How about a small scale wing chair at the head of this table, upholstered in a fabric with a bit of color and some texture? Also a rug underfoot would feel great. Could you also put a valance way up high over those sheers? I would have inched those curtain rods over a couple of inches on either side and hung them higher. I know you don't have much room over there on the left, but you can gain a couple of inches by using end caps instead of finials at the end of the rods. How about painting a big square over the fireplace in a color that's one shade deeper than the current wall color (just add some black, a little at a time, to any leftover paint you may have) to frame out that space. You've done a lovely job--it's an inviting room

i like the atmosphere you have created..i'm wondering though, how do you watch tv from the sofa? i realize you want a room divider so the sofa provides that, but it doesn't quite work in the living room area. i like the decorative low lamp, but what if you want to read on the sofa or chairs?

Rather than buying more furniture, why not simply rearrange your space to make better use of what you already own?

Place your sofa beneath the window and the pair of chairs where the sofa is currently with a table and larger lamp in between - then when company comes, move those chairs to the head of the table for extra seating.

@mousemaker- Thanks for the feedback. Yeah watching TV in the living room is not done often ...but it's my only escape when I dont want to watch what my husband and son are watching downstairs. I'd love to put the tv somewhere else but at this point I dont have a spot for it in the house because we don't want it in our masterbedroom and we don't have a jack in our spare room. Ideally that's where I'd like to put it....but then I worry about my son going in there to watch tv all the time. Soo tough. What I'd really like to do is mount it and then hide it with a mirror or art so we only remove it when we want to watch something in there.

I might get a new lamp shade.

@Bepsf- I'm going to try re-arranging tonight to see how it looks.

thanks for the feedback.

Nixx

@deccoco- Thanks for the fabulous feedback. I really like the idea of two more chairs for dining area in a different pattern or colour. I'm going to see what is out there. I'm also thinking of changing the two side curtain panels to a darker shade grey for my winter look :)

lol nixx22...it's the proverbial what are we watching on TV problem :)
if only you had your own remote! would you consider moving the tv from the mantel? you might be happier with it elsewhere and you would be saving your neck, you know? i know the tv police advise not to put tv's in the bedroom, but we have one and we are still here :) it's nice when you're sick or need to get away. i have a bookshelf next to my side andi t's full of books,etc. so i do go there to read.. our son had a tv in his room and he policed himself :) maybe you could work a deal there?

@Mousemaker- our son is 5 so while he's good with knowing the rules I dont want to tempt him either. My hubby and I used to have our tv in our room and it made for very unsettling sleep because one would always want to watch it when the other didn't feel like having it on or wanted to get to sleep.

I might re-think the guest room idea or see if we might be able to conceal it so it doesn't take away from the room.

i think it's a good idea to put it in your guest room unless you would feel like a guest in your own house?
we have a tv problem here never fear :) the cabinet is built to hold a regular old style tv. it has doors on the front which can be closed and a drawer below it for other electronics. we needed a cabinet with legs because the only corner! for the tv is where there is also a heat vent. square room, too many windows, no wall space that is facing furniture--it's the old old house syndrome. so when the current tv bites the dust, i have no idea how we are going to put up or install a flat screen..i do think the cabinet could be converted to a wonderful liquor cabinet :)
maybe you could find a piece of furniture that would accomodate the tv but still be readily accessible?

and 5 years old? how wonderful. i hardly remember those days :)

First of all I love your decor! What a great and soothing look. I love the animal print. I do agree on raising the curtains just a little it gives the allusion of much higher ceilings. Maybe with a thicker black, or chocolate wood curtain rod as an accent. For the two chairs at the ends of the table how about a parsons chair slightly higher in height than the other chairs in a suede or faux suede since you mentioned you have a little one in a taupe or charcoal. Whatever you decide your room, is fabulous. Good Luck!

a beautiful rich sapphire blue color would look absolutely gorgeous in there. the styles above look great!

@wgrosenthal- Thank you so much for the compliment and the feedback. I like the ideas you've suggested. The curtain rod is actually a shiny metal like the legs of the chairs and it looks beautiful when the curtains are open. But I am thinking that now that I've added the shears in the middle you don't quite get to see the beauty of it. I may consider doing a charcoal gray curtains on the side panels. And I'll see if I can get my hubby to put the curtain higher. The ceilings are 10ft ceilings so it already is quite high.


The current accent colour I have although it is a little hard to tell is mustard yellow.

@Marie- Thanks for the fabulous idea. The accent colour is a mustard yellow and you can see a bit of it in the painting I made. I do too have it on the side which is not in this picture in a cushion and throw. I'm still looking for a nice toss cushion that is a bit smaller in size. I have a vase on the mantel that is that wonderful mustard colour too. I'm going to keep my eye out for a good wing back chair and if I can't get it in the colour or pattern I want I might buy used and then see if I can re-upholster.

The walls in the living dining room are a revere pewter BM Grey. But in the pictures it tends to look more beigish.

@susanelizabeth- I do actualy plan to change my accents out every season. So saphire blue or that deep navy blue is another accent I'd love to get in there. Right now when I see a nice piece, vase, pillow etc. I pick it up....so I can do as I plan :) Thanks everyone I'll keep you posted with new pics when I get more done.

What do you all think of another cowhide rug but under the dining table?

No to the cowhide rug under the dining table - it's overkill.
Plus, the rug should extend 3 feet beyond the chair legs so that when people
move in and out of their chairs, they are always on the rug.

Love the yellow - bring in hits with flowers etc. More inspiration for you in photos below - the round plates on the wall are simply ceiling medallions painted in your accent colour - great way to add texture to any space!

This such a beautiful room. I think a pop of a dramatic color could really take the space to the next level - although it really nice as is. Off of the top of my head, I was thinking two red chairs (upholstered or leather maybe with arms) for both ends of the table, which you could also use for when you have company. Then, if you were able to find artwork which may be neutral with red (or whatever pop of color you choose) for over the fireplace could tie the two areas to gether. You may want to throw a red pillow on the chair or sofa as well. I would consider adding a zebra print rug under the dining room table in the same scheme as the pillow you already have. You could add drapery in a natural texture/color, like burlap or heavy linen. I think Restoration Hardware has some nice options. And lastly, I would consider changing the furniture arrangement in the living area part as previously suggested (including removing the TV as it is dwarfed in the room) . I think youcould keep your accent color as well since it is not too powerful throughout the room. But again, it is quite lovely now.

If you're looking for more information, here's a great article … just Google ... Yahoo! The Color Perfect: Finding The Perfect Colors For Your Furniture, Flooring, Walls, And Accessories … It's an easy read with lots of tips you can use on the subject.