it. Just a suggestion. We are in AD working & plan to stay 5 years (I have over 3 to go!). It's great, but I miss my family, my grandsons, & sometimes I miss the 1940's house I left behind for these concrete walls - but the view does help to compensate! lol Keep posting your progress & asking specific questions!

Pattie, so both statues and the plant would be on the opposite side of the tiger painting? I will try that! I bet you miss your family, but this is an adventure, for sure....

My instinct is that the image is strong and needs to be balanced with the collection on the other side of the mirror. No guarantees! lol I might try something small, low & long (if you have something like that) with the print, but not the same height. My DH promised me adventure & travel if I moved to AD, so here I am!

I see what you mean--some one else commented also that I always tend to spread things out when they should be grouped more....

I think you are free to spread things if you like it. This is a home, YOUR home and not the window of the furniture store :) The most important is to enjoy and have fun and I think you already have fun, do you?

Vacox was asking for opinions and suggestions from those who are studied in design -- as well as the peanut gallery too, I guess. Of course she may do with that advice whatever she likes, and she may well want to consider the source of the advice. But she did ask.

Maria R., no worries. I hope vacox knows it's a simple suggestion in response to her "what do you think." Decorating holds no right or wrong truths, but there are some things that have been proven: our psyche/ our eyes like balance & groups of 3 (or odd number of items).
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/3809/list/Using-The-Rule-of-Three-In-Your-Home-s-Design

Thanks everyone; I do appreciate everybody's input and I will definitely arrange things to my own liking. I just got a new mirror for above the fireplace (found an arched top one, Maria!). The one that was up there was from upstairs. My little boy came home sick from school a little bit ago so I'm not sure what I'll get done today....

In my opinion, two comfortable chairs across the piano, the previous position is not practical. The pictures should be arrangend in frames, they are spreaded. A mirror above the fireplace would amplify the room.

Hope your little man gets better soon, V!

Wow just scanned through all this! You have been busy.I especially love your large tiger lady pic over bench next to your antique cupboard the golden tones of painting play off it beautifully.I like the idea of 4 chairs for a sitting room,unless you like to snuggle up with someone in a love seat.Reading to children? ,Wine with Hubbie? The room looks like a completely different room.Great job!

Thanks so much, jjnman12! We have a family room where we can snuggle with the kids on a sofa or a loveseat, so we're OK there. Or each other, I suppose, but that grosses out our 12 year old. LOL. I also got a big silk flower arrangement for the curio cabinet, and it reflects in the mirror behind the piano. I like it but am afraid it's too big!! I keep promising to post pictures but things are in too much of an uproar...

You`re welcome! If the size of the flowers are delicate, so go ahead, if you need some more suggestions, feel free to contact. Have a nice and productive day.

Hi all. My little guy is better, thanks! I got the place cleared out a little so I could take some update photos. This first batch is an overview, then I'll post some closeups and the upholstery we're probably going to pick, and wall color. CURTAINS: I have 2 more panels of the curtains on order. There will be 3 panels on each side of the bay window. Right now there are only 2 on each side of the bay window, but there are 3 on each side of the sliding glass door. CURTAIN LENGTH: I have some extra (shorter) panels that I bought in order to lengthen these to make them floor to ceiling if we decide we want to--however, I won't be able to do it for a while so we just hung them at their 84" length for now. It looks OK I think, so we'll see.

OK, here are some closeups of stuff.... I forgot to say, I got different lampshades for the floor lamps because the other were so small at the top, the light didn't come out much at the top. These allow 3x the light to get up to the ceiling. 12 bucks each at Target-hate them or love them? What about the wall sconces (plug in as you can see)--hate them or love them? Or meh? Need light in there, and we're not able to put in an overhead. Lord and Lady Fox help hide the lamp cords... what do you think of them? And finally, I'm thinking of painting the Fireplace and Sunroom walls the top color on the SW strip, and the other two walls the next color down. Comments?

Finally, the upholstery and chairs. You'll have to take my word for it that it looks great with the rug; I can't get pictures that look right--the flash does something and it just looks very different in the picture than in real life. I've never posted a picture of the rug that actually looks like the colors that are in it. We tried out a lot of combinations and this one really just looked great. The pattern would be on the back and cushion of the larger chairs which will be at the bay window end, and the solid on the back, sides, and inside the nailheads on the front arms. The other two chairs, which will be near the piano, would be in the rust leather.

Hmm. While I like the two foxes you're showing us here for a kids room very much, not sure for here. The one that looked like a hidden majolica gem to me you showed way up the thread in the shadows under the piano.

You're an amazing collector; all of your things want to be the focal point.

Floor lamps look great. Sconces look great. But the foxes should all be together. You should be able to find wall cord covers or wall mold at Lowe's & paint it the wall color to make those cords disappear. All the foxes do is draw attention to them. I personally think your drapes look fine as they are now hung. I adore that paisley fabric & can't wait to see your new pieces! Good work!

Thanks, guys. Foxes out. I can't figure out where to put the one that's under the piano, if he is in this room.

For the scones, there is a metal cord cover part of the way down, then just the cord. I was thinking about painting the cord cover the same color as the wall. But then what about the rest of it? Do you think I should get a fabric cover for the whole thing?

I haven't seen fabric cord covers. I would just paint the darn thing. It's bothering you more now than it will later because you are focused on the details. It's just a necessary part of electric lighting! lol

Just went back to the top & looked at your first pix. You have done a great job & the FP looks so much better!!!

Looking good! I like all of the colors you have chosen. Paprika, cinnamon, spicy! I think the fireplace wall will look great in the contrast color. I wonder how the curtains will look with the darker color on the sunroom wall...hard to tell until you get the color on the walls!

Will the fox from under the piano fit on the barrister next to the bay window where you have the three candle holders now? If not, how about on the floor to the right of the barrister? It would be visible as you walk in the room from the front entry I think...a little preview of the eclectic to come.

Thanks, Nikosmomma! I plan to get a paint sample and try out a small area to see... I was thinking about putting that fox over there. Or on the bay window ledge. I don't know if I've shown a picture of that but there is a ledge at the bay window. Not quite deep enough for a seat, but deep enough for that fox.

Hi all, just giving an update--we finally got the furniture about a week ago, and the painter's coming today. It's been a whole summer of waiting for me. In the meantime I redecorated my bedroom, and they're going to paint that, too. I'll post pictures after it's painted, since I didn't get around to pics yet and now the painters will be here in 1/2 hour or so.

Well, deep breath. Here are the pictures of the room, painted and with furniture. My camera doesn't do a great job, the paint looks completely different in different photos, and all the photos look different from what it really looks like--it is weird. I'll post more in another post. Fire away.....

Some more....

What a transformation, vacox! I just scrolled up to the top to remind myself where you began. I'm happy to see my foxy majolica friend in the window.

Congratulations ,vacox ! Love the warmness & coziness of your room . Beautiful job ! Hope I have the courage to post my room for advice.

Very dramatic! Quite a change from the pale little space you started with. Good job! Hope you love it!

I really didn't think it could be done. I didn't think you were going to edit family photos or much else. Now pleasantly surprised to see this gorgeous room. You must be so proud. I hope you and your family are enjoying your new room.

Omg! What a beautiful change. Does not look anything like the other room. Great job, you did it. Love the 4 chairs instead of sofa. Great idea. Window covers are perfect, all your colors so warm, and cozy. Enjoy. Have a party show it off.

I, too, had to go back to where you started and am soooooo impressed with what you did. VERY NICE!

The room looks stunning. It went from a pass-through room to a sit down and relax room. The space is truly inviting! The only thing I noticed is that the table between the two chairs on the piano side seems to be a bit too high. You have done a remarkable job.

Love the paint and the new furniture! I bet you are so proud of yourself! Consider moving the two objects that are at the edge/ corners of the mantle shelf in closer to the others. They look rather lonely and isolated and they should look like one big happy family with the others. But I really like how the FP turned out! Good job!!! Now you just get to enjoy it for many years to come! Where did the foxes end up, though? ;)

Thank you all so much! Sandra, yes, that table is too high. I'm getting used to it, but may have to see if the furniture store will let me exchange it. Melanie, come on over... Pattie, most of the foxes are going to live together on the sun porch. The one that Barnhart liked is on the window ledge if you look you can see it in one or two photos. I'll pull the items on the mantel over. Thank you all so much for all the help through this process! I appreciate all the help that everyone here has given me!

Sorry, I've missed the most interesting part but now I find the happy end and all the great job done. I also read through almost the entire discussion like Melanie Hon and I fully agree with her! She put it down so well! I hope all of you enjoy the new room and wish you to spend a lot of very happy hours there!

BTW, I like the tables! And the chairs! And the rug! And I like it how the room looks from the entrance!

I notice, too, that you have a wide range of photo frames. I also noted that you have two antique clocks, two pianos, and assorted and possibly unrelated decor on the mantle. I also see the grand piano in front of the sliding glass door, which subjects it to temperature changes that effect the quality of sound.

I would move the grand to the picture window and consider another location for the electric piano. Use the new space for the sitting area in front of the fireplace. It's a bit cramped and uninviting. Remove all the items from the mantle and place one colorful framed art to brighten things up. add some hurricane candle holders for quiet evenings and perhaps one figurine in the center. reframe your most beloved "portraits" in matching frames ex: cream on cream matted. Then have the others installed in a digital photo for your own slide show that never stops. They really are pretty great. You'll notice them much more.

Less is more. You can store some unrelatable objects for when you decide to do another room. A small grouping of favorite trinkets here and there will make them more endearing.

Oh2livewell, READ! There are 250 comments on this thread. We are done. The room is beautiful!

Thanks, Maria!

Oh2livewell: as Maguire said, a lot has changed, if you scroll up some you'll see the final shots. For the piano, it was a dilemma because the picture window side is close to the front door, so it would get more, and more drastic, temp fluctuations there. The sliding doors are buffered on the outside by a 3 season room, so it's not as bad....

Sorry As u say, so many comments I scrolled to the bottom. Didn't notice the date until I had sent it.mit is truly a gorgeous room. The paint color is amazing! Stunning transformation.