one last view of the room

This is really your house? Like you live here? I'm blown away. It's gorgous.

yes :) I live here :)

Adding fresh flowers in a simple vase to the mantel in a bright color will add a pop of color to the room.

Also, some throw pillows with some color will help :)

Change out candles on end table with a tall plump with turquoise base and cream drun style shade. Get new end table. Chest type. Red Asian looking. Then over fireplace a very tall 4 ft and 24" wide oil painting in bold colors like red. On coffee table that I love, fill a turquoise glass bowl with silver balls from Pier One. Add pillows to sofa, in a mix of color in the jewel tones. Put 3 at each end and 3 in center. Open your blinds. Show off windows. Never close unless a sun problem. That will open your room up. So big black sectional is not so center rage. If you could get a painter to show up paint walls a Edgewood gray. With white trim. Paint fireplace only a charcoal. It will be striking. Still put art. Hang 5 " above mantel.

By looking at this, I feel like you strongly prefer the cooler, grey tones. But, you are living with warm, beige tones so you tried to tie it in and cheat by adding the grey rug--it looks really out of place to me (although the rug is lovely.) if you can't easily remove the brown carpet, remove the grey rug. If you just need a short term fix, add some colorful pillows (maybe a orangey coral or teal?) to the couch. Until you can paint the walls grey and change the carpet, don't try to pretend you live in a grey room-you don't. (I feel your pain, I live in a grey house and I just can't live with brown or beige! not a bit of it!) don't fight with what you've got-live with it until you can change it. And don't worry about the party-if you think they will judge you, you invited the wrong people.
Have fun and relax, it is a GREAT space and someday it will be perfect.

I wold also change panels on windows. West elm has some nice ones. Put same way you have the cream panels. but they are working with the black. Instead a chevron or trellis print in gray and white. Things on mantel put all on bookcase. On mantel 3 tall of various heights candlesticks. On one end only. In dark wood Pier One should have. Hope you can find a painter, because nothing changes a room for he better than paint. Adding a rustic industrial chandelier, would add a lot also drop it low. Just 44" above coffee table. Resorption hardware has some nice ones. 20" or more across, round would work.

And a huge, contemporary bouquet of fresh flowers on the coffee table and books on the shelves. Funky, colorful throw. Also some bigger art on the mantle-one big, hanging statement piece rather than a few little pieces. If you can't afford to buy it right away, check out some of the diy art on pinterest, I have seen some pretty smashing ideas.

you guys are awesome!!! thank you so much for all the awesome ideas!!! and vkilpatrick... I totally agree haha.... I just stress haha. :) But thank you ... you are completely right. :)

The picture over white chest could work over FP if its over 4 ft tall? White chair not working by side of FP. Neither are those coutry white tables. Move chair to look at windows. Add a small table. Maybe silver. next to FP a big palm in a red ceramic pot. Paint your white chest a dark blue gray, or black. If pic stays on that wall. Lower it be 5-6" above top of Chest.

Remove table from wall not working. Put picture on wall over on bookcase. Or if you don't want palm, lean a big tall mirror on that wall next to FP center it it should be 6 ft. By 30" in a very heavy black frame. Use hook and wire on back to secure, don't hang. When you paint, paint over the words. They have had their day. TJMax good source for accessories. Z Galleries if you have one is very good. Panels, mirrors art.

You have a very nice room to work with. I think the first step would to paint the tall stack above the mantle, the same color as the walls. Then add a large colorful picture above the fireplace. It would make your lovely fireplace mantle and surround pop. Put a nice tall green plant between your white chair and the fireplace. Another plant on the table next to the chair would add more life to the table. Your little white table is charming, however I think a larger more substantial end table in a wood tone would be more appropriate. Add a few books and colorful accessories to the shelves next to the fireplace. Add lots of colorful patterned pillows it the sofa. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money right now, go with plants and pillows. They can do wonders for a room. Good luck and have fun!

When you can bring that wood into living room.

Add some decor items to white chest. Some color pots and wood type items. Shop home goods TJ max. Great place.

Can you flip your rug 90 degrees and pull it up to your sectional? Also, the chair on the left of the fireplace - can you angle it a litlle bit more towards the sectional and pull it a little away from the fireplace? I'm not sure if that demilune table is big enough for that wall?? It doesn't seem to have the weight of the shelves on the other side. Maybe a bigger table and move the family picture from the shelf. It doesn't seem to fit there. I'd love to see the shelves more styled. I think the mantle is great - you have a good eye. Also, the color of your rug doesn't seem to match. Your room is all brown tones but the rug seems to be gray.

Lovely room. Is it me, or are the curtains a little too high. Maybe drop them down to trim level.
Can you give the white tables a quick spray paint with grey (to match coffee table) before the party. They are a little "white" for your leather furniture.

I agree gray area rug not working. Try that color and design in your new panels. Will make a big difference. For your party use newly painted chest in back as a bar. Set up wine glasses, and whatever you drink with glasses and napkins , maybe some appetizers, with small plates. Get a silver or red tub and fill with ice, beer and water soda. So people can help them selves. Do you have dimmers on yr lites? Cheap fix for a party easy to install. Fresh flower in a tall vase on dining table.

HI -- You don't need to paint -- the color is fine , really nice actually. You just need to add some color with some Art and décor items . Big room - big accent décor items . Lower your TV and add one to three larger vases or just one low long sculpture or colorful glass bowl. One big round mirror on the fireplace or a long fabric banner . Hang your smaller items together in a grouping else where , maybe to the left of the fireplace including some of the family photos. I would remove the shelves on the right of the fireplace ,- then put a large potted palm plant there in a big basket or Asian fish pot .Your room could use one of those arch type floor lamp with the heavy marble base or something similar. Or put matching floor lamps to each side of the fireplace . You need to add an accent color or two . Rich jewel tones like a rich red or emerald or a few fresher light colors such as teal and cream . Maybe a big low bowl with several orchids and some other interesting items like a few silver pieces etc. Look on this site -Houzz for some coffee table styling ideas and so on . When you get the lamps - make sure you will be able to have them on dimmers . All the lights should be on dimmers. I an not a fan of those dark brown blinds ,-- white/cream or real wood blinds would look better in a lighter tone. Same on the high windows too. You will need automated ones on the upper windows. If you had time ,- the TV console cabinet would look good painted a rich glossy color like an ox blood or teal or dark blue/navy. Before all your guests arrive , put some ground cinnamon(dry) in a heavy pan and put it in the oven on low or min. I have an old cast iron pan I use on my cook top burner, set on min / low . A very small pinch of ground cloves (optional) could be added with the cinnamon , or just a clove or two .Be careful it's very strong . This will make such a nice smell in the house . I do this all the time and it helps with the cooking smells like fish and onions etc. Have fun at your party !

Oh sorry didn't realize that was a TV over chest. It still looks to high.

Your fam room layout reminds me of mine. Looks like you have a frame on wall with a pop of red. So how about something like this for your mantle? https://www.google.com/search?q=pier+one+red+birch+trees+art&client=safari&hl=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=FPAKUrrnH4bmyQGTuYDwBw&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAA&biw=768&bih=928#biv=i%7C0%3Bd%7CFzlPGGmxr8afVM%3A

I have that picture in my basement and get lots of complements on it. Looks a million times better in person! Good luck! :)

Hi Crystal,
I hope you are having a lovely day! I think that you have some really great bones here! We just need to add some wow and play with proportions. Some pops of colour would be great but not everyone is comfortable with colour so if you would like to stay neutral then consider playing with contrast. The current area rug is too small for the space. As a general rule I like to have the front two feet of my furniture on the rug. This creates a connect between the rug and the furniture so it doesn't have an Aladdin flying carpet effect. The rug would be a great opportunity for colour or that contrast! With regards to the furniture in the space I would start by looking at mirroring the shelving on the other side of the fireplace to create some symmetry. The demi-lune table that is there is too small for that local. Secondly the round table next to the sofa is also to light and airy. You need something more substantial there to create some balance with the weight of the sectional. I would consider two occasional chairs opposite the sectional facing the windows. It appears as though you even have enough space to have a bench or two smaller benches in front of the fireplace. This will create a cozy sitting area. I would also consider going with white blinds, this will blend nicely with the white trim and create less of a blocking affect. I do find the drapery to high and the location of the banding is too high. It would be nice to lower the rods so they are 4 - 6" above the window trim and have the banding start at the window sill. The mirror on the mantel is also too small, I would kick it up a few notches or even consider a grouping of three round mirrors of varying sizes but with the same frame. The bookcases need some books and small accessories. Search Houzz for bookcase staging that appeals to you. This is an opportunity to add personal items as well. I agree with travisinteriors that the TV is too high in relation to the chest. I would either lower it or look for a higher piece, maybe in a similar style to the coffee table. I hope this provides you with some food for thought! Happy decorating and enjoy the process!
Sincerely,
Katelyn Atkins Interior Design