A more defined question would get you more personalized responses.

The curtains could use some updating. Get a thicker solid color of fabric, a thicker maybe even darker curtain rod so it stands out more. I wish that your mantle was a tad lower so you could put one large art piece there and leave the family pics to your media center. Taking the plants down off your center would help the update.

Would you consider staining the wall unit a different color? The white is nice, but it does not go well in this space.

Maybe an end table lamp instead of the floor lamp ...

Yes Patti I think you have the right ideas. I do like the white but since your couch is so rich and your bricks have a little warmth in them I think a darker, warmer look for the center would really fit the room better. Good call on the lamp as well. Yes a modern lamp say a la crate and barrel would surely do the trick. Have you ever thought about recessed lighting in that room? I'm telling you that lighting works small miracles. We installed some last October in our living room and it gives off some beautiful light. Just a suggestion!

The white ent center needs to be balanced behind the dark sofa. Heavier rods (each window has its own), geometric pattern incorporating the white, brown, wall color and an accent color. I would take all the Nic-nacs off the mantle, and put them inside the cabinet. Take the large 'basket-like' item out and put it on The hearth, to the right of fireplace opening. Put the clock on a wall. The dark lantern looking item could go on one end of the mantle. Put the greenery on the mantle, so that it hangs down and visually brings the mantle down. An end table in white with wood top(to match cabinet) and a table lamp instead of floor lamp. Perhaps an area rug in the center to create visual impact. Keep the man!

I see there is not room for the end table. Perhaps you could create one on the hearth and still put a lamp on it.

Also, move the silk evergreen to the other side of the fireplace, next to the sub-woofer to the sound system, to camouflage it a bit. Then you could put a lamp where it was, next to the recliner.

Thanks everyone! I would really like to change the gold paint, and I am open to changing the color of the ent. center...what colors could I use?

Solid color Drapes would help. What about vertical blinds? I would try picking a color for the wall that blended with one of the lighter colors of the brick.

The entertainment center would generally be described as cottage/country style. Did you purchase this, and do you love it? If so, I'd make that the focal point of your decorating scheme. I personally love cottage style, and it doesn't have to be all "cottagey-coastal-farmhouse", it can be sophisticated.

If you love the entertainment center style, I'd paint the mantle white. Your room only has beige, white and brown (couch) in it, based on what we can see. Do you have any other colors in furnishings not pictured?

I agree with moving the greenery to the fireplace. Whether you flesh out the cottage style, or go with something else, you can put plates on stands, or vases or other decor items to hide the speakers up there.

Colorful impacts that could go with the existing scheme are a nice buttery yellow or aqua. Whatever accent colors you want to introduce, I'd get a large area rug to put in the middle of the room, along with a small coffee table or ottoman that can serve as a coffee table. Based on what we can see, there's nowhere for people to put their glasses.

What do the windows look like behind the curtains? Nice molding framing them? That could impact suggestions on the window treatment.

Not a decorator, so just humble opinions. How about picking up a medium gray shade out of the bricks and paint the room with that? Tone down the entertainment center with something that will coordinate with wall color; maybe a light gray to pick up fireplace brick shades. I think gray would also coordinate w/your sofa if you are keeping it. Add an area rug to pull in all the colors. Do a neutral drapery (without valance); something that is similar to the shade of the wall color you end up choosing. Do charcoal gray mantle, then take those family photos on wall and replace the brown frames with charcoal gray frames. Remove the green plants. Remove the items on the mantle have a simple clear vase on one side with a simple natural element, like a small, interesting branch. Inside the entertainment center: find various vases or pitchers in a couple of colors you pull from the bricks, say charcoal and tan, so that the inside of the EC looks pulled together and cohesive. Houzz has lots of ideas for EC and hutches - I love this website!

I would get rid of all of the knick knack pieces on the mantle and in the unit, and the fake plants should also go. Paint the mantle the same colour as the new colour for the unit.
Definitely larger curtain rods......if you cannot do shutters or blinds. Agree that you should get rid of the lamp in corner

A sleeker fan would be nice as well....one without wood.

No room for an end table. There is an oak built in bookshelves/desk on the other wall...not my fav, and I do love the ent center and the leather sectional, tho I wish it wasn't burgundy. I redid my kitchen and would like to tie in the colors more, I'll post a pic of the kitchen...the walls are Silver Sage by Restoration Hardware.

This is the kitchen

Windows in family room have no casings, just painted wall around them and oak sills...not pretty.

I was wondering about just taking off the mantle and hanging a larger art piece up there?? That is a possibility...

Chemayne: those Ikat Ogee Linen Window Panels are wonderful - hmmm... rethinking mine now!

Your kitchen remodel looks terrific! Love the Silver Sage wall color with your dark cabinets and white accent pieces (island, chairs, door frames, etc.).

I like Chemayne's suggestion to repaint the walls in that same Silver Sage which would lighten the space. The entertainment unit can remain white. You might be able to keep the same curtain rod but consider light colored curtains in a heavier fabric, maybe white twill, or a pattern that is very light overall.

Remove all the decor pieces (plants, framed photos, mantle items, etc.) until the room is repainted, and then be selective when adding things back. Clean and simple is best. I like the brick wall but suggest staining the mantle to match your kitchen cabinets - it currently looks lighter.

With the plant gone at the end of the sofa, you have a nice space on the brick wall to the left of the fireplace to hang a painting or art print, and you can balance it by placing two or three special items on the right side of the mantle. There's a beautiful soft turquoise dish displayed above the kitchen window - maybe you could find a vase in that color to mix in with a couple other items. Some of the things currently on the mantle can be displayed inside the entertainment unit.

To update the photos on the wall, you can keep the current wooden frames (perhaps darken them as well to match the kitchen cabinets) but change the brown mats to white, or you can spray paint the current frames (black, white, gray or even light turquoise) and change the mats. Or you could purchase new frames with white mats.

If you can't make a bunch of changes all at once, you can paint the pole and base of the lamp to update it and you might be able to restain the oak desk unit and the fan blades to match your new kitchen cabinets.

Need change.

Just two suggestions for starters. Remove the window treatments and the entertainment center and spend the $$$ for a flat screen TV you can wall mount - Hubs will love the kick start to your makeover!!!

Have you considered building book cases on each side of the fireplace. Paint them a nice white to match the current tv cabinet. Or take out the cabinet and use the shelves for everything that cabinet now holds, then a big flat screen for the wall

Get a younger husband! Just kidding :)

I would actually recommend removing the drapery and staying away from it . From the looks of the room it doenst look like you have much space for drapery . I would put in either Roller shades or Cellular shades that will really brighten up the space alot.


http://www.blindsdirectcanada.com/blinds-toronto/shades-toronto/cellular-shades.html

http://www.blindsdirectcanada.com/blinds-toronto/shades-toronto/roller-blinds-screen-shades.html

New curtains, that center is too big and overpowering for that room. It's like you have two focal points instead of one. (Fireplace and that center).

definitely new curtains, paint the walls a deeper shade of red or even opt for beige/natural colors then change the carpet to floor boards. the various pieces on the mantel must go, just one painting overlooking the living room will do and the fire place can use a bit of 'glazing'' (don't know if that's the word) just to bring out the brick colors and give it a clean shine

So far... Looking for drapes now.

So far....next up, new mantel!