After making a patchwork of inappropriate colors on my walls, I realized that I have to choose paint from the palette in the large painting or its frame. I'm keeping the painting; if it stays where it is, it needs to be centered. It could also fit in the dining area. I need help with the colors. I'm thinking--at the moment--of a subtle faux finish incorporating a color like SW Empire Gold or even a lighter shade of Smokey Topaz. The daubs on the walls are mostly in peach shades and barley type colors. I am bored with neutral walls lacking depth and warmth and fondly remember a faux finish my husband, who was a commercial artist, did in the early 1980s in a different house.

The current color of the walls is a flat greyish tan, close to khaki. The walls look a lot better in the photos on my computer screen than they do in reality.

You're going to think I should hire a designer. That is easier said than done. I live on a small farm in the deep south in the middle of nowhere, and the budget isn't going to stretch very far. Will a designer drive two or three hours each way to consult on a one time basis for a fee that isn't prohibitively expensive?

I know there is too much furniture. The couches are antiqued looking deep red leather. They have worn like iron through the decades but now need to be recovered. I may change the color leather. I hope to get a suggestion here on what type of leather to use to get similar durability. The dogs don't chew the couches but toenails preclude using very thin or low quality leather. I've been told that I need 3-3.5 oz by some and by others that it doesn't have to be that heavy. I don't know whom to believe.

Also it's finally time to bite the bullet and redo that ghastly fireplace. I'm thinking of Earth Song tiles for the surround but hope to get suggestions here and other thoughts on type and color. I suppose the surround colors depend on the walls. I already have granite in the kitchen area. The painting cannot be centered over the current mantel because of the ceiling angle. Should I splurge and have the fireplace area completely redone for the painting?

I almost forgot the television, hiding the television. If I can find the right piece, I will ruthlessly drill a hole in it for wires and move the current TV table and bookcase next to it. I have budgeted for buying a reasonably good antique piece. So far all the pieces that fit budget are too clunky. Would a pie chest look wrong?

Ceiling fan and light: I am looking for a more attractive fixture. How do I layer light when I already have too much stuff? The ceiling has track lights and the rest of the room has French doors and a window.

Thank-you. I have no idea if I went about asking this the right way. I was very disappointed when I read a post about decorating around a painting that turned out to be bogus.