The "colorful" furniture I meant was that the dining room chairs are four different colors as well as the barstools. I like the idea of the 'color blocking' you mentioned, thanks for the feedback! :)

Consider having a local colour consultant come in. It's very difficult to make recommendations on the computer. Your photos are quite dark and they translate differently from monitor to monitor. A professional consultant will take many factors into consideration when making recommendations.

Happy to hear you love bright colors! You may want to bring some to your home through art. For various color and art ideas, please check out our Houzz page. Enjoy decorating with colors!... Raisa

What may be a good idea is to go to Home Depot...take your coffee and plan to stay a minute. Find something to inspire you. A pattern in a towel; a color in your favorite photo or your favorite clothing item. Visit a fabric store. I get so much inspiration when I visit Jo Ann's Fabrics. So that you will not be overwhelmed, decide colors that you would NEVER consider. Don't even bother with them in the store. And browse. Another suggestion....take a picture of the room...download it at www.glidden.com or www.sherwin-williams.com, and play with the colors in their virtual studios. If you want to get even more ideas, invite an interior designer or a redesigner to get a feel of what you can do from them. There may be a consultation fee, but it could be money spent well. Good luck with your project.

I love the paint at Farrow & Ball's website: http://us.farrow-ball.com/ They recommend color schemes in groups of three so that you can go for different accent walls in a way that doesn't interrupt the mood of a room. Are you open to changing the color of the skirting boards or door etc?

Lower your light over the dining table so that it's 30" over the table.

thank you so much for the great suggestions!

thank you for the websites--great ideas
leelee: you're totally right about the light!

I'm a fan of keeping the walls in large areas neutral and pulling color in by accessorizing with pillows, lamps and art work. I see you have lots of varying heights of walls with spaces on top. I would warn against trying to "decorate" those. Focus on the main living space--not up high. Think about rugs for color, too.

Oops, that last rug is a bit small. The painting next to it isn't a rug! Pillows....

thanks! good ideas-- where are the pillows from? the painting is really cool

Grandin Road--they have lots of different ones.

thanks!

Hi cheryljamie! Any updates on the place? Would love to hear!