This we put over the sofa for now until I get something else.

Here is the fireplace now

I wonder about the rug. I will try to see about moving it and if it will make a difference.

I really like the garden scene with that peachy/coral color. That could be used in either room, living or family.

Was thinking this morning while only on my nook before seeing your art up close, would you be adverse to putting your large horse painting on dining wall? Thoughts? Because I'm thinking more about this family room wall behind sofa and think maybe to simplify and really change things for you is to only put up a large mirror so that you might trick the eyes and make that room widen. I love mirrors and they really do add sparkle and depth to a wall. It would also, in your case, maybe, throw some beautiful reflections from your window and scenes out there.

Oval or rectangular longish/wide mirror.

checking for colors. Do you want florals in family room, or try to do more coastal, horses?

What does this garden scene look like on your fireplace wall. because it really looks nice with carpet and chair-right?

for dining room:

Maybe your husband was correct, in that there is a rustic quality to this hooker. I like the two together, what do you think?

With one or two of your horse statues on the buffet in dining room.

Hi idea, the hunt print is by Sir Afred Munnings - someone had given that to me many years ago. It is a large print, but yes it has some nice colors in it.

We had so much wall space at our old house, not at this house. There are so many more windows here. I am not opposed to getting something new for the house as well.

The garden painting of my son is done by the same artist who painted the picture of my daughter that is in the living room. It is very pretty, but actually very small. The framed picture is a 13"x15". It might be too small for the fireplace wall. It does really look nice with the pink chair!

The mirror idea would be nice on that sofa wall.

I believe the rug has blues, greens, pinks, creams, yellows, and light browns. The floral pillow above captures the colors well. I like all the colors. Florals are nice, garden. There seems to be flowers in the carpet. Are you still thinking I should move the entry green table to the family room where the plants are now? The floor pillows are variations on blue - one came, I am not sure they are made to hold up to my boys. :) I will share a picture.

If I move the horse painting to the dining room, it will be in the middle wall - between the dining room and living room. Will that be okay? You will see it when you walk in the door. Yes, the style and colors go well with the Hooker credenza. I just didn't know if you think it wouldgo well there.

There is one other painting I forgot about as I moved it up to my mom's house as I wasn't sure where to put it. I will show you a picture of it.

I am not opposed to purchasing art - if we find something original that would be great as well. The original may be way over our budget - it depends. At his point, though, we are older and we don't have too much wall space. If we can afford it, original art would be nice.

I am planning on still getting the bird cabinet - I am trying to spread the costs a little. I really like it!

Good night, idea. Thank you for all of the help!!

Yes, I think you are right about the horse painting. Now I will have to think of something for over the fireplace. :)

ok, i thought pics were all done. let me remind you art does not have to match the furnishings. it should be original and you must love it. actually all mine were abandoned at charity thrift stores, estate auctions, etc. only paid over $20 once or twice. but if you can't wait that long or the forlorn puppy dog look does not appeal to you. I recommend etsy or Saatchiart.The following i found recently all are under $200. none are saatchiart, cause they sell too quick. be careful when they are marked wall art, but these are all original.

I kinda like the family room as a more rustic room. and these are by no means all that are on etsy.

When thinking about fireplace wall. Think about the whole unit on sides being white eventually.

I'm thinking about your artwork. Your kid paintings are so great. Who is missing? Are there any other kid paintings? That could be a great bucket list to do more of those, getting all of your kids done. (Kids, no matter what they say, feel sibling rivalry.)

ideas for fireplace wall.

something simple. Touch of blue, looks like bubbling water. Have shells and ocean artifacts on shelves that are white.

now this would take up 33" by 33.

and saw these paintings thought were nice.

Love love this. Peach, gray/blue, mint green. It's small, only 14x11. Could it be centered with something on each side, I'm wondering... two small mirrors?

I like that peach/coral and mint and gray exploited. Really complements the carpet and chair.

http://www.houzz.com/photos/paintings/query/paintings-by-carol-schiff/nqrw

I really love her paintings. Take a look. And she's reasonable. I might buy that conch if you don't! 100.00? It's worth it. She does a lot of smaller paintings. What about two small paintings hung vertically atop each other? She has some lovely sunrises, ocean, waves, farmhouse. Really pretty things.

9x12

two combined?

The paintings by Carol Schiff are wonderful. The Conch painting is very nice! I see it as $65. Are you thinking two paintings above the fireplace, one above the other, or side by side? I am trying to imagine how it would look. It would add some beautiful colors to the room.

The room above the fireplace is 30" height by 62" width. Just trying to figure out arrangement of paintings.

Havingfun, those paintings are very beautiful!!

Hi, I appreciate everdebz's comment about a large mirror being 'cold'. That might be true. Besides, you have art to display. So, I've put together an idea for both sofa wall and fireplace. (next post)

I just realized Carol's artwork, some of them are really small, like 8x6" for 100.00

Yes, the Conch was 65.00! I hope you get it rbu.

Actually rbu I've considered Everdebz's comment and thought of this: What about doing a art wall behind sofa consisting of: Garden scene, and the Conch, and another work (don't know which right now, possibly another Schiff? Her prices and work are really nice.) Or even the Santa Barbara ocean scene. Then, a mirror on right of vignette, a vertically hung kind of narrow mirror rectangular to finish off the wall.

If you like this idea, begin with your largest art piece and center it to center of sofa (make sure you have sofa centered on wall to begin with. Center that about 6-8" above back of sofa. Then, you will add the others, two atop each other to left of that. Then, mirror on right of biggest art. (You choose and get them, we'll figure out the layout).

Fireplace wall is still a problem=what to put on it, clock or painting? Or other art?

This is 24 x 51. I'm thinking hanging it, vertically.

I've posted these for example. I like the color. They are inexpensive. You can choose whatever you like. Big so they are substantial on the mantle as that is a big wall area. You want whatever is there to stand out too. Plan not to do overkill on bookcases, keeping some air to breathe, 1/3 books, 1/3 ornamentation, 1/3 space.

I didn't have time to read all ,so you may have already done this. I would remove the crown mouldings from the bookshelves, build them to the ceiling then paint.

I ordered the "Conch" painting. :)

although nice i would ask her to at least sign it. it is just a computer copy.

I'm having a print made of a painting by Carol Schiff thanks to a Houzzer that turned her on to me. I Love her work. I needed at least a 20 x 24 print for my kitchen wall so she had to paint a larger one at least 8x10 I believe, in order to have the print enlarged. She then sends to her printer in Florida to get size I want. The printer will then ship back to her to embellish and also sign in real paint. She is great to work with. I'm having the attached done for my kitchen. Can't wait to get it. Look forward to seeing your piece.

Meant to say..."Turned me on to her". lol

I decided to cancel the order and find an original painting. I think since it is so small, an original may look better - especially since it may go over the sofa. I will look through her work because it is beautiful! Bummer, because I loved the picture. Great colors!

It is easy to cancel, but I do love the painting. I just am not sure since it is so small if I should find an original. The colors are great in it and it would be so nice in the room. It is sold through a store, so I don't think the artist is involved.

Oh - I will look at her work on Etsy. I love her other paintings as well. So colorful, which I love. Thanks for suggesting the artist. I could put the print in the guest bathroom if it doesn't fit into the family room as I have it decorated the guest bathroom with a beach theme, dolphins, mermaid figurine, etc. It may look nice.

if money is a problem and you can't find anything reasonable. then i have one last ditch try. go to etsy and/or Saatchiart, many artists offer downloads for less than $2. you then can take to a printer you like. i kinda like these new ones on glass, allows light into the work. you get the size you want and how you want. no trumped up charges and artist gets to retain their work and money. no it is not signed or numbered, though i think someone just has not thought of it, so i would try for it. then i would hang onto paperwork saying whom you bought it from and when. ie

Havingfun- I had never heard of that - thank you!

idea- I like the paintings you suggested. I love the idea of bringing the colors of the chair, onto the wall. The one above is very pretty! The seashell painting were pretty as well! Maybe a few different pictures/frames above the sofa. I

I like the idea of bringing that color to your wall too. When you have time make a little account with etsy and you can 'favorite' things and paintings you like and then decide. It's a great place with reasonable, real art for sale. So many artists really ask outlandish prices, I mean, they're good but it can just get very out of hand. I saw many Russian artworks that are so beautiful and reasonable.

oh how about this guy? or guys

i love them. and it is christmas too!

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/20-decorating-days-to-christmas-dsvw-vd~4306968

Have you been drinking havingfun!

i don't know? why?

The artist has some very beautiful paintings! He has another one with some poppies that is very pretty!

yes and quite reasonable too. reason sent.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/154306111/conch-shells-large-original-framed-16-x?ref=shop_home_active_62

this artist has many nice original works. Saw this, don't know about the black, but I like the painting.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/173938943/wild-brown-horse-framed-original?ref=shop_home_active_7

another nice one.

small but nice with poppies and ocean scene

https://www.etsy.com/listing/472979644/beach-art-pacific-ocean-beach-decor?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=paintings of ocean or beach&ref=sr_gallery_13

https://www.etsy.com/listing/470743790/original-oil-painting-modern-painting?ref=shop_home_active_64

I like his work! Uses lots of pretty colors.

last one I promise! https://www.etsy.com/listing/482239140/bay-sunset-original-oil-painting?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=paintings of the ocean&ref=sr_gallery_20

Looking at the first picture, I'd be tempted to try the couch facing the fireplace, centered between the walls but past the window--closer to the viewer looking at the picture. I'd move the big glass cupboard where the couch is now, and I'd hang some drapes on the windows. I think starting there, the room would start to take shape. Good luck.

Hi rbujohnson, Did you find a way to update your family room?