Same here, I might think about adding some window treatments to add some additional color/texture, but I don't see the benefit in making that small area a focal point.

I agree with the others, especially if you were to just paint that small area and not continue along the wall. I think it would look like you just hadn't finished painting yet.

Do you not like patterned fabric? I agree that window treatments would add a great touch. I see small pastel pillows, but really no other pattern in the room.

I agree with the others. If you want more interest on that wall, use the shelves to feature a collection of something--small landscape paintings, art glass, pottery, large seashells--whatever you love, rather than just filling it with unrelated items.

Normally this room is more decorated but it has been pared down right now because I've staged an investment property we are selling. Moving things around to clean made me think about using that wall differently. The floor register is there but I had it covered with the sofa and should keep it open.

I'm not loving that wall. It's been banged up and the drywall isn't in great shape. For $150 I can put up faux brick panels and get a fresh new look. Maybe paint out the inside of the niche white or cover it over. The big fat chair is to go to my daughter when her basement Reno is done and I'll probably bring in the second taupe leather chair for this spot.

Whatever you decide to do, I would recommend doing the whole wall, including the header as it will make it look like it belongs, not just put up in one area. I wonder how you'll cut whatever you put up around the trim on the niche's bulls-eye corners?

I'd probably spend under $5.00 and repair the drywall and touch it up, or use the beadboard to continue the look you have going in the kitchen, and put some corner trim on to cover the edge. If you used the brick panels, what would the edge treatment be? The pics I see online of faux brick panels are on full walls, so there is a natural way to end them. I'd suggest brick wallpaper instead. https://www.amazon.com/slp/faux-brick-wallpaper/dscpc4wkdqds4zr

I think we would have to pull off the trim before installing the panels and then reinstall it. I was wondering about the edge treatment too. Maybe it could be filled with a bead of caulking or mud.

Wallpaper is a definite possibility but it doesn't have the nice texture of the panels at HD.

I still wouldn't go across the header because I think that would look really fake with bricks. With paint, yes. With beadboard, not sure. It would look odd I think.

You've got a ton of large furniture in a small room. What's with the chair in front of the corner cabinet? Not good! Perhaps a smaller chair on the short wall next to it? The room needs editing.

The built-in itself is a somewhat odd thing. Can you make it go down nearly to the floor the way the window does? Then the built-in would be the "feature".

Since the room is so neutral I would suggest a larger and more colorful rug to take the eye away from that feature. I would fill it with books and paint the white borders the same color as the wall.

This isn't the normal set up of the room. I was cleaning and moving things around! I guess I need to rethink the entire space.

The built in can't go all the way down to the floor for architectural reasons. Maybe hanging a fireplace below it would help fill the space?

A built-in fireplace below the book nook would be a great feature...would add ambience, mood and warmth. Go a little bit more contemporary and sophisticated ...so that you don't overwhelm the room with too many country pieces. You could also add feature shutters to your windows for modern country look. The book nook could always be emptied and used to fit a small flat screen TV if you decide you need one in that room. I would also delete one sofa and the large chair and move the dark corner cabinet to a hallway somewhere. Then I would add two petite queen anne style (recliner) chairs (like the one you already have) to sit on both sides of the new fireplace insert. I would also add a narrow (DIY) wood sofa table behind your one sofa to divide the room and to prevent children from climbing over the sofa back. I love your idea of adding brick-look or stone façade to the wall. This would add texture and color at the same time and truly make it a feature wall.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/SpectraFire-36-in-Traditional-Built-in-Electric-Fireplace-Insert-36EB220-GRT/204298396 

What is the rule for matching furniture scale to room size and size of couches to chairs?

This is the staging at our townhouse and I would normally have some of this in the sitting room and some would be downstairs in the family room.