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victorianbungalowranch I really like the fireplace and the big windows and the wood floor. I would refinish the floor--maybe strip rather than sand to keep down the mess--and go with the mid-century flavor with the furnishings and colors, which can be quite traditional, or rather rustic, or very mod or modern. It is hard to say without any knowledge of your tastes and your existing furniture and such.

A room that large can handle multiple seating areas. If the TV will be in the den, then maybe a bookcase in the alcove could be nice to make this the reading and entertaining room. Maybe even a game/homework table could be nice.

the essentials inside Hi pause024 & victorianbungalowranch! Happy New Year!

I really like this one from your ideabook --



Do you have any furniture for the room now or are you starting from scratch?

Lyvonne
www.essentialsinside.com

claudiann I would paint the fireplace. I like the beams. Is that a corner fireplace? It would be nice if you could remove the extra stone on the left side and some of the hearth on that side. Then you would have room for a pretty armoire or chair in the corner. Furniture placement may be a little difficult because of all the windows. It might be cool to make this room a library with bookshelves next to the fireplace, a round library table in the center of the room, a window seat in front of the windows and some super comfortable club chairs for reading.

victorianbungalowranch I think stone, or even cultured stone, looks awful painted. It loses all its subty and texture. I would only do it on fake stone if the color was truely terrible, like some of that stuff done years ago in multiple colors.

But this is quite nice. I don't think the yellow wall color does anything for it, and would change that first before doing anything to the fireplace. It is old enough to be considered a modern classic or retro.

I would consider replacing the hearth if anything to something that either blends in or in black. It will be tricky to get the color harmony right--I would be there on site to make sure it works, because if it is wrong it will stick out like a sore thumb. I do like raised hearths--easier to see the fire and a nice place to sit.

mmilos Keep the fireplace stone as is. It looks great. Just remove the dated brass enclosure and get a free-standing bronze fire screen. Paint the walls a neutral taupe, gray or beige (color pulled from the stone) instead of the yellow. Hang a nice art piece above the fireplace...I'm envisioning something abstract.

Drapery panels and woven natural blinds for your windows would look good.

Norma Sassone I really like the stone the way it is, but you could use a gorgeous reclaimed hefty wooden mantel with some serious vertical elements on it ( maybe 2). Redo the floor in the latest trend ( that also does NOT have to be dustmopped twice a day like dark wood) - a pickled wood. A grey linen couch and chair with navy accent pillows and maybe yellow or orange in the pattern here and there. A navy and white striped or zig zag pattern area rug to define the sitting space.

Norma Sassone oooopps that is not the sofa I wanted! It was dark gray linen. That thing up there is ugly! hehehe

plain jane enterprises LLC The small slice of wall to the left of the fireplace could be faux painted to match the stone in the fireplace surround, both in color and texture. The brass can be painted with black high heat grill paint, an economical solution. Walls, including the brown trim around windows and small brown molding at the ceiling edge, should also be painted, a grey or taupe color to match the stone. This will keep the room from looking so chopped up.
Since the room is long, I would put an L sectional on the large wall, and parallel to the fireplace, with a farm table behind (right up against) the section parallel to fireplace. A couple of upholstered chairs on the open side of the farm table, provide extra seating, for use as a desk or meals, or buffet.
I suggest bottom up roller shades, so you get light, and simplify the look of the windows. Depending on the configuration of the windows, which is not visible in the photo, tailored drapery panels could soften them up.
Natural linen upholstery would be beautiful, with no worry of fading from the sun exposure. Coffee upholstery also looks beautiful with grey.
The challenges in this room are nothing but opportunity. A pearl of a room, waiting to happen.

pause024 Thank you all very much! Great ideas

blindsdirectcanada Woven wood is a definite for the windows.

http://www.blindsdirectcanada.com/blinds-toronto/woven-wood-shades.html

houssaon I don't like the stone, I love it! I would add a new thicker hearth over the multicolored slate. Replace or paint the fireplace screen black. Agree that a new color should be chosen for the walls, in the same family as the fireplace. Don't put anything on the small wall next to the fireplace; it is a distraction. I would put art on the wall facing the windows or the other unseen wall.

The room dimension are wonderful and should allow for flexible seating. I would love to see the floors a mahogany color.

insideandout I think the stone is lovely, it has a nice organic feel and fits the room, leave as is, painting will be difficult to change back if you don't like it. Add a substantial piece of art work on the wall across from the windows. Change the dated brass fireplace cover to a updated screen, nothing too ornate. Paint all the walls white and I would be tempted to paint the beams white too. Stain the floors very dark - ebony. Add white, long strand area rug or a light colored cow hide, a comfy long chaise lounge or two smaller chairs and an ottoman, add an wood side table like the petrified wood tree trunk. Add a heavy weight weathered basket on the side of the fireplace fill with birch logs. I would keep it clean and simple.