The person who lives here has very different taste than mine and would not at all like what I would do. I have English-style traditional taste and would not choose this home because of the ceiling and all the wood. If I had to live here I'd paint the woodwork white except for the ceiling, would put down a large and colorful Oriental carpet, put drapes on the windows, arrange some other place for the TV, which is much too high, and fill the shelves with books. Lots of paintings everywhere, a colorful one over the mantel, and a glass and metal coffee table to show more of the rug. The sofa and chair would be less bulky, and I'd have a loveseat in front of the window. The furniture would be more colorful, as would the pillows. I'm afraid none of that would suit the person living there, which I gather would be you.

It'd be lots of colors, textiles, patterns, plants, colorful lights, books, and art. I'm not sure I'd paint the trim. Window and ceiling stay for sure. Knowing myself-the rest probably does stay too. Unless it's a color that doesn't let me sleep at nights, and I go for it. I'd move the TV as well if possible(it'd be too high for me to look up at)..I'd leave the window alone, i mean in terms of curtains even though I usually love curtains..unless there's a privacy concern etc..then I'd need to think..in short, I'd april-ize it lol..but it'd be important to me where it stands, exactly. The house. What's around it. Locations give me usually lots of inspiration and additional clues as per how I should handle the place.

This is fun -- I suspect this is not your room yet? Are you soon to move in? In which case, Ingrid's approach might suit you very well.

I like the feel it has. I think the sofa and rug are really nice. I would probably introduce pastels and texture, and a couple of pieces with distinct personality, to make it livelier. I might, might want to paint the wainscoting to match the upper wall, but I'm not at all sure about that. Definitely pack the bottom shelf with books and drop the TV to the height of the second shelf.. Stronger art -- in fact I might want to put the colour glass collection on the mantelpiece to pick up the wonderful light, and art on the wall to the right of it.

http://www.dunelm.com/product/bella-armchair-1000094780#partnumber=30296368

https://www.made.com/homewares-accessories/cushions

Joe Cariati glass collection, Los Angeles

Chest from Wayfair, lamp from Allmodern

Fun

If this was my day to day home I would take out all woodwork (including the wainscoting) leaving the ceiling. Then add thicker white trim around window and doors. No curtains, bold paint color. A print rug and a mix of mid century modern furniture in bright bold colors. Lots of art glass and chrome. No TV.

If this was my mountain home I would leave all the woodwork add a large thick rug, larger, darker coffee table, throw blankets, black bear or moose print over the fireplace. No curtains or TV.

I’m not usually a fan of vaulted ceilings but I think it’s because newer, inexpensive homes are usually built without regard to good design and more about that first “look” (wow, the ceilings are so high) and that’s it. They are extremely difficult to decorate around.

This one has a lot of warmth and character. I like it.

I might try moving the TV to where the current sofa is and then flank furniture to be parallel to the window. Maybe 2 chairs on the window side so I wouldn’t block the light and then whatever fits on the opposite side without looking overwhelming.

I’d use at least one skirted, large piece because I think a room with this kind of height looks better with less legs... it grounds the room.

And like Ingrid, I am a fan of books and rugs so both would be in this room. But as much as I love color, I would want to welcome in the sunlight this home has, and I’d worry about the sun fading fabrics... so I’d stick with lighter fabrics that were fade resistant.

Seems like the furniture is too far from the fireplace now so that’s why floating it would be a better option to me. Or, if the room is big enough (can’t tell) I might create 2 different areas.

I love contemporary so that is the direction I would go But before I did anything I would remove the shelves on the side of the fireplace and mount the T.V at the proper viewing height

I'd leave the wood unpainted, get a really colorful rug, some bolder art in a style I like, re-cover or replace the couches with something more dramatic in color. I'd keep the coffee table. I'd consider staining the wainscotting rail darker. The TV would go, and I'd use the built-in shelves for books and a few sentimental knick knacks. I'd replace just a few pillows, there are too many for people to sit comfortably without having to throw the excess on the floor... the remainders would complement the chosen couch fabric.

I'd prefer not to add curtains, but this would depend on privacy factors, and potential sun intensity through that window.

I would remove all the wood, except flooring and ceiling. I would stucco the brick. Modernize the fp. Cover up the open shelving next to the fp.

Put in a Minotti sectional, I like minimalism

Modern art over the fp, white linen curtains and no tv. An excellent music system.

I was allowed to dream, right? :)

I'd repaint the walls a warmer shade, put down some oriental rugs for colour, add a couple of sleek contemporary leather sofas, and add some of my own more-or-less MCM Danish teak furniture. And lots and lots of art, some copper trays and pots to add an bit of an eclectic flavour, and yes, I'd lower that TV.

I actually like it. I'd have white slipcovered sofas, blue accessories, or blue sofas. Either way, books and different art work.

Moving into this so this is not my current furniture. We would like to keep the ceiling but paint all the trim, bookcase and bead board white. Fireplace too I think. Leave the ceiling. As for furniture ... not sure. Tv will definitely be lower but in the same bookcase bc there’s not really a good place to relocate.

Painting the fireplace white is a debate between my husband and me.

Thanks for all your responses. I love this site!!