Here's the challenge: the valance/pillow fabric is reading as brown. It doesn't show up as three individual colours with variations in shade. I thought they were tan-brown. And brown accents with this dusty shade of pink and green walls are going to make your room look dated. If you love the fabric with your sofa then by all means keep it. Continue using the braided rug you have which is completely appropriate for the style and colour of the sofa. It won't be an update, but that's ok. Who cares? The only important thing is that you are happy and comfortable in the room.

If you are truly interested in updating the room you really do have to make choices that are different from what you already have. Right now in 2018 that means pairing dusty pink with either a bold colour like navy or charcoal or with a soft grey or white. Hence my original advice about deciding which direction you want the room to head: bold and trendy or soft and dreamy? (I know what I would do but it's your room!) A pink sofa can be an amazing statement but you have to make it!!

I love it Shwshw! Aliosh it can be tough to welcome folks in to your home, especially the private spaces like bedrooms and offices!! You clearly have some very nice things, don't take negative reactions too hard. I don't think latifolia said your things were ugly, just that some of the elements don't work together: woven blinds are great, I just don't think that one works with the sofa. If you need to keep it, drapes will really help the "sheet of plywood " effect, I also think the large rectangle shape looks awkward and needs softening on the edges. Regarding the pictures, etc, it is often very helpful to remove everything and add back slowly. Of course you can have personal items in an office-the photos you shoes had carefully selected and displayed "clutter-" you can too!

Ps: do you really want a colonial look?

shwshw Your office is lovely and a great use of space too! Thanks for posting it! Yes, it is difficult to put yourself out for criticism and I expected the worst when I posted. I find most people who make rude comments have rooms that look much worse than mine. I have a friend who told me the vessel sink in my powder room is "ridiculous." I could care a less what she thinks because I know her bathroom is in disrepair! People can be interesting....

My walls are not mint green. They are a very light Khaki. There is NO brown in the valance and pillows. The fabric has the sofa color in it. I hate the braided rug, so it's going. The only problem I have with decorating in trendy styles is the fact that eventually they go out of style. I like classic decor that might not be trendy, but still works for years. I am not interested in redecorating every time a new trend of colors makes it's appearance. I do like British Colonial. I don't have that style anywhere else. Most of my collectables would fit in well with British Colonial design.

I don't think you need to be "trendy" to update and elevate your space. Regardless of the colors, the valance and pillows don't work IMO, but If you love them, keep them! I'm not sure focusing on a theme such as British colonial is overly helpful in such a small space with so many restrictions (sofa, wall color, etc). How do you want it to FEEL? How does it make you feel now?

Aliosh, I certainly wasn’t saying your things were ugly! Just that you need to choose between British Colonial, where the blind could work, and the couch, which is a different style: not ugly, but different.

I’ve done a bit of British Colonial - teak and rattan - at our island place. There’s actually a photo on Houzz! Thanks to Irma I get to do it again. Will see if I can find the link.

I can get a Persian rug and pair it with navy drapes, but it will be very similar in style as my main living areas. I was hoping to do something a little different.

I know there is no brown in them. But they look brown because pink+green=brown. My eyes mix the two together just as one would mix paint and it comes out brown. And that colour I see is very similar in tone and value to the sofa. So if you add more brown, it's not an update; it's more of the same.

The changes that have been suggested are only trendy in that they are currently fashionable. But there's nothing passing about the appeal of a beautiful Persian rug. Pillows are realtively inexpensive or very easy to diy. Drapes are an easy update that are a timeless style of window dressing. If you want to put the valance back up in a few years, it will still be available to you. The most trendy thing suggested was the brass and glass table, and even that is an update from a previous style trend.

I'm not criticizing your room *at all*. If you want to keep the furniture and wall colour the same your only available options for updating are in your accessories, and the only way that will be an update is if you do something *different* from what you already have.

Not sure how to post this link, but maybe this will work. I had a teak four poster made for our bedroom, but otherwise kept it very simple. Felt the British Colonial style was appropriate because the property is in a tropical British territory.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/query/arawak/nqrwns

You're much better at photography than I am, but here is our sitting room. The curtains are made from 100 year old French fabric (unused) that I found at a flea market in Switzerland. It was so narrow that my decorator and I added a beige silk check to the sides and as a contrast on the topper. The ceiling is BM Indian River; the walls are BM China White. The antique dealer who sold me the lamps years ago thought they might be Baccarat; she couldn't find a mark and neither have I. The bookcase is an old Globe Wernecke barrister bookcase. The couch is from the Spanish company KA. The junk strewn about belongs to my husband.

Would you consider painting the dark wood bookshelves a white or off-white? If not, you could sell them and then update to new bookshelves and pare down your collectibles and books. Here's a nice idea for the window panels; borders that are the same pink as your couch. And turquoise is very pretty with pink too. Notice they both have lighter rugs that don't compete with the couch. Gold or brass accents would be lovely and feminine too.

Here is a room with pink chairs. It even has beige walls! Perhaps you could take some inspiration from the colors used in here. Maybe do your drapes in green instead of navy, add a sisal rug with a flokati on top of it, a zebra ottoman, and a few plants.

https://www.jcpenney.com/p/exclusive-fabrics-furnishing-plush-velvet-curtain-panel/ppr5007644255?COLOR=Green&cid=cse%7Cgoogle%7C004+-+home+furn+leisure%7Ccurtain+panels_73244910067&country=US&currency=USD&fromBag=true&gclid=Cj0KCQiAzMDTBRDDARIsABX4AWyJtwQnubLqz1ualehLUNpUFO5AyDd-rEBgTseBuzTFODflhAek6-MaAs2eEALw_wcB&kwid=productads-adid%5E225658371271-device%5Ec-plaid%5E364229553286-sku%5E73244910067-adType%5EPLA&pTmplType=regular&quantity=1&selectedLotId=7324491&selectedSKUId=73244910067&utm_campaign=curtain+panels&utm_content=73244910067&utm_medium=cse&utm_source=google

Ferris Zoe Design I didn't know what I wanted my office to reflect because I never decorated a space just for me. This experience has helped me think clearer. I want a new rug. It will be either a natural fiber rug with a zebra hide layered over or a large wool zebra print rug in place of the sisal and hide. No synthetic rugs. I have white plantation shutters in my main living areas, so I am open to using them in my office. If I take down the valance in my office I would like white sheer drapes. I don't want dark, heavy drapes. I don't want to create drama. I'd like to use furry throws and / or pillows. Or even a textured cotton throw. Throughout my main living areas I have nothing but hand knotted Persian rugs, with some upholstered and leather furniture. We have EARTHY colors in a classic, modern rustic feel which I like, but I do not want it repeated in my office. Furry accessories, airy drapes, a little abstract art, a tropical ceiling fan, and some other minor decor changes could be enough change for me. I will de-clutter some, but realize I want to be surrounded by my collections yet, I agree my shelves need to be thinned out. Once I make a rug choice the rest should come easy.

if u decide on drapes all u need to block out sun but still let light in is to add sheer panels hung on a rod pocket behind the drape rod or u can get one rod that holds both types (drapes & sheers).

kateinparadise I like that room VERY much and everything you posted. I would like to see the room you posted enlarged. All of it is an inspiration to me and very much in line with what I'd like. It speaks to me. My sofa is, of course, much darker than those chairs. Thank you for posting it. You read my mind. I want to thank everyone for helping me discover what I wanted for my office. I really did not know how to get to where I wanted to be. It takes a lot of time and effort to post comments and especially pictures, so again thank you to those who did this. I really appreciate everyone.

OMGOSH I love that zebra ottoman.....

aliosh, if you're using a computer or laptop you can hit ctrl+ and your display will enlarge so you can see that photo blown up. Not surprisingly, ctrl- shrinks it back down :)

i love your pink sofa !!! anyone should have one, lol. can't wait to see this transformation progress.

xoxo eva @ MONARCHSOFAS.COM

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Apparently Ferris Zoe Design is offended by people who decorate on their own. I'm sure they like to think people NEED them. I have a group of friends who use the same designer and they all have the same carpet in their master bedrooms. Their houses are similar in decor because the designer decorates to HER taste. I have a large home. I decorated all of it because I enjoy decorating. My home receives many compliments and I didn't need a pro designer to decorate for me....sorry if this offended Ferris Zoe Design. I reached out for help with my office, big deal. I hope I was successful in deleting the snobby comment left by Ferris Zoe Design. My response to them was clear. They need to take a reading course and a course in manners. Very unprofessional response from them.

Ferris Zoe Design - anything else you post here will be reported and deleted. I am a professional in my field and have never responded the way you did whether on a forum or in person. You lack class.

yikes, what did i miss? drama on houzz??

wow. what did I miss??

lol @Monarch Sofas

I love hearing that you are discovering your "vision". The zebra ottoman is so Fun!

Well, Ferris Zoe Design made rude digs over my interest in zebra decor and an Island inspired ceiling fan. I wonder if this "professional" believes everyone is a tacky safari hunter if they like or have zebra prints in their home! LOL!

You sure gave us something to bite in to with your recent thoughts! Nice! So here are my thoughts:

do you need a fan? A new light would be great regardless, but I wouldn't bother with the new fan if you never use it.

Do either a flokati rug OR a furry throw OR furry pillows but not 2 or 3. A zebra ottoman would be fantastic.

Sheers are nice-I particularly like them very wide and stacked thick. Sometimes they span a whole wall. two scrawny sheers on either side won't get you much impact .

Aliosh did you delete Ferris Zoe Design's apology? That doesn't seem fair.

I agree.

No, I did not delete Ferris Zoe Design's apology. What doesn't seem fair is that you accused me before I replied. I wonder if there are two different people responding? Because the rude comment I deleted earlier was intentionally belittling and impossible to interpret any other way. So, I find it hard to believe it was not intended to be rude and demoralizing. Still, I accepted the apology and left it in this thread. Ask Ferris Zoe Design why they deleted ALL their previous comments. The entire incident is very strange.

How about this for inspiration. I love the eclectic look of this space. Imagine your sofa with some of these features and I see that beautiful tall Asian vase in the corner. Seems like you can take your "current" pieces and go "eclectic" and have a really fun, enjoyable space. Of course, this chandelier is gorgeous but crazy expensive. You just find things that "simulate" the look. I think I looked that chandy up and it was $35,000! haha! sure is gorgeous though. Just thought you needed something fun to erase some of the bad that was going on! Enjoy!

Here's a different picture and a link to the blog that shows that room. Hopefully, that will be of help.

http://mommyessence.com/gorgeous-pictures-of-various-house-beautiful-living-room-for-your-home-interior-inspiration/

katinparadise thank you. I did a google image search and saw this enlarged along with other great pictures. The colors in this room are the colors I'm working with. I wanted to keep the pink and aqua furniture with beige walls. This picture helps me visualize how they work together with zebra stripes. It also shows me curtains and rug choices for this color scheme. It's all helpful! I might look for a similar rug and zebra ottoman. I do have an ottoman which I might have covered in a zebra fabric.

With your color pattern, may I suggest you go with a warmer animal fabric like Tiger! Or leopard.

These are all in the more warm color palette. If you still like the Zebra, I would add 2 more small black accents to incorporate into your design.

Glad to help. I'm excited to see the progress as your room takes shape!

In my last post above the “auto correct” changed “palette” to pattern. I meant “color palette”.

I was surprised to see this post on Houzz. The sofa in the picture is very similar to yours, right on down to the fabric.

I'm in the process of going British Colonial...LOL! Waiting for my zebra rug and gold bamboo Chinese mirror for over my fireplace. I ordered it from Pottery Barn. I'm looking for a new ceiling fan and a new woven blind. I realized my blind doesn't lay flat. I brought in more of my blue and white porcelain (it's actually light blue and dark blue).

Sounds like the room will be spectacular! I hope you'll show pics of your progress.

I realized I never posted the changes I made! I kept most of my collectables. They make me happy and visitors find them interesting. I regret throwing out my encyclopedias. That will be a lesson to me to never throw out what I still want. I didn't want to completely redo my office. I use it everyday and wasn't willing to tie the space up in a remodel. Thanks to all who gave their helpful advice. It gave me a direction.

Oh it’s beautiful! Great work and thanks so much for coming back to update, what a nice surprise :-)

I tried to /like all your photos but I can’t make that register on my phone. So if you can’t see I gave you three thumbs up!

Great job! Has wonderful eclectic, curated feeling. I am sure you are really enjoying it. Feels like we could have 4 PM High Tea there too! Lovely. So nice you took the time to update us. Love that. Thanks!

Looks very nice and you can be happy while working in that space. The tall jar in the corner looks great too. I know that you have sentimental attachment to your bookcase items, but perhaps putting out fewer items at a time and rotating them would create less dusting and more enjoyment of the individual pieces! Just a thought.

Oh yay! So glad you sent the updates. Your room looks great. I love some of the zebra touches you added. Enjoy!

This is my first time seeing your post. What a delicious transformation of this space. I love everything but I especially like the tall vase vignette in the corner. Great use of your precious items. The chair fabric is really pretty. Good job.

I love that sofa! you could have so much fun in this room. since it sounds like it's your space alone go to town on it! gold, green, wallpaper, plants, pillows. look at the Jungalow. they are a website. also apartment therapy has great inspo. have fun!!

just saw you made some really fun updates. enjoy!