Thanks Dana :) don't know why I didn't think of centering before. Get very overwhelmed sometimes in these tight rooms. Yes, screen is from Horchow. Very heavy and good quality. Feet are slightly awkward but I really like it.

VERY nice and I like how the room looks from the view you just shared, too!!! So the table worked by the couch then? GOOD!

Love how you have dressed up that ottoman, too!

I pray you find something to smile about with your home now. I know I do!!!

Am I on the right track with the boldness of these pics? I tried my normal "comfort zone" (the first soft, muted turquoise pic) and it does seem boring... so tried some bold ones too. My instinct is the graphic black and gold option - very bold for me. But the colors are in my comfort zone - neutrals with a hint of blue :) Do I need to keep working on getting comfortable with even more color?

I like the more graphic black and gold picture. But think the first one would look great too.

Pick the piece of art you love, the one that will make you smile every time you walk through the door, the one where you see something new each time you look at it. It's the one you go back to look at again and again in the gallery or on the Internet. That's the one. Don't worry about the colors. Good art won't match your sofa.

Love the 3 rd one over. You are right on track, with gold and black. Go for it. God job so far.

I meant good job. Darn phone.

GO WITH YOUR GUT! I love that one, too! Just the right amount of punch to get the vibe going and still not feel over done for you. I am soooo proud of you!

I actually like the picture with the tree in it because it has that little punch of red. But the bottom line is that the artwork has to speak to you. Groveraxle's comment is right on the mark. Good luck with the rest of your project.

I love the third one. Your room is really looking good!

Wow, everyone sees something different in art. That's the beauty of art. The third picture has all your colors, but it doesn't speak to me like the red tree w/some gold highlights. So only you will know. I think you are on the right track and after looking at them for a few days, I think you will know. You have a very peaceful looking room.

I really adore this room. Maybe add some more plants or greenery, then add pops of fuscia. I also think a burnt orange color would be fun to add to this room!

This is definitely out of left field, but the only thing I could think of when I saw your room was Tiffany blue for the walls. I know that may not be as "in Vogue" right now as gray, but it would look so rich! Your beautiful orange-toned wooe floors would pop.

Some of the artwork suggested above would be beautiful. I'd go ivory, or ivory bordering on gold, on the drapes. Something with a sheen and elegant. New area rug, for sure. Doesn't go with the elegant/cozy vibe of your house.

A suggestion...
http://houzz.com/photos/4086871

http://houzz.com/photos/23967

http://houzz.com/photos/1649079

http://houzz.com/photos/125193

Thx everyone for continued suggestions. I have couple updates! Painted (partially) the fireplace 2 shades darker than walls. Deciding if I like the white brick or if I like it at all before I finish it. It does make the wall seem wider. Purchased the larger, more colorful rug. For me, it's quite dramatic since I'm not use to so much color so will have to rethink art for mantle now :). Baby steps...

I like the new rug! I will leave the fireplace issue for the experts.
Love your puppy!

Love the rug perfect, get art with those colors in it, with some deeper colors in same tone. It's taking shape.

I love the rug but but fireplace colour is not contrasting enough against the wall.

I'm partial to white brick. Really is up to you and your taste. Love your rug. Perfect size too.

Can you post a few more pictures with other angles? Fireplace color looks a little yellow in this pic :( What size is the rug?

shultzandrea:
Where do you buy your framed artwork that's hanging in the rest of your house?
I never know where to find nice framed artwork.

For the windows

Had to see firepl color. I think you should paint even darker.

For artwork, look at z gallerie, steinmart, or home goods. Affordable, interesting pieces. You may just get lucky.

mvlakeview:
Thank you.

Or Home Sense :)

Genevieve:
Thank you

Rug was supposed to be 8x10 but is actually 7x9''4". (Another lesson learned not to buy online -from Joss&Main) I placed a couple pics from another wall onto mantle so I could envision colors pulled from rug. They are in my comfort zone. Ill be looking for something with similar colors in one large piece. Mantle does seem to be a little gold now that its dry. :( That's alright -paint is easy to change.

Oops. Pic attached.

Maybe I'm the only one but I really like the fireplace white. Two more thoughts- I think the rug should run the other direction - so the long side is in front of the fireplace and I think the chair should go back on the other of the fireplace where you had it in the beginning (I'm not 100% on that, it just seems a little weighted on the window side of the room)

I moved the rug. Looks better. Unfortunately I think it is still too small. A 10x12 was going to be clumsy looking and interfere with traffic path. Seems i need a custom cut rug to make it look right. This is such an awkward shaped, small room. Very challenging. Rug might go upstairs in my dressing room.

I really like the colors/frames in the two pictures you placed on the mantle of the fireplace. Really blends nicely in the room. Then too the group of 4 pictures you showed earlier, now the 1st one blends with your room now too. These appear to be your comfort pieces. I don't mind the color of your fireplace now but could be shade darker and hopefully won't look as yellow. I must say, I like the softness of your room.

Mean't to mention. I too, like the white paint on the bricks as makes the fireplace "pop". Looking good!!

This space is looking great. Your original concern was the paint color not feeling light enough. I would try a light blue that will contrast the neutral colors of the furniture and add pillows and a rug with a similar color palette to continue to add color and depth to the space. Sherwin Williams 6786 Cloudless is a nice option. I'd say that you need a second small chair to the left of the fireplace that is a different style from the other furniture pieces yet still coordinated. The blue vase on the ottoman is too tall for the ottoman and would be better positioned on the mantle. Add a large canvas art above the fireplace or a black and white photograph to add some pop. You can also add one or two smaller scale accessories decorations on the mantel to balance the tall vase. Another option to consider for the mantle is the cluster of frames leaning against the wall, but you would need to frame a similar color image or black and white photograph in all of them to make them feel collected. They also don't have to be matching frames, some can be a dark wood, gold, silver, etc. to mix things up and add interest.

The chair needs a small narrow side table. If you purchase a second chair, I'd place it between the chair and the wall with a small table lamp to add more light. As far as curtains, you can use a nice decorative sheer with the blue and some nice contrasting gold to add more color to the room yet it would still allow light to shine through the window.

The tray on the ottoman isn't the right shape or style. It needs to have a more rectilinear shape with the edges being vertical. Maybe use a lighter finish with something in ivory or possibly even an oval gold tray to break up all of the strong lines in the room. Place a glass vase on the tray with flowers and a small stack of decorative books and maybe a small candle. Later, you can look for a ceiling light fixture to add even more light to the room and finish it off.

I also noticed the beautiful sun ray mirror inside of the armoire. It would be great hung on the wall on either side of the fireplace. Right now it would be a nice balance behind the chair and floor lamp next to the fireplace by looking at the most recent photo that you posted.

I like the mantle white, the mirrors should go on top of mantle and install either sheer curtains or sheer roman shade in the center and one panel on each side of the window covering the wall not the window. It will look wider and more light

I think the fireplace needs to be darker, maybe a light caramel to work with the floor. Needs more contrast with the wall color.

I like your original room and arrangement best. Nice job.

Hi schultzandrea, I've been following your thread because I love your room and enjoy reading all the suggestions. I'm redoing my living room and looking for a sofa and chairs. Would you mind sharing info about your sofa and chair (manufacturer, where they can be purchased, etc.) I really like the lines of them and think they would look great in my room. Thanks for your consideration.

Erik Vaughn Staley Design: thanks - love the mantle idea. i feel my room is looking a little "grandma-y" for lack of better word. i think the black/whi prints might freshen it up. i love your style from your website - that is exactly the look i am trying to work towards. electic, youthful yet sophisticated. I need to replace the ottoman and find more side tables. i don't know what metals to incorporate with my brass fireplace screen. do I keep with brass or do I add silver or black metals? really confused with table ideas.

mickeee: thanks - the sofa & chair are custom from "Expressions Furniture". I believe it is only located in St Louis Missouri. Not much shopping selection here especially in my current budget (going back to school) so I do a lot of online shopping unfortunately which doesn't always work out. For my accessory pieces (tables etc) i am going to take the recommendations and start scouring HomeGoods, Steinmart etc.. never know what surprise treasures they will have that will fit the bill!

Thank you. An eclectic style is always a great approach. Honestly, mixing all types of finishes is perfectly acceptable. The way to coordinate them is by style. For example, if you added a silver metal and glass side table and a copper coffee table, they will look beautiful in the space as long as both visually flow together by being a similar style. So, in this case you have the classic furniture, if you go with more modern tables, then they can be different finishes and shapes as long as they have a modern look that goes together. It adds a great contrast to the other furniture but it works because of the clean lines on the sofa.

Beautiful room. As others have said, I would just add color in accessories. Love the turquoise idea. I think a colorful piece of art over the fireplace will add pop to the room. I think you could just lean it on the mantle and avoid the hanging problems. Make sure there is some turquoise in it! Add a colorful throw and cushions and you will smile when you walk in!

you can paint the brass screen with metal paint. pewter would be nice!! would go a bit darker with the fireplace...more of a taupe.

Hello Shultzandrea

With the new arrangement your space looks really nice. I would still add color to your walls. Looks like you like blue color tones also, so I would suggest these colors to you as well and you can see them in attachments below. I have used Refuge by Sherwin Williams SW 6228 on the wall with the fireplace. And the other color is Wickham gray by BM
which I have on the other walls and I had them add a little black that made it look a little more grayer than the original formula. Looks great.
I feel your floors would complement well with those colors.
I hope it helps. I make custom art so if you are interested contact me. I painted the one over the fireplace.
Framed art can be found at Kirklands.com

I hope this helps.

One of the easiest ways to add color and personal style to a blank
canvas, without paint, is through beautiful textiles such as pillows,
curtains and rugs. Check out these beautiful throw pillows: http://www.luulla.com/store/ecarlate