Given the color of the wood floors, I think the wood would look fabulous painted white, or even perhaps a color... :-)

Ok, the floor and the trim clash.
But................. that wall as it is.............gorgeous.
I'm thinking flwrhead is right on the money. Good call. Get a rug.

I would delete this thread and keep everything on the original by just commenting on it when it leaves the latest activity front page. Duplicate posts will start to lose people's interest in commenting.

It looks like the inside of the bookcases are painted, what about painting them a lighter brighter color?

Although it would be very pretty and fresh painted white, I would hesitate to do so.

Paint the inside of the bookcases and only the bead board next to the mantle a biege color. Different but in the same hue as the rest of the wall. The floor has enough color differentation that it blends.

I would not paint it white. It's so gorgeous and rich looking as is and it looks amazing with that window. If you're craving a brighter look maybe paint the inside of the book shelves white or beige, add a neutral light rug or add more lighting to the room. Maybe bookshelf lights?

I agree with leaving trim as is even though I generally love white trim. Since this is original and in wonderful condition, I would lighten the heaviness if the wood with lighter colors on all the painted surfaces and a lighter colored patterned rug since even the furniture is dark and heavy.

Looking at your picture again I would place the 2 urns on the top shelf of your bookshelves on either side of the mantle. Paint the inside of the bookshelves a paler color blue, green or yellow depending on your preference and colors you pick for the rug and then move the birds onto the bookshelves on various levels or somewhere else since they are brown also and do nothing to enliven the room in their current position. You can move the topiaries elsewhere as well and bring in a couple of interesting pieces that will enliven the mantle and add some color other than brown. You have a beautiful room it just needs a little color.

Thank you so much everyone for all of your comments and advice!

Thank you so much everyone for all of your comments and advice!