SFGate

Jayme Hobbs The drapes and rug seem to not go together, are u keeping the rug? I like them both..nothing wrong with either...Do u want to go with blues and whites and mix in other colors?

Jacqueline Eclectic means you're having a little fun with design! I encourage you to buy items you like and find interesting- you'll make it work. Also the room is very neutral I'd encourage you to paint or wallpaper the walls or introduce some bolder accents. I don't think your couch is too traditional! Wisteria has some really fun benches you could include along the window. Perhaps a fun piece will inspire you when shopping for the rest of the space! Good luck!

mmilos The couch is a classic. Pick any modern classic chair you like in a color that'll coordinate with the brown leather and it'll work.

Dytecture Just have fun.

putter2 Remove existing bookshelves and build in bookshelves with doors on lower, and continue a shelf across top of window, surrounding window right up against moulding. Window seat under window. Plantation shutters or roman shades at all windows? Rug and curtains don't gel....maybe use curtains for roman shade fabric, and get a sisal or lighter, bigger solid rug. Couch makes strong contrast.....

Darzy I like your new curtains and I'd get another set for the bookcase wall. I'd paint the back of the bookcase wall the navy blue. Modern chairs with wood legs would complement your sofa/coffee table. I think you need a new area rug to fit more into the eclectic style. Collected looking pieces will work well with ecclectic style mixing styles. A piece of modern art above an antique table, etc.

mchs1234 The rest of my curtains haven't arrived and I am still thinking about it because I would have to get a new rug. The book cases don't have to stay but I have no wear else to put them right now. Changing the back is a good idea! Does anyone have specific suggestions for a tv console or end tables?

Sarah Bernardy Design I agree with Darzy. So, if you like the curtains then work them into the color scheme. Get a rug that is more modern, either without pattern but allot of texture like a sisal or with a big bold pattern in the navy and possibly another accent color, like a flower pot red/orange or yellow. I love the sofa, so add some fun and colorful pillows there. Either paint the backs of the bookshelves the navy of the curtains or if you really want color paint the entire bookshelves this color in a high glossed navy lacquer, accenting the bookselves with colors that will pop off the navy (flower pot red/orange or yellow). A pair of slipper chairs or smaller scaled upholstered arm chairs would be a great compliment to the sofa in any of these fun colors. Find a larger TV console that fits the size of the wall and your TV better. Find a larger piece of art for behind the sofa to anchor the space, keeping the smaller pictures and accents on the bookshelves.

putter2 Put the TV in your new bookshelves!

judyg I like your curtains and I like your rug, but not together. Which do you want/need to keep? Are the bookcases free standing or built in?
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Not a great pix, but how about a kilim rug with curtains? Two barrel chairs in the beige of the kilim and a much darker beige, BM Grant beige on the walls?

Sarah Bernardy Design If you are going to stay with the rug then I would darken the walls to compliment the what appears to be grays in the rug. Then pull that rusty color in the rug onto the curtains and other accents.

sueplatt Move the sofa from the wall and add a sofa table. Like the drapes and book shelves but with additional furniture it may work; sisal may be better though (be concerned abt scratching a wood floor). A few bright colored pillows too.

mchs1234 Book cases are not built in. I can use the rug and curtains in other places if need be. I would love built in book cases along that window-we had someone come out but they are at the bottom of our list.

mchs1234 Forgetting about the curtains in the pictures, what color side chairs would you get to go with the leather couch-it is a brown leather with orange/red undertones.....or is anything okay. The leather has been extremely durable. Would something like navy show stains more easily vs lighter fabric? If I replace the rug I think I would get another wool rug as my children play on it.

victorianbungalowranch I love the rug and its Arts and Crafts feeling--is it Pottery Barn? I think more color would be nice in the space, drawing from that rug and maybe some other textiles. The curtains are nice but a bit bold and contrasty for the rest of the stuff. I think a different color on the walls could really pull it all together, and just about any kind of chair would work.

putter2 The couch is great, and it's pretty 'Ralphy' traditional. Solid chenille/corduroy chairs would be good in navy to match curtain fabric, but you could probably use something leggy, as someone else suggested....and more contemporary. The room looks large enough to have almost two groupings.....two chairs with one ottoman to share in front of the fireplace....is the room big enough to then put the couch in the middle of the room facing the bookshelves, with a library table behind it with two big lamps? Now I'm sounding 'Ralph'! If the TV went into the bookshelves, though, you could see it from all seating......

Barbara Griffith Designs The room has too many small busy items. I would keep the rug, because it looks like a William Morris design from the Art Deco period..they are never out of style. I agree with Sarah Bernardy Design to darken the walls, maybe a greige color. I would move the ready made bookcase to the outside corners of the wall, extend the curtain rod, raise it to the ceiling and purchase natural linen type panels in 95" length. Do the same drapes on all windows. Remove everything from the book shelves remove one shelf if possible and space the remaining to allow taller objects. Place only a few items..larger in scale (large plate on stand, large framed photo, large bowl, etc., and add some books, place a green plant on the top of each unit for more height. Paint the back of the shelf units an accent color you choose, maybe in the terra cotta color family (from the rug). I would build a simple wooden fireplace surround & mantel to cover most of the brick front, just leave a small amt of brick showing around the firebox. An upholstered sloop chair to the left of the fireplace angled into the room in a bold but smallish print using brighter shades of colors in the rug. If possible a matching chair in the area (not shown) of the right side of the french doors, angled and pulled into the room. Glass & old iron contemporary end tables with large lamps and maybe 2 small glass tables in lieu of a coffee table. Something large and round over the fireplace, framed mirror or large clock. Maybe a black more contemporary unit for the TV and place a green tree to the right of it. Wall over sofa, a pair of large pictures..fill the space. Whew!

putter2 Just a thought.....sisal might be rough in little knees, and rough for you if they spill. But you definitely need a bigger rug. You have to think about how you use the room......always kids in there, or would you like it to make a statement in the house?

mchs1234 Ha Ha putter2 the couch is Ralph Lauren. I have tried moving the couch to face the book shelves but it is just too big. It really blocks the flow in front of the french doors. I have always had the tv to the right of the fire place as I couldn't find another spot for it. Definitely no to sisal. It is our main room in the house. Always kids in there. Yes, there will not always be babies on the floor and kids playing games on the floor but for now that is the case. Is there such a thing as a kid friendly statement room!? Could you suggest some end tables.

mmilos victorianbungalowranch, the rug looks like it's the Brandon rug from Pottery Barn.

putter2 This is a riot....I just joined Houzz an hour ago! You could so wrought iron glass top tables? I'd use fat lamps to balance the couch. I do love the couch! But I'd also do a grouping in front of the fireplace.. I think your vision will change once you get a lighter rug.....just get something nubby that's kid-protected. What about a solid 'block-type' coffee table that's almost the length of the couch? Two end tables similar to your existing coffee table might be nice. I mentioned to someone else to look at Pier 1 for big jars that can be made into lamps. Oh dear, I'm spending your money......sorry!

mmilos putter, it's so easy to spend other people's money on this site! :-)

Darzy BTW...the wonderful thing about eccletic is the best furniture is found at yard sales and cragislist. Your coffee table is small for the sofa. How about pushing your coffee table to the window, between the bookcases. Then, put a lamp at one end of the table, and use the table as a side table? Two chairs flanking the new "end table" there. Rustic modern large coffee table and round side tables at each end of the sofa (painted an accent color, blue of the rug?) For the tv stand, how about a craigslist dresser or buffet also painted the color of your "new" end tables and install funky knobs on it?

putter2 Still think doing that whole end wall in bookshelves would look wonderful, and make a cozy, sophisticated room, with cupboards on the bottom for kids' stuff, and books, etc. in shelves......plus TV.
Might be worth the $$, and change the whole look. They would look nice with the couch. A striped rug might be fun?

saradoesit I don't want to overwhelm you with too many suggestions. I think if you take it a step at a time, each move will help you move onto the next. The drapes do not work. You might want textured or bamboo shades instead. The collection of photos would be better replaced with a larger painting (wait until you find one you love). You need interesting end tables and the white bookcases need paint if they are to get along with the others. That's enough to deal with for now. Remember that eclectic does not mean "whatever." It takes intuition and trial and error to make it work.

Darzy Agree with saradoesit...eclectic is fun and looks terrific - when it's done right. Finding the right pieces to put together in different styles is not an easy task. Picking curtains you love (that will go with the rug you love) is the best start. Here is brown leather/eclectic.

Darzy Here is a great article from HOUZZ on the Finer Points of Eclectic Style (which I love). If you are not "quirky" is may not be for you. :)

Judit Hi. It seems to me that the rug and the curtains don't match at all. Besides the curtain has too large patterns which can rule the room! The couch is priceless don't get rid of it! Match it with any modern seating plus replace the old rug to something shaggy. Also the wall colour looks too pale to me. Apply modern wall art.

Gavin Blackwell Hi! I think you have a great base for an eclectic look. I love your artwork and bookcases a lot, they already look great. I feel a splash of colour here and there, especially to liven up the fireplace wall, your sofa and rug. Have you thought about appliqued cushions or a textured rag rug? I'd also be inclined to perhaps add a subtle colour to one of your walls, maybe a very light cream just to juxtapose against the existing colour. Have you thought moving one of the bookcases to where the TV is and putting your tv in it's place. Breaking up the symmetry of the cases might be interesting. Just a thought. I recently (on a very tight budget) created an eclectic look in my living room using old drawers on the wall as shelves and mixing lots of colourful, patterned and plain cushions. Good luck!

mchs1234 Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I realize that an eclectic look doesn't mean you can just throw anything together. I definitely wouldn't say my style is quirky. I'm just trying to build a room around my couch and have it lean toward the more modern side of traditional. I want it to function for our family, look polished but a little fun at the same time. I have had problems pulling the trigger on anything because I want a "plan" in place before I start buying things one at a time.

Darzy Ahhh..want you really want is transitional style. "Polished" look is not eclectic. Sooo..I say keep your pretty rug and put the curtains in the bedroom. Now, we can have fun with your space as "transitional style, and family friendly with a polished look".

karen paul interiors mchs, What is negotiable? Have you recently painted? Would you rather part with your rug or your draperies? Do you plan to utilize the TV cabinet or is that negotiable. I realize you don't want to MOVE the TV, but would like to know if you are receptive to housing it differently....or is the base a recent purchase? You have a chair in an opening so I am assuming it is there because? You have placed any number of pieces of art?/photographs? over the sofa and in your cabinets. I would recommend you take everything down, and do a house search for any art you may have stored away somewhere. Then Houzzers can look at what you have and assist you with determining those items that are keepers, or items that need to be relocated, or items you have had in storage that can replace current pieces. I mention this because the pieces you have over your sofa may benefit from some rethinking and placement elsewhere. Just a thought. :)