Hi Joshua,

Couple questions first:

> how large is the space, width/length/ceiling height

> what room precedes the space, looks like might be dining/kitchen

> what color is the couch, it looks dark brown/coffee color

> does the window face NSE or West

Add a floor lamp and change the drapery panels to black for some contrast and interest.

@Beverly Floor lamp could be cool. What should I do about the 3 jar pendant I currently have? one bulb is dead, and one jar broke and I can't find a new one. If I paint the whole back wall black, should I still have the dark curtains?

@Kendall floor plan below... couch is like a dark grey/brown colour, window faces west, kitchen precedes living space.

I wouldn't paint black - why not the same colour as opposite wall where the awesome shelf is? You have dark floors/dark couch that both appear brown and think the black will be waaay too dark in an already dark and not large space (and I like dark!)

I wouldn't paint the back wall black. That's just too dark in such a little space that has little contrast from other elements, like your couch and molding/trim. Unless you plan on a long horizontal piece of art that adds that contrast.

You can still paint the wall a interesting color though, but it doesn't have to be black, and I would definitely get rid of the middle accent strip with small art. I would add some interest with new curtains and throw pillows.

I would also get a floor lamp for the living room, regardless of your fixture which you can either replace or convert to a ceiling fan. It's not difficult to install a new light.

Don't paint the whole wall black. I like the color block concept you have going.

Do you need a ceiling fan?

http://www.lumens.com/eliza-hugger-ceiling-fan-by-atlas-fan-company-ATLP110404.html#cgid=%0A%09%0A%09%098378%0A%09%0A&&tileIndex=3

A fixture like this below with a drum shade would provide very nice quality light your your living room area.

https://www.amazon.com/Kichler-42121OZ-Flush-Pendant-Bronze/dp/B006QEING2

https://www.allmodern.com/Kichler-Crystal-Persuasion-3-Light-Drum-Pendant-42121NI-KI12630.html

you have a cool kinda industrial look going on so would look to that for lighting and definitely add a floor lamp as well

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concrete or brick looking wallpaper might look cool for that wall or part of it - just wouldn't go too dark

Love those lights mzapper. Great idea. I would also add interesting art in threes or one long horizontal piece that add to the room.

I feel like those lights take the industrial thing a little too far? I want to do a blend of industrial + modern + future

StephE what color would you suggest I paint the wall?

Joshua, I like everything you've done here, including the charcoal stripe with red art on the wall. The space suffers from too much backlight which results in too little light inside and a lack of pizzazz.

I would do three things here: first work on lighting, then get a very bold high-contrast rug, and finally style the shelves with something unique. Let me see what I can do.

The pictures or room is rather dark, so I can't make out the colors in your rug or wall to the right. I'm sure groveraxle will perform magic in a quick minute, so we can see the room better.

I would take it to the edge and paint the ceiling and the stripe the same dark color. Black or the charcoal gray. Then bring on a light to set the whole thing off;)

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interestingggg, I was thinking about maybe exposing the ceiling, show the concrete.

Expose and paint dark, set if all off with something usuasual;)

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I can give you a combo for your West light that is not boring...would you?

First, your brown sectional is perfect for the scheme. For the accent strip, try this...B.M. dill pickle with your red framed art on it.

Add some red/coral throw pillows.

http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/rooms-by-color/green-bedroom-with-city-

Two ideas for monorail lighting and a bolder rug:

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JudyG, your link doesn't work. I assume this is the room you're referring to:

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Now the only thing left to do is find some things of interest to put on your very cool shelves. Some great framed photos, a sculptural vase, an ethnic mask, a stabile...something compelling.

And if you want to go bolder with JudyG's green idea...

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hmm not really feeling the green. I think I'll go with the dark back wall, I hve a few more prints I was looking at purchasing, so that would offset the colour.

For sures:
1. expose ceiling
2. something like that mono rail lighting
3. Style the shelving with photos and a sculpt

still need a decision on the wall/pillows/throws

Your coffee table looks more like end tables. Will they fit to the left, not window side, of the sofa? A drum floor lamp on the other side of sofa. I would nix the curtains. Less is more.

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some ideas - assuming you are keeping the red art?

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Here's the whole wall painted black.

As for accent colors, take your cue from whatever art you choose. (I still think you need a bolder rug. That would unbore the place right away.)

The coffee table isn't working. Should come within 1" of sofa seat height. It does look like end tables, but is too short to work that way because end tables should also arrive within 1" of sofa arms.

Well Hey now! Seems like you received a lot of ideas. Good Luck, send pictures when you finish. Have a great Holiday.

Yes, grover….that is it. For the life of me I couldn’t copy that picture from the B.M. site. Thanx.

grover thanks for that mock up. I'm going to pull the trigger on the black wall!

Question for everyone is it tacky to use album covers as art? I have 4 or 5 albums that I've purchased for collection, I was thinking of buying these vinyl frames and putting them next to the cosmonaut piece I have there.

Record album art isn't tacky at all.

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Thanks Jordan! It was the result of a long (and fun!) Houzz dilemma.