The placement you have now is a good start. Bring the two accent chairs a bit closer instead of tucking them I to the corners...ideally the maximum conversation distance is 10' between each seat. Adding a rug will definitely warm up the space and tiles. Ever thought about adding curtains? They help warm up a space and bring in warmer textiles since you have a lot of leather. Also, adding more color on your space might help too.

Yes, rug and carpet are needed.

Do you have a tv to incorporate?

If you want to add a tv I'd out it on top of your mantel where the are is since that's the focal point when you walk into the space and the larger piece of furniture is orientated to face that wall

I do not need to incorporate a TV (thank goodness). What about the shelving? I bought to try to add some height, but I'm not sure they are right - seem a bit "just there." If I removed them, are there any accent pieces you'd recommend?

I am interested in color. Do you have suggestions on a palette?

Think butter cream and gold. Hang drapes from ceiling height. Ideas:

[houzz=]
[houzz=]

First, I would choose a piece of art, though. Let that dictate your color scheme. Here is one idea. Here you would add some blues.

http://www.kirklands.com/product/Wall-Decor/Art/Framed-Art/Tranquil-Morning-Framed-Art-Print/pc/2283/c/2293/sc/2669/168212.uts


Let's see where we have space for bookcase after moving furniture. Maybe behind the couch? I would buy more solid pieces with a back.

What is the size of your space above the fireplace? I would not go higher than window tops with the art.

Please move furniture and repost pics. Thanks!

Behind the couch is the pass-through to the kitchen, not a solid wall. When we have people over, I usually put wine on that bar for serving. The room is 2-stories tall; about 22-25 feet. There are 2 large windows flanking each side of the fireplace; 1 pair you can see and another pair high up the wall, bringing in a lot of light. The glass door in the 4th picture goes to the patio.

The clutter on the mantle is not normal :-) - we just had the floors rewaxed and I moved all the items off the bookcases so we could move them out.

I was thinking mostly a cream/light tan rug with some blue in it to lighten the room. Thoughts? What about a more square glass-topped coffee table? Would that open things up?

more art

http://www.etsy.com/listing/170033263/birch-trees-painting-aspen-trees-modern?ref=br_feed_2&br_feed_tlp=art

http://www.etsy.com/listing/155946297/painting-original-folk-art-red-barn?ref=related-0

Right----square-glass-top table would be great.

First thing to choose is your art.

Don't think anyone mentioned your ladder shelf, so I'll chime in and say I'd use it elsewhere.

You have a beautiful room. You have two large walls (one to the left of the fireplace as you face it, and one with the ladder) that can use large art panels. Check out my work for ideas. I have many large canvas prints that can bring interest and texture into large walls (can print them to the size you choose). I think as @decoenthusiaste mentioned, your ladder shelf should be used elsewhere.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/katshoa

Enjoy decorating!

I thought by "bookshelf" you meant the ladder shelf. Are there bookshelves also?

I would move all the art you have in the room elsewhere and shop for a great piece above the fireplace. So nice not to have a tv!

Then as already mentioned: pull the seating closer together and add a soft area rug and some window panels.

I would look for different end tables for the chairs, too much brown on brown now. And they need more substance to handle those chairs. Maybe a round solid drum style.

This picture shows more interesting end table by the chair, warm rug to anchor furniture, more eye catching art over fireplace and some color added by the window panels:

A great way to add character into your LV is to add storage pieces and not clutter them. A matching sofa table, storage coffee table and side table will do this. Also adding some major pieces that have been reclaimed is a great idea. It just takes the right eye.

http://www.furniturerow.com/SofaMart/Taos-Table-Group/prod180010/

-Rose, Oak Express Houzz Team

All your ideas are so very helpful. Once we have the rug, I'll be able to move the furniture around and take more pictures. I agree the seating needs to be pulled in tighter. It always seemed like everyone was detached when we were in that room. I've been looking at glass coffee tables on line. That may be a later addition. I'll keep you updated.

You could place a water feature above the fireplace, we have done this several times for our clients.

Your draperies and rug need to be soft and light to counterbalance all the darks and hard surfaces in the room. Look for "organic" lines, i.e. curves, circles, flowing designs. Don't go for anything geometric or you will only emphasize all the "hard" surfaces and angles. Leather is what I consider a "hard" surface, as it doesn't give like fabric. Some fabric ideas (only), as I really don't know what your favorite colors are. Earthy colors exude warmth, while neutrals and sky, water, and air colors exude coolness.

Even though the last one is a geometric, the ikat pattern is blurred enough to give an organic feel. Some rugs as an example of organic:

Actually, you need to decide on the furniture configuration prior to buying a rug. The configuration will determine the size and shape rug you need.

Nancy - love your rug pattern ideas. The wavy, non-geometric style would go great. It is not a formal room and we are not formal people, so that is perfect. I am anxious to get a rug to soften and warm the room.

I've pulled the seating in closer to the fireplace and tightened up the spacing between the chairs and sofa. This gives room to add high stools to the bar between the living room and kitchen, effectively providing additional seating when needed.

Ignore the clutter on the mantle and bar. It is still a work in progress. I am so very grateful for all your ideas. Martha Stewart I'm not.

Working so much better with the furniture pulled in tighter!

I'd like to make a suggestion for your mantle area. Take everything off, and just have that cute (wood?) sculpture of the boy and girl on one side, then something of similar scale on the other side. Maybe the things you have up there now would work on the ladder shelves.

Try those two pillows that are on the sofa right now on each of the chairs. They will show up a lot more there. Then add a couple of larger pillows and a nubby throw to your sofa.

I would try putting the couch length wise (away from the wall) and the chair and tables opposite.

I agree with other designers that the couch and chairs need to be on either side of the fireplace. It will open up the room and balance the weight in the space. I would not use the shelves or side tables, you need to mix up the colors, too much brown, think lighter but larger pieces and throw pillows. Best of luck!

Much better! You are almost there. This has to be done before you buy your rug. Nancy posted some nice ones.

Please remove the ottoman. Just too much brown and too heavy and you won't be able to see your rug. You can place it where the bookcases are now.

Also, if you don't mind, please try the other arrangements suggested

Choice 1) How you have it now

Choice 2) How you have it now, but square up the chair. So, leave the couch where it is, but take the 2 chairs and square them up. So, the chairs will sit on either side of the fireplace, but the will face each other. The chairs will be perpendicular to the couch.

Choice 3) couch on one side of the fireplace and 2 chairs on the other. Couch is parallel to the 2 chairs.

Please take photos of the other 2 setups and post.

Believe me, this way you will have a better idea of which way you like the arrangement and you will receive input from us and you will make the correct rug choice.

Here is photo showing colorful rug and pillows plus a more interesting coffee table.

Here is a piece of art from Etsy which would retain the folksy theme, but infuse more color into the room.

Nancy Watson, is it possible to post where the fabric you suggested came from? I love the first one with wavy lines. Thank you Michelle

Put up some ClipStone in place of the all white FP surround to add some warmth. I love the floor and wouldn't cover it with a big rug as some suggest, but def some window treatments to soften the room.

I would also suggest getting rid of the ladder shelves. They seem to distract the room. You have nice solid pieces and I would avoid adding a bunch of small things around the room (since the shelves are kind of thin they seem small in comparison to your other furniture).

I love the suggestion from others to only keep a couple of items around your fireplace, and add drapes. You'll be surprised how that would change the room!

What about trying a large potted plant in the corner where your shelves are? Can add some 'soft' height to the room.

Good luck! I know how hard it is to get going. Once you have a canvas, it will be easier to add to it.

Agree, ladder shelves are so "college dorm" in my mind. They just add legginess!

Add a Navajo rug draped on the couch or chair or floor. Nothing looks better with brown leather

Beautiful fabrics.com
The fabric I posted was with gray and violet lines, and they also have one with citrus colors. The fabrics on that site are not cheap, but they are half-price decorator fabrics.

Love your couch. Do you know the makers name?

O

I like Mermaide's solution the best... LOVE the floors. Furniture looks nice. Add color and some character... you have a great space!

All the suggestions provided are right on! However, I believe you are worried about the use and function of the room over the decor. I would suggest that you go neutral and add color with the accessories like pictures, pillows, vases, and plants. If you prefer earth tones go with reds, oranges, yellow, and green. I would definitely lighten the floor by adding a lighter rug with very little pattern this will lift the room up. Also, add draperies with a side swag to the windows. Use a round coffee table in glass or perhaps a color like red. Place pillows on the sofa and chairs to make them more comfortable. Add plants and a tall tree to showcase the height near the left window. It always helps to post progress pictures so we may all see and make suggestions. Hope this helps you, Merry Christmas!

Mermaide: a faux fur is also beautiful and practical on a leather sofa. A quilt goes practically with any material. I love throws of any kind as long as they are not only for looks.

It seems that the windows need to be "softened"...and drapess would be too straight.....the room needs some soft lines. I would think about sheer panels across the windows, and tied back to give an a-symetrical look. Try for an exotic look that would go great with the leather, and give you lots of options for decor. One of the photos submitted had animal print pillows......adding those kinds of pillows, and an interesting throw, and perhaps a really tall tree....would give you a softer and interesting look. Think about placing the area rug on a diagonal some how....so everything doesn't look so
"squared off"....in a room that is already square. I have the same situation, and placing the rug on a diagonal really gave the room interest.

Think of designing as you would getting dressed. You may want to put the jewelry on first---gosh, that's the fun part. But, you really do have to find a dress that fits, works and looks good one you----first.

So, you may even have a piece of jewelry (equivalent of accessories for your room) in mind. That is fine. But, do the basics first: get your furniture arranged.

Another way to think of it is writing a paper. Some students still want to make the paper look good by dressing a poorly organized paper with superfluous adjectives and adverbs. That won't work. The paper will still seem unorganized and not flow.

Yes, you can have a vision of the paper's ending, but you really do have to write an outline. Think "big" to "small".

Not your furniture, of course, but I like the display on this mantle, the fireplace tools (always good!) and the light hitting the art. Also like the soft semi sheer look of the window treatments.

Actually, looking again, think I would take away the vase on top, the vase below and move the fireplace tools to the other side. Less is more.

Not your furniture again, but this shows window treatments with panels only on the outside edges:

I like the idea of outside panels, a light textured or organic patterned rug (make sure it is big enough), perhaps replacing the ladder shelves with an actual shelving unit (depending how the furniture layout ends up), and replacing the ottoman. Just a warning re glass coffee tables: they are beautiful and visually take up less space, but they show every speck of dust, especially if the light from the windows shines across the (believe me, I know!).
Also, pillows tend to slide off leather, so check the backing when you buy.

Good luck and have fun.

Ditto the dust on glass tables!!!

How about some color to balance the leather furniture... if your interested I have Prints to Canvas, check out my profile.

Beautiful space! Some great suggestions here as well! If you wanted to, you could have a TV and a great pc of art as well! Here is the solution:
http://www.bhg.com/blogs/better-homes-and-gardens-style-blog/2013/01/10/diy-ify-hidden-alarm-panel/
Good luck