SFGate

radhannoo Not sure what your budget or your style is, personally i would paint the wooden panels and the brick around the fireplace a light colour and install a dark wooden floor or paint the walls a darker colour and match the carpet on the stairs...I would also get rid od the 4 twisted bars and just leave it open...I'm not sure about what you would do for window treatment....

libradesigneye Immediately for cosmetics- paint is your best bang for buck. A palette taken from the brick - buff, ecru/ ivory, drabware - three shades for three different elements. You have some neat elements and some period detail that needs help.

Paint out all the paneling, add more mdf paint grade paneling over all the existing wallpaper jumble and paint all walls out in a buff tone to match the middle toned brick (eggshell). Go down the color card two levels for a taupe to paint out the cabinets below the firebox (satin). Paint out "mantle" over firebox, all the doors and baseboards and shelving and trim line at ceiling and support post a creamy ecru white (high gloss). Paint ceiling pale greige (eggshell). Tear out file floor / carpet / stair carpet / put in cognac toned vinyl plank wood look flooring all the way up the stair. Look at your wood tones against your paint colors and your brick when you pick. Rework shelves under stair next to firebox so you can place television and components here if you have a flatscreen.

Take down the blinds and old fans - putty fill holes in trim / replace one fan with a chandelier / pendant where you plan a table underneath, and replace the other fan with a low height larger span wood finish fan. Trim the top and bottom of the single support post out in box/mitered corner tall base/crown before you paint it all out trim color. Change all the heads on the track lighting over the fireplace to period oil rubbed bronze heads. On windows, add rods and multiple panels in a pretty fabric print that ties in the neutral walls and your furniture colors - you'll need warmth and softness in such a big room.

On wall where cabinets with glass doors have counter top / can't see all the detail - paint the upper cabinetss out the creamy ivory color and the white top will make more sense. Paint lowers in the deeper taupe of cabinets across the way. This two tone approach will make it more modern. Use the paneling buff color for the inside / back of cabinets / sideboard to be uniform to the eye.

Once you paint out what you have, change out fixtures and pull out bad window treatments,you can live in it awhile and decide whether you want to live with some of the more interesting aspects or do major surgery.

Designate zones - put a large sideboard with one end against the post to define a nearby area. A large round pedestal table for the forward bay area next to the sideboard. Bar at built in sideboard.

Julie Dvorak Great details libradesigneye! Please check out my other design dilemmas for this home if you have time. They are all labeled something with "help needed" in the title: sunroom, living room, landscaping, 2nd floor, kitchen, etc.

violinist3713 I would paint the paneiling white or even a light blue and install some hardwood floors. Also paint cabinets white or get new doors for them

Julie Dvorak thanks