Heather Fallot What about painting in the color of the table in the middle of the room?

librarymemaw The table & two wicker chairs are a set. I'd have to paint them all...?

HERE Design and Architecture Sweet room - great fireplace. I don't know that I would paint the cabinet. The issue that I see is that the tv is big, black, slick, and heavy-looking, unlike everything else in the room. You might try recovering the chairs and sofa in something that wasn't so light in color, and getting some artwork up on the wall behind the tv - or put it in some shelving with books, vases, artwork, etc., to balance things out. BTW - I would personally lower the painting over the mantel - it feels too high to me.

librarymemaw Hmm. Thanks for pointing that out...you are definitely right about the painting. I never noticed!
I also like the idea of recovering the chairs & sofa...but don't want to make the room feel darker as the wood is already dark. Color or patter ideas? Yes, the tv is a black whole! Hmm. I don't know if my hubby would like me to replace the tv cabinet at this time, not that it would be expensive, but we just bought it when we redid floors, ceilings, roof & windows & furnished...'early attic!' We are now starting insulation, siding, & sketching plans for b&b renovations. Mostly looking for input on LR: arrangement, color, if more is needed or not. Thank you...I appreciate your ideas!

Manon Floreat I think if this room is to serve as a space to de-stress, the contrast should be relatively low. I find that high contrast environments tend to read as dynamic because of the tension they create, while the tension in low contrast rooms is more passive creating a more soothing feeling. The finish on your TV cabinet blends into the wall, making for a low contrast impact.

Are you happy with your current furniture arrangement?

movethisnotthat is your de-stressing place near the water,woods ?? What is the color of the wicker in the room?
What colors are in the granite boulder fireplace? Can the coach be moved closer to the TV to the edge of the fireplace with the front legs on the rug? What is directly opposite the fireplace?
Red would be a fun color to add to your room, painting both the mantle and table for the TV would be unexpected and fun. Are you trying for a "cottage" feel ? cabin feel? winter retreat feel? farmhouse feel? Once that is decided the rest will fall into place better for you.

HERE Design and Architecture I don't know that you need to replace the cabinet - just put more things around it. (Our tv is the same as yours. It sits at eye level at the focal end of the room but there is so much else going on that people have asked on a couple of occasions where the tv was.) You could try bookshelves on either side. With regard to upholstery, I think the warm color scheme (red, light wood) is good. You might look for something that included some green, yellow, blue, cream along with the red to brighten it up a bit and keep it feeling kind of natural and relaxed. You could also incorporate some smaller decorative items with black in them - embroidered throw pillows, blackened tin candle sticks, etc.

librarymemaw Love the comments. I will have to see if we can relocate the couch. However, the granite stone (grays) fireplace, is certainly a focal point in cooler weather. The house is near an ocean inlet but with the natural wood I feel a beachy cabin, if that makes sense. The wall opposite the fireplace are doors to two small bedrooms. To the right of the TV is the door to a small enclosed porch (& main entrance). Next to the couch is an open doorway to the kitchen. We've talked of opening the wall behind the couch 1/2 way to the kitchen, however, I really need storage in the kitchen & solid wall space in the LR. I think? I like the idea of bookshelves & of red & light wood/cream color in the upholstery.
I feel myself begin to de-stress just unlocking my front door-just the 'smell' from the wood!? (It was my family retreat years ago, and has recently come to us.)

Susan Mills Design Hi there, this reminds me of one of the homes I have worked on on our of our coastal islands here in BC. We slipcovered the sofa with a denim, hardwearing and easily washed, in your case it could be a light khaki colour more beige than green. We added in a painted tv cabinet, yours could be chalk painted in a light sage or a darker blue green. I cannot see the art clearly but it looks as though there is a blue green in it? Do lower the painting as suggested and add some art on each side of the tv. Perhaps you have some old magazines dating way back that have something interesting you can frame ( my clients cottage was over a hundred years old and had family pictures, magazines, etc dating almost all the way back) find things that speak of your family or the cottages history, this will make it feel even more welcoming.

I would love to see the sofa faxing the fireplace but then you cannot see the tv, so bring it in a bit closer to the room.

It looks as though you need double fullness in your window treatments, can you either add another panel or find another drape you like?

Once you lower the art over the fireplace, move your little ship to the right side of the painting, just in front of it. A mantle looks so much better when things looked part of a group or vignette. A couple of shells on the other side will balance it nicely. Keep it uncluttered. Have a group of your candles on the table.

How lovely to have a family cottage, hope you enjoy for many years to come!

Barbara Griffith Designs How lucky you are to have such a wonderful place. I would spray paint the chairs & table to a cream color. I would also paint the TV cabinet either black like the TV so it looks like one big piece and not a black hole in the wall..OR paint it say a light green with glazing..just not the same wood tone as the wall. Agree, lower the picture on the fireplace. Add larger accessories. Maybe even a large artificial green plant next to TV. Updated fabrics all around.

handymam I think your room is lovely! The wood is beautiful. I like the tv stand as is, it doesn't say "look at me." I think if you lightened the color of the wicker set by using a color from your rug it would bring them to life a bit more. They kind of fade into the woodwork. (No pun intended, lol.) Is that a gold or a taupe and a green in there? And maybe a new cover for the couch in the same color as whatever you use on the wicker would tie it all together.

I see that you use you fireplace alot. It is a beautiful fieldstone, and the focal point of your room. Consider scrubbing it down and it will shine even more!

I would LOVE to sit in that room!

Jodi Walker I have timber walls too & I find using white or grey tones them down....also I would use a high gloss paint on it (I immediately thought grey)

Jodi Walker Paint shelf above fireplace white? Love cane chairs but can you recover!!

Jodi Walker I've just moved these shelves yesterday so everything is a bit higgledy piggely but just an example to give you some food for thought. Can you attach tv to wall & free up some space on top of unit. I feel your artwork above the fireplace is too small...can you off centre & add something else?? Is replacing the rug an option?? :) I can see a beautiful cowhide on the floor in this space...I'm currently on the lookout for a unit under the tv & thinking of something in high gloss grey or white as these colours seem to lighten up the space. Drums will go somewhere else but need them there ATM to stop little ones from getting to cables. Unfortunately had to compromise on tv position but just sending this pic so you can get an idea of colour combos...

librarymemaw Thank you all for your comments. I really love this web site & the positive responses. The interior is all natural wood and we do enjoy it. I will look for some denim or other duck cotton for the chairs. I'd love to paint them as well. (The couch is fairly new, but my husband still wants the 'cover!' Ouch!) But, I also like the idea of the glazing on the tv cabinet. I guess I'll start by looking for material...then try to find a color for either the wicker or TV cabinet, from that!

Gail Barley Interiors, LLC One more little thing, it looks as though you have the TV cabinet centered on the wall. Could you center it more in the room? In other words, move it to the right a little? Feels a little crowded in that corner. I also agree with pulling the couch off the wall, more into the center of the room and the 2 wicker chairs in a little more toward the couch.

librarymemaw And yes, I have some big shells as well as several old photos w/ family, when the house was being built.

librarymemaw Oh, sorry Jodi, I thought you meant put the grey on the walls. I can see what you mean about the cow hide, however, this is within view of the ocean. I thought the rug added much needed color.

librarymemaw Gail, unfortunately, if I moved the TV, I would have to move the chair to the right as well. The chair sits just out of the way of the porch door. I could try to bring the couch in closer...but think it would make the room unbalanced. I will have to try it. Here is a photo of the porch which is our main entrance way, and the door to the LR.

Jodi Walker Our house is by the beach too so my dilemma is always modern mid century versus the usual "beachy" look......trying to come to a compromise between the 2 if that's even possible!!

Jodi Walker Love that couch in second picture I have similar on our deck covered in Amy butler turquoise fabric. I've also gone with a darker stain..would love to have in the lounge if I had room!!

Susan Mills Design Consider if you spray paint the wicker, how it may age. Badly painted, peeling or nicked wicker does not look very good. Love the original as it is. Right now there is not enough visual interest, the sofa cover is very similar to the wicker. You need some contrast!

Chalk painting can do wonderful things for a wood piece. Here is a link for you to see lots of images of painted furniture. I think if this piece was painted it would make that side of the room much more interesting.

http://pinterest.com/papadmamajo/furniture-painted-with-chalk-paint/

That's wonderful you have those items to dd to your room.

Amy Stanley I would paint the tv stand- at the moment it is blending into your wall and I really think this is why your television is jumping out at you. What color is the base of that table? It looks like an off white- if this is the case I would use this as a color to put onto the tv stand it looks like you have this color on the flowers in your rug too..

I agree that your painting above the fireplace needs to come down I noticed it too..

Valvorie Dunn Librarymemaw, I'm a retired B&B owner. Are you already in business or just preparing to open? Are you in a destination area?

lastplace Have you ever tried putting the couch on the wall so it faces the fireplace and put two end tables with lamps? I know that it would be in the hall way leading towards the kitchen and its not something that you would normally do, but in this case it would widen your room, allow the fireplace to be the main focal point and take away the awkward long and narrow look.Your poor couch is squished up on a wall that is so small that you don't even have room for a table to put your drink or book on. I would then take your two wicker chairs with the matching table and put them to the left of the fireplace facing the center of the room straight on or a little angle as they are now. Don't push them right up against the wall. Add a nice lamp to the table. You now have a nice conversation area. I would then push the tv unit closer to the window and on an angle so it can be viewed from the couch and both chairs. You now have an open space beside the tv for a large plant or whatever you like. You will still be able to walk through to the kitchen without any trouble, and you have gained usable square footage in your living room. All this costs zero dollars. Love all the comments above about colours etc

librarymemaw Susan, I have always loved chalk paint although never used it. We do have a mid-late (?)1800's home, so it would look wonderful on some pieces there. The wicker is actually indoor-out, so perhaps spraying it would fair better then true wicker. But that is a good suggestion for the cabinet. And, yes, the window treatment should be fuller. I still have the original wood cornices for the windows. My husband didn't care for them, but I'm thinking they'd look great painted a red to match the carpet. Of course, if I paint & don't like them, it's no loss! I don't believe they would block out much light. What do you think?

Valvorie, no this is just our cottage retreat; Totally my mistake and maybe subconsciously, wishful thinking! I meant to say we are trying to come up with renovation plans for the kitchen & bath. Sorry!

Handyman, thank you! The wicker set (2 chairs/table) is a light brown? Could use a change as well as the couch cover (that I'd love to remove!). Yes, there is a light green in the carpet. Green window cornices...or none?

We've never thought to put the couch facing the fireplace, but we will definitely try it. (were going to take a ride there today, but have conflicts.) The back of the couch would then face the two bedroom doors, but, perhaps there is enough space to walk through. I don't really want to loose the table, maybe change the fireplace screen to a flat one. The table serves as our family puzzle area, dinner table during ball games, great for snacks & drinks, etc. Maybe I can reposition it near the chairs? Don't want it to become too cramped. But correct, that is a problem when sitting at couch as is now, there is no place to put a mug, glass, etc. I remember years back, there were small tables under the windows. But, I don't think that works, too much in a pretty small room.

Ugh. So now I'm going to have to wait a week to try the arrangement. Sorry guys! I appreciate all your suggestions. They are workable and in keeping with what I'm trying to achieve without spending much $.

Valvorie Dunn I thought I posted but not seeing it. Just in case I'll repeat. Sorry if it's a duplicate. I would try the green cornices. I like original details in old houses. Your home seems to have been in your family for a long time & I think you would enjoy them since you remember them being hung. Do you sew? After you get them up if you need to tweak your balance of red & green you can do that by covering cushions & pillows, accessories, etc. I love this project because it is your warm fuzzy place where you probably have such wonderful memories.

GARY FINLEY, ASID got here late ......I'd say no to the POP of color, as the TV is there and I would not want to draw attention to anything except the screen while viewing...

Michael and Heather Allen I am thinking darker blue or green painted in a dry brush style. Basically, you use as little paint as possible, it ends up like this. Gives a worn cottagey look. This was just regular latex paint.

prt13 Personally I wouldn't paint the TV support that being said if I did I would use a milk paint which could be shaded to match the lovely rug. If it is the TV which bothers you- have you the skills to make a covering hutch to hide it? Can you match the greenish shade (or cream) in the carpet to fabric and replace the plaid throw? The poufs should be easy to recover - there is a wonderful bright blue in your painting that could also be used as an accent color. As the table has a glass top you have endless color choices for painting or papering it. A shorter floor lamp in a bronze would work better http://www.homesteadhouse.ca/products/milkpaint/milk-paint-for-furniture.html

librarymemaw I will definitely look for green material! Michael & Heather, I would love to try the dry brush with the milk paint on the cornices. Since they are old, let them look old! Nice. So, if I put green on the couch &/or cushions, what color cornices...will more green be too much? Would red make the room too busy? I just saw the exact set of wicker in cocoa. Would that work w/ the knots in the wood since I'll be changing the cushions?

I need to decide where to put the color, as following all these great ideas seems it would end up color over kill! (prt13, are the poufs my pillows or the little hassocks next to the table? Yes, I do basic sewing.)

Handyman, if you see this...I also meant to thank you for reminding us to scrub the fireplace stone. We did the floor stones, but not the others.

librarymemaw Gary, good point!

prt13 sorry used the English spelling of the French term ~ hassocks - you could do them in one color and then use a braid in the green/cream/fill-in-the-blank/something wild - when changing colors I paint 1ft squares on cardboard and pin/tape it around the room - easy to tell if a color is vile or happy making - Would the windows actually have had curtains or would they have had shutters? With your window treatment run another bar and colored fabric panels to either side of the glass - the sheers look really white - depending on the fabric for the curtains ecru might be better choice (dye the white ones in a HUGE pot aka corn or canning with tons of cheap tea bags)

prt13 you may like this red http://missmustardseed.com/2012/05/say-hello-to-tricycle/

librarymemaw Yes, I love the tricycle red and the great website it's on. Very informative! I will go back there for sure!
I will look for curtains, but often find I don't find/like store bought, so I can sew some colored panels. The sheers were a tad off white, but the sun did a job on them in the year I've had them. Perhaps I can still try the tea bags. Thank you for your ideas!

prt13 If the sheers are sun bleached and you put them in a hot water bath you're likely to end up with shreds - voice of experience

prt13 As the painter & installer thump around I'm focused on NOT focusing on my environment. I thought I would try one of the free programs which allow you to upload a photo and paint. I went to the Benjamin Moore site, downloaded and ended up with something I could have done in an nth the time in CorelDraw and had better results- vile software - I used your room - I dabbed colour beside the carpet and the pillow - I couldn't get it to take a fake valence :-( Ta dah! one very shoddy, but not wholly useless result. The red blobs are supposed to be curtains

It's a Beautiful World! If you decide not to paint the TV wall, artwork in blue would look really great against the wood of the wall, as others suggested. Best of luck!... Raisa

librarymemaw prt13, Thank you for the visual! I really like how the side panels add color. I think I will see if I can make the curtain rods longer & put them on the ends, hopefully giving the illusion of bigger windows.
The curtains, aren't too delicate, but you are right, washing them has to be on a gentle cycle if I keep them.
It's a beautiful world, you are correct that blue would look nice, I just don't think I want to introduce more of a 3rd color. Don't you think it might be too much? I need a relaxing de-stressing get-away.

prt13 I'm not sure if I would - start with throw & curtains/valence & see how it feels Hassocks could still be recovered later - in a subtle blend-in colour with or without bright (blue or red) piping OR in a bright colour - leave the swatches in the room

prt13 http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hUw_VQ5l9r0/S0xZ6Lm8i_I/AAAAAAAAGKg/acGdmMTFEvs/s1600-h/brooklyn_limestone3.png Move the TV and frame it in wood?

jwright5522 Leave the cabinet, but paint the paneled walls a creamy or antique white!! That would make all the other colors and wood pieces in the room really pop and really update the look of the room.

RHS - Services Hello, agree with the comment above, your TV stand/cabinet is fine but the wall is where things get too busy and dated. Some people don't like painting wood wall panels. In your case I would consider this option as it would change your room tremendously it will seem bigger and more airy. You can go with a neutral on the walls then consider hanging the TV off the cabinet a bit. Good luck!