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Here are some rooms that I love that I feel capture that mix of traditional and modern.

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most of the rooms you like have drapery panels. They may be just what you need!

I would declatte mantel from small items and get a wall art.

Very nice space but I understand why you are feeling it is a bit flat. It could use some pattern (pillows on couch and/or drapery) and art. Maybe a new coffee table. I'd start by removing all the decor on the fireplace and flat surfaces. I would make sure the armoire is where I wanted it. (might slide it a bit closer to fireplace) and then measure the space from fireplace to armoire. That is where I would put some art with a vertical orientation, obviously allowing space around it. Once the art is done,then I'd pick my pillows. Finally I would re-introduce some decor items as well as a plant or two.Now, there are other approaches like a new and more interesting coffee table along with art over the mantel. Or adding a short sculptural bench on the bird wall along with that new coffee table. But whatever YOU decide, I'd say trust your gut. It hasn't steered you wrong.

One more thing... where are your light sources? Layered light is key to having a room not fall flat. Even lights over art and uplights in a large plant make a big difference.

Thanks for the comments so far. I agree I need some more art to bring in more interest. I just have trouble committing to pieces. I also tend to like more classic art but I’m trying to bring in more modern elements so I’ve been hesitant to choose art. I just bought these framed silk screens to go either in the living room or dining room. They might be too big for the space between the armoire and the fireplace?

A different coffee table would definitely be better in the space, but we bought all this furniture new about a year ago so my husband will probably kill me if I start replacing these pieces just yet. Lol. The only piece I would probably consider replacing is the armoire. Hollybar, right now my only light sources are six can lights in the ceiling.

Here’s a wider view of the screens

While those are lovely (especially in closeup on my large monitor) I would look for a single piece of less trad art for that area. Partly for impact,partly because you already have the other multiple arrangement in the room.

Hollybar, If I hang art in that space, would you also put art on the fireplace? I had been thinking of doing art or a mirror on the fireplace.

I have this that was hanging in my dining room. It’s vertical but might be a little too small?

I likely would not do "wall" art over the mantel,too. Not to say that couldn't work (it does all the time....including in a room in my own house !?!?!! lol) just my current preference is to give my art and rooms more negative space,more breathing room. Looks more fresh to me.(I am somewhere on the neo-trad/boho spectrum) I might sneak in a small sketch on an easel among the stuff I would put on the mantel,though. Not so sure I'd do a mirror because I would not want to reflect the TV.On the other hand...

ps-Must say,those screens are really pretty. Once again,you've got a good eye.

have you thought about angling the armoire in the corner ?

Sometimes libraries have an art loan section. Borrow something out of your comfort zone modern and try it out.

I agree that the armoire is over too far in the corner. I think it may be better to switch sofa and chair positions for a couple of reasons. First the armoire looks like it has books, so I imagine comfy chairs close by for reading beside fireplace, and a floor lamp beside FP. Secondly I think it’ll be a better look from dining room to not see back of sofa. If sofa was on other side you could also put a console behind it with lamps on it. Lamps will cozy up the room! I agree art over the FP.

Could you center the armoire on the wall to the right of the doors to what looks like your dining room? Does it fit there without placing it right up against the corner? You could then make the wall to the left of the fireplace a gallery wall. Your fireplace is lovely, by the way. I really like the white brick.

We usually keep the doors to the dining room open, I don’t think I’d move the armoire to that corner. I attached photos of the views from the front entry and from the dining room. If I move the sofa to where the chairs are, then the first thing you see when coming into the room is the back of the sofa. Even if I add the console behind it, I think that might not look very inviting? I thought about putting a console with two lamps behind the sofa where it currently sits to better the view from the dining and also to add other lighting.

Art and pillows are the answer. The armoire in the corner looks out of place. maybe something a little more stylish?

Although the art you suggested is very pretty, the colors blend into the wall and fade into the upholstery. Perhaps

Some art ideas I was playing around with. I know I need something less traditional but I don’t know that the really abstract paint ones flow that well with the rest of the room. I like the landscape one and it has a little bit of an abstract feel.

There is so much art to explore on-line and off. Without knowing a budget and size, hard to rec. But if an over-size print that will fit an IKEA Bjorksta frame might interest you, check out Juniper Studio. https://juniperprintshop.com/collections/a-r-t-i-s-t-c-o-l-l-a-b and the other usual suspects. Of course, many unis and art fairs are getting into full swing at this time of year.

If you do choose to flip the sofa and chairs,a narrow,open & low console could add a bit of dimension and be styled in a very welcoming way. Not like a barrier.

I like the landscape art too. I feel a view of sofa and sofa table from front door would be nicer than the side view of chairs. If you want to keep chairs in current spot, maybe a tall plant in that corner would work. It would draw your eye there, and I think the area needs something.

All the color is in the pretty rug. Pick out some colors from the rug and add accents in those colors--or paint the ceiling one of the colors, or the walls.

The dining room color is Lovely. Perhaps you can bring it into your living room in art or pillows. I do like the Chinese screens and they would be lovely in your room. You just need to find the right place. You have great taste - just keep working on your room.

Your space is very beautiful! In order to complete it there should be art, curtains, and lamps.

Your room is very warm and inviting, but I don’t see any modern influences, except perhaps the sort of understated minimalistic look. You mentioned that you can’t buy any new furniture that might give it a different look, and you don’t really like abstract art. I think in the examples you showed at the beginning, what makes them more contemporary is the use of strong colors. So, as others have said, the easiest way to add something a bit more bold would be with pillows. And maybe expressionist art with more colors would appeal to you.

I love your silk screen prints and think all of your choices are really harmonious. What I noticed about the rooms that you like, is that they all have some eclectic elements or a dash of something unexpected that keep them interesting.

I think the armoire would do better in a different room, perhaps. In its place, along that wall, I would consider a low horizontal bookcase or credenza topped with your silk prints and a lamp - and maybe an interesting occasional chair. I might even go very minimalistic above the fireplace with a simple framed line drawing and your glass vase with leaves.

Here's a rough mock-up of the idea ( not your same prints, but conceptually similar):

It's late, but I'll try to brainstorm on the layout - it's merely a photo - but it doesn't feel comfortable... maybe cause I insist on facing the tv in my house ha....

this custom probably L corner bench, for your room/ by windows? to see upon entering... and moving furniture around/ down... or tv to left of fp ?

[https://www.houzz.com/photos/belvedere-contemporary-living-room-san-francisco-phvw-vp~4463708[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/belvedere-contemporary-living-room-san-francisco-phvw-vp~4463708)

From your photos of your house, and photos of rooms you like and your comments, I don’t understand why you’re trying to inject something modern into a very trad room, it just doesn’t seem like it is something you are really into, more like something you think you should be into. But your room is lovely as is, maybe needs a plant or two

Manon, I really like your credenza idea. I think it would fill out that corner nicely. I think I would swap the sofa and chairs and leave out the chair in the corner. My only hesitation is that my tv is already on a large credenza so would it be weird to have two similar pieces in the same room?

Nice mock-up, jvcarter! I like the darker color of the unit you selected. I think it adds a touch of the modernity you're looking for - and dare I say a dash of drama? It definitely gives that "unexpected" element I mentioned earlier.

I don't think it would be strange to have two similar pieces in the room, as they will serve different functions. The idea with the unit to the left of the fireplace, in my mind, was to give you a spot for your books and have them easily accessible - that's why my mock-up had semi-open shelves. It wouldn't have to be a credenza. A low horizontal actual book case would work just as well, if not better. I thought it might be a nice little "retreat" for a quick read or reference check.

Did I mention already that I love your prints?

Is the console with the TV centered directly across from the fireplace? If not, I would move it further to the left to center it. The furniture is not centered on the fireplace currently and would look better if it was. The coffee table should be moved closer to the chairs and the sofa pulled further onto the rug. The common elements in the inspiration photos seem to be an injection of color and some drapes.

I like the suggestion for the long low console where the armoire is with some art over it , but tall bookcases might look better since you have a TV console on the opposite wall already. Then you could put the art over the mantel where you really need a hit of color. I'd also add drapes to the windows and a plant in the corner by the windows. Some pillows with color and pattern would be great too. It's a lovely room already! It just needs some finishing touches!

I been studying all the photos you’ve shared, and I’m wondering if you would consider moving the tv beside the FP, then your sofa could face FP, chairs stay where they are. If you then put some colourful art over FP, it would draw attention away from tv. If the screens fit maybe they could go by entrance where you have the 4 prints. The prints could go between the French and patio doors.
While I think the mock ups of the screen prints over a credenza are lovely, it just seems off to me with the arrangement of the other furniture.

Take your time with the art and don't feel pressured. Find art to love; the Asian screens are too traditional to achieve what you're looking for. Meantime, why not just add some of the elements from your inspiration pix? Try a lucite coffee table, a pair of brass & glass stacking tables between two chairs, buy a large sisal rug for summer and use your oriental in cooler seasons. Move the armoire between the two doors at the back of the room (where the two gold pictures are.) Get a lower credenza for the TV (25% wider than the TV) and move the mirrored piece where the armoire was with the 4 grouped prints above it. You can add some gliders to the feet to raise it a bit and put a deflector on the air duct to force the flow out from under the cabinet.