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olldbobbi You're right, a warmer color on the walls will help, and also make your white moldings pop. I wouldn't go any where near as dark as the fireplace, tho, too dark. You carpet looks fine!

Stanton Designs-online design services Great to have a fresh new blank space to create a great space. Besides the carpet color, what other colors would you like to see in this space? and what is the main function you want?

coffeefiend I've also posted another "Design Dilemma" about our Kitchen. This house is very "open concept" so if you have any ideas about how to make both of these spaces really beautiful together (including different paint colors, I love color!), I will be your everloving slave!
http://www.houzz.com/discussions/360328/No-idea-what-color-would-go-with-this-scheme

coffeefiend This space will be our main family room area. We are not a formal family and don't have any children (yet, haha), so when we do buy furniture, it won't be any leather or anything with glass. I guess I want a very homey, comfortable, warm, lived in look. I love antiques and an eclectic look vs minimal or modern. I'm also a big reader (the hubby is a sports journalist, so all he needs is a comfy couch and a coffee table/ottoman to put his feet up) so I sit in this chair by our fireplace while he watches his games. See why I'm so paralyzed with fear to jump into this!

bwashington This is for pictue 2. First, the railings if you like them I would paint them. The wood look is to hard and make rooms look dull and old fashion to me. I would change the walls to a different color (what's your favorite color)? If you have an ideal but you are not sure get paint samples and paint large squares look at how the color change at night as well.

Picture 1 your fireplace is nice although once again I would paint that wood.and I would bring the tile to the floor going out about two ft. I would put low book cases or setting under the window be careful it look like you have an air duct on the floor allow a way for this air to pass under the box. If you use this for a bookcase, include pretty baskets to hold things. I would include a cushion on top this is a good area for a seat. I would put one panel on each window pulling the left one left and the right panel right. Please use decorative curtian holders with tiebacks for the panels.

Over your mantel I would put a picture, clock or mirror. On the ends of your mantle I would put tall candle holders, or something with height and in the center (something you like) but low. May I suggest looking at houzz for ideals. I would put long flowing curtians (lined) with colors to match your wall color. The carpet would go. If you like hardwood, select a color you like or whatever flooring you like. If you want carpet again, nothing wrong with that put carpet.

Picture 3. I am like the opening because this will allow for a counter to be put there. If you do this select some beautiful high stoos with backs and include a feet rest at the bottom. What you put on the counter is up to you, I would suggest it be beautiful and again look at houzz for suggestions. You might want to put something as simple as a place setting with pretty dishes and a vase of flowers.

Picture 2. I don't know if this is the entrance into your front room but here is a spot to use a second color in that samll hallway. You can also put a coat hanger on that small wall with prehaps an umbrella holder.Because those walls in that small hallway are so tight together I would put mirrors on both sides of the walls or large pictures on each wall. I would probably remove that light in that hallway and prehapes put those lights in the ceiling I would put one in the center. Frankly it would also be good to put two over your fireplace to hit whatever you put on the wall.

I hope this help some. I will not suggest furniture placement because I move my furniture it seems every month. I know your fireplace should be your focal point in that room.

Good Luck and Happy Decorating!

slsf61 How about window seats on either side of the fireplace with a comfy cushion and some cool pillows?

judyg The stone you used for your surround is a beautiful. Hard to judge the color, but why not find a like shade and paint both rooms the same? Then you can add colors in the living room.

Look at BM Affinity Fossil.