apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I would definitely paint the moldings, shelves, and bench. (And the mantle and the coffee table, too, until you find one you like.) Perhaps some warm, rosy tones?

paint! paint! paint! the mouldings and builts-in and bench...white!

I would paint the backs of the bookshelves first - probably the wall color (or maybe some bright wallpaper if you like).

Next is textiles - the window seat cushion could be a pale fabric; the greenish chair doesn't go well with the wood tones and so should have a pale slipcover; maybe slipcover the couch depending on how everything is looking. If you can stand it from a lifestyle / maintenance point of view, a big cream-colored rug might work well.

I would replace the purple totes on the shelf with something pales, and maybe add bright labels to the black albums (photos? CDs?)

Also, more lamps!

paint everything except for your fireplace mantle white and then pick some lovely light color for your walls. I just had a whole wall of wood paneling removed and the place looks 100 times brighter.
If you can, have it professionally done and I would suggest not to go shinier than semi gloss.
A new coffee table would be nice too. Perhaps with a glass top.

I agree that you should paint all the built ins and molding to something light.

Also I think the red accents in the rug and couch makes the room darker- it plays up the browns in the wood. I'd try switching to red free colors like pale yellow, light blues, nuetral beiges, etc. A canvas slipcover on the couch, cream pillows on the chairs, cream and yellow/tan and green floor rugs, all those things I think would soften the browns. Although you like them, I suspect that there aren't many warm tones which will lighten up the room. At some point you might just need to embrace the idea of going more cave and den-ish if you really want to keep the reds.

I think the room would look pretty classy in a light grey/bluish color with cream moldings and bookcases.

REPLACE THE RUG WITH AN INDORR OUT DOOR RUG IN YELLOW AND GREEN TONES. TWO SMALL GLASS TABLES TO REPLACE THE COFFEE TABLE. REPLACE ROCKING CHAIR PAD WITH A STRIP (YELLOW, BLUE WHITE) SAME FABRIC FOR WINDOW COVERING. PAINT WALL AROUND THE FIREPLACE YELLOW. BLUE AND WHITE POTTERY ON FIREPLACE AND IN BOOK CASE.

SHOULD LOOK GREAT. YOU CAN DO THIS FOR $500.00

I love the wood and if it was me I would go darker and cozier as opposed to bright ....but having said that obviously brighter fabrics would help- If these are all staying at least paint out the brick surrounding the fireplace ( maybe a shade or two darker then the wall but still brighter then the brick is now!!))
and the backs of the bookcases...ideally don't paint the wood but cut pieces of mdf to fit exactly each opening and paint same as wall color.
Hang a nice large mirror over the fireplace ( pref a light or reflective frame) and add some white/cream tosh cushions onto the sofa/chair( try picking up the beige color in the rug)

I would paint everything except for the mantle/fireplace white. Love the idea for a larger coffee table and I would look for a bigger rug, something simple and a couple of over-sized floor pillows. Putting a large mirror above the fireplace would also help to bring in more light--try looking at Home Depot or Bed Bath and Beyond for a larger mirror (most of them are under $200 and really look great).

Best of luck!

Well, you could paint all the wood, but I think there are ways to showcase it better instead of making it disappear. I live in a rented apartment where all the moldings and doors are that shade of wood (granted, we don't have as much of it as you do in this one room) and we were forbidden to paint it. I was bummed out at first but it forced us to work around it. By changing the tone of the walls (from dingy beige to cool pale grey) it made all the difference and most people compliment us on the wood.

Anyways, in your case, I would paint the walls in one of the colors on your rug, maybe that pale green? Whichever color you like. I would reupholster the window seat cushion to a lighter brighter color, and, as lemonade fish suggested, I would paint the back of the bookshelves. Or maybe put some interesting wallpaper at the back of the bookshelves, for an effect similar to the cabinets in the kitchen of the "international winner" of the color contest on AT.

I agree with painting, but please don;t paint the fireplace mantle. Maybe you could get away with just the built-ins. If you are dead-set against painting wood, you should:

- Replace couch cushions with lighter tones
- Hang white raw silk drapes (Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel and others sell them).
- Replace carpet with light green (solid) or cream tones, as recommended earlier
- Recover seat cushion on built-in with with lighter tones
- Get a lighter colored throw for couch
- Replace light fixtures on walls. The current ones are a little gothic looking, which, though not dark, kind of emit a dark feeling about them. Maybe you could replce with some halogen lights, which cast a nicer light
- The glass coffee table is also a good idea
- Covering the black photo albums with lebls is a great idea

This looks like a nice craftsman style home. I tend to be a traditionalist when it comes to houses with a history. I would check out the style(s) that were popular at the time and pick one to follow. A good magazine is "Cottages and Bungalows". They have beautiful photos and lots of how-to advice.

I think the wood is lovely and all the red and the colors of the furniture/pillows/rugs is the problem and that a cooler color scheme there is the better option.

I like the off-white color you have now on the mantel wall and above the window. Can you paint the inside of the bookshelves to extend that beautiful contrast? I think a beautiful rug would change the look of that room entirely -can you splurge on that?

I wouldn't paint the paneling and mouldings....

...but I'd paint the walls themselves a warm color, add some roman shades to the windows, recover the window seat in the same fabric as the roman shades and repeat that same fabric in throw pillows on the sofa & chairs, replace the dark and dingy rug w/ something that's larger, brighter and more colorful, add a large mirror in a metallic frame above the mantel, replace the coffee table w/ something lighter and brighter - metal and glass? - and add lighting to the room: table lamps, floor lamps, etc.

With kerosene!

I kid, I kid.

Get slipcovers or reupholster a few of the easier pieces (rocking chair cushion, window seat pad). I'd eliminate that dark red prior to painting any of the woodwork.

Try pulling one of the lighter colors from your rug and paint the moldings, shelves, and bench that color. You could also paint the room a shade from your rug, and paint the moldings, shelves, and bench a nice, crisp white.

For an insta upgrade, replace all those red throw pillows with something in a brighter, perhaps unexpected color. And reupholster the bench, or replace the seating pad with floor pillows.

I like the shape of the coffee table, but maybe it would be happier painted shiny white? Good luck!

definitely agree with others, paint all the moldings, built-ins, and all that dark wood to something brighter..

maybe once that is painted you'll have a better idea of where to go with the room.

and maybe some cheerier light fixtures as well :)

there is so much potential here!

I feel like painting all that wood would be a wrong turn here, even if you're just painting the trim and bookcase backs. If the built ins are original to the house, PLEASE do not paint anything on them.

I feel like what makes the room look dark is the furnishings. Also, all the fabrics in your room are the same type of texture which currently is making everything just look dull. Dull, dull, dull.

I think it's better to try and let the wood be the singular warming element. Instead update all your furniture to have brighter (maybe even cool toned) fabrics that coordinate with the natural tones of the wood. Also make sure whatever new furniture/textiles you pick, that they show dimension and depth by choosing different types of fabric. Picking fabric textures that help to reflect the light will also help.

Definitely get a new, brighter rug. Make a new cushion for that window seat. I'd also get some sconces that gave off a different type and a lot more light than those bare bulb colonial ones currently in place. A mirror over the fireplace could definitely help. I'd aslo get a silver or brass fireplace screen.

Also, painting the walls a different, cooler, brighter color could help to bounce light around the room. A cool green or gray might work. I definitely like the suggest of checking out historically accurate colors.

I wouldn't paint the moldings and paneling, though painting the brick might bring a little light. I agree with Sousani-You can bring light in by getting a lighter colored bigger rug, it would bounce light up in to the room and would provide an interesting contrast between the darks of the floor and furniture. That combined with some light pillows and a throw would bring light through the room.

I feel really bad about painting beautiful natural wood so it's not a problem I envy. I have to say, however, that I could never live happily with dark wood. Moldings and built-ins painted white make a place feel brighter, cozier and more suited to real life. So go ahead and paint. I would leave the mantle and see how it looks with the rest painted white, and if it seems out of place, go ahead and paint that too.

I don't mind the wood as is. What about adding patterned accent pillows or throw blankets to the chair and sofa and replacing the patterned rug with a solid rich earth tone.

The problem is not that this room is dark... the problem is that this room is has a major case of DRAB. You could paint everything white, and this room would still look drab.

Nor is the wood the problem. The wood is beautiful, warm and cozy. The problem is the colors in your furniture and rug -- all very muddy and dull.

You say you like warm. Paint your walls a lovely warm color. Then recover or replace your furniture with brighter colors. Note that just because you favor warm colors does not mean you can't also use some cool. Think of how gorgeous yellow and blue look together, for example.

Maybe you can pick up on the colors in the lovely painting over the fireplace?

As others have noted, the scale of the coffee table is off, which makes it look spindley and unsubstantial. You need something larger for the space. This could be a fun place to insert something with a bit of a modern edge, if you are so inclined.

Also, insert some non-wood furnishings and/or accessories. Glass, lacquer, pottery, metal... or even a painted wood piece. The iron fireplace screen is a good start. (Don't replace it with a shiny brass version!)

A lovely Roman shade on the window (hung at ceiling height) and new upholstery on the window seat will do wonders.

Re-organize your bookshelves, too. Right now, they house lots of small items which read as clutter -- even though it is not cluttered. Find another way to display all the photos -- they're getting lost here. Think about the scale of the items; you want some large and some small. I like to mass books together on the lower shelves (visual weight) and mix in smaller stacks of books on upper shelves with other objects. You can even put artwork or baskets on your shelves (no matching shelf baskets, though -- too uniform).

Your room has GREAT bones, and you can easily update, brighten and lighten the look without painting the woodwork. Good luck!

Leave the mantel wood, paint the rest.
It will make a huge difference. I like the idea of the built in shelves and window seat white...but a soft white.
I would paint the back walls of the shelves in a color.

To play down the traditional...change the sconces over the fireplace to something more modern. Definitely change the rug to something a bit larger, but less busy. I like the idea of a geometric pattern, or even a modern botanical, but a larger pattern than what you have.
You can pull a color from the rug for a soft warm color for the walls. If you can change the coffee table to something larger, that would be good. The current one looks a little dwarfed in the photo. You can easily work with the sofa and chair, with a new carpet and paint.
I like bepsf's advice for a glass table, and a large mirror over the fireplace. The roman shade on the window is a good idea as well.

If you are on a budget, you can get great geometric/modern print rugs at HomeDepot, Lowe's, Target.....otherwise check out
http://www.allmodern.com/Foreign-Accents-BAX-5607-NT1520.html
http://www.allmodern.com/Delos-Rugs-31315-DLS1249.html
http://www.domesticmodern.com/modern-rugs.aspx
http://www.allmodern.com/Rectangular-Rugs-C33250.html#15
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00025958

The shelving and moldings look cheap next to the great fireplace mantle and hardwood floors. (In a room without beautiful original features, they'd be perfectly fine, but not here.) I'd paint them even if you weren't trying to brighten the room.

But you really need to think out your color scheme. Earth tones, in a room without natural light, will never feel very bright. I know white slipcovers seem very 90s, but barring reupholstery, they might be the way to go.

Paint the cabinetry and moulding, replace the dreary sconces, paint the brick on the fireplace. Paint the walls. New rug. Add some brighter accent pillows, preferably with some embroidery. New cushion on that built-in bench.

with fire!!

Funny - the one piece of your furniture I like is the coffee table. So, I'm quite certain my opinion will be of no help in this situation...!

It's not just all the wood that's dragging this room down (though it doesn't help). It feels drab because of the earthy color palate, dark artwork and lack of shiny or reflective things. The chair, sofa and pillows are also all covered in velvety material that just suck up the light.

So, paint the shelves and window seat to match the wall color (maybe in an eggshell finish). Replace the current rug with a larger rug in white or cream. Slipcover the olive green chair in white (nothing velvety please). Replace the art that's hanging above the couch with a large mirror. Replace the dated brass sconces with simpler, modern ones (perhaps in plain or frosted glass) and the black fireplace screen with a simple glass one (like this).

I know you guys like warm colors, but I honestly think the red couch and pillows really drag down the room and make it seem darker. I'd slipcover or recover the couch, window seat cushion, and pillows in cream, pale blue or gray. At the very least, find covers for the pillows that aren't the same velvety material as the couch and chair. Something silky and slippery (perhaps in a third color like marigold or a print) would help add texture and bounce a little light around.

Darn. Palette.

"Brighten it up" and "make it less traditional" are two different things.

"Less traditional" is really a furniture/color/accessory assignment.

"Brighten" is a paint/lighting challenge (with a little bit of furnishing solutions thrown in).

Personally, as the days grow shorter and the temperature drops, I'd revel in the warmth (and darker, autumnal palette) of the room.

You also need some sparkle in this room... some metal, some glass, but not in a crazy modern way.

To freshen it all up, look at larger shapes, cleaner lines for the furnishings, and a more monochromatic palette.

DKOSS--

WHY ARE YOU YELLING AT US??

I would look at any accent piece or textile that has red in it and replace it with a lighter, brighter tone. I would also change the sconces and the picture over the fireplace with something more modern and fresh. All of the artwork is very dark.

I wouldn't paint the built-ins but rather change the accents to lighter colors, change the cushion on the bench, and perhaps add a shade or curtains in a light tone to add some color to the wall via the window. If you feel like you must do something to the built-ins, perhaps wallpapering the back of the shelves could break up the monotony. Definite slip cover for the couch.

If you like the rug or it's not in your budget to change it, play up the lighter colors like the green and yellow. You could even use that pink, though I don't particularly care for it.

And back to the room... seriously, you need lamps. Brass but modern in silhouette. Look at some of the brass lamps Darryl Carter does.

Get shades on those sconce bulbs.

I'd also rework the seating plan a bit, and use a small scale brass and glass table at the window seat.

Wish I lived in Arlington., I'd sooo love to redo this room for the criteria you describe.

I think that if you changed the rug and put down a Persian rug that had a lot of white (or off white/cream/light yellow) in it, that it would totally change the "brightness" of the room. I, too, like the room as is.

The thought of painting all that beautiful craftsman looking wood makes me feel a bit woozy. That said, I would trade in the rug for something larger and warmer, not so bright. The brightness of the rug makes everything else look darker. I agree that a rich but light colored cushion on the window seat is a great idea. Get a glass top coffee table to keep the room open. Paint the walls in a color to match a new rug. Something warm and light, perhaps a soft yellow gold. Paint the brick around the fireplace. And there is something about the chair cover that seems very off. Perhaps a different rug would change that. I normally love that color, but it seems to stand out and not in a good way. But I would start with a new rug. Seriously, that rug does not fit the room, or even the furniture. Just looks small and loud. Sorry, that's really rude. I didn't mean to be. It just doesn't belong to that room or even the furniture. It looks more like something for a rec room.

Oh, just read bepsf's post. I agree, clearly. And yes to more lighting. That small white lamp in the corner looks dwarfed and lonely. I don't love the mantel lights either, but that's more about taste than anything else.

I think the wood is beautiful and so is the red color. The idea of painting it makes me sad. You have really beautiful doors and windows! And the fireplace, wonderful!

I would upgrade the size of the rug so that all the furniture fits on it. Perhaps with the right rug (maybe red and tan and cream? http://www.potterybarn.com/products/collete-rug/?pkey=cpersian-style-rug-shop) the colors could be made to harmonize.

To have more light I think you should add some floor lamps as reading lamps next to the chairs. I agree about the desirability of a large mirror, maybe above the couch. The coffee table could also be upgraded.

Overall, I think the room needs more contrast to play up the light aspects of it... make parts of it darker!

It would be tragic to paint over that beautiful wood... start thinking of it as a colour in itself and work from there – brighter and whiter for the walls (and the roof moldings and ceiling as well, the line is distracting) and go black for the floor rug and other accessories, to match the fire grill.

Would you consider reupholstering the furniture to a white/cream colour, with smaller hits of a brighter colour to catch the eye? Overall, I think the colours of the couches and cushions are all too dull when placed in a wood panelled room... they all blend together into mushy tones.

For the shelves, fit thin panels of white painted wood to the back wall of the shelves so they can be removed later and not damage the wood. Or paint the panels black to make them recede and use white/bright accessories to decorate.

Folks, the bookshelves aren't original -- they're an 80s addition. And the moldings look like off-the-rack Home Depot. The fireplace and floors are the only original wood.

I am against painting the bookshelves and the moldings, or anything else for that matter.

These folks need some more books. The shelves look barren. A collection of something bright would add some interest once you filled the shelves up with some more books. Take down the family pictures or group them together in silver frames. Nothing is more boring than sparsely scattered mundane family pictures in mismatched frames.

Check out Finnstyle.com and reupholster the furniture with something from Marimekko. It doesn't have to be oversized flowers -- Marimekko's got some interesting upholstery fabric that could brighten things up without punching you in the eye. Then, whatever upholstery you decide on, get a more interesting rug to match. Buy a vintage bar cart and stock it.

Are you sure you want to brighten it? I dont see how a brightened room would go with your love for warm colors.

Personally, I would paint everything white and add as much white furniture as possible, but that isnt at all what you want.

I think you should forget the "brightening" idea and go with what you have. Paint the walls (that are now white) in some warm red, green or similiar color and aim for a real cosy room. For inspiration I would acctually look at some scottish castles, and maybe add som patterned plaid.

Whatever you chose to do, I would do it in a lot of stages and save painting wood work for absolute last. I agree with others that the wood work is not the problem. (I see tons of cool bright "farm chic" photos on this site with lots of dark woodwork but the room still seems very bright.) It you first get a more neutral, larger rug, larger glass coffee table, roman shade, new pillows, and recover the window seat, you might decide it is bright enough without having to paint the woodwork.

I also agree with ditching or swapping out the sconces and wonder if a different fireplace screen would be helpful.

It's a great room.

The trim and built-ins are beautiful and it's crazy to paint them in any sane world. I'd keep the walls a simple cream color and maybe even stain the wood darker. A large cream or off-white rug and maybe even some white sheers should finish it.

If you must paint wood, paint a piece or two of the wooden furniture you have going on in the room. I believe it's more all the wood furnishings bringing it down. Or even the fact I only see ONE lamp for the entire room.

Paint EVERYTHING white
and you wile see that there is a beautifull warm floor in the room.
No it's just too mutch wood.

- Paint the bookshelves in cafe-au-lait color. Replace the knobs to vintage glass ones. Don't paint anything else.

- Replace the carpet!!!! You need something larger and brighter. Light Persian, or plain sisal if you want modern.

- Replace wall sconces above the fireplace

- Replace the painting with a mirror, or a brighter and bigger artwork

- Get matching covers for window seat, and rocking chair seat

- Get new cushions.

- I would suggest slip covering the taupe chair.

Everyone is right, this room is ripe with potential. Everything depends on your style, and the room being so warm I can understand wanting to lighten it up a bit.

The very first thing that I would do is get a new coffee table. Perhaps you should try a glass one. In doing this one simple step you eliminate a large piece of light absorbing wood and replace it with a simple surface that, depending how the light is hitting it, will either reflect light or allow it to pass right through. Now personally I like things that have a bit of character so I love Etsy.com; not only will you find a unique piece but you will know who made it. A piece like this:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=28015664
And this piece:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23067726&ref=sr_gallery_21&&ga_search_query=glass coffee table&ga_search_type=&ga_page=1&order=date_desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title
May be suitable for that purpose, then again Ikea has a ton of great and cheap glass coffee tables too.

The next thing that I would do is pick out a color to paint the main walls. In the photos that you have provided there are quite a few landscape painting. I would choose a light green for the walls, nothing too eye burning. Something along the lines of these:
http://www.myperfectcolor.com/Benjamin-Moore-597-Quartz-Stone-p/mpc0006527.htm
http://www.myperfectcolor.com/Benjamin-Moore-572-Branch-Brook-Green-p/mpc0006502.htm
http://www.myperfectcolor.com/Benjamin-Moore-555-Oreilly-Green-p/mpc0006485.htm
In doing this you will simultaniously make your artwork pop but give your furnature a little bit of new life too. When painting the walls I would incorperate the backs of the book shelves as well, not the sides or shelves themselves. This will add a little depth to the room.

The very last thing I would do is get a larger, lighter area rug, one that mostly all your furnature can fit on. But not one is too expensive and that you don't mind if it gets dirty (I noticed the mini table in one of the pictures so I am guessing that you have children), so maybe something like this:
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Antique-Ivory-Green-Hand-spun-Wool-Mashad-Rug-76-x-96/3167243/product.html
Or this:
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Beaches-Indoor-Outdoor-Polypropylene-Rug-710-x-11/3228742/product.html
would be a good fit.

Like I mentioned in the begining of this ramble, it really does depend on what your tastes are. I hope that this helped!

I also would not paint the wood just yet, it's a big job to do right (you want Benjamin Moore Vanilla Ice Cream in satin if you do do it, though, not a bright white). I think you can work with it - my worry about painting it is that it's likely in the rest of the house, too...so where do you stop?

The problems in this room are the rug and the reds and the wall color being an opt-out color. Paint or wallpaper or make fabric panel inserts for the back of the bookshelves, get a much bigger and much classier rug (anchor the space, set a mature tone), then slipcover the couch in a cream. Then get some more grown-up accents that have a style (lots of lamps!). What you lack here is a style...it's a mish-mash.

Wall colors that go well with that wood are cream, sagey greens (not mints) and even a pale teal. Make the room warm with light accents. The art you have is very traditional and dark, perhaps pare that down.

Oh, and tile the brick on the fireplace something that has a little sparkle and shine, and upgrade the fire accessories.

To make it "modern" is a matter of your furnishings, they do not have terribly modern shapes, so there is only so far you can go, but with the right rug (maybe geometric from west elm or a gabeh from Mohr and Macpherson - local to you!) and the right lamps and pillows, you can get as far as contemporary.

From Barbara: Thank you for all the comments. These are great. Definitely a lot of food for thought.

I'm open to replacing the couch and armchair. I'm actually not that fond of the armchair anymore. It's too bulky, but it's not that old and I'm hesitant to spend money on a new one. I'm also tired of the red couch, but will probably just add a slipcover.

Totally open to replacing the rug. We need one that fits the size of the room. We do have two little boys, so it's nice for them to sit on a rug when they're playing on the floor.

The moldings at the top of the shelf are not original to the house, but the rest of the moldings are.

Keep the comments coming! They're great and we need all the help we can get.

Thank you.

Maybe just move the ottoman (to make the chair less obtrusive). I am all for making do with what you've got.

There is nothing wrong with the coffee table, it is just the wrong size and shape. I think a round coffee table would be nice. Doubt you want a glass one with kids, but maybe glass insert surrounded by wood? I'm in NoVa too and am a big fan of http://www.arhaus.com/

Please post after pics! (especially if you paint the fireplace brick). It's going to be so cozy when you are done.

This is a no-brainer. Mouldings, bookshelves, door, brick...paint white. You'll be surprised how much your beautiful mantle and hardwood floors will POP.

I agree with lemonadefish, that you should start with painting the back of the bookshelves the color of the walls. Then replace the cushion on the bench, and get a larger rug that is lighter in color.

That may be enough to brighten the room.

If it isn't, then you'll need sofa cushions to match the lighter rug, more colorful artwork on the walls. Then evaluate whether the coffee table is a keeper or not.

The room is great, it just needs a little help. I'm sure you'll get it where it needs to be!

I agree with a number of the posts, but would not agree with painting the wood. This will actually reduce the value of the house.

If you could somehow put lighter-coloured panels fitted in the back of the bookcases, that would be a great start. Again, don't paint them, cover them.

I would look into getting recessed lighting installed, which would lighten up the room considerably. Maybe installing lighting in the bookcases, which will reflect light back into the room.

Furniture: a larger, brighter/lighter carpet would be good. Furniture upholstery should also be a bit lighter, maybe even white. Once done, address the colour of the plaster in the room. I'd paint it a deeper colour, maybe a rich butterscotch or russet.

Do not paint your woodwork. As someone has already stated, painting your woodwork will diminish the value of your home. Do not wallpaper the back of your bookcases for the same reason.

If you're going to paint, change the room's wall color from white to a light derivative of yellow or cream. In a room with light problems, a yellow-based color will make one's eye perceive the room to be brighter. Regardless of color, use a satin finish paint which will help bounce light around the room.

Since you just moved into your home, one way to insure maximum light transmission and brightness is to clean all of the room's windows, inside and out.

Cleaning and polishing your woodwork, including the floor, will also help bounce light around the room as well as potentially lighten your woodwork color.

Reframe your artwork in thicker gold gilded frames, or in contemporary frames with neutral or light colored mattings with darker frames.

As somone noted earlier, replace your current rug with an off white colored rug on your floor. The rug should be sized to comfortably accommodate all the furniture in the room and should preferably extend to within 6 inches of your walls. This will go a long way toward helping to lighten the room while acting as a neutral base for your colorful furniture. In addition this may help avoid my next suggestion of recovering or slipcovering your furniture in much paler more neutral tones.

Definitely reupholster your window seat cushion in a contrasting light color.

It appears from your pictures that your room lacks lighting. Begin upgrading your lighting by placing higher wattage bulbs in your lamps and wall sconces and acquire more lamps. Consider going a step further by installing cable, track, or recessed lighting in your ceiling to wash your fireplace and mantle, bookcases, and artwork.

Dress up your windows with some sort of curtain panel window treatments. Use either a neutral/off-white fabric, or a bold contrasting colored fabric in a silk or other shiny fiber for light reflection. Avoid browns and reds as these colors will reinforce the heaviness of your woodwork. Use a highly translucent fabric for privacy coverage and consider "top down-bottom up shades" for flexibility and maximum light transmission.

Good luck!

Please don't paint the wood until you brighten up some of the other things or introduce other textures (which I think will really help). If you're still unhappy, start with the back of the bookshelves and then go from there. Your other option, if you feel the wood is too dark (it's not, and I love it), consider refinishing the wood in a lighter stain.

When I bought my house (which I bought for the very reason of having unpainted wood trim & built-ins), every wall/ceiling surface was painted stark glossy white. When I painted with color (light yellow in the living room & lite apple green in the adjoining dining room) it actually made the rooms seem brighter as it took away the stark contrast of dark wood & white walls & mellowed it out. So, no, don't paint the wood if you like it - paint the walls first & see how it looks!!!

Hello Barbara,

is this a new house or a "new to you" house? My hubby and I have just moved into our "new" home - a historic heritage home with moldings and wood that looks a lot like yours. We're planning to stay with the period look that the house (built in 1939) still carries in most of the rooms. I've been researching online to find things like "friezes" for our dining room and the right type of draperies, etc. It's a lot of fun, a lot of work but the results will be worth it. I hope you enjoy your new home.

I wouldn't want to paint the moldings, mantle, or floor. Maybe put a nice light wallpaper in the backs of the built-ins? I'd also paint the brick of the fireplace, brighten up the furniture, and get a lighter rug. Change the cushion on the window seat, and modernize the lightening. Maybe put some sheers on the windows, and pull a color from a fabric that you use throughout the room (for example, upholster with a single colorway, but multiple fabrics, maybe from Amy Butler?) for the paint on the walls.

I have to agree with everyone else that says not to paint the wood. Or to start slowly if you do. I just think the wood add a lot of richness and might look cheaper if painted. Yes those all white rooms look great, but they're not in houses of this age. You have something really special here. If that back wall is too dark, then I'd just tear out the entire unit before painting it and all your trim, molding and doors.

I think a new larger rug, new wall color, lighter cushions, new seat cushion, and new scones will go a long way to brighten up the room.


Sof

Oh please don't paint that gorgeous Craftsman wood! I found the Arts & Craft section of Bradbury & Bradbury wallpaper very helpful in seeing what colors go well with our Natural Woodwork:

http://www.bradbury.com/ac.html

The woodwork is a bit overwhelming, and the white appears a bit stark against the dark trim.

I think you might want to consider painting the walls and the back of the bookcases in a color like Ralph Lauren's Chamois (you can get this at Home Depot). This is a beautiful creamy color that will tone down the contrast between wood and wall. If you don't like that particular color, you might want to look at others in that series.

Painting the back of the bookcases would be a very difficult thing to undo, so I would first find some paper at an office supply store (like Staples), and tape it up where you would paint. Then you can put your books and pictures back up to see the effect


The floor would benefit from a good natural fiber rug -take a look at the gorgeous textured collection at

I think I wrote too much, but here was the end of my previous post

The floor would benefit from a good natural fiber rug -take a look at the gorgeous textured collection at Coastal Style. I think they carry rugs from Merida Meridian, and both the rugs and borders there are gorgeous.

The last thing was window treatments.I am not an expert here, but you may want a full length drape on the windows by the fireplace, and a simpler treatment with the same fabric above the window seat.

Good luck!

From Barbara: All these comments are great. Thank you. I think we'll start slowly and see how things go. We'll start with the rug, pillows, and window treatment. Then we'll look at slipcovers, mirror over the fireplace, and additional lighting. It should be fun.