This is the foyer it's open to, so you can picture what it would be working with.

I'm actually considering removing all of them. Its sooo busy in there, it's all way too overstimulating. Especially since it's all so open.

Great looking home. If you are looking to stay in the French Country mode, I would leave ceiling detail alone. Other detailing can be worked with as well. Plus, one of those beams could contain infrastructure items you can’t move easily. I would focus on paint, rugs, furniture and lighting. I am seeing soft gray/blue with your white woodwork and linen furniture pieces. Some Etoile prints and bring some red in to incorporate that painting. Let me find some ideas for you. Bbl

Thank you Flo Mangan! I was thinking gray as well until I realized that that one exterior wall is beige (Behr Gobi Desert) and it runs the length of the house. It was only painted 2 years ago so I don't really want to redo it all, which is why I was thinking something coordinating for this room. But yes I do want the pops of color in accessories and I love red.

I think you can work with the Gobi dessert. The trick is working with the red painting. A very light almost white and tie in the Gobi with small touches here and there. We might need a red oriental rug. Not sure about painting. Can you tell me more about it? I see chef and it seems fairly contemporary. I have to think about how to bring all these elements together.

I agree about the ceiling detail. I'd leave it. remove all the trim work on the walls if you'd like, that will take down the stuffiness a notch or two. Although, if you painted it all one solid color, I don't think it would stand out like it is now. look a how this just blends into the ceiling (obviously the same colors)

when done like this, it's a great feature.

now if you do what to highlight it, do it softly. look how nice this is w/the coffered ceiling.

the painting is a reproduction of Leroy Niemans Por Vous.

im definitely leaving the ceiling but want to clean up the walls.

It seems your floor space for seating in living area is rather tight. So here is an idea. Use chairs facing each other either side of fireplace. Consider leaving your trim and select a warm gray but use crisp white trim. I pasted your art in just to give you idea how it could work with the grays and whites.

Por Vous! (For you!).

omg that's amazing! yes that seating area is what we are planning to do. It feels like a used furniture store in there now. its actually a huge space with too much furniture. How can I mix the beige and gray?

if you did a warm gray for the walls, and the beige to paint the actual trim, how would that look? Those colors in Flos pic are great. I love the darker trim work on the crown too. (Kendall Charcoal or Chelsea Gray would be nice darker, warm gray tone)

can you mix beige and gray?

Yes you can mix the right gray with beige. I will show you.

Here is one example.

Another with deeper tones and some holds too.

Bonnie- i have been thinking about your room and trying various concepts but i have some questions. How often do you use the dining room? How about living room? When you do, how many people typically sit in the spaces? Do you use it mainly for holiday gatherings? Can you post measurements of the living and dining room? Would you be open to some more modern furniture in thus space? I can do a scale drawing for you that can really help in determining furniture sizes and layouts, rug sizes etc. i will check back later.

Hi Flo thank you so much! I just took measurements but they probably aren't 100% perfect, but close enough. I came up with 14.5x31 feet. Its just one room. It was originally a living room only but we took out the dining room to make the kitchen bigger so we just put it in there. We have a large family so we have 8-10 at least once a month plus holidays. As for the living room are, about once a week my best friends son plays video games in there while we visit lol. And we had already planned on doing a small grouping in front of the fireplace. Im open to other styles as long as it doesn't class with the rest of the house. This room is adjacent to a traditional foyer and very french country kitchen. Thanks again!

OK that is helpful. Let me play around with that and see what I can come up with. How long is your dining table?

We typically keep it at 81.5 inches. Thanks again!

view from the kitchen.

OK, I have created 3 Options for layouts for your room. I have guessed at window sizes and opening from foyer into living room and fireplace width. I also have one set of lighting for the main pieces that will "set the tone" for style in the room. I am putting together a couple of others, depending on your feedback.

This option has a 4 chair and coffee table arrangement with a game table over by the window leaving "walking" space to the double doors (possibly master bedroom?) I put a pair of open gold bookshelves for "décor" and display special pieces either side of fireplace as possible. I will post those options once I get some feedback. I also put a buffet along the back wall. Not sure what is there now? I am suggesting much more "floating" furniture in front of the fireplace.

Option 2

Option 2 switches the seating area and the eating area. It has possibilities. A 80x36" sofa, two swivel chairs, a sofa table and a small round table between the swivels to set a drink.

Option 3

Option 3 put a small seating area floating in front of the fireplace, keeps the dining table as is (although in all options I would change lighting to be more in keeping with whatever style we land on). The swivels would be 30x30 max and the sofa is also 80x36. A narrow sofa table would sit behind the sofa. Other elements the same. NOTE: I am not sure of the foyer space sizing but I put two French Bergere chairs and small table with a "central greeting" table of a bigger size than you currently show. Probably a bit lower, maybe even coffee table or slightly high style.

For a French style on the lighting here are the types I would choose.

Wow I'm so impressed! My husband and I love #1! And we never thought to put furniture in the foyer.

And yes thats the master bedroom. That is also vintage untouched 1960s LOL.

I can't seem to get my little lighting sketch to post. But I'm glad I have been able to give you something to consider. In option 1 the chairs are larger in size. The chairs in the entry are classic Bergere and while probably won't be used except for overflow seating, it would create a lovely greeting for visitors. Not sure on location of front doors or size. I can revise drawing if you provide that information. You could put a large painting on the wall behind the chairs of your favorite French Artist.

Its directly across from the seating area.

OK, I see probably a 42" door with side light windows. Of course, I would remove all the current pieces from the walls. It looks like you have about 11-12" from front door to the wall with the mirror? So you could easily put a couple Bergere chairs there. I lovely round rug would be great. I would leave the chandelier and find a great round table about as round as your "medallion" on the ceiling. I estimate you have about 9-10' from the step down to the wall with the vent on top.

Had to take a back door to get this little sketch to post. I just put your art for reference point. This would be French of course. I would replace the current scones and I think I see a cover for a junction box in the ceiling in front of the fireplace so a nice open fixture something like this would look great. And another one in the other area would help make your dining table look more in keeping with French Styling. A great group of red and white ginger jars of substantial size on the table could work well and bring more red into your room. Lot of details to consider.

13.5 feet from mirror to door and just over 10 from step to vent wall.

Oh great!! That is perfect. I guessed pretty good. I made it 13 feet and 10'. No problem putting the chairs and tables in your entry. I think I would consider adding a plant to the right side near the step down just to visually create a corner there. I'm on a roll now. You have created a monster. I'm all about French anything so I'm excited about this space.

Front door with Windows. almost 12 feet total.

LOL you are awesome! I have struggled over these rooms since we bought the house nearly 3 years ago!

Wow! That is amazing. I have created a "private" Ideabook in my profile to gather items for you. I can add you to it, but I need to know your email for Houzz to add your name. If that is OK, you can email me at manganflo@gmail.com so we can keep that private.

OK - got it. You can go to my profile page and click on the Ideabooks and you should see that ideabook. Test it out.

Here is the revised drawing with your additional measurements. Option 3a

this is closer, but probably still has some adjustments, but for the main purposes, should be good. I added the mirror you have in the entry now to over the buffet in living dining area. I put art in two areas; in the entry and on the wall in the dining room.

Update: 'Boxes' are down, mudding is happening now. We decided on Behr Polished Pearl for the 3 walls we are painting. New sliding glass doors and wood floors are coming (not soon enough) and we are building up the mantle and using a brick 'look' porcelain tile. We are going with Flo Mangan's suggested furniture layout #1. Thanks everyone!

If we used this room every day, it'd be done by now. But, at least the walls are done. Next up, rebuilding the mantle, wood floors, new sliders and new furniture.

Wow! Glad you are making progress! All good things take time!

Flo your help was invaluable! unfortunately taking down those panels ripped up the drywall so prep took forever. But at least we have a vision of what it will look like now.