Another view

You should remove the window seat! Also take down the art over the tv. Paint the walls one color!

Two questions: How do you watch TV? And what's in the corner between the sofa and the bookcase? Is it an actual corner, or a door?

I would like to see the view of the room from the fireplace toward the couch. Can you take that photo and post it here under your next comment?

I wouldn't put chairs in front of the window seat as long as it remains a window seat. However, if you changed it to a storage cabinet that was as high as the window, then chairs would look fine.

My initial inclination is to float the sofa and the rug facing the fireplace. But I need to see the whole sofa wall to know if this would work and how to treat the angle that will be created behind the couch.

A little nitpicking while I'm at it: The mirror over the mantel is too tall, your mantel decor feels too symmetrical, and the ironwork over the TV is distracting.

You could pad the back of the window seat and upholster it to eliminate the window sill as a problem. However, that may make the seat too shallow, so it too might have to be replaced or extended, and I'd upholster all of it. You'll be happier if it is remade and maybe the seat can be incorporated as the new padded back and attached to the wall if someone is clever. Short curtains won't look as good as roman shades at those windows. I'd place a trestle or pedestal table there for games, snacks, a bit of bookwork or crafting. Center the tall book shelf on its wall and flank it with the pair of new chairs. A new lower credenza under the TV is in order. The present one is too big and hulking. I'd remove the mirror over the mantel. It is reflecting the ceiling and fan, not a desirable item to double. Try a piece of art there or a round starburst mirror that really isn't designed to reflect much but to be a point of interest and shine. You have a lot of tall decor items - too many on display at one time. Those need to be thinned out or switched around seasonally and rethought. I'd advise a lighter colored sofa and a round glass coffee table. You could use an injection of color and more pattern and texture. Take a look at ARKfabrics.com just to get some input on how fabrics can work together. You may see a combo that appeals to you.

I didn't rearrange your mantel, but I did make the mirror smaller. I removed the curtains from the door. They feel too heavy for the room. Mostly I reconstructed your window seat, so now it's just a shelf, and added a blue squiggle chair from West Elm because I thought you needed a bit of color. The coffee table is from West Elm, too. No scrolls.

Hey Grover..sorry just getting back home! Here is the pic you requested, thank you!!

Do you use the fire place?.... If not I would take that out!... My thoughts are is that your room is too heavy looking. The walls should be one color- preferably light. Your rug could be bigger. The Knick knacks and candles scones etc should be pared down. Too many ornate things.... Pare down. Bring some happy color in with some pillows on couch, throw. Buy a sectional with chase instead of another new sofa.

Thanks, jonyceputman. That's what I needed to see. Bedtime here, so I'll give it a go in the morning.

Before I retire, I must warn you: you are way over your limit on scrolls. ;-)

Lol Groveraxle! I know..they are going, already have pics ready for craiglist. In my former married life..everything was country rustic. Being from Texas..I mean rustic! Stars, leather, nail heads, the works. Phasing all that out but it adds up quickly $$$$!! I love the soft aqua blues and farmhouse industrial look. Love the suggestions you made on the table and chair, love West Elm!
To answer your questions, how do I watch tv? Usually curled up on the couch, I did have it floating in front with chairs on either side of couch, I was trying for a different arrangement, but if that is the most feasible perhaps I should go back..
2) no corner as my pic shows, all one big room kitchen/living!
Thanks for your time..hope I haven't rambled too much! TGIF!

Removing the window seat from the bay area would be my choice and this seems a great time to do it, while you can still get the wood flooring people to provide a match for your new wood floors. The area then becomes useful for a couple of small chairs, or a reading chair and ottoman.

I would look for art, not a mirror, for over the fireplace. If you have a good sized piece of art, try leaning it on the mantel for now, with only the picture and the tall candlesticks on the mantel. A vertical picture would be best. I'd also remove everything except the vase from the hearth, even the firescreen.

I'd like to see the sofa facing the fireplace, and two chairs facing the TV. I agree with Grover about your need to de-scroll the room. The removal of tassels would also help. Sounds like we're picking on you, doesn't it! But it's all in an effort to bring you kicking and screaming into the 21st Century!

Carolyn, I don't think she's going to kick and scream. Sounds like she just needs a gentle nudge. ;-)

Nudge, nudge...

me too, nudge!

I agree with all about the mirror - it's always been a temporary fill, and I am going to revamp the entire mantel. I had a G Harvey print, but when I phased out the rustic look, I removed it. I have been looking for a round weathered wood mirror for up there..or what type of art would you suggest?
And to add to my turmoil, I originally ordered these chairs a month ago and they just arrived in the warehouse, I do not have to take them, I'm thinking now I need color...
Another thought - I really can't afford to get rid of the piece on the tv right now, what would you think about me painting it?

Can you remove the scrolls from the TV console?

I believe I can Carol.

Oops sorry typo Carolyn!

Here's are a couple pieces of art you could consider.
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/maxine-shore/new-york-afternoon?substrate_id=2&product_style_id=5&frame_id=12&size=18x24

http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/tatara/wilma?substrate_id=2&product_style_id=5&frame_id=12&size=21x25

Two different paintings from Gallery Direct (which is currently running a half-off sale), and a bright coordinating pillow. Look what a difference a tiny pop of red makes.

Your chairs, and some chairs from World Market:

Wow Grover I am impressed, thank you for all the hard work! I love the pop of colors! You are so right about the colors making all the difference. It gets overwhelming going through pictures, catalogs, websites. I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate your input, now to get to shopping, and selling! Bye bye scrolls!

I love this piece Carolyn!- http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/maxine-shore/new-york-afternoon?substrate_id=2&product_style_id=5&frame_id=12&size=18x24

Grover is an absolute treasure! I love what she has done for you.

When framed, the NY afternoon picture will be 27 x 33. Will that size fit well? You could put together some newspaper to make that size and tape it to the wall above the FP for us to see. If you'd rather have something in the colors Grover showed you, we can help you find a piece you like.

That piece of art would look great.

I'd like to see you look for a chair that is similar to one of the ones shown below. They come in a wide choice of fabrics. Other companies make similar chairs so if you like the look, you'll know what to look for.
http://www.mgbwhome.com/CARA-CHAIR-P8393.aspx

http://www.mgbwhome.com/BLAKELY-CHAIR-LEATHER--P10672.aspx

I'm delighted to know that Grover and you and I all three like the art, and that the very talented Grover has shown us how it would look! She's such a delight!

If removing the window seat isn't an option, cushion it and make use of it by placing a small oblong table in front of the window with 2 SMALL chairs. The TV next to the fireplace looks jammed together. Can you move the tv to the opposite wall where the tall shelf thing is? Place a colorful chair where the tv is now.

With the sofa parallel to the fireplace, the two chairs in the window area would then be at right angle to the sofa, which I think would absolutely work! Can you remove the base and legs of the TV console? With doing that and removing the scrolly stuff, it might still be useful. Lower the TV the same amount and remove the ironwork and you're done with that. Unless, of course, you decided to paint it as well.

Sami, if she moves the TV to the opposite side of the room, having two focal points is problematic with the seating arranement.

In a room full of angles, I think it's important to place major furniture pieces on the same angle as one of the major architectural angles. In this case, I'd choose the FP. I don't think I'd separate the FP and the TV more than they currently are. Jony, do you think you could possibly draw the room for us, with dimensions? I know it's difficult with all the angles, but if you could, it would be enormously helpful to us all. You could start with just one section and present it to us, bit by bit.

Nancy,,,there are already two focal points with a huge fireplace and huge tv side by side. Move the sofa back some diffidently get that TV away from the fireplace. Anyway you could put smaller tv above mantel?

Thanks for the compliments, Carolyn. Between your design chops and my Photoshop skills, we make a great team. If we were one person, we'd be perfect. ;-)

Sami, you don't get my point, I guess, about the two focal points at opposite ends of the room creating a problem for the furniture layout. And putting the TV above the fireplace that high up would give you neck problems in short order, never mind the heat above what looks to be a wood-burning firebox.

The TV is in the correct place in the room.

I agree with Grover and Nancy.

It isn't bad to have two separate seating areas in the same room. If you want to keep the window seat add a cushion to make it more inviting.

The curtain by the fireplace isn't working there. It distracts from what is supposed to be your focal point.

Too many scrolly accents. Definitely remove the one over the TV.

A tall cabinet to put the TV in would solve several problems.

Try turning the sofa facing the FP. How does that work? Right now the sofa isn't facing anything except the door.

Thanks everyone for your wonderful suggestions! Carolyn I will work on getting you dimensions on the room, had a busy day yesterday! I have talked to a few friends about removing the window seat, I love the idea of that being a reading or game area nook. My dilemma was the paint since former owner has faux painted the entire area (kitchen hallway etc) and figured this would involve painting too..someone made the suggestion to do wainscoting in the area. It's a thought! Ok I will get to rearrangjng!

It's possible, jony, that we wouldn't need dimensions if when you place your sofa facing the FP, we all love it and agree that's the thing to do. So maybe rearranging the furniture and posting a photo should be the priorities.

Financially if you can remove the window seat bench then do so. If not, chairs or a love seat in front of it are ok. The main things you could do is new paint (solid color, no technique), move the tv above the fireplace mantel and get rid of the cabinet it currently sits on, and last you need to lose the heavy curtains. This would open up your seating opportunities as well.