I agree with Brenda, the first thing I'd do is paint the ceiling trim.

Wow, what a beautiful, light-filled space. It could easily be updated with some paint. I agree with the above, definitely paint the ceiling molding. In addition, I would paint the window trim, the door trim, the doors and the cabinets the same color in a semi-gloss finish. The only wood I would *not* paint would be the fireplace mantel - that way it will stand out as a real feature in the room. Right now everything is competing with everything else. Your choice of color will affect the feeling of the room - it could be anything, it doesn't have to be just white or beige. I've seen many successful rooms where the trim color and the wall color is very similar, or even the same, in a contrasting finish (gloss on trim, doors, cabinets, flat on walls) This gives a very calming, modern feeling. You can then add touches of contrasting color with pillows, rugs and drapery or shades. Have fun!

Can I paint the moldings myself??? big job???

You can definitely paint the moldings yourself. You will need to first clean it all with TSP, and then rinse. Allow it to dry overnight. Tape off the top and bottom and use a paint with some sheen to it. Some people prefer semi-gloss, some prefer eggshell. It's a personal preference. I like eggshell.

If you're only painting the ceiling moldings, I'd say it's about a one day job. You will probably need two coats of paint to cover the wood. Google "painting wood moldings" and see if a primer is recommended. Painting everything that I suggested above would be quite a big job, I think, you'd have to space it out over a period of time, but definitely doable, and it would make a huge, positive, impact on your room.

Any more suggestions?

I like the idea of painting the crown, but I know what it going to happen. You're going to love it and want to do all the woodwork - not only here, but throughout the home. I don't have the capacity to do it, but someone here at Houzz can probably do a mock up for you to see with crown only and with other trim and even with doors, and possibly cabinetry. If you decide to take this step and go big with the paint job you'll want to hire a professional.

I would paint all your wood in your house white. It's a big change, but you will love it. And I do mean everything that I am looking at that is now brown wood. A soft grey/tan color on your walls would bring your room around and look great. Your fireplace is dated and heavy looking. It could use a white coat of paint (all the way to the ceiling) to match the other wood in your room. The brick part should be painted a real dark grey.

The open book shelf in the middle of your room (newly painted white) will look great if your pick an accent color and then paint just the back of the shelves. Display only a few items on each level. Keep it simple. I'd pick a medium to light teal color.

Turn your sofa more to face your fireplace. Move your two small chairs to the sides of the fireplace and put accent pillows on them and your sofa that match the color you paint the inside of your open bookcase. The extra settee' you have can be moved out of the room. It is cute, but doesn't go with the room. You might want to update your hardware on that big cabinet once you paint it white. Simple changes will make a big impact. You have a great room. Picture it grey/tan, crisp white woodwork, maybe a teal acccent color, and some silver shine on your open cabinet and fireplace mantle.

I'd add a large abstract picture (canvas) above your fireplace. One that has some fun colors that help your accent color flow in your room. Don't skimp on the size of the abstract, and keep your other things you put on your fireplace simple. If your abstract is big, you might not need anything on your mantle. A simple row of votives can be enough. I usually do several votives the length of the art work.

If the top part of your fireplace that goes from the mantle to the ceiling looks too big when you paint it white, soften just that area with a softer color than the walls. Go down a couple shades or three from your wall color.

Any example prices?

Anything else?