Well my first impression is that the fireplace is not bossy….but all the black in the room is. If it were my room, I’d remove the gray rug and all the black items on shelves. Then I’d remove the drapes and matching footstool. I think a textured drape that is light like the wall color would brighten things up and if you bring in more updated textures….sisal rug, textured pillows, baskets….the room will be more inviting.

Remove the hassock and change the drapes to top down bottom up shades. I agree, its the black that's boss here! Why don't you add some metal for a bit of shine and excitement? Maybe pop in just one bright color to break up the monotony of the black on black theme. Try a few green plants to add life to the space.

Good morning and thanks for your comments. We have added in a pop of colour from the painting in the adjacent eating area off the kitchen with pillows but still looking for more and agree that something with texture is important. The window in the family room has a roller shade which we rarely use due to the covered deck so does not need to be replaced. We have white wood blinds on the rest of the windows. Whether it is right or wrong, black is one of my favourite colours but I just feel the current drapes are too much so am looking for some options. TIA.

Using black is one of my favorite choices, too, but textured curtains that match the wall color will actually help the black elements in your room to stand out more. And introducing plants will balance the hard surfaces, too.

I am listening so anything I say is just for discussion. We do not need drapes that close and the space from the window to the TV is not sufficient for stacking a full width drape. We are open to changing the carpet but it needs a 12x12 size which we have and which we like. As far as live plants we are limited to being away for extended periods of time and from most of the conversations on Houzz, artificial plants are a no-no. I usually keep fresh flowers on the eating bar or on the table. So any suggestions for the drapes and/or the carpet?

Maybe a black and cream or ivory geometric rug. 9 x 12 is easy to find but 12 x 12 not so much.

For drapes perhaps something with a soft taupe background (similar to fireplace color) that has just a little black in it but doesn’t dominate it. Not sure of your local resources to have drapes made. Like Decorators Den, they have 1,000s of fabrics to choose from.

If you don't need the drapes to close, do you even need drapes there at all? Maybe just art work or fabric wall hangings where the drapes are now is all that you need. Take down the current drapes and see how you like it without them.

You don’t have draperies in the dining room, do you? (It appears that you do not.). So…try your living room without them. You have blinds for glare, etc. That might be all that you need!

I tend to agree with the suggestion to change out the gray rug with one in a natural fabric to tie in with the natural colors in the fireplace. You can source seagrass (which I prefer if walking barefoot), sisal and jute rugs in a variety of custom sizes if you need the 12x12 dimension. You can have it bound in a black fabric.
I also agree with the suggestion to take down the drapes altogether and live with the room for a while. If you really don’t like it, then find fabric that incorporates a linen color similar to your walls with black—a simple black or herringbone stripe, for instance.
Pulling in some golden yellow from the painting in the adjacent room as you have done will freshen/brighten up the living room. I would add a few more pillows in a variety of complementary yellow shades — or even to match drapes if you decide to get them — to balance out the black sofa. A soft throw would also look nice there.
Adding a few yellow pottery or glass pieces to your shelves and maybe a statement piece on the coffee table will draw the eye to your shelves. Adding some interesting baskets or polished wooden bowls to the shelves or fireplace will help balance the drama of the black pieces. Keep posting!

Appreciate all of the comments...assimilating of of the information...thanks! Just looking at carpets...some come in 12x15...found one for $35,000 that I really liked but definitely not in the budget!! Will respond to some of the other suggestions later.

Go to a good quality carpet store (not a big box store) and look at their “wall to wall” carpets. ANYTHING you like can be cut to your length and bound. So, don’t limit yourself to pre-made rugs.

I think off- white or light beige with a 3” band of black around the inside and bottom edge would look nice. I’ve seen some where there is a little detail like a Greek key in black on the border. Always classic!

Artificial plants, if good quality, and used sparingly, are not a "no-no". The key is using them where a real plant would be placed for light. A tall tropical palm, ficus, or other tree, would look great.

Good morning and thanks to everyone for your comments. I am thinking that the first step is to remove the panels to see what the window would look like without anything. By way of information, this is a family room and we also have a more formal living room and dining room on the other side of the two way fireplace. The windows currently without drapery panels all have charcoal walls adjacent (like in the casual eating area off the kitchen). I am also looking at alternatives for carpet but think the current panels are hindering the vision.

Try removing the panels and rug to get a new vision of how much brighter the space could be.

This is a start to try to help visualize the window without the panels. Think it might be okay with a nice large piece of art on the wall to the left.

Improvising with piece of art from another area....now to find help with the ladder....

That’s a great start!

The fireplace is not the bossy element…the black furniture and dark charcoal rug are. Rather than black and white drapes, I would go with tan-and-cream or tan-and-white drapes, and maybe a dark tan rug. They will work with the sofa and tv, fireplace and wood elements, but more gently.

Good morning! Still looking at options. If we just wanted to replace the drapery panels, does anyone have suggestions including photos as far as color and pattern to help visualize? As it has been pointed out the dining area does not have drapes but it also has charcoal walls which provide a contrast with the white trim. TIA.

Drapes that are similar in colour to the walls, with some texture e.g. linen-look.

What would you think of having longer drapes?

no drapes. its not working in this room on that wall, window casings, the windows above, the veiw is dominated. if anything would fight a "bossy" (not) fireplace it would be the view alone. if you must hang them hang them from the highest point.

Thanks for the comments. When we built our house in 2000 the only option for the windows was the beige vinyl, even though we have always had white trim. In today's world the vinyl would probably be white. Twenty years later it is still bothering me...the beige vinyl and the white trim with the cream walls so by removing the panels it just doesn't feel right...like something is missing. Does this make sense? On the other hand where we have the charcoal walls with the white trim and beige vinyl, it seems to work just fine. I am wondering if we should even be considering changing the color of the cream walls. Thoughts?

that was going to be a suggestion. if anything, the fireplace needs to be a little more dominant, to balance here. right now the room is heavy with black and grays its stopping their eye right in the middle of the room. the fireplace and windows should be the focal points. I think painting is a great idea.

So the next big question....what color? We do not want to change the white trim.

start looking at photos of rooms, similar focal points to yours the fireplace and large windows, seems you also like a little mdern flair,

@Patricia Colwell Consulting thoughts?

It's kind of casual elegance....adult home....and yes...with a bit of a modern flair!