Everything is so neutral at present that you can get away with pretty much any bold accent color at this point. Rather than pick a color and seek out accent pieces in that shade, start looking for bright pieces you really love. You'll get an accent color by default, and then you can start filling in the blanks by looking for that color.

i.e., you find a royal blue chair you love, or bright pink and orange striped pillows, or a fire engine red throw. Start with that one thing that grabs you!

large pieces of art work

How great that you have a fireplace! How about turning the couch to face the fireplace and getting a nice, comfy chair for each side of it to create a conversation area. Or, you could get a big chair for one side and two matching, lighter chairs for the other side. You could move that nice chest of drawers to under the window.

Larger credenza maybe or a window seat...the little guy's a good start. He's adorable. I agree with the bold color.

Hi - we just bought a house as well and are facing the same dilemma. my suggestions would be:

1. paint around the fireplace a chocolate brown
2. hang some funky curtains, something textured (velvet?) maybe in green or beige
3. accent your couch with coral pillows
4. hang some art that incorporates all colors

good luck!

I agree with Lizzy. Turn the sofa to face the fireplace.

Add rust, coral or red curtains to the windows on either side of the fireplace.

Plants would help you out immensely, even just to break up the box-y furniture and features. Bright, lime-green leaves would have a warming effect, aided by cream acents and yellow hue from the lights.

put the cabinet in front of a window, the couch on the wall or facing the fireplace, get window treatments hang them floor to ceiling, artwork (as simple as large frames and mattes with small artwork inside) or a wall mirror, find a throw blanket and pillow covers in a color that contrasts with the furniture and walls. and a floor lamp or two with patterned shades.

Great looking place....
I'm missing artwork on the walls and a plant or two. Also, I agree with the others who suggested moving the sofa, and that a red piece would look great somewhere in the room.

I'm with goloskidesign, Plants!

For the left corner near the window, how about a:

fiddle leaf fig: http://www.crossfieldplants.com/_/rsrc/1237494601413/Home/images-1/Ficus%20Lyrata%20Fiddle%20Leaf%20Fig.jpg

or an ornamental banana? http://www.made-in-china.com/image/2f0j00HvoTdcGRYYpNM/Artificial-Japanese-Banana-Tree-Big-Size-WAT-78-.jpg

Though, real plants, not artificial.

Real plants and a few pops of color via curtains and or throw pillows. A deep orange would look great.

Echoing the call for art and plants.

I'd change the furniture arrangment to start--put the sofa where the small console is now. You're not taking full advantage of your beautiful fireplace. Floating the sofa in front of the fireplace is also a good idea. I like your color suggestion of a coral red. It's the compliment to the spring green you've got there already and there are a lot of items on the market now for you to choose from.

You've made a terrific start but I agree with the other posters-you need more personality (the dog is pretty excellent) Plants, art, books, vases and decorative boxes. You may find some possible items at www.zgallerie.com, www.cb2.com, or www.worldmarket.com

Good luck and send in "after" shots!

I think the couch is facing that wall because they're planning on putting a credenza there for the TV. The niche in which it now sits seems too high up anyway. I'd put a mirror and/or some interesting pottery there instead.

Like others have suggested: Art (please don't attempt to hunt down something that 'goes' with your color scheme...just find pieces you like), a few plants (large and in terracotta pots), curtains (maybe in ivory linen) or shades (bamboo would look good with your color scheme). A throw for the sofa in whatever accent color you ultimately choose. Some sort of extra seating near that side table, not too blocky since the couch and tables are all rectangles.

The window in the corner would make a great reading nook. You just need a cozy chair, a small table and a reading light. Or just put the smaller cabinet there when you've got the credenza and use it to display a little vignette, framed photos, an orchid, etc.

I'd probably put a television where you have a chest now. I'd put a chair on either side and move back the sofa where the fireplace can be seen. You don't have to concentrate just on it for it to be noticed.

Or maybe putting a credenza under the window with your television (might be weird placement but could be practical and move the couch to face the fireplace and TV.

Another choice is to not use the fireplace pretty much ever and leave the TV where it is. Then you could focus the room on just the fireplace since the TV is just above it.

It will be much easier to warm up the living room once you get the most ideal furniture arrangement. After that, it will come together.

I'd recomend finding a painting or print that you love, and taking your bolder accent color/s from the art. Don't limit yourself by picking the accent first, it is much more important to love the art. All color is good color in the right place.

That dog is really, really, ridiculously cute.

Congratulations on the house and the schnauzer. Best dogs ever.

I would put in some time shopping for antiques or tchotchkes with shiny, soft, weathered and pearly surfaces. Anything to break it up. A console table with some big pretty vases underneath and lamp or two, a big bowl, or some plants on top would warm up the space under the window. And something, even matchstick blinds, on the windows would help.

I would put in curtains, probably something fairly heavy and warm, since the cold weather's coming. That'll soften your walls and the boxy-ness, as well as adding some extra color options. The great thing about curtains is that you can always change them out if you get bored of the color.

And I agree about the dog, he's DARLING!

Well, there is so much that you could do here. I would rearrange your current furniture...Move the sofa to face the fireplace, and add in a couple of chairs on either side...you would instantly have a focal point. It looks like you already have a tv above the fireplace which is perfect. I hate to say it, but I might get a bigger tv that fills that space though.
Then you just need textural layers...you can do accent colors, but don't have to. You need a throw for the sofa, maybe a leather bench, pillows, throw, floor lamp next to that window to create a little window seat/reading area.
You need lamps, art or photos, on the walls, a tray with something decorative on the coffee table. Then some warm natural accents...a basket of wood for the fireplace...a basket of magazines near the sofa, a plant or two, etc....good luck!

Having the sofa stare at a large blank wall seems like an invitation to blah. Why not face the fireplace and windows? I love the suggestion of some bold blues. I think it would highlight the windows. Other than that there are all the usual suspects to add color, throw pillows, curtains or blinds, paint the trim a different color, or around the fireplace, brighter rug? The rug is lovely but seems really bland compared to the flooring. It doesn't really contrast as much as just sit there. And the chest looks lost on that wall. Maybe put it in front of a window without the lamp, just some nice pieces of pottery or whatever you love. It's a great room but it looks very, well, safe. Maybe try a few inexpensive items of outrageous color and see what happens.

Red curtains and cushions.

I'm in agreement with pretty much everyone here. Artwork, shelving, tchotchkes, STUFF, color, plants . . bring in some things you love. And I'm with akay . . . find the chair you love . . . and take the color from that. If you can pick the color of the chair, even better! But find the piece first.

and your dog. omg. He's (she's?) the VERY first thing I noticed . . . that expression is almost too much cuteness!

Oh, maybe paint the coffee table or side table? Or the dog? Nah, nix on the dog.

Draperies, a pair of armchairs, some artwork, end tables and lamps...
...and the sofa turned to face the fireplace.

I would definitely start with draperies. Use a chintz, if you want to add pattern, and then pull the accent colors from the fabric. Go floor to ceiling on both windows. I would try to stay close to the wall color for the base of the fabric, but look for something with maybe a little chinoiserie and a nice pomegranate red print with a little black, gold and ivory.

Then you can start adding more pops of red around the room - like a large vase on the console. Maybe eventually change out the rug for a more traditional Persian rug in a red color.

Curtains! If there's only one thing you do, add some curtains. Ceiling to floor length.

Another vote for ceiling to floor curtains on both sides of the fireplace!

Not only will it give you an opportunity to add some warm color to the place, it will also help create a better visual balance along that wall, which currently looks rather disjoined. Move the (TV?) from the alcove above the fireplace, and fill that space with a few pieces that coordinate with the room to help tie it all together.

my best advice is to go slow. Add what you need, window coverings, another light source, more seating (chair, ottoman), art, a dog bed.
Only as you need it and find what you love. Wow, what a list and that is just the stuff that seems to be missing from the picture!
Be glad you don't need to purge!
ok also a new/moded fireplace front. that tile/black/brass is making me cold!

1. Curtains on the window and the patio door, to match.

2. Rotate, if not the couch, at least the rug.

3. A an armchair and ottoman in the window corner, to make a cozy reading nook.

4. Large-scale ART.

5. Add to the color palette based on the chair or whatever additional furniture to get. (It's easier to coordinate curtains and pillows than vice-versa.)

First get the TV out of the niche above the fireplace, it's ridiculously high.

Art, art, art!

Use window treatment to make the wall where the fireplace is more symmetrical. The windows are not uniformed and this will help a lot.

Find one thing you love (piece of art, fabric, dog, cat, bubble gum wrapper...anything) and let that lead you. Dont worry about trying to achieve a pariticular style. Just do what makes you feel happy.

Leave the TV above the fireplace. You can make DVD's of rotating artwork in various color patterns to make it not an eyesore.

Reorient the couch to face the fireplace; reoriente that rug as well.

Floor to ceiling drapery panels on either side of the fireplace (looks like there is a window on the left and a door on the right?)

Is the primary function of the room for TV watching? Then I recommend that the TV be located on the left wall (either wall mount or on a credenza but perhaps angled so it is well positioned with the newly re-oriented couch. (folks on the couch aren't at an extreme left angle to watch TV).

Your major pieces are essentially done. You just need to focus on the other layers: lighting, art, accessories, personal objects.

Someone mentioned a set of royal blue chairs and orange striped pillows. Absolutely. This room can handle color.

Don't forget to include personal possessions and object d'art that you love and that speaks to you. Also, keep an eye open for vintage/collectibles. Everything in this room is new. Bring in some provenance from your personal history/heritage.

Post "afters" if you can.

I agree you need some reds, or terra cotta to warm it up.

Yes, sofa turned towards fireplace, maybe a sofa table behind sofa to hold some pretty books, pottery art or plant=

I see a Japanese Maple Leaf Bonsai, potted in a pretty dark chocolate ceramic low rectangle pot either on the cabinet or put on the sofa table so its a point of interest when you walk in-
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3230/2885315707_6cb4c2a3ab.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevegreaves/2885315707/&usg=__0eVfldRcFfWgC2ul9IKphm-uETo=&h=330&w=500&sz=96&hl=en&start=11&um=1&tbnid=aDvzW1LaLkbm_M:&tbnh=86&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Djapanese%2Bmaple%2Btree%2Bbonsai%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1

http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/4602793/83662_Full.jpg

Yes, drapes red or terra cotta pattern would be nice.

Pillows- red, browns, cream, burnt orange.

Yes, either a pair of lounge chairs wood frame fabric with a pattern.
Or a single lounge chair with ottoman in warm chestnut, nutmeg color leather.

No more black wood furiture, especially with tan micro suede sofa too flat. I would start adding texture and color and stay away from black.

More lamps would help too, overhead track light is much too harsh, only ok on low dimmer at night to highlight a wall with art.

Yes big art you have great walls for it.
Rug-
A larger area rug would look better, in greens, reds, orange, russets I see more classic traditional to compliment the dark floors and balance the contemporary look of everything else-

http://www.horchow.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=cprod62940022&parentId=cat6120740&masterId=cat6120732&index=4&cmCat=cat000000cat000046cat6120732cat6120740

Many of these red tones rugs would warm it up-
http://www.horchow.com/store/catalog/templates/P8.jhtml?itemId=cat6120736&parentId=cat6120732&masterId=cat000046&cmCat=&page=&view=all&filter1Type=&filter1Value=&filter2Type=&filter2Value=&filterOverride=&sort=&icid=viewall

I don't think the TV/fireplace wall should be white, either paint it the same color as the other walls or a chocolate brown as someone mentioned or terra cotta. It looks unfinished as is.

Cute pup!!

Good luck.

I think you could change your carpet for a red or orange carpet, and add some orange,brown,red cushions, and just add one big painting with these colours, and it looks more confortable.

You need some plants!!

I love the colour of the walls. ;)

First of all, this is a lovely room as it is. To warm it up, I suggest another dog.

How much is that doggie in the picture? He is too cute. I say add bright sunshiny yellow pillows and a throw. Maybe a few colorful vases and yes, an accent chair in a bright color would make the room happier. An egg chair or something super modern would be fabulous!

Everytime I move, I'm always shocked at how much difference wall decor makes. Once I hang art and photos, it just brings it all together.

Wow! Thanks so much for the great advice you guys--I love your suggestions! My first order of business will be some curtains and a new place for that TV. I'll be sure to share some "After" pics once I put all your advice to good use.

And I'll admit I used our dog Fritz as a ploy for comments, because, seriously, who can resist that face? :)

PLANTS!!!!!!!!

The best way to warm that room up is to get Fritz a little friend. :-)