Does anyone else have any ideas to help transition that area while creating a great first impression?

Do you like abstract art? Hanging bright and energetic art on a large wall would be my suggestion.
It can be one print of triptych or a wall design with many pieces. Please take look here: http://alexeirebrov.com

I think to save money I'd do a wallpaper by Phillip Jeffries that will give instant architecture to this area: https://www.google.com/search?q=Phillip+jeffries+boxy+grasscloth&hl=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=5TRJUZfTCuLcyQH-poCoAg&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAQ&biw=1145&bih=647#imgrc=JCbX_s0ntUGKvM%3A%3BqX-hI7d6B--5yM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.foundmarket.com%252Fsite%252Fupload%252Fimages%252Frivets.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.foundmarket.com%252Fsite%252Fblog%3B283%3B195

Cmr- thanks for the help; I like that idea. What color were you thinking? What about furniture there?

I suggest painting the walls a deeper neutral to give the big open space with those hard flooring surfaces a warm compliment. If you can't replace the railing think of painting the handrail dark rich brown or black.

Personally I think the wall color looks fine and neutral enough against the flooring. I agree with updating the handrail to start.

Since I can't remove the colonial railing, what about something like this?
What color would you use of the feature wall, so tired of beige?! I like the idea of doing paint treatment like this...
Thoughts?

I like a painted faux finish like you have pictured above, a grass cloth look is nice and very Mediterranean. If you are able to mount mom sconces up high or a chandelier that would add interest. I think a taller more open sideboard with long looking legs, large turned legs maybe, would look taller and more in the right scale. Tall artwork or maybe a tapestry.

What about a large pendant or chandelier from the ceiling? It would break up the height. Then paint and artwork would go a long way. That wall could also be the photo wall or a collection of something you prefer.

We are in SoCal too :) Great space you have, very airy and light! I would use some kind of a semi circle/oval table to soften the corners of the entry. And, if you live in the desert or like desert look, we have a stylized vertical piece that might work there, above the table.

This piece should match whatever colors you have in your living and dining rooms. To add brighter colors in this area, you can always put a vase or some other accessories on the table or next to it. Of course, if you'd rather have more colors in the artwork, you will find various colorful artwork in our galleries. All images can be printed in custom sizes on canvas, paper, metal or acrylic. And best of luck with your decorating project... Raisa

http://ben-and-raisa-gertsberg.artistwebsites.com/featured/desert-green-ben-and-raisa-gertsberg.html

I love the idea of a chandelier, but we have one by the front door. I'm really open to any ideas!

Would you consider color blocking those large expanses of wall? People usually think of bright colors for color blocking, but it can also just be subtle colors all taken from the same neutral color strip. I do think you need some lighting drama here. The chandelier you have is rather expected - I'd up the volume there and add some dramatic wall washer cans to illuminate the stairwell wall and your entry feature wall. I still think stacked stone would look fab - check into a installing a climbing wall for the boys!

I would take the mirror you have int he living room and use that horizontal in the foyer and get a huge console table. The chandalier int he entrance is too small and so is the artwork. I would also rearrange the living room. I would put the couch under the window, turn the coffee table and put the two chairs facing the couch. and turn the rug too. As others have mentioned, I would change the bannisters to something more contemporary.

Climbing wall, hmmm that would be unexpected and fun lol

Here's the new rug in place with the suggested furniture rearrangement. Suggestions? Obviously need something in the far right corner, but what? I also have this cream ottoman I'm not sure what to do with or Craigslist? And this cabinet left by the old owners, open to refinishing or also Craigslist?...

Glad you tried it. I like it better . Do you? I would move the curio cabinet out and get two end tables with lamps and frame the windows with drapes.

What is to the right of the dining room, opposite the picture? I think I would try the curio in the DR instead of the LR.

Thanks for the suggestion! I do like it better; makes it feel much more cozy. I do like the idea of drapes. Would you show me an example of style and pattern as a starting point? Would you suggest I paint or refinish the curio?

I wish I knew how to get pictures on this site. Pick up a color int he rug. Put the legs of the couch on the rug and move the chairs back slightly.

Here's the dining room currently. The PB Andover cabinet can stay or go and I just refinished the sideboard. I still need to attach the cabinet doors and decide if I want to add a high gloss enamel finish. Would you also do drapes in the dining room?

I would use a huge armoire, one that's painted blue instead of that low long console, think tall and vertical in the space, then flank it with some upholstered chairs. Something with warm colors like those in the rug you bought. I would put some wallpaper on the walls with a subtle pattern or texture - grasscloth is an idea but I think it might be too subtle. If you hate paper, try a textured paint look.That will give it warmth. Again go with a warmer color like a warmer caramel or something to make it less cavernous.

Yes, your dining room definitely needs drapes and is crying out for some color in the rug or somewhere.

The curio looks 80's to me. Lets see a picture of your dining room. I don't like the mirror in the LR unless you were getting dressed in there. I think you can do much better even moving the curio and painting it, then accessorizing it with cocktail stuff, wine bottles, napkins, a tray so you can actually use it to serve. How about moving that piece by your entrance and picture the on that wall in the LR, then you can really use it as a buffet. Just throwing out ideas for you to think about without buying anything yet.

I would definately move the big blue piece out of that spot. You don't want to look at the back of it from the living room. I would think about moving it int he dining room where you have the tree on that wall and then using it as a buffet with two lamps or trying it in the living room too. You have many good options with what you have. It is just a matter of moving things.

Mona, what do you think of the original living room rug in the dining room?

And I highly dislike the current console in the entry so it will go for sure! I like the textured paint idea to mimic grass cloth.

I like doing the shuffle over purchasing new stuff! What about the sideboard along the wall where the mirror currently is?

So many options you just need someone to help you move it all. Try the brown piece ithat is in the dining room in the LR where the curio cabinet is too. OR where the mirror is. Take some pictures when you are all done with some of these changes. You have so much to work with and this is my favorite kind of decorating.

I'll post pictures when I get hubby to help me with the lifting! That's so much for your help!

The curio seems very '80's to me. If you paint the bannisters black, consider painting it too and moving it to the dining room. Then remove the sticks - they'll make great fire kindling, lol - and stand your floor mirror in that corner. Move the sofa into its place, put the chairs, with your round side table and lamp, in front of the windows. Replace the coffee table with your white hassock, topped with a tray and a pretty floral, candle or blown glass display/arrangement. You seem to have room for stationary drapery panels everywhere but at the front windows where there isn't room on the sides for them to hang without covering a lot of the window itself. However, you could put the stationary panels throughout the living and dining room and mount a matching cornice between the top arch and the shuttered windows below. Do all of them in a second favorite color from the rug other than blue. This open arrangement makes the piano the focal point and everyone seated can see it, plus it will be replicated in the mirror - they should always reflect something beautiful or interesting, and the piano qualifies.

Deco, I said the same thing prior, very 80's, We must have been old enough to remember that and so is she. Funny.

Yes you can move the original rug to the dining and maybe just do some blue drapery panels. It's not perfect but better...

Tennis - where were you when shoulder pads were the thing?

deco, I was wearing them.

Tennis - did you have the big fuzzy hair too?

deco, Yes I did. You?

Yep!

Looking again, I would take the original rug that was in the LR and move it in the DR. The rug in the dining room is too muted. Another thought for your entrance would be a huge wall mounted fountain, not your conventional console table with mirror/or picture.

deco and I are having a little banter while we wait for you/husband to move the furniture. Hope you don't mind.

I hope to get the furniture moved tonight. May not be able to move the curio since all the china is still inside. But, Hubby gave me approval to replace the curio! So the existing can get tossed and I can get another piece. What would you 80s hipsters suggest?

A beautiful large foyer chandelier will make the perfect statement and set the tone from the moment you or your guests step foot in your home.

You may go to our site to get inspiration, or contact us directly if you would like a personal design consultant to help you!

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Thank you!

We switched the furniture arrangement last night. We can't move the curio yet and obviously the coffee table will be gone soon. Thoughts?

I like the sofa in front of the window better. I prefer the other arrangement. Looks off balance with the couch stuck on the wall and a mirror in between. What is that other piece in the room.?

I thought you were moving the other pieces.

I solved the stairwell, huge entry wall problem by installing real cedar shingles on the entire stair wall, then staining them white. I love it. No fingerprints plus the light plays on the surface very interestingly.

I can't move the curio yet and the other piece on the left is the old coffee table. And since I can't move those, i couldn't couldn't move the mirror, which I don't like there either. Hubby didn't like the prior setup. Dining room rearranging will be later this week :)

That settles it then, if the hubby doesn't like the prior arrangement, then you will have to keep trying. Good luck.

I don't like the sofa in front of the window. Perhaps try this: place the sofa at an angle to the right of the window (the arms on adjacent walls, the chairs across from it parallel,the rug also at an angle, and then determine the placement of the mirror. The piano limits the placement of the furniture so unless you move it to the corner right of the window (difficult I know) your options are limited. Perhaps an oval coffee table will break up all those right angles. If you do go back to the first option, sofa at the window, place the mirror at an angle in the right corner, and eliminate the curio. Consider painting that large wall a deeper accent color, found in the rug.

BTW, I do like the ottoman in lieu of a coffee table; get an interesting tray, wood perhaps, to place on it, making it more useful as a "coffee table"

When the mirror reflects the piano from the curio corner this will work well. You may want to consider a larger, lower table there between the chairs. Yours is a little tall and skinny for the swoop chairs. I thought a paint job on the curio might be sufficient, but will have to think about a replacement. We need to find art for above the sofa now.