SFGate

anitajoyce Looking around the spaces, I love the rug. You could paint the walls in a nice grey color. Or paint a grey or blue-grey accent wall around the fireplace since it is white.Paint the rest of the room in white. Add a rug to the dinning table, a table runner on top with a small plant or a grouping of candles. Add more colorful pillows to compliment the rug you have. Add a small plant to the table and a big coffee table book or two. I would turn the sofa to face the fireplace and reposition the two chairs. Can you add another photo of more of the two spaces?

kennedytarheel Changing wall color dramatically changes the room. Consider colors that make you feel good. If you love the beach, maybe Ben. Moore HC147 Woodlawn Blue. If you like fall, maybe Ben Moore Pink Mix (a reddish terracotta...not a pink at all). If you like cool and calm maybe a warm light or dark grey. Replace the heavy, dark curtains with white wide width blinds or plantation shutters to lighten up the space. Replace the mirror over the mantel with a large painting (ebay is an excellent source of real paintings for reasonable prices). Choose a painting with wide frame that picks up the wall color. To make the fireplace a focal point: move the couch to under the window and put the two chairs one on each side of the fireplace facing each other. Move the TV out of the corner and on another wall. If there's money, replace the chandelier with something more modern and with more presence. Have fun and good luck!

judyg I like the wall color. Agree with above on the drapes, sofa placement, rug under dining table, etc. How about pumping up the green with throw pillows, accenting with the blue in fireplace tile and a more important mirror or vibrant oil painting?

Steph Heming What great ideas. I've been wanting to change the drapes. I'd love to have the love seat facing the fireplace, but I'm not sure where to put the side chairs with the size of the room and the location of my dining room chairs. It would seem too. 'Leggy' does that make sense? What about the tv over the fire place? Thoughts?

decoenthusiaste Looks like you already have the picture for over the FP and it is over the sofa. Reframe it (if you love it.) Otherwise, go for a new one. I'd take my color cue for the green wall from that painting if you're keeping it. I'd move the huge clock into the hallway, over the piece of furniture there. Center them both in the doorway. Put the FP mirror in the clock's place in the dining room. You do need a new chandy over the table and in the hall too. Try the big desk to the left of the window with art above it, then you'll have more room to put your sofa on that wall instead of it floating into the dining room space.. Your side chairs don't look too comfy. I'd replace them with something upholstered and patterned, new drapes and then play with the arrangement as per suggestions you'll get from Houzzers. Your art should attach visually to the furniture it is with when you get ready to rehang it.

bhelmore Wonderful curves on your sofa! I would remove the curtains and paint the walls a warm color in the green/taupe family. Would also like to suggest you paint the fireplace mantle in the same color to enlarge the room. Maybe a glass top coffee table? Some small kidney pillows on the chairs to warm them up if you cannot put a fabric chair there. I would try the sofa facing the fireplace!

inkwitch I looked at your photos and can see your dilemma. It's a small space. You are smart to limit yourself to a loveseat instead of trying to cram a full-sized sofa in that space. I like your furniture except for those chairs, which would still work (I like that they aren't bulkier ) if the leather (?) were changed into fabric, perhaps a pattern.

Definitely change the draperies. Those are too somber. A creamy fabric (faux silk shantung has a sheen that is uber-elegant), linen, or a taupe tone. It's hard to tell if there's a Roman shade, but if privacy isn't an issue, I'd remove that. Draperies that have a band about 12" up from the bottom (perhaps a similar green?) would look contemporary and elegant. If you can't find them to suit, buy the basic curtains and fabric to have a seamstress attach the band.

Agree with decoenthusiaste re: clock, mirror, art, desk. Have you tried the loveseat facing the FP? Does it fit with the width of the room? It would look better if it will fit, and the desk can be positioned as suggested behind it. If the table can be shortened (does it have a removable leaf?), it might be more in scale. It can always be expanded for more guests. These 2 rooms are lovely and elegant. I admire your boldness in choosing green; not everyone can manage that color.

windingcreek_creations push your table under the open wall. Take that extra dining chair and use it with the desk. Move the Tv over to the other corner where the white mat pictures are and put your sofa opposite it. So, the dining set isn't competing with the fireplace, you have the cozy seating by your fireplace, and you have your tv viewing area away from mealtimes. I would keep the drapes, but I'm a sucker for plushy, luxurious drapery. Go with a soft, creamy white on the walls instead of the taupe, and a muted gold accent wall. Some colorful toss pillows and a cozy throw for the sofa.Use the colors in your painting. Think about a nice floor lamp for reading. And I think I would add candles in front of the mirror. Its a good workout, but its always fun to move things to different parts of the room. Have fun.

eztia The television should be at eye level when you are sitting down.

The problems that are coming up over and over with placing the television over the fireplace is heat from the fireplace damaging the television, what to do with the associated cables, and the necessity of putting the television on a tilt arm for more comfortable viewing.

I would very much like to see progress photos. This is an interesting room!

collachi I know you said you didn't want "leggy", but if you'll try the sofa facing the fireplace with a chair to either side, you can put cream-colored slipcovers on the chairs and then use some of the pillows pictured above to tie in the blue.

Leah Chanel I like the fireplace. Change the color behind the fireplace. Lighten up the room a bit. You have big windows, not sure if it is just the photos, but room looks a bit dark. Lightening it up will make it seem bigger. Change the curtains. If possible get some nice sheer ones that will go from ceiling to floor. Change the pillows on the sofa to something w/more color. anitajoyce mentioned a blue-grey accent wall. I agree if you feel you need an accent wall. For the dining Room you can use chair covers that coordinate w/the living room or something in the living room to bring the 2 together. If unable to get new table, maybe paint it. I would put a really nice art piece over the fireplace instead of the mirror and put the mirror in the dining Room replacing the clock.

decoenthusiaste If you really want the TV above the FP, pros now tilt them a bit at installation for easy viewing, and you can get the extra insulation necessary, by simply thickening/insulating the mantel and covering the addition with some trim. Ask them at the store where you bought the TV. It isn't impossible. You also have room to do a complete build-in of the FP wall with doored cabinets and bookshelves, plus the TV install over the FP. That would make a real WOW on that wall. Search above for built-ins to get great ideas. Then you could paint the hall and that end of the living room in your accent color for another wow.

kspahn I would paint the walls a warm light gray and go for some rich taupe drapes (like a herringbone/linen/silk) and paint the dining set black or ivory rather than the forest green. I have a hard time focusing on the what where issues until the color situation is solved.

Lanie Brown I like the happy apple green. If you still like it, I think you just need to layer more pattern and texture in the room.

nevadan What's wrong with your room is readily apparent. The soffit containing the lights should be painted to match the ceiling, not the walls. The dark drapes look bad. I think you need to start over with your window treatment, which can be quite simple and inexpensive. Look at draperies that are on sale at pottery barn or equivalent. Then the room wil look good with any wall color which you like. I choose wall color based on the amount and quality of natural light that enters the room. For darker colors, use a bit of gloss.

Color Zen I think a handful of tweaks could really update your space nicely. I love the green color but would shift the tan to an off-white/cream/or really light tan. I think the heavy curtains are bringing things down. I would go for light, happy, patterned panels with green in them, maybe some cream, etc. I think pattern will add personality and incorporate the green. I would update the light above your table. Maybe a large drum light (thinking Crate and Barrel). Have you considered painting your dining set one color? Creamy white or espresso. Maybe a new natural woven rug and some new throw pillows to incorporate the green. Good luck!

Le Java Woodwork change some of your picture frames into a nice modern mirror and change your drapes. use a lighter color to brighten up the room. too much nuetral/browns colors, since your furniture and also browns.

if you make it simple, you have a nice open airy living space.

Jan May I like the colour of the room - it's unusual and goes well with your furniture. The curtains make the room seem dated and dark. Either pale to match your lovely rug - or be really bold and go for something dramatic in colours as shown in the pillow above. That would be a "wow". Raising the mirror above the mantle a little (or replacing it with something larger would improve the appearance.
It's a lovely room.

V.I.P. Kitchens, LLC. Okay you need to first decide what items you are wanting to deff. keep. if all that’s fine. If you don't use all your chairs at the table i would suggest possibly if possible taking 2 away and shorting it up some... maybe even spray painting your kitchen set to a different color and recover the seats to the chairs... next i would brighten it up with either new paint or you can change some of the items that are in the room. You would want to maybe paint your walls a lighter and more refreshing color of a green.. Change the dinning lighting to something not so cold and bland... move your love seat in front of the fireplace and simply keep a similar seating arrangement like you have now but just do a 90 degree turn. maybe also down size the coffee table? Having a coffee table similar in size to the love seat just takes over the space. add some more refreshing pillows to your chairs and love seat and accessories to dress the rest up. next you can also paint your fireplace a color that would accent your wall color, furniture, floor and of course the tile that is also on the fireplace. but if you go with a nice light and bright color you should be okay for your fireplace.. it all makes a difference with color selections and how you arrange everything.. you just never want to feel at a dead stop half way through a room... you always want it to flow and your eye wander and not stop at certain spots.. email me if you would like more help on a personal level with color choices and etc. I love helping with finishes. it’s something that excites me. but don't feel limited to exactly what you can do to this space.. possibilities are limitless to an extent.

By Design EK Love your colors. You definitely don't need more beige, especially if you like color, which you must to choose a wonderful bold shade of green. Add more, this will balance the green and create a more harmonious and lively space. I like the plum but instead of having it on the drapes how about on the pillows? I also am thinking a black and white bold pattern either for the drapes or a rug. I would change your chandelier to something more exciting and also add more art works, and more lighting. A floor lamp in your seating area and some sconces by the fireplace if you can, even candle ones with battery operated candles would add some warmth. Replace the mirror over the fireplace with a tiled or painted frame. Something to create more of a focal point.

Steph Heming Wow- what awesome ideas from you all! Looks like I need to take a week off to go through all these great ideas and decide where to go. It is definitely overwhelming! I'm liking the idea of a drum light above the table. I've thought about painting my dining set but it seems do intimidating! Would you suggest a DIY or hire someone? Also, would a round table fit the space better? I think if I do baby steps first, drapes, lighting, art.... It will give me a better perspective on where to go next.

V.I.P. Kitchens, LLC. id say start with one chair and see how it goes.. do a section that isn't as visible like under the chair... but if you feel that it is too much i would deff ask someone to possibly do it but it shouldn't cost you much to do this.. plus id only do the dark areas of the table so its less redoing just more a less refreshing with a facelift ...you should go on to pinterest to find ways how to properly do it.. but most deff start with items you are most positive about wanting to do and changing.. bc you have your mind made and it will be easier for you to focus the rest of the way to finish this project. But for the two areas its just mainly down sizing your furniture pieces that are too big for the rooms to help the space appear larger and less cluttered

V.I.P. Kitchens, LLC. OH and also make sure when rearranging you keep all of your lights on if possible and windows open to watch how your lights hit the pieces.. you don't want to cause any harsh shadows in the area... it just makes it once again feel closed in =)

Shakúff If you're looking for something fun and artistic, our lighting is actually so gorgeous and so unique! I think our drop chandelier would look fresh and lively over your dining room table.