I love the bed and the mirror. The other pieces, not so much.

I also inherited my grandmother's bedroom set, and it's not what I would have chosen for myself, but it's hard to justify discarding a solid set of furniture. Mine's not valuable -- just old -- so I painted it white. With all those curves on the bed, it was real work -- if you try it, don't skip primer. I considered Robin's Egg blue and Sage green but went basic with white because I favor blues in the bedroom and bathroom, and I thought that would work best. Suddenly the bed became "cottage". It's still not exactly what I would have purchased, had I gone out with a couple thousand dollars in my pocket to buy a new set, but I really do like it.

This is not my bed -- can't take a picture 'cause my husband is napping in it -- but mine is much like this:

I think it looks very French art deco, and you could do a lot with it. Could the larger piece be repurposed in another room. Maybe it's the matchy matchy that is throwing you off.

I really can’t paint the furniture. If it were mine, I wouldn’t have a problem with it, but my FIL lives with us and it would kill him to see it painted. I really need to update the room through wall color, decor, window treatments, etc.

Think about a busy flowery wallpaper in the spirit of the furniture....art deco maybe. It should be so beautiful that no one sees the wood furniture. Please put a wonderful oil painting over the bed. You do not need two mirrors reflecting furniture you are not crazy about. Oops, three mirrors including the one on the chest!

Use some modern bedding, maybe something wild like an animal print. Modern accessories and paint the walls a color that you love. Google Art Deco Bedroom ideas for some inspiration. I think it's got great potential.

Have you actually discussed painting the furniture with your FIL? Sometimes people aren't as intractable as we might think. Maybe enlisting him in the project would bring about surprising results. Here's a beautiful blue.

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If that's still a no-go, consider going for drama with a background against which the furniture will not be such a contrast. Thinking dark teal or peacock green or rich purple, maybe even charcoal or black.

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Or just increase the deco vibe with the fabrics.

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it sounds like you don't like this furniture at all. Maybe it's time to have a gentle conversation about the art of letting things go. Our memories are more important than objects.

I learned how to let go of unwanted sentimental items by finding really good homes for them. if no family member or friend would take it, I would sell it to a vintage shop, or post on Buy Nothing or FB Marketplace. That way I'd know that the person who got it was actually really excited to have it, making it more likely that they'll take good care of it (as opposed to wondering if it was festering in the back of goodwill). Before letting go, I would take pictures of the items to remember them.

Part of the problem, as I see it, is everthing is the same brown tone - the floor, furniture, accessories. Even the new coverlet blends in. Nothing stands out. What style is the rest of your home? That would give me more to go on to suggest bedding, but I would definitely mix and match to make it interesting, so that the furniture disappears somewhat.

Paint the walls, not the furniture. Once your FIL is no longer (sorry, not sure how to put this LOL) sell, donate or give away pieces you do not like. There is absolutely no shame in letting go of family pieces you are only keeping because they are family things.

Buy a large rug in colors you love and want to bring in the room. Bedside lamsp. Art over the bed and in the room. Agree there are too many mirrors in the room.

Can you share other two walls in the room? It appears the pieces are crammed against two. Do you need to keep it all in this room? Can you spread the love, for now? For example, I have used an antique bedside table in the master bath near the commode to hold extra TP in the drawers in our last three homes.

Embrace it! what a gorgeous waterfall bedroom suite. it will never look on trend so why try?

“on trend“ is painfully insecure anyway. look up period wallpaper and colors and pick the lightest and and airiest and go with them. that set is beautiful! do NOT paint it.

i would return the coverlet and find an era-appropriate grandmother’s flower garden quilt on eBay or a local antique store and go from there. add an airy floral wallpaper and simple curtains and there you go!

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I really can’t paint the furniture. If it were mine, I wouldn’t have a problem with it, but my FIL lives with us and it would kill him to see it painted.

Your priorities are in the right place. People are more important than things.

Think about a busy flowery wallpaper in the spirit of the furniture....art deco maybe.

That's a great idea. I don't go for art deco so much, but a busy flowery paper would compliment the furniture well. A lovely flower paper to bring the eye to the walls, lots of white in the bed sheets and simple, billowy white curtains.

You do not need two mirrors reflecting furniture you are not crazy about.

Another excellent point.

Use some modern bedding, maybe something wild like an animal print.

I don't know 'bout that. I think it would be too different.

Maybe it's time to have a gentle conversation about the art of letting things go. Our memories are more important than objects

A good idea ... but sounds like it would be hurtful to the FIL, who probably thinks the OP is thrilled to have what he thinks is the nicest set ever. If you do want to let it go, maybe commit yourself to keeping it as long as FIL lives ... was that cold? Didn't mean it to be. And, you know what? If you use it for a couple years, I bet you'll start liking it better. It certainly does look to be in good condition /functional.

(as opposed to wondering if it was festering in the back of goodwill).

I just bought a new dining room set from Goodwill last weekend, and I am beyond thrilled with it ... absolutely in love with it, as is my husband!

Before letting go, I would take pictures of the items to remember them.

That's a great idea.

Part of the problem, as I see it, is everthing is the same brown tone - the floor, furniture, accessories. Even the new coverlet blends in.

Back to that pretty floral paper idea ...

"on trend“ is painfully insecure anyway.

Agree.

One last thought: is that footboard meant to hold a folded quilt? If so, that's another opportunity to bring in some color /cover a bit of the bed.

I'd also put a large rug under the bed to cut down some of the wood tone. I agree your bed covering should add more color. Is it possible to remove one piece of the furniture, it looks crowded.

Just a question: what room is this suite of furniture in? You say that your FIL lives with you...is this in HIS room? Your room? A guest room? What to do with this depends on the answer, I believe. For example, if this is your father-in-law's room, then he should be involved in what you do with the furniture (if he likes it, allow him to choose wall color, bedding, etc). And, if that is the case, I wouldn't worry too much about it looking "on trend;" much more important for him to feel comfortable and happy in the room.

On the other hand, if it is your own room or a room used for guests, then some of the suggestions above from others would work. It is a lovely set, but I have never been a fan of Art Deco furniture, so I would have some trouble dealing with it, but of course, my opinion doesn't matter here at all!

Paint the walls ”weekend” by magnolia paint!

You do not need to paint the beautiful wood. Antiques can be mixed with simple modern items, and that's what I would do to freshen the space. Remove the coverlet and frilly pillow and replace it with a simple white duvet or comforter. The art, lighting, and all the accessories should be simple and modern - no frills, flowers, scallops, or small details. You may be able to use the bedside table in another room as an end table, and get a larger simple, white bedside table to use with a lamp. I'd also consider a soft color for the walls - maybe beige, muted green, or a pale blue.

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Different strokes for different folks, but I loooove the furniture. I'm a sucker for Art Deco, and that woodwork looks amazing. And since Art Deco should be having a revival in the next 10 years or so, you could embrace it an be ahead of the curve.

Of course, it sounds like it is out of step with your overall decorating style. But you can turn it into a little jewel box time capsule.

That's a whole lot of furniture in there. The bed isn't so bad. Does everything have to be in the same room? I'd remove the side tables, armoire and mirror over the dresser. OTOH, it might just be easier to keep the door shut.

Love the blue walls shown above with your furniture. Gives a slightly modern twist. Also can we see all the walls in the room? Right now I’m thinking either the dresser or the vanity may have to go in a different space since it’s too crowded in there. By the way, LOVE this furniture...so Art Deco.

Or could have neutral walls, navy pillows (solid or patterned), white duvet, gold lighting fixtures, and a navy rug like this. A modern Art Deco rug that works with the wood herringbone shapes in your nightstand/dresser

Don't discuss it with your family or father-in-law. Accept the fact that no one cares about your opinion since the furniture has been moved in and you know it will upset someone if it weren't in the home. I've lived with this scenario every day for 15 years; my husband has nine pieces of antique furniture that I'm not crazy about but because it's his family's furniture we've moved it all around the country. Every time I mention moving them on to greener pastures my husband says, 'So you want me to get rid of my history?' It's a fruitless fight. So I'm forced to decorate around them as you are. At least mine are dispersed throughout the house and not crammed into one small room.

Two choices: the less costly option is to leave it as is and wait for time to pass. Second is to invest money to make it look less meemaw - what's that budget now that you've moved into a new home? Of course if it's your father-in-law's room you spend what you can to make him comfortable.

I took a look at your Ideabooks (bedroom ideas), and you’ve saved a lot of lovely rooms with elements that would work well in yours. Your inspiration rooms are airy, soft, and light … all things that would really enhance the beautiful wood tones and curved edges of the furniture.

For example, this one you saved:

The paint color is Benjamin Moore 997 Baja Dunes. It’s really pretty and fresh.

If you can, depending on how much sun blocking you need, I’d remove the shades over the arched window part only, leaving the bottom shutters, and hang drapes up high (as the room above).

You’re clearly not loving the Art Deco aesthetic, so I certainly wouldn’t add more to it via wallpaper, bedding, etc, making a theme room. It’s a beautiful set and this sort of furniture has seen lots of styles over the years, it really can work with just about anything. Don’t just look at the furniture in a vacuum — decorate the way you love around it, and it’ll be your unique take with these treasures.

ETA: I commend you for working around something so important to a loved one. I was widowed and there are certain things I never want to part with … things others might not understand my attachment towards. You’re a wonderful daughter-in-law. :)

You might consider whether one of the larger pieces could be used elsewhere in the home- perhaps the armoire could go to a family room, den, or dining room for additional storage for books, games, dishes, serving pieces, etc? A pale aqua or blue would look really pretty with that wood tone. Or embracing the age/style of the furniture with a great wallpaper or moody wall color could be cool too. More modern and simply shaped (no curves or frills) curtains and bedding and art could also add a counterpoint. FWIW, I love decorating with older pieces and have many inherited pieces in my home, but I get that a whole set (which I don't have) can be more of a challenge!

Edited to add: The picture that calidesign shared above shows a great color idea for your room!

is this suite in your FIL's bedroom? if he's the only one who loves it, then he can be the one to use it. in that case, don't worry so much how it looks, it's kind of like fussing too much about a teenager's room.

if it's a guest bedroom or your bedroom, then tell FIL that either he takes the furniture for himself or you're putting it in storage (since he will supposedly be heartbroken if it's gone). if your spouse protests, put it in his office or man cave and see how he feels about that.

@jinx- I understand a picture, chair, maybe a bed but a whole bedroom suite?! As the OP said she's 'stuck with meemaw'- I'm not getting positive vibes. What makes her a good daughter-in-law is that she acquiesced without complaint and now has to figure out a solution. I'd probably do the same thing because I hate to cause ill will even if I'm stuck with Grandma's Empire style buffet in golden pine for the rest of my life.

I stand by what I said. Just trying to help the OP, and was complimenting her kindness.

ETA: Why the he** am I getting called out for complimenting someone? This isn’t about you or your situation, stop projecting on me. I didn’t even see your earlier post before I posted mine. And nowhere did I say anything about every single piece being used in there.

It would be helpful if you could give room and furniture dimensions. The pieces look too big for the room as they're placed. IMO art deco does not pair with country. It pairs well with contemporary. Look at cb2.com - they're showing that look. Please don't paint the pieces - it would be better to sell them to someone who loves art deco.

I agree that you shouldn't try to create a theme room, but that is the effect of all the pieces jammed into this room. If they have to stay, and can't be rearranged even, at least take down the oval mirror and put up a striking piece of art or poster. Take down the butterflies. Take off the yellow quilt and just use the white and add some glamorous, not country, pillows in velvet or silks. I like Jinx's suggestion for the window.

Love the blue walls shown above with your furniture.

Yes, that blue is perfect! I would not have thought the wall color could alter the furniture so much.

my husband has nine pieces of antique furniture that I'm not crazy about but because it's his family's furniture we've moved it all around the country. Every time I mention moving them on to greener pastures my husband says, 'So you want me to get rid of my history?' It's a fruitless fight.

Two stories to share:

- For more than two decades I've been using my grandmother's formal dining room furniture. It's excellent quality and has been well cared-for, but it's not something I love. Last weekend I bought (for $49.99 at Goodwill !) a fantastic dining set that my husband and I LOVE and is much more "us". I was a little worried that my family members would say, "You plan to get rid of Mamaw's table? So many meals she gave us on that table!" But, no. I offered it to every one of my many siblings, then my extended family. Not one taker. So much for "keeping our history"! (As if my memories of Mamaw will disappear when the Goodwill truck comes for this table.)

- On the other hand, I have a Dry Sink that my husband gave me for our first Christmas. I love it and will always, always-always own it for sentimental reasons. After I'm dead, I wouldn't care a bit if my children gave it away.

I'd move the armoire to a different room. There's just too much heavy furniture in one small space. Then I'd embrace the Art Deco/Art Nouveau look and wallpaper the room with a classic William Morris pattern with a pretty rug to coordinate.

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The blue mockup above made me think of this example, where they mixed old and new. The blue is nice with the dark furniture.

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I agree with the suggestions to go bold with this room - deco was about strong lines and colours, not frills and calico. Deep dark colours on the walls and/or the bed covering, and some vibrant art. I'd also find another spot for the armoire, perhaps in another bedroom or office.

Going back to OP’s request: airy AND on trend.

Have you tried a different layout in the room? What is the size of the space ?

These furniture pieces are beautiful. I understand your need for airy and on trend, but the are antique pieces so you will need to incorporate them.

I would get rid of the mirror over the bed, get bigger artwork - it is a bit out of scale. I love the idea of wall paper but if you don't want to do that , what about a chair rail and 2 colors of paint?

I would also pull off that fan blind on the top of arc window ( unless people can see in ) and take off the shutter look and do some beautiful draperies. And change the paint color - it seems a little bland.

That armoire is gorgeous and can easily go into another area of the home.

Start with simple things - add a little at a time til you are happy with it.

Good for you in taking these items for now.

Good luck