What about a game table in front of the fireplace? I want to give that fireplace a reason for being in the middle of everything and not impede traffic too much.
http://houzz.com/photos/86123

Good job. Looks great love window panels. I would get bigger pic by piano. If have Z Galleries check out a baby grand art piece it's striking. Would fit on that wall better. I would also move sofa towards piano, and wing chairs out to center about 12-14" it would balance room more. So you are more centered with both focal pts. I like your media don't change it.

Ok, I didn't have time to read everything posted earlier but, I would move that beautiful piano to the corner where the buffet is now. Position it out on an angle from the corner with the key board to the corner. Raise the top of the piano. Use it not only as an instrument, but as an architectural feature. Will be beautiful next to the fireplace. It looks lost where it is. Move the buffet and tv to the wall where the piano was located. Then bring all of your seating furniture off the wall into the room arranging it in a way to enjoy the fireplace, conversation, and the tv. Perhaps put the couch on an angle with the other two chairs to its side or chairs by fireplace facing couch but separated so fireplace is exposed. With furniture out into the middle of the room, it makes for a much more intimate, cozy, inviting place to be. Lamps and tabled can be out in room ,too, by having an electrician wire for plugs reset into floor from underneath. Hang a painting by the piano and quit with the idea that you need two of everything in your accessories. use groupings of one three or five and not all items need be the same. Maybe two of one thing and one of another. If a lamp is one of a grouping, add two more items with it, so you have three. love your house and your stuff. You'll get it. Great taste so far.

Ok I have a husband too, and they always get in the way of function vs what look good! Bless their hearts. So, if" the Make it work theme" is what we are going for Perhaps:(future wall idea)

One large wall unit with the tv and fireplace as part of it. I would probably change the white to a warm walnut stain and the bookcases would have an arts and craft look with glass and solid doors etc. The tv would be enclosed within the unit and have doors that open and go down the sides of the enclosure, so that when not in use, we don't see the tv.. You could also put the tv on a swing arm so when in use can come out a bit and turned to the centered sofa.The bookcases would go to the roof same depth as fireplace and detail on wall above the fireplace to look like all is built in. I would try and make that wall look like one focal point with a fireplace and tv in it. The feeling would be that of a study and cozy it up. You would want to remove the mantle and have a small one that goes flush with the corner rather than stick out .
Things as they are for now:

The main idea is to add balance to the room. As it is, it is like a ship going down on one side and you want to add balance to the other side of the room. So, with the room as is, now, move the sofa over somewhat toward the centre of room, (and up) but rather than the whole way over , place an end table and one of your chairs next to it on the outside (piano side) Angle the chair toward the tv, sharing an end table with a table lamp on it. That way you have extended that side of the living room without alot of movement of furniture. If a lamp would work on the end table (running cord under sofa) all the better.

I would then place the matching chair in front of the buffet same angle as opposite chair in front of the window. There by leaving most of the window open and adding weight to the tv buffet area. Also bring the buffet forward as little as well. (a pole lamp behind it would also add weight to the tv area)

I would then still angle the piano alittle more and push back if possible. I would also move the picture over on the wall , more toward the piano. You should have some space now before the doorway, perhaps a plant (tall) to soften the area. Also the art behind the piano I would remove and place a floor lamp, if there is room, (again bring over the living room feel)

The area where the tv is seems so lost, by putting the chair near it, would add weight, but perhaps, until you can add a wall unit it would help if you were to paint out the mantle (walnut color) and add some more strength to the tv wall. (paneling, painted in the a warmer color on the browns, would give this wall some weight (the type of treatment that they do 1/2 walls with , only do the whole wall) You could do just some 1by 4 boards and make a grid and then paint the whole wall including the fireplace wall the same color, either warm taupe or light browns ) keep in mind the mantle would have to be painted the brown. That would add some character strength and power to the wall. (and balance it more with the fireplace.)
I would then get some black candlestick lamps that are very tall, or get some blocks and paint them to match the candle stick lamps to raise the height , to give presence. They cannot be heavy though, as it would overpower the fineness of the buffet.

I would then get a huge colorful rug in the living room and perhaps a cushion for the piano bench , again to soften that area.

I just love the feel of your room, and you have so many lovely things. I hope this gives you, some more food for thought

If you decide to leave the piano where it is, tweak it slightly out into the room, leaving the keyboard toward the wall. Raise the top to high point. Size of picture will be fine when top is up. Depending on how you tweak piano, you may need to tweak picture.. Play with it and have fun.

If you move buffet and tv to side wall, don't put tv in middle of buffet. Put it off center to the right and use your lamp to its left.

Ahhh! Just read a post that suggested you remove fireplace stone. NO, its gorgeous and a big part of the charm of your house.

You do need some color. Maybe a few bittersweet pillows to pull the color out of your picture and an oriental style rug on the floor.

Yes you need area rug. Go colors on wall and furn. A sea form green in a print with cream.

Sorry, i'm on a roll with your house. Just love it and and just read that tv stays. We do have to work with the husbands we have and love. Since he will move it down, try moving your buffet left toward fireplace a bit so tv is off center and put a lamp to the left of it and one other small object by lamp. Maybe a small draping plant.A good height for any picture is about 6 inches above buffet. Your buffet is beautiful. If you do builtins, use it somewhere else.

Can you move the piano back and angle it some? You have a window with a vase there that looks into the kitchen possibly. Put your piano bench under the window & move your piano to fit with it. That will make the piano face the room instead of looking like it is just pushed to the side. That may also give you space to the right of the piano & by the door to put the small chair that is currently beside the fireplace.

I love your wall color. If you decide to paint the wall above the fireplace, I think a shade or two darker on the same color scale would look nice so that the room still flows but the fireplace is subtly more prominent. Add pillows or some small accent to match the darker paint color on the opposite side of the room.

If the couch location is a problem, can you turn it to angle in the corner with the windows? Then you could put a wing back chair on either side of the couch with the small table going between the couch and the chair that will be in front of the windows. You will need something tall behind the couch in the corner like a tall plant or floor lamp.

I also agree with some kind of rug depending on your style. Wait until you decide what you are doing with everything else & find something that brings all your colors together. I'm thinking something a little whimsical and unexpected to match your personality.

Angling some of the furniture will make the room open up as one instead of being blocked off in sections.

Offhand, I think that if you were to paint the fireplace flue wall and its sides in a soft brown, like the lightest color of the stone and the curtains, it would give the mantel greater presence while still tying it into the scheme of the room. brown and blues of similar shade look great together.

Thank you all! @quatorze: I quite agree! I had thought of a brown/grey color like SW 7044 or SW 7016 (Sherwin Williams Amazing Gray or Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray). Or, one notch down which would be Dorian Gray or Intellectual Gray). What do you think? Things are starting to come together. Soon I will have pictures to post of a rearrangement of furniture. Rug and painted buffet come later. Yes, I've decided to paint the buffet with chinoiserie inspired center sections :-) Any suggestions for the color of the buffet? I was thinking something on the ivory side (sorry smdrovetto, I will need to save the red/pink combination for another furniture piece ... haha).

If you paint the buffet ivory, I would go with a darker ivory so it won't look like it & your white trim just don't match.

Or a buttercream yellow, perhaps ... hmmm ... spring green to match my draperies?

Do you ever use the fireplace? If not, i'd suggest you mount the TV above it. Then Shift all the furniture to the center of the room. you can use that console table behind the couch.

This is my first time using Houzz and you guys are just cracking me up. Who knew decorating could be so fun.

I a so looking forward to seeing your new posts.

I can't wait to see the end result, as this is my first time on this site. Seems we are all interested in the outcome! lots of pictures! Enjoy

Me too ... I'm still fighting with the perfect arrangement, but it's coming! :-) @Linda Zaff--I am really interested in floating my piano more towards the center of the room the way you suggested. I wish you were here, and could tell me just what angle and exactly where to put my chairs ... my room is big enough for more than one conversation area, but my brain is having seizures trying to manage it! @ctrione: yes, there are several of you in the TV above the fireplace camp, and I could almost join you over there except this aversion I have towards the TV. I am consigned to live with it and play nice with it . I will tolerate it, but I refuse to give it the place of honor it is demanding--not even for art's sake. HA! Take that TV! To do so would be tantamount to allowing a leg lamp to glow from my front window ...

oh don't sell that pretty buffet!
get taller feet for the couch and use it as a sofa table!

and the only thing i would really do any different is angle the piano into the room a little bit, just to make it more a part of the action of the room, rather than just a pretty piece of decor that's not used much.

as for a rug, i'd get something with a pattern or texture, but not overwhelming. maybe a sisal, or a pale shag-style for some softness and texture.
something like this? http://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Decorators-Collection-City-Sheen-Gold-Polyester-8-Ft-x-10-Ft-Area-Rug-CSHEEN810GD/202981101#.UgEcMvrD_IU
obviously that's kind of expensive, but i was meaning that style, for the texture. (if you really like it though, it comes in lots of colors, and it's very soft to the touch.)

Take a look, everyone! :-) I painted my wall, moved the television down and moved the piano into the room. I've been experimenting with different furniture arrangements too! Thanks so much for all the advice. Still working on it ...

Kimee! You are hilarious! You're like the modern day, American, Jane Austen!

I really agree with you about the TV. More and more, I am giving less prominence to technology,........ period! (Although I AM using it now!.......... But I mean it!) It's just creepy how the purveyors are succeeding at making it so all consuming.

I've had a pet peeve for YEARS, about (mostly local, but NOW you can't escape it!) the "friendly news". Would it be too much to ask to just have the damn news accurately reported?

Also, I think the TV's mounted on fireplaces are often too high for healthy, comfortable viewing.

Gosh, I love seeing your photos! Your house is just beautiful! I absolutely LOVE your wall color with the lavendar chairs, etc. It is a very elegant, but with sense of fun. Your personality really shows!

Search Houzz for "hidden TV". You can frame a TV easily, they'll do that at Michaels and similar places.
There are three options:

1. Just a frame - an improvment over the big black box.

2. A frame with view-through glass - that would give you a large mirror over the buffet (a very traditional look) but when the Tv is on, its totally viewable. I would also consider painting the wall speakers - I understand, mine is an audiophile too

3. You can frame the Tv as art. Inside the frame is a small track and an art canvas raises and lowers sort of like a roll up shade. You pick your canvas and now you have another lovely painting in the room, unless its TV time.

I think option 2 would be my favorite, and I bet it would be an easier sell to the husband, there's something of a spy flavor to it. Having the large mirror the rest of the time would really lessen the focal competition and would likely bring more light into the room as well.

Oh, another possibility with hiding the Tv is that you could add sconces or buffet lamps and it would look like it makes sense. Either one of those flanking a flat screen would look odd but flanking a big mirror or art piece would make sense. You already have power right there so wiring might not be too difficult.

Ooooohhh ... "spy flavor." Now we're talking. Loving the whole "observation room" vibe that might promote. That way, my kids will believe me when I tell them I'm always watching ... every move they make (totally in the "Sting" sense ...) All Mothers are basically ninjas incognito. We show up with their homework and band instruments when they forget them: mind-reading. We know when they're snitching the cookie dough behind our back: third eye. We magically appear in the TV room to scold our children when they were supposed to be working on homework: invisibility. Actually, invisibility is granted to every Mom from the time her kids are old enough to throw their stuff all over the house knowing at the end of the day it will magically be put back in place. See? Ninjas. Yep ... I think I deserve that "spy" TV. Besides, it gives me the perfect backdrop to display my nunchuck collection. ;-) @smdrovetto: you are too kind! I am not even worthy to hem the underside of a handkerchief Miss Austen sneezed in! (though I do often wonder if fans in the 19th century were as ridiculous as those in our own century tend to be in prizing items such as sweaty scarves owned by Elvis ...)

Will I get millions of dollars as the creator, like Sam Simon, (H-Y-S-T-E-R-I-C-A-L creator of "The Simpsons") still gets, and hasn't done anything with the show (he said he became a monster) for ten years, with this suggestion that you get your own talk show?

He was interviewed a few years ago on "60 Minutes", and talked about how his laptop suddenly turned up missing fron his desk. He was outside a week or two later, and happend to see a corner of it (still open) sticking out of the ground, like a hand from a Stephen King book. His dog, jealous of his attention, took it off the desk (opened) and buried it in the back yard! This is just my favorite, and another example of how we must never underestimate canine intelligence!

I also meant to say how I do love the gentility of the South. Looking at your photos, I thought I would love to steal your colors, fabrics.......................................I'll just drive a truck down and load everything in!

I've lived my whole life in the Northwest, which is beautiful, etc, etc, However, we are a bit stuffy. YES, we are! And I am picturing the reaction to just lavendar from the male perspective, mostly, farless lavendar velvet! We wear ski jackets with our springwear and sandals, in the pouring rain.

My grandmother, who was Canadian, always stressed the importance of wallpapering the interior of closets to make the house look finished. I love that, actually, and it DOES make a difference.

Actually, I haven't mentioned it until now, since you seemed to love my lavender, and I didn't want to spoil your dream, but actually the color is slate gray. Apparently the lighting as captured by my iPod is doing funny things to the colors in the room. Everything in there is a blue/gray/green color, spring green, gray, blue or brown. Please don't be crushed! I DO have purple in both my dining room and my bedroom! Pictures later ...

P.S. "My own talk show" would be the fulfillment of every nightmare, anxiety, dread, horror and jitter-causing worry my spouse, parents and family at large experience. It's a heavy burden they silently bear, and no one has more respect for their plight than I do ...

Well, we could make sure we had a crack legal department, and it could be pre-recorded for editorial review!:):) Would it end up with you just saying, "Hello!"............Cut to a test pattern for an hour?

I know how it feels, though, I can't utter a syllable, without my husband's immediate response being, "I'm not paying for it." He never knows if he's going to come home, and a wall will be missing. Also, my best friend is an ARNP, and her husband's a doc, and i'm not entirely sure if the three of them banded together, that they could get me committed! :)

I AM crushed about the (lavendar) velvet! But it DOES mean I could make it my own without feeling like I stole your idea! Grey must be gorgeous, too, after looking at the photos!

Okay Kimee!

Just one more.............

I didnt read it carefully, but there was some talk about changing the stone. I think you could do that if you want a different look, but I think the molding refines it a bit, if that's what you were going for. Personally, I love the rustic look, and juxtaposing. And I can't think of anything but the molding, and cabinets that would tie the spaces together, and use the buffet.

Don't be offended by my continued removal of your artichokes! I really like them, but when I use the beige in the cabinets, they just got lost. :)

The firepl stone is cabin feel to it. You are more formal. Yes, change sone to a cream stacked stone, with a little gray and gold tones.

I didn't see your response to me about painting the buffet. I see what you mean about making it a show, stopper, but with something like my new little art project, you could paint it in coordinating colors, and have it right in the middle. I think that would look beautiful. And maybe the bottom cabinets on either side could be painted to coordinate with it. But your idea about raising the sofa, and using it with that sounds like it might work, too. I'm glad you don't like the finish, so that wont be something you really like, so it will match!

@travisinteriors--oh man, you've got me pegged! Haha. I try so hard to be casual, but the silk keeps calling my name ... Actually, I'm thinking maybe this cabin/rustic fireplace can work. My concept is: prissy new landlady comes to rustic hunting lodge and adds a woman's touch design scheme :-). That's how I save loads of money. You don't have to redesign, just redefine! I'm thinking about writing a book about it ... :-) haha

@smdrovetto: yes, all in good time! I have plans now (bwahahahahahaha!) *said while rubbing my hands together licking my lips and grinning ... wishing to raise one eyebrow too, but being completely unable to manage an effort of that level of coordination*

Hi Kimee!

If you see something that looks incoherent, it's just that I am. What I meant to say above (but somehow I think you are able to translate what I write into English!) was, I'm glad you dont like the finish, so changing it isn't something you have to resort to to make it work.

Oh, yes! You could write a whole SERIES of books! Listen, I was loosely acquainted with one of the guys who wrote those "Chicken Soup...............those great literary pieces...........Let's just say, you MUST seriously consider a book or "you know what"!!

I forget where or what I say or write (or "do", or "think") So if I repeat myself, ..........but your thoughts about re-defining are SO true.

My mother is originally from Canada, and I used to love going to Victoria to visit my aunties. Auntie Bessie would make us lunch that seemed so special, and give us Pears soap. You couldnt buy it in US then.

But my grandmother, who was a 4' 8", ball of industry, used to say, "Bessie can make a meal out of anything".

Little did she know, that I would adopt that as a rule to live by. But, you're right! I always try to think of how I can adpat what I already have, too.

My grandmother, and her sisters grew up on a dairy farm, and figuring out how to do something was just second nature, because they didn't have anybody else to do it. She lived with us, and was quite a roll model.

She milked cows from the time she was six, and was still willing to rub my neck when she was in her late 80's, but I'd have to tell her to go easy, because her hands were still so strong, she'd hurt me.

She loved "Bonanza" because of the beautiful "scenery".:) And my mom would "whisper yell" at us kids when we would make fun of Lawerence Welk, saying, That's the ONLY show your grandmother watches.......

Oh, you know what else I was thinking? The legs of the buffet look pretty delicate, but I was wondering if painting it, and adding some casters, if it would support a piece of marble,(or glass) and work in your kitchen, or just add mobility so you could move it easiy to use during the holidays, etc. But, I would imagine the back is not finished, so it would have to be against a wall..............................but as you say, "All in good time, my pretty!"

I love your Grandma and Auntie Bessie already! We must come from similar people (I'm an Idaho native, actually) ... I have fond memories of watching Lawrence Welk while my mother put those awful pink sponge curlers in my hair on Saturday night to have me ready for church in the morning. I can still sing that silly song "Good-night, sleep tight and happy dreams to you ..." and every once in a while I have a nightmare interspersed with bubbles and polka music. :-) heh heh.

Actually, that buffet is a war horse. Our house is so large (Texas people built it--when they say "everything is bigger in Texas", they MEAN it), it totally dwarfs the scale of the buffet. Those are not delicate legs. A piece of marble would be really cool ... right now I'm formulating colors and design plans for painting that piece. That will not be an easy project. Even more difficult will be convincing my husband to let me do it. He LOVES the finish on that piece and he's horrified at the thought of the work I would have to go to to paint it. He's not always as confident in my abilities as he should be ... I've handpainted furniture before, and it always turns out wonderfully, but it doesn't stop him from worrying nonetheless. I do like the caster idea for mobility ... but then I will have to consider what to do concerning the height should I ever decide to use it as a console table behind the couch. Hmmm ... decisions, decisions. :-)

I'll have to take a hiatus for the time being, however. I'm also a composer, and I have a composition lesson coming up, which means I'll be in anguish, misery and joy on a continual loop for the next few days while I work on an "agitato" movement of a Sonata for cello and violin! Woo hoo! If you hear a bit of "good night, sleep tight and happy dreams to you ..." during the middle of an agitato movement, you'll know who inspired it. Who knew? Lawrence Welk bubble-gum music as fuel for angst and tension?

Oh, Kimee! You brought back so many memories! I haven't thought of that song in years, and my mom used those same pink rollers! I'm from Seattle, born here. We went on vacation to Lake Coeur d' alane, which I still remember as being so gorgeous. We would spend 2 weeks at Sun Lakes near Coulee City in eastern Washington, with a couple of families were hop farmers.

Have fun with your lessons! Wow! I know you are multitalented!

A big enough area rug to cover most of the room is a good idea, also paining the mantel to match the buffet or the stones from fireplace will help tie the two. Moving the TV down will is good idea, as it should be at eye level when sitting down anyway.

I still feel custom built ins or if on a budget Ikea bookshelves with added molding would look fantastic. Paint the mantel the same color for a very custom look. Trying to make the buffet work in that space seems counter productive.

Would you consider a beautiful rug?
More on www.domirugs.com

Thank you for posting pics of the mantle with it changed around!!! You have such a beautiful home, it looks so cozy & pretty, makes ya want to move in!

Hi Kimee

LTNS! That was a very sweet note. How did your cello lessons, and composition go? Going? I miss your incisive wit, and appreciation of the "theater of the absurd"

I was watching "Kindergarten" on HBO, at about 4AM, in my very full life I lead, and they were interviewing pairs of 1st or 2nd generation Asian-American children. One little boy was asked who his heros were, and he said, "Steve Jobs and Warren Buffet. "

A little girl that they kept coming back to, who was totally glam, all decked out in "Hello KIty", and wanted to be a singer, actress, etc. Really cute.

At the very end they asked her if her dad was born in the US. She had to think, and put her finger to her temple, and said, "No." "He was born in Texas" Hilarious.

Thanks everyone!!!! Take a look at this result:

Can you say BEAUTIFUL! Great job!!! I have missed you and your home!!!

Thank YOU!!! :-) I put other pictures here: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/a-houzzcom-miracle-thank-you-people-of-houzz-dsvw-vd~1362315

Miss you too! Take a look at my newest dilemma. We moved across the country and now I have a new home (big downsize) and big trouble in my bedroom. Ugh. It's here: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/moving-blues-saga-how-did-my-bedroom-end-up-with-all-the-leftovers-dsvw-vd~1362405

Wow! Amazing transformation!

I love the final result. Feels so grand!