You need a big, wonderful wreath. ck out www.comfortsofhomemarion.com/jerry's wreaths.

Try breaking up the "block theme of the room with a round clock or round mirror. Here is a picture of my mantle

Here's a full pic

I like the white windows over the firplace but the brown one just looks out of place. Maybe some soft plant or shapey colored bottles by the swan? I would love to have this room!

HI -- I saw a room that looks like yours , but everything had a sale tag on it . It was an antique shop -- sorry , but your room looks like a country furniture store. Too much stuff going on . This is not my style but I think the fireplace is so elegant and it's just gotten lost with so much around it and over it . You have some nice things but it needs to be thinned out . Others have said what to do so I am not going to repeat . It just looks so heavy in this room. I do like the fireplace and the wall color , very nice .

There is no wreath site as mentioned above.

Fresh.

Wall Ideas.

Hi, most importantly you must feel comfortable in the room. Your husband has things he wants (position of recliner) and I'm sure you do too. Write down what you want to achieve from the room (entertainment/tv viewing/snug/hideaway/show off room) and that will help you decide what is important to have in it.
If you could rehang your TV so it isn't resting right on the fireplace that would help lift the height of the room - and it looks like you have a cool idea for covering it with windows so it isn't too focal. Could you insert a picture into these windows? Or some wallpaper you love? Then you could have interest, beauty and function.
Also it looks like your friend has "edged" your rug with the chairs - I am sure they intended to give you more space, but often grouping seats (as discussed by travisinteriors above) makes more sense to the mind and eye. I am sure you could find a solution in what has been offered from everyone to keep your hubby happy too!
I've attached below a houzz image which may help. Good luck!

Beach Style Living Room by Portland Architects & Designers Whitten Architects

Love the window idea. My first impression is too many rectangles and too much brown monotone. Also, all height is on one side. Do you have a picture of room from entry point? It looks like a U-shape of furniture that doesn't have a welcoming point to room. I like the idea of white cabinets and more reflective objects.

I like what you've done with the sofa table and the mantle with the mirror. The two hutches on either side of the fireplace are both nice pieces but seem to fight each other. Maybe taking down the décor on the tops of those hutches and putting two big plants that are the same and balance would make the room look less cluttered and tie the two pieces together more?

clean up all items from on top of the fire place and add vintage tapestry or brass statues
http://www.mogulinterior.com/beaded-tapestries.html

Is the last picture posted what the owner has changed since posting?

Signature , how did you take the original picture and make changes to it? Do you use an app? Which one? Also, I've seen some design boards on houzz, are they a feature of houzz I haven't discovere, or an app?

ginnyr: i used photoshop cs5 i basicly painted over the original image then added photos like the mirror and flower vase :)

Good to know, I did not look at who posted the pic, thought it was the owner! Well, I like what you've done!!

Yes it does look like a junk store! Still trying to figure ways to fix that. Thank you for all your great ideas. I wish I'd had them while we built but the process of moving to another state made it impossible. I mentioned removing the brown window but my decorator friend strongly disagreed. For fear of hurting her feelings ill keep it there for a while. I have a large mirror in the little entry and one on the wall behind couch. I was afraid over the mantel would just reflect more "stuff" in the room. My goal with the two white windows was for them to appear as if they were just sitting on the mantel as decor so no one would know it was there. I love people and enjoy having 1-10 at time. I could get rid of permanent furniture and use folding chairs when I have a crowd. Another problem is huge windows of this room looking looking through MORE stuff on the back screened porch! Unfortunately more stuff! I need therapy. ALL ideas are welcomed. Thanks again.

Table has two more leaves can use.

Delicate situation when your friend is your ID.

However, this is your space...it needs to be YOU not her. Any good decorator would listen to you and not force you into things you don't like.

Firm but friendly....let her know that you want to focus on a less cluttered look.

It feels so busy...not cozy. Make that place yours and comfortable! =)

Looking at the rest of your home...it doesn't seem that cluttered overall.

It's just the fireplace area.

You could do a reset by removing one piece at a time...see if you miss it, if you don't...leave it out.

Would like to hear your ideas for fireplace wall.

Rita, love how you changed the room with your computer. Pretty cool! Thanks for all that work.

So sorry. It was signature who changed the photo! Good job!

Hi Rhondalyn,
I really like your room and if you like to have lots of people visiting, your furniture is there for a reason. I don't think it looks cluttered at all. Honestly. I think it is a lovely room.
The windows hiding the TV is a great idea.
I do think that what's lacking is some nice art on the walls. Your walls need something interesting. You have lots of patterns going on at floor-level, but everything above that is 'plain' and square. I believe you need things there that are interesting to look at to bring a bit of balance to your room.

And just to show you how it will look without the frame. See what you prefer. It's your room, so you decide :-)

Losing that brown frame is good for the wall.

A mirror would brighten up the fireplace.

Art would too. And it would bring a solid focal point to the room.

Feel free to peruse my work and see what inspires you.
http://angelina-vick.artistwebsites.com/index.html

A white frame around the art would help tie it to the white mantle.

hmmm I still think a painting would look nice over the fireplace and would tie the room together.

I agree w/ the comments about placing art over the fireplace which would create a harmony within the space. I like the idea of hiding the TV, however I think the windows take away from the decor- not add to it. You may want to consider TVCoverUps as an alternative. Framed art(including your own) or panel provides a focal point within the space, and hidden beneath is the TV and Entertainment consoles. Lifts are available in Automated and Manual Units & allows for TV tilting hardware(allowing you to lower the TV to the perfect viewing height). Standard Sizes available(37,42, 50, 55, 65) or have the unit built to your custom specs and situation.

Carolins, thanks for removing brown window in pic. I'm not sure i like it better without it. Windows look too short for space??.Where were you thinking the art would go? The tv windows are attached to push inside hole.

an alternative to hide the TV



https://www.houzz.com/photos/2013-green-dream-home-contemporary-living-room-minneapolis-phvw-vp~3016091

for more ideas follow the link
https://www.houzz.com/photos/hidden-tv-over-fireplace-phbr0lbl-bl~l_8410

I cleared stuff above tall cabinets, removed
the upholstered chair and child rocker and put rocker on the left side in its place, pulled love seat away from wall. Looks less busy. I like the idea my friend had to paint my dining chairs a roasted red pepper color. I'm looking for another wire pendant similar to the pic. I got last 2 for $22 each at a store in AR. (Made by "creative co -op" which is wholesale only).

Great space to work with! You obviously like antiques and vintage flair...so my first inclination would be to negate the wall hangings above the fireplace - you could keep the corbels on either end of the mantel but what I feel the room is screaming is something airy -- I understand that your TV is hidden behind the window frames above the mantel...concept good, use of window frames to do this probably isn't the best application...wondering if a different piece of art that is mounted on a frame that is hinged to the wall could be better or some wall panels (raised panels perhaps) hinged to hide tv as the windows seem busy and very linear...not sure how something round as in picture above would suffice to hide your television.

Also, room screams for some softness/curves...thinking large arching branches (real or good faux) with a few leaves and buds on them positioned up on mantle would soften the overall linear/flat look of this end of the room while not impeding the tv application. Tall branches that arch over in unique vase.

Love all the ideas, suggestions and tech savvy of other Houzz commentators! Can't wait to see what you decide to do!

Can you find something similar to this to hang above windows? You can paint it white. It breaks up all the blockiness.

http://houzz.com/photos/32035

White thing on firepl is hiding TV?? Just show the TV it would be nicer.

You should create an accent wall with reclaimed wood! This would elongate the fireplace to make the room seem taller and add dimension that is not overbearing or cluttered. Vintage materials come in all shades and sizes. You could then add simple tall candlesticks on one side or perhaps a nice looking floral piece.

Pt, Travis, Paula,
Thanks for suggestions. Husband will not cooperate right now removing white windows. He worked hard to make MY lame idea come to life ....death. I don't like tv as a focal point in any room ,So when he is in better mood, mirror? Pic? Above mantel?

Rhondalyn, I have read through all the comments and suggestions and want to add my opinion: I still think the "window hiding the TV" is clever and suits your room. Perhaps some of the other suggestions should be tried before you attempt to change the TV area. You have a unique room, not messy (maybe a little crowded with too many small chairs[which you removed in your last pic])...really enjoy your stuff.

You could hang art instead of the mirror in the dining area for example.

This might be dumb, but what about a pretty fabric or wall paper in the window(s)? (Attach it to cardboard or foam board first, then put it in the window(s)).

...or stained glass?

Carolins, khdebenham,
my husband is glad somebody likes what he did! Y'all are sweet. I agree art is missing. I have a large beautiful floral oil painting my sister has borrowed to stage her house . (It isn't wide enough to hide the tv) I was afraid it might be too fancy. Maybe changing the frame or painting it will make it work.

Painting

Lovely. Could be nice instead of or next to the mirror in the dining room? Or what's to the left of the cabinet on the left of the fireplace? Is there a space for a beautiful painting?

just some ideas :)

I wonder if the bright white on the fireplace could be part of the problem. The other lighter colors in the room are more creamy and beige. Sherwin Williams has a color visualizer on their website which allows you to download a picture and try different colors - on items as well as the walls. Maybe try downloading your pic and coloring the fireplace and the frames a different shade until you find one you like? This is the link: https://www.sherwin-williams.com/visualizer/

If the windows are covering the TV then you definitely don't want something in front of them that you have to move to open to watch your favorite program. I really like your room - it looks cozy and welcoming, from another time. I'd feel comfortable sitting there.

rhondalyn, I love the still life floral painting you have. If the painting is too small to hide the TV, it's no problem! We will mount your oil painting to a panel, with the hidden TV and Entertainment consoles beneath. Check out our houzz page for more information.

The paint color is a creamy ivory.

Rhondalyn, I carry those pendants in my store. We could ship them if you want. I will be out of store tomorrow but if you facebook the store at Comfortsofhomemarion someone will respond to you with the price.

One painting would be nice above the fireplace. Move chair in front to create a more cozy sitting arrangement.