I think an over dyed rug would look nice. Purple, if that is the color of your sofa. Pillows that contrast more with the sofa. Silk panels on either side of the entryway into the dining?

Looks like the room is pretty large. You should definitely change the couch so that is lighter if not white to match the chairs. You could also use some more lighting to make the room look brighter. Changing the two tables to something a bit more simple should do the trick for the room. Then your living room should be comfortable, modern, and chic.

Try to find a rug that contrasts with the couch or is a neutral color with some type of soft pattern.

Ooooh! I love the silk panels idea! The big sofa is dark grey and the side chairs are a light gray with purple throw pillows. Thank you!

Hi, I'm new to making comments but u might try to move the sofa closer to the fireplace along with the sofa table. Bring the wing chair around to make a conversation area facing the sofa table by purchasing a club chair for the left side. Then add an area rug to for cohesion.

Maybe you could hang some art or mirrors on the book cases. You could also wrap books in different papers--purples, grays, metallic; fill the case for a pixilated effect. I think the sofa, coffee table, and sofa table look great!

You've got good bones in the room, but you need to shop in Homegoods for accessories and rugs. You can do two different things with the bookshelves. Either mirror the back wall of the shelves, or paint a different color ack there. Look at pictures about how to place things on shelves and tables.

Thanks to everyone for the wonderful feedback! The funny thing is I am at Homegoods all the time (including today) but it looks like I am purchasing the wrong pieces....lol! I like the idea of mirroring the back wall of my shelves. I will be sure to add art to my walls in the hallway and purchase a neutrual 8x10 area rug. JWinterios - I love the idea of adding two lamps on the sofa table but I don't have a convenient plug outlet :-/. I need to figure another lighting solution. Thoughts?

Do you have access to add a floor outlet? It is an inexpensive cost, but makes a huge difference.

Love the campagne style desk and coffee table. Couch is very pretty. There is a definite lack of color or surprise factor in the room. I think a neutral color rug will make the room look boring. I would suggest maybe a rug that has those colors in it and then change out pillows. I would then edit the bookcases with 40 % books, 30% accessories and 30% open space. I think the drapes at the doorway is a cool idea but I am afraid that it would not go with your modern chic look but end up with a more Bohemian feel. You might want to try hanging some fabric there to see the effect that you get.

You need a colorful painting or a colorful arrangement of photos of various sizes to create a focal point between your bookshelves over the mantle piece. A colorful area rug that has some of the colors of the large painting would unify the room and add textural interest. Your colors are all neutrals, so I think you need a bright focal point.

Here are two ways you can go. The first one is more sophisticated with good examples of how to arrange a coffee table, side tables and desk and adding some colors. In that case, the book shelves would need a finishing at the top.
The second pictures a more modern look with the back of the bookshelves painted in a dark color (the same color of your couch, maybe) and a corner for reading.

Others have given good advice, particular re. editing your accessories and adding some color. I'll add - I would install molding on top of your bookshelves to connect them to the ceiling. They'll look built in and pricey for basically no cost. If you have the funds, I'd also bring the rest of the room's crown molding down a few inches to the tops of the bookshelves, creating an uninterrupted band around the room.

http://houzz.com/photos/388090
FYI inspiration for bookcases

-- Great idea with the molding, risis. The only thing I would add is to install molding down the sides as well to complete the "custom" look.

Fill your bookcases with books and a few objects that might tell us about you - or things you just love. Use the palette that you have established for everything in there. Also, you have placed things in each corner in the bookcase and it is more interesting to do each shelf as itself but using the same cololrs. Use frames for your pictures that are just about all the same and have color snapshots processed in black and white for a more contemporary, more sophisticated look.

These books are from 'books by the foot' on line. They sell shelves worth of books or boxes of books in many different color combinations and categories. Reasonable rates. Or go to the thrift shops, flea markets, consignment shops, etc. to find books in your color palette. Be totally obvious with this plan.

-- If I am reading your photos correctly, when you open the french doors and look into the room. you now see a blank wall. Right? If this is true, that long wall needs to be developed. You could place a chair or pair of chairs there - straight on with the rug, making a conversation area. Or, spread them apart and add a small chest piece between them with your photo prints above it.

Hi Dedra,
Your space is beautiful! If you're looking for a piece of art for above the mantle, I would suggest comparing a few different options on a new app I found, called ARTtwo50. If you have an iPad, it lets you virtually hang original art in your space and see exactly how it would look. You can compare styles and types of paintings pretty easily, and its inexpensive. you can find it at www.arttwo50.com.

Best of luck! And I'd love to see the images if you do use this!

I feel like your white fireplace is a bit boxed in and is blending with the rest of the white shelving (same color). Changing either or both may be the solution here.

How about painting the interior of the bookcase in a Red (Magenta) to echo the color in the painting in your DR? White cowhide on the floor in front of the sofa...........? A single or pair of stools under the desk..........? Add a picture molding to the ceiling about 12" from the crown. Then paper the inside of the frame with distressed Silver Leaf paper........? Add a pendant light.......?

Lovely space and you have many good suggestions, I may be reiterating some of them ... If you really want chic and sexy, you will need to remove family photos, especially small standalone- framed groupings. You need less things, and less "small" things especially. Just as a lark, think of removing any obje't that is under 12" x 12" what ever it is.
The little stand with the lamp looks lost on that wall - maybe move it away, maybe then you could move the chair that is also there so that it is more in front of that bookcase on the right side? If the wall is now open, add a "bar cart" with some beautiful glassware, etc. Center your print above it, get a complementary sized one to hang with it. Depending on the cart/credenza you choose, you should be able to add a lamp on it.

You have too many accessories and they are styled in too uniform and rigid a way. Try re-styling the bookcases with 1/3 books (upright, on sides, under items,) 1/3 decor (large and threes on "lifts" and grouped,) and 1/3 open space. You might want to consider wallpaper or metallic paint on the back of the shelves. I think the steel campaign style desk and coffee table are out of harmony with your fabrics and soft lines of the seating pieces. Looks like you have some great art, but it isn't taking center stage in the present layout, and you're lacking intimacy in the furniture grouping. I'm sure some of the ideas here will help.

I think all the room needs is some color...you don't have to go bright and crazy....can add it with a rug and some decorative accessories. I also think the pillows on the couch should be lighter to contrast the couch and stand out a little more...maybe a linen? You can also paint the back wall of your built-ins a different color...