You need a designer to come to your home and help. All you will get here are 1000s of ideas which is exactly waht you are trying to avoid.Looking at your idea books just really does show how mixed you are in your style likes maybe try to narrow those pics down to the ones you rally love before meeting with a designer.

Thank you Patricia! Great advise.

I find this new way of thinking about decoration- going through zillions of pictures and choosing a style- kinda silly. Those pictures reflect homes that have little to nothing to do with most people's houses. What ever happened to choosing pieces you love and putting them together thoughtfully, with a textile acting as the color scheme inspiration? Once you have made these choices, you stick with them and follow through. The first choices inform all the ones to follow.

I know that sounds simplistic, but honestly, that has worked for generations. Plus I find it hard to believe someone would be moving into a home that would serve as their retirement home and have no furniture that was coming with her.

If you can't make these decisions yourself, then you should hire a designer who will make the choices for you. Otherwise your house will look like a poor imitation of some inspiration pictures. You need to have a sure hand, know what you like and be able to stay with a plan. You cannot think about what other people have or like because they don't have your taste, your house, your budget and on and on.

I am pretty sure nobody will agree with me.

Thank you Rita! Since the new home is so small, 2100 sq ft and we're currently in a 4200 sq ft house with large furniture, there will only be a couple of pieces that will go with us. This is a new opportunity for new furniture which is exciting. I'm finding that I don't want a lot of clutter. Of all the things I'm not sure about, one thing I do know is that I don't want contemporary, modern, minimalist design. That's something, right? ha.

It seems that you are not alone in suggesting that I hire a designer.

poppy, I think you should consider your favorite pieces and your favorite textiles and see where that leads you. Even if you do hire a designer, you should go through the exercise of pretending to decorate the new space so you grasp your challenges in sorting out your personal style and the house's decorating challenges.

I am going through the pretend exercise myself with a kitchen design. As a rule, I can design most of my own kitchen- the general layout and function, finishes. I have a new house in the mountains with a kitchen that is way, way beyond my capacity to handle. I am forcing myself to come up with a few plans on my own before I turn this over to a pro, so that I understand myself and the kitchen thoroughly.

Good reading on houzz, and I have found it helpful:

[https://www.houzz.com/magazine/so-your-style-is-french-country-stsetivw-vs~1787964[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/so-your-style-is-french-country-stsetivw-vs~1787964)

[https://www.houzz.com/magazine/so-your-style-is-transitional-stsetivw-vs~1331096[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/so-your-style-is-transitional-stsetivw-vs~1331096)

[https://www.houzz.com/magazine/so-your-style-is-cottage-stsetivw-vs~1331112[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/so-your-style-is-cottage-stsetivw-vs~1331112)

i believe it can be navigated, but only you can decide. I think what you truly like is light colors and the fullness in seating provided by wealth. if you stick with solid tones you can change out accessories as they no longer appeal to you.maybe choose if you want leather to be the main furnishings, or in the chairs.

Laying different styles creates an interesting and dynamic space to your home. However, too much mixing and your eye may not know where to land, leaving you confused unhappy with your results. Rooms that are successful seek common ground, meaning that everything finds a way to get along. To avoid getting raised eyebrows from friends and family- it is truly best to hire a professional to help with your decision making. When it comes to merging styles and trends-don't let the idea overwhelm you. In most cases-if you choose pieces you love with coordinating accessories, you will discover everything falls into place and you will have created a warm and inviting space.

Perusing your ideabooks, poppydoc, I don't see anything in there that isn't traditional in style. So if you want to put a name to what seems to be your favorite, traditional is probably it.

Sounds like you are further along the design process than you thought.

For fun and giggles here are a few pics of space I’ll be working with in “new to me” home.

Everdebz, the pics are from the website when house was on the market a few years ago. All the walls are now SW Alabaster White.

You need a designer. But she will not come equipped with a crystal ball. Gather photos of rooms you like - that speak to you. Share them with her so she will have some sense of just what attracts you.

i am willing to play with you if you would like to give it a go. I know everz is always ready to pitch in. did you wish to go more casual or more dressy?

Thank you Havingfun! I love dressy but casual & comfy would be better suited to our lifestyle. I want a wow factor but at the same time, not have to worry about people putting their feet on the furniture.

i don't see a problem with putting a little class in with the casual but comfy. since you like the leather, how about doing more clubby? you like old or more new?with a more classic look

7' x 9' Area Rugs | Joss & Main · More Info

be ware without guidance without input i always lean into blue. let me know, i will not get hurt and we will have more space for other things. you realize you can still go to designer but we can play til you are more comfortable with ideas.

Havingfun, I do like the top blue rug. Jeanie, noooo to mid century. I currently have two large sofas in this pic in my LR,but will not have room for both in new house. The rug isn't positioned right...and will not be going with me either.

ok, so brown leather couch, rug traditional with blue, so we will be leaning toward blue and removing the red? Are you keeping the mirror? i will now remove all from above except rug. guess you did not like white chair was it style or do you want blue?

What your house looks like could make a difference also.

Has havingfun mentioned you can cross-over: how about a fancy design but in a practical and comfy fabric? nooo silk hm.

Do you have art or anything liked for any reason -- to post?

Goofy rug a bit ?

Safavieh Monaco Collection MNC206 Rug, Grey/Multi, 5'1" X 7'7" · More Info

16x16", Crown, Animal Print Pillow, Red · More Info

[https://www.houzz.com/products/safavieh-merla-woven-rug-gray-and-multi-51x77-prvw-vr~43173622[(https://www.houzz.com/products/safavieh-merla-woven-rug-gray-and-multi-51x77-prvw-vr~43173622)

Another poly rug:

Safavieh Valencia Collection VAL108 Rug, Grey/Multi, 8' X 10' · More Info

Does this blend with sofa?

William Morris Orange Flower Throw Pillow Cover 18"x18" · More Info

Machine wash cold.

18 In. X 18 In. Blue Decorative Pillow With Applique, Jute Embroidery · More Info

hence reason i left the rug up.

Decorative Pillows - Walmart.com · More Info

Throw Pillows Page 16 | Bellacor · More Info

lovely works of art. these are your jewelry and do not need to match your furniture, every time they enter they will look up to see them. I am concerned about size though, do you have others that size? The mirror feels pretty heavy, but i am not a big mirror person, i am sure someone else can help you with that.

Another question is the chandelier, does that make you happy? I was thinking more, i don't know how to explain it. streamlined? not fancier, but higher cut? I will help, but I bet there are others that will come in and love working on it.

so far we have

gray and dk blue fluer di li pics above. along with the pics above.

i want to go look for accessories, see you later!

Lovely home,should suit your style very well. Try to fall in love with a rug that has no border and no centre medallion. At the very least,try to find one where these features are less prominent. (like the one posted by havingfun) It will make placement of rug and furniture in the room much,much easier. There are sleeker,more streamlined recliners out there,ones with high backs,comfy arms, and minimal puff. Since you want a more casual look, please consider re-framing the trio of art pieces you posted. Good luck!

i meant fleur di li pillows, out shopping again.

poppydoc? are you still here? I got sick and it looks like everyone left? did you go a different way?

let us know when you are back to play!

Having fun, I'm in the process of retiring and have simply been exhausted at days end. Toward the end of the month I should have more time. Thank you and stay well....

Having downsized to less than half the space myself, my best advise is:

If you haven't used it in over a year, don't bring it with you.

Don't bring collectible clutter -- if it will not fit in one large tall glass front cabinet, leave it behind. Take this opportunity to gift "family treasures" to friends or family or a favorite charity "so the treasure will be appreciated". Now is the time when people you know and care about that also care about you will best understand your need to downsize the number of possessions.

Take your taller vertical storage with you -- that tall chest of drawers and highboy are going to be much more practical than that low wide dresser w/knee opening to sit in front of a mirror and the seat to sit on. If you don't truly need that third or fourth piece that is part of your matching bedroom set, get rid of it. (You can also use this life changing event as a good reason to change to an easier to maintain hairstyle so you don't need to spend a lot of time sitting in front of a mirror.)

Now may also the time to change other habits that might prove advantageous with regard not only to space but also your budget. You could gently, emphasis on gently, make it known that you don't want to exchange gifts for holidays or birthdays or other occasions in the future "thanks to anyone remembering us but we really are downsizing so cards or a call will do".