The only comment I'll make right now is one I think was made in your other thread and that is, if you paint or lighten the ET, the TV is going to appear as a big black hole in that space and the speakers will stand out even more. If no TV, I'd say paint it, but since the TV is so large, I'd leave it stained.

Thank you Olychick. I guess I'm just not liking the dark shiny wood in here & keep going back to the idea of it blending in with the wall more. But, I hear you on the black hole TV!

I like the armoire where it is - love the color, too. I don't think it needs painting.

Donna

Thank you, mrsmeow!

Im worried that once I get the shelves & bench around the pool table it's going to be 3 big pieces in these areas & too much.

Heres a rough draft of the shelves behind the pool table

With all the big beautiful open spaces, there is a lot of 'wood' in the area now, so I think you could go with painted shelves behind the pool table. Maybe don't go stark white though and do a creamy white instead. Will the shelves start in the corner? Where will they end? I think if they look built-in (in other words, take up most of that space) they won't look so busy.

I also think you need a lighter color on the walls, some fabric on the windows (shades or blinds) that would match the bench seat cover. You could add a colorful runner on the table that would add interest there and maybe replace the chair cushions. I would not paint the armoire behind the dining table.

I like the richness of stained wood instead of painted wood. I agree the TV will really stand out against the white. Sometimes I find that white built ins look too busy for my taste as everything on the shelves stand out too much. Your dark ET actually balances out your heavy stone fireplace imo, I wouldnt paint it.

I had more time to come back and think about your rooms. For what it's worth, I don't think the media cabinet competes with the fireplace. They are such different colors and textures - I think it complements the fireplace.

I like the armoire as is; I agree that the new bench and shelves might be better painted. Must you limit your choices to white or stained? Maybe there is a way to combine stained wood (say on the back of the shelves) or paint the back a color - something like this?

If you use light paint color on the new built-ins and keep the stained armoire, what would you think about painting your dining chairs to coordinate with the built ins? You could bring some of the lighter color into the space where there is so much wood with the armoire, table and chairs. It's fine to my eye as is, but just a suggestion if your goal is to get away from so much wood.

An expert I am not, but, to me the large white built-ins will stick out like a sore thumb with all the other dark stained pieces, the stained trim, the stained floors. Nothing else is white. It would look like it didn't belong. The armoire doesn't look too large to me. It looks like the scale between it and the table is perfect. PLEASE don't paint it! The ET looks great with the fireplace imo. PLEASE don't paint it! :)

Outsideplaying, yes- they will start at the corner & be built in to the French door. Elliptical goes!! I was thinking more of the wall color or maybe a shade darker for the paint. I don't have any cushions on the chairs & we haven't even gotten to fabrics!! But yes, something to tie it all together. Big open neutral rooms are difficult!!

Roseabby, thank you! I'm glad you think it complements the FP & doesn't compete.

Olychick, thank you for revisiting! I'm really liking the idea of painted shelves with the wood background, even behind the bench. Haven't thought about painting the DR chairs, right now they are a green distressed color. But they do blend in with all the wood tones. Maybe something like this for the back of shelves?

monicakm, ok,ok!! I'll step away from the paint brushes! Lol

NSM, thank you for the photos! If I had an enclosed room, I would love love to have that blue & I would never leave!! No difference in price, just whatever I won't regret!

DH will probably freak when I tell him I'm thinking of paint for built ins. It's a battle here-- he wants wood cabin with big tv & speakers & I want a calm restful place to rewind & relax after work without a lot of stuff talking to me.

I would stain the bookcases in the pool room and keep the armoire stained as well. It's fitting with all the earthy appeal of those rooms, imo.

I agree with definitely leaving the armoire as it is, and reluctantly agree about the TV. My idea is also to have painted cabinets but I asked my hubby, who happened to be sitting next to me and he said, without hesitation, no, definitely not, it should be stained. It must be a gender thing. I leave it up to you to share with your husband that he has an ally.

Yes, it's a male thing that you never, ever have painted wood.

ikr-- it must be genetic!! My son had a strong opinion about the wood in his room & he could care less about how his room looks!

Ingrid, ha, I will tell him he has an ally!!

ive got some stain samples- I'd love opinions on that too