some examples of rooms like I am talking about - put together over time, mixing patterns and colors.

some craigslist finds:

For the loveseat?

For the chairs? I am guessing that while I love the color they don't "go" with the loveseat, right?

But these probably do?

Not sure I want to go blue, but the price is right on these items. which is why I lead back to my questions in the first post.

1) yes..all the open spaces influence each other. which doesn't mean they should repeat each other. they just need to have some cohesion, similar rhythm. With fairly neural kitchen like yours(can't see the details though), it will be easy to make it feel cohesive with quite a lot of options of colors

2) every stone dictates you around, to a certain degree. even more so when it's a focal point-a fireplace surround. But the stone itself lends itself to quite a bit of choices, in terms of colors..it's also not a big surface. You should always take it into account, but it will be rather kind to you:) Not all the stones are.

3) I much more like the idea of chairs around the fireplace than build ins(or a mix-a chair and a shelf..and a lamp..or a plant)..I think the space is too small for build ins, unless these are really low unobtrusive shelves..the fireplace wall has this cool storybook house look..:) you don't want to mess with it too much.

Frankly-I'd remove TV from there and see whether I can put it on the wall were you want your couch..and I'd create my main storage spot there too, around and beneath it.

Then I'm turning the fireplace wall into a great wall for art etc

I don't know how to go about you wanting to face the windows, unless it's an armchair that can be oriented wherever and still work with whatever sitting you already have.

Something like on your inspirational picture with the big ottoman..the sofa is in front of the window, the cozy chair faces it and the window.

The Craigslist chair do go with love seat, IMHO,they have somewhat similar sensibility, and the colors are easy to play together . What I'm not sure about-having the love seat in this room..sectional or a long sofa plus a chair or two might be a better, more flexible fit.

thanks April - you are always so helpful :)

You are saying you think the room is too narrow for built ins? I never really thought about that. there is about 42 inches on either side of the fireplace.

I Have thought about moving the TV, but I had a similar room in the past, and when we finally moved the orientation of the room to look out the windows we were much happier, and we didnt have any kind of view but of the back yard! So we really want to keep the TV where it is.

I think I am hesitating on all the reds/greens and blues/greens because I think it will be calmer? go better? if I stick with more neutrals, I just do really love color too :) I am really annoyed at myself that I stopped bidding on chairs I had posted about awhile ago. But sometimes I really need to settle in my head what is going on.

this is a bit closer of a picture of the kitchen it is some kind of black speckled granite. this is the first time I have had granite. I am really not a fan! funny, I thought I would be. (this is the PO's stuff):

Maybe I need to just be patient and stick to the brown/green/creams with a touch of black.

I'm not saying it's too narrow, but it's not too wide either-42 is the size of a smaller standard desk. And you want them a bit recessed as not to come too close where the windows start. Of course you're feeling the space much better than me because I only have pics to look at, and you're there..I'm just saying that if going for built ins-I'd go for less obtrusive possible, like shelves..and would make them lower than the fireplace.

Is there any possibility for you to put the TV in the corner, while still orienting the sofa toward the windows? Not the best from aesthetics point of view, I agree in advance, but I personally wouldn't be able to watch the TV when it's over the fireplace..physically speaking..how are you/your family's with that, does it work for you, generally? In terms of comfort and all? Comfort is paramount in these matters. Should be put before everything. If you say it does, it does.

These are great windows and I certainly understand you wanting to look at them, especially with your view.

As for the colors..you went with rather strong colors in your bathroom and it went fine and made you happy:) Same here..it matters less whether they're "neutral" or not..the intensity of the color and the contrast between them matters though, it should be good for you personally. Black and white is neutral, theoretically, but can be really not calm:) And blues and reds as in your inspiration pictures should be everything but calm, yet the pictures are very joyful and cozy..to me at least.

Every palette has its appeal...every palette has its personal connotations..everybody's and their calm, so to say. and many can work because luckily your current hard surfaces allow for that..maybe smaller things that you like will give you a hint as to which direction to take after. You start with something you love-and slowly build upon it. Sometimes you'll crave for more color, and sometimes you'll feel X is too much and Y is too much, and you're rather go for Z..or wait altogether.

When you look on the Craigslist-I personally can look for days and weeks and months..like a cat waiting for a mouse..until I see something and have this feeling "that's it". You know yourself, you know your signs..let them lead you:)

I think it s very normal to wait until things settle in your head..I know I definitely need a lot of staring in the blank..in between moments of enlightenment lol..

as for granite..I never cared for it..and even less for the one we used to have..I'm sure there are prettier granites but ours was not one of them..together with that, it was pretty non obtrusive, given the rest of the materials and layout..wasn't in my way to decorate or something. I wouldn't choose it in million years lol, but it wasn't a big deal either. So much depends on how things correlate.

Annie and April you have both been so helpful! I need to hold out for something I really like I think. I think you are right, overall the kitchen is probably neutral enough (especially if I paint the walls cream) that many things would work. I foudn this sectional I LOVE on chairish, but it is out of my price range!

some possible chairs to go with

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