agree about the above: add some curtains, maybe a wall unit/bookshelf/entertainment center on that wall; the board looks lonesome.

definitely frame the artwork and double your curtains. remove one of the tables or the ottoman. the rug seems a little off scale but i love the colors and the new furniture.

I'm thinking your curtains are hung a little *too* high . . . they're a bit out of place with the window. And have you thought about no curtains, and just using the shade you have?

Also, with the peach of the curtains (pink?), the wall colors seem a little blah (esp. when combined with the seating . . which is quite lovely) . . so maybe a more complimentary color for the seating?

Definitely go for a bigger rug. also, I like the pop of the white from the side table . . . do you have another of those somewhere? Replacing one of the smaller dark 'tables' (or footstool), will bring a little more pop and a bit more symmetry into the room. (You don't have to place it on the opposite end of the couch for it to work.)

It looks really nice, and I bet the room is very comfortable. Just keep tweaking things until you're happy with it . . it might be one small change that makes a big difference!

Also . . I agree that bigger (or different) art might be another good choice . . .

I would start with getting a larger rug. I would take one of the green pillows on the chairs and switch it for one or two orange pillows on the couch. I think the curtains are too far from the actual window. I would replace the curtain rod with a shorter one and hang some art between the window and the door. You need to choose between the black stool and the white table and make the other one more cohesive. Mt last note would be to think about painting the wall the same color. with a lighter ceiling.
That might help it feel like less of a transition space and more of a room.

I think you should turn the couch to where the tv is, use that shelf for books and other items, put the chairs across from them, but squared-up next to each other, and then the tv (is it actually a computer?) in a less conspicuous location on a low, discrete piece that will help you wrangle the cords, in front of the banister.

If nothing else, do something about the chair arrangement - seems awkward next to the couch, and looks like a hotel lobby.

you've got good stuff to work with, so good luck!

also find another accent color...pick up the green from the pillows...go for a bright lime?

or a turquoise would be great too...

use it in a bold frame of a large mirror, in the rug, large piece of pottery, etc.

love the sofas!

Lovely cozy room...

To echo above comments, either hem and lower those curtains or ditch them. Maybe think about a bold blue or gold in your palette instead of the sage green, and a long low tv stand/bookshelf on the wall to the left of the window.

As much as I like that rug I think a larger one with lots more of the coral and white in it would add some drama to the room. Too much gray, tho I'd steal those pieces in a heartbeat.
I agree that the curtains are too high. I know the conventional wisdom is to hang them up to the ceiling but it's not working here. Somewhere between the ceiling height and the window frame would look balanced, imo.
Either a larger piece of art above the mantel, framing the piece there or rearranging and adding a couple more pieces to define the wall space more. The painting looks lost on that wall.

I LOVE the idea of a white and coral rug! (or white and green, or white and turquoise . . . whatever you decide your accent color will be). And play with furniture placement too! So many great ideas here. :)

Definitely needs a bigger rug to start with. I think the height of the curtains are fine, but the panels themselves need to be much wider so that there's no wall visible between the curtains when they are pulled back and the windows. I would also ditch the accent wall and go for one color. Finally, I'd get some more lighting in there -- a table lamp at least for the white side table and maybe also a floor lamp or overhead lighting for the larger area.

A big orange rug!

Much larger rug, probably in another color (other than gray) to brighten the room up.

White side table is great - keep that.

Move the sofa away from the window and have it facing the TV and then the arm chairs in front of the window maybe? Move the sofa and armchairs around in a different position, but in a small space like that I would not advise the sofa in front of the window.

Lose the curtains -it'll open up the space more.

Remove the ottoman from there.

Put something else on the mantle/shelf where the TV is sitting. perhaps some candles, a stack of books...something.

Put a nice floor lamp where the fan is currently standing or a table lamp on the side table.

I agree with cometz...a larger rug would definitely pull your furniture together into a "suite" look. Also paint that side table black or maybe pull a shade of green from your accent pillows. Also maybe steal an idea from that great ohdeedoh story about an embroidered wrought iron headboard...I think a wrought-iron inspired stencil bridging that open space between your wall, window, and the two curtains would be just the thing to add interest to that space and tie into the theme you started with the pastoral painting on the other wall.

The sofa/chairs are great.

But since you asked... I'll just say it. I think the curtains are horrible. They are too skimpy, hung too high and the color (at least in this picture) is just too salmon pink/peach. I'd forget trying to improve them at all and just loose them and get something more tailored, hung lower and that fits the window better. Use the fabric to make some pillows instead. Maybe something in an earthier fabric like linen or even burlap. The Peyton linen cotton drapes from pottery barn are nice and come in double widths which will frame the window better. I'd get a chunky wood rod with wooden rings to hang them from since it would nicely with the earthy tones on the walls and the warm woods. West Elm has some nice modern wood ones. You are definitely on the right track with a larger rug and you also need some lighting. I'm not loving the white table with that sofa either. The sofa is so sophisticated and the table is sort of shabby chic. It's a nice table, I'd just find someplace else in your home to use it and for it and get something small and round in a warm wood tone, and put a lamp on it.

I'd also try out how it feels if you flip the sofa and chairs. I'm not a big fan of blocking windows in the main living space if you have another option. The two chairs on that wall with the sofa opposite would open the room up a lot and make the whole room feel airier.

I love the wood trim, door and shelf with the tv. The sofas and chairs are great. The green pillows and the artwork are both nice. You have a lot to work with and you're way more than half way there. It's going to be a very pretty room when you're done. Good luck.

- A bigger rug, something that brings in a little bit of texture (big, shag rug in cream, maybe?).
- I would pick between the coral/orange/pink and the green accent colors - and I think the coral pops better off of the gray.
- I actually like the floor-to-ceiling curtains, but agree that you need a few more panels on each side. That will also bring more color along your walls and make your room feel taller.
- The wall with the one picture - make it more of a feature wall by finding more artwork and hanging it all around that picture. Then the TV won't stand out as much, either, as it will look like it is part of the display.
- Remove the dark square ottoman
- Add some fresh flowers to your white side table to bring in the coral/peachy/pinks and a touch of nature
- Also add a lamp to the side table so you have another source of light
- Maybe add a coffee table if you can find one with the right proportions

Here's what I see...

Rug: Whimpy. Getting a larger one is definitely a right move. Perhaps this one can be used next to a bed or in the entryway.

Window treatments: You're framing as much wall as window. Hanging the matchstick blinds at the ceiling level, shortening the rod and hanging more panels should do the trick - but at a minimum, spread out the fabric that's existing so that the wall on either side of the window isn't visible.

Lighting: Where is it? Table lamps next to the sofa and between the two chairs is what's needed. While we're at it - the white end table is standing out like a sore thumb - Replace it with one that's dark wood like the legs of your upholstery or paint it a charcoal grey.

Shelf under TV: Cheesy and Cheap. Take it down and replace with a short vintage (Teak?) credenza or dresser on legs to support the TV and provide a focal point for the entire room.

Artwork: Hung too high. Bring it down so that the bottom is within 6" of the TV.

Fan: Just plain ugly - Get rid of it.

Square stool/ottoman: Unnecessary - Get rid of it and get a little table for the center of the room that can be used as a coffee table.

White throw over the back of the chair: Out of place. Fold it up and put it away. If you must have one, get one in the same color as your draperies and put it over an arm - not the back - of a chair.

Pillows: The coral pillows are perfect - the green not so much. Use the green elsewhere and get more coral for this room.

Yes, I agree with bepsef about the blinds and curtains. That's what's off about this. Take the blinds up to the curtain rod, get a longer rod and more curtains so they fill in the wall space. It will make the windows and wall look larger.

I like the white table. I think more white accents would be superb. Maybe the wooden shelf? I don't know but I think the side table just looks lonely, not out of place.

Also, if you're going to include green as an accent color I would suggest adding it in a few more spots, not just the chairs. It may not be the best choice with the coral and gray but it's hard to tell from the pictures.

I agree about getting the sofa away from the window--I think what bothers me is that it's partially obstructing the window.

If the room's wide enough, I'd maybe try floating the sofa so it's facing the tv, then the two chairs facing the sofa (basically keeping the same relative position between seating that you have now, just rotated).

If the back of the sofa is nice, I'd also consider swapping the chairs and the sofa. I think the chairs with the white side table between them would be nice effect. And you could have the chairs face each other, rather than the sofa, and keep them totally off the rug. That way the rug would mark out the sofa area, rather than feeling like it's trying to accomplish the bigger task of pulling all the seating into a single space.

The curtains -- I don't hate them, but I think it'd be helpful to move the accent pillows around. Right now there's an orange-side, green-side effect happening--balancing placement of the colors may help better integrate the curtains.

Oh my. My sentiments echo what many of the other Apartment Therapists have posted. Yes, the curtains are horrible. I adore highing panels ceiling to floor but the mounting of these particular panels are wrong; they are an example of too high. The hardware is off; too diminuitive. consider a rod pocket instead of pleating at the top. And, of course, you have got to triple the width. The one panel on each side is atrocious. Sorry for the sharp words. The bamboo shade is too light against that wall. The window is essentially your only focal point. It has to be right and tight and out of sight.

Flip the couch and chairs. THey are beautiful but the couch blocks the view. Paint that white table flat black and position it between the chairs in front of the window. Don't be so eager to center everything; assymetry is aok. Consider a landing strip next to the front door... something that could hold keys, a purse, a small lamp, dog leashes.

I like the coral accessories but not so much the green but I think black would be better suited with the coral and gray and even turquoise. White throw on chair is a thumbs down.

TV shelf is a thumbs down. It's so Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. Many more and better options via flea, vintage, tag, occasional and other sales. Scrounge and you will find something better.

I say no rug. Show off your wooden floors. make sure they are pristine.

Artwork is hung too high. You should be able to view artwork from a comfortable sitting position so bring it down. Look how high it is in proportion to the window treatments.

Love the Mitchell Gold furniture. Beautiful. Great taste. Post after pics.

You have 3 competing styles:
The curtains and white table are girlish (not feminine, just girlish);
The TV shelf is dorm decor;
The sofa and chairs are sophisticated.

Your rug should be the first purchase, as all accent colors are taken from it (as the coral is now).

Because your room is small, I'd think about moving the black ottoman and one chair elsewhere, and replacing with a single larger ottoman that can double as a coffee table and seating.

The side table is for a 10 year old girl. Lose it.

The TV shelf needs to be replaced. I'd consider mounting it to the wall. I'd also think about wall mounted shelving...I saw some somewhere that weren't shelves, but small thick ledges mounted in patterns. Perhaps some mirrored ones?

I like the fan, but then again, I like fans and use them over AC. But you do need lighting. Again, wall or ceiling mounted.

Yes, what everyone else said - I would also add that perhaps you can get another rug like that one, and use them side by side as one bigger rug? I think it's a nice pattern, and that would be a way to keep it and not have to shell out for a huge one...

I see what you mean about having all this great stuff....but it really not blending together to make a cohesive look. Try any of the ideas posted that appeal the most to you. I get lots of inspiration from reading ideas from the great decorating talents on AT.

Addressing the window covering and rug choice will probably start you off in the right direction.

Hope you post an 'after' pic!

Were it my room I'd want the couch against the wall where the tv shelf is now or against the railing area. I take a "Godfather Approach" to seating- don't put me with my back to doors and windows.

If your sofa goes where tv is now, tv would go where chair is, facing in. If the sofa goes against the railing, tv where white table is (even put it ON white table?)

I'd put the little rug centered in front of the sofa with a coffee table on it which would show off lots of lovely floor in the rest of the room.

If you keep the white table in that room I'd make it black or chocolate brown to match your furniture trim. I agree that the curtains and the ottoman aren't doing much for the room- they don't match up with the style of your furniture.

Again, playing with the rug color palette, I'd probably go in for some greens browns and cream accents for pillows and such- I think eggshell white is just too white for the couch.
I think the room color could be nicer as maybe the goldish color you have in your rug, or (but it's kind of cliche) a light grey. The salmon in the rug is fine, but it's just too much out on the walls as curtains-especially shimmery.

I think you have nice things to work with here. good luck.

Someone said a coral rug - maybe literally a coral rug. You definitely could do a stronger pattern on the floor since everything else is solid.

paint that side table a chartruese for zing. get rid of the pink curtains and replace with natural linen. get rid of the couch pillows too and get smaller ones only if necessary in linen. the raw silk look i so out now and witht he wood shelf you should go more natural than shimmery. the rug can stay.

The question is, what type of room do you want to have? Part of your room is rustic (the natural wood), part is city-sophisticate (furniture), and part is girly (salmon silk curtains). Pick the "feel" you most want the room to have.

If you like the rustic qualities, play them up with natural-fiber textiles, a new lamp, etc.

If you want to go more urban-sophisticated, add black accents (something like a Spun lamp, a graphic rug, different curtains, etc.)

I agree that the curtains don't work in this room. But you can flip them over and use them as a liner for the new curtains you get.

A lot of good advice already. I'd add that I don't understand the color of the walls and think you should repaint. Is it two different colors or does it just look different (the TV wall vs. the window wall) in different light? Either way, I think you need less beige. Depending on the look you want (and what other advice you take) I'd either go white or a cool color (such as a pale blue or green) that better complements the sofa--which is gorgeous, by the way!

I hope I'm not repeating advice here but, the couch needs to be on the opposite side of the room against the railing facing the view. Put the chairs on the window wall. Lose the shelf and find a low profile, white, narrow media storage unit. Check West Elm for possibilities. A chunkier, white side table would look nice too. Of course your rug should be big enough so that the front legs of your couch and chairs sit on top of the edge. I'm not sure if it's just the pic, but the shine on the curtains doesn't seem to blend well with your rustic-style wall. Keep it simple and go with white, cotton curtains. Very jealous of the chic couch & chairs!

It seems like two color schemes are fighting one another.
- I would get rid of the shiny salmon curtains and pillows. They seems out of place with the rest of the space.
- I would go more along the scheme of the green cushions on the opposite chairs for a more natural look. It will go much better with your new sofa, the wood floor and door.
- I would get rid of the white side table. It doesn't fit with the room either, it's too feminine and delicate for this room.
- The TV shelve is too skinny. Something bulkier would work better. Perhaps a wall unit as suggested earlier.
- The paint on the window wall has a bit too much purple in it. Something more earthy would work better.
- I would use a larger rug as well.
- Is there any lighting in the room? You might want to use a couple table and/or floor lights.

If this were my space I would:
Move the long wall shelf out of the room

Paint the walls a flat, cool white

Get a larger, textured white rug

Place the couch against the wall under the artwork with rug under front edge of couch

Frame and mat artwork in a simple wood frame and hang centrally above the couch

Move the curtains out of the room and replace the matchsticks with wooden slat blinds to match the door frame/railing

Paint the white table glossy black and place it against the banister with the TV on it.

Play around with the placement of the 2 chairs, the ottoman and the little dark table. If the chairs work facing the couch on the back wall, I'd put them there. It would also be nice to see something functioning as a coffee table/place to kick up your feet.

Move the beige candles to another room and add some sculptural items on tables (vases, candles, bowl, etc) in a bright orange, coral, pink or green.

Add a lamp or 2 in the same accent color or wood tone.

Good Luck and most of all, do whatever feels right to you and the other occupants of the house. Nothing is permanent.

I beg you, please get rid of those curtains! Not only are they too narrow and too high (I agree with other posters) but the colour and sheen are really not working here. But even before you do that please get rid of that shelf, which looks like it was only ever a stop-gap anyway.

I think you badly need to paint the walls, I think some kind of green would look well with your furniture and would emphasise the cosy "nook" feel of the space, not to mention make the walls look like the belong in the same room.

And speaking of cosiness, I know you saved long and hard for that furniture but to my mind you have one too many armchairs for that space, which is just too small for so much furniture. I agree with others that you should put the sofa against the stairwell, facing the window. I think you should then put the one remaining armchair on the left of the window, and the TV on a low table to the right of the window. This will really open up the space and make it seem larger. I actually really like that white table, but it's just too big for that space, and I also think it's the wrong colour there.

I think you should accessorise with gold- and russet-toned cushions on the sofa, and possibly bring those colours in with your new rug too. Incidentally I don't necessarily think that rug is too small, in fact I think you may be able to go slightly smaller. A "floating" rug, where you can see a decent border of floor around the edges, can make a small space seem miraculously larger.

First, larger area rug - it needs to at least fit under the front feet of all the furniture.

Look into ideas on how to conceal the cords better - currently looks like a good idea gone bad.

The curtains are a good length but not near wide enough.

Personally I'd either lose the ottoman under the shelf or use it as a coffee table - that area would be better served as shelves for books, movies, etc.

The art would be okay in size if you could frame it somehow - I like the colors so if it was mine, I would try to keep it.

I don't like the orange and green throw pillows - I'd rather pick one of the colors and ditch the rest. I would pick the orange and just get a couple more for the chairs.

Try to add a couple lamps. I like the white end table - it might be better served between the two chairs with a nice table lamp on it and a floor lamp next to the couch.

Also put the couch where the chairs are and vise versa.

1. Ditch the curtains, those blinds are great on their own.

2. The table does not belong in that room. Its delicate legs do not match the legs of the couches or the ottoman.

3. I absolutely abhor the color of the accent wall, especially with the gray couches. I think that almost any color would be better than that one. Seriously, any color.

4. I would paint the railing and the shelf black, or stain them a dark brown.

5. Plants! They will make the room look more inviting and clean the air. Put one of two on the tv shelf and/or hang some vines. There is way too much sunlight here for you to not take advantage of it.

I agree with a lot of the other suggestions too, like switching the chairs and the couch so that lovely window light isn't blocked, getting a bigger rug, new art, and some pretty lighting.

Walls: Repaint the window wall a flat shade of dark beige (do the baseboards too), continue this color to the wall shelf height on the accent wall. Paint the top half a lighter shade of the beige.

Window treatments: Install a darker rod at the top of the window. Extend it about a foot from each side of the window. Lower the shade another foot. Convert the panels fabric into a scarf-swag. Have it hang lower on the wall side and higher on the door side. Wrap it over the rod in such a way that it pinches up in the middle of the window.

Furniture Layout: The couch should be facing the TV shelf (if there isn't enough walk around space, then bump the arm against the wall in a slight diagonal). Use the black table as a coffee table, set towards the wall/window side of the couch. Then move the chair that is nearest to the railing opening to the opposite side where the fan is (mirror the slant position of the other chair). I would use the rug under them to anchor their space. The black table should go between the chairs to be used as a table. The white table should also be moved out of the room, because I think that it doesn't match the color scheme or the style. As for the fan, put the fan away, behind the couch, or if budget permits, install a ceiling fan. Either way, try to make it less obvious.

Accent: Use the green and peach pillows on the couch, and take the pink one out. Put the art work on the shelf. Add a few more art panels of different heights and widths on the shelf, overlap them for depth. If the TV is a must, then arrange it with the art and tack the cord along the shelf and straight down the wall to the outlet. You may even want to consider painting it the same shade of dark beige or use one of those cord plates to cover it on the wall. Add some cream thick and tall candle pillars on the end of the shelf. Perhaps bring in a tall, thin lamp to go on the shelf too. Put the white throw in away in the ottoman. The books on the black table should either go on the shelf, or under the table, or stacked on top.

I think the TV wall is screaming to be a turquoise accent wall with a low, dark wood credenza to hold the TV & accessories. Turquoise & coral look wonderful together, so you could keep your current pillows and add a few blue-y throws or pillows and accessories too.

I also agree with much wider, lower hung linen curtains, swapping the couch & chairs with the white table painted darker and set between the chairs in front of the window, and the creation of a landing strip to separate the living area from the entryway (here's an example of how to do that in a setup like yours with very little space: http://www.noaccountingfortaste.com/?p=1238 ).

White accents could be brought in with a big piece of abstract art over the TV (you could even do it yourself if you're creative and can get some canvas), vases, your throw, etc. You could also have a lot of fun with lamps in jewel tones or just stick with something functional - but you definitely need lamps!

I don't think a rug is totally necessary since you have such pretty wood floors, but I do think a nice wide coffee table would help with the room's flow.

1.The couch should be on the wall where the TV is. This will make your sweet rug seem like a much better size, as it will now be situated along the shorter length of the room.

2.Then the armchairs should live across from the couch, with one near the window for ease of spying.

3. I like the curtains, but the sheen is a bit distracting and it's not really doing anything good with the wall colors. How about taking the curtains and that cute but inappropriate white side table and using them elsewhere? They would look nice together in a bedroom.

4. If the white side table goes, then the ottoman can stay.

5. Decide what to do with the TV once the furniture in the room feels right. It's so tiny that it shouldn't be too hard to find it a happy, functional home as well.

Have fun! It's nearly there!

yes, get a bigger rug, but don't throw this one away, it's great! just don't use it there....

Ooh, I second the turquoise accent wall vote!

Hey,
You could place the couch on the TV wall facing the room, it's more inviting and place both armchairs across a oval coffee table in an angle. no side table, use floor lamps on each side of the couch, get a large sisal rug, nutral and a big art piece to place above the sofa as a focal point (by framing the painting you already have with a thick ornate frame)
maybe a small antique chair/stool to brake the symmetry.

I agree many of the comments I've read. I love your couch and this looks like such a comfy space. My sense is that the set up is a bit too formal for both the amount of space you have and for the general feeling of the room. Think laid back instead of traditional living room. Here's a few things I think might help:

1. Move the couch away from the window to one of the other walls.

2. Remove the two chairs and get one larger, super comfortable chair that coordinates with the couch. Add a large standing plant.

3. Consider removing some of the end tables and getting a n ottoman or coffee table instead.

4. Add a book shelf and floor lamp or side lighting.

5. As many others have suggested, change the blinds. Maybe cute, light colored curtains directly above the window that will let in the light and add some spice to the room.

6. Let loose with your decorating, it's your space to relax! Add personal touches that appeal to you, and worry less about formality.

Good luck!

Whoops! Sorry-didn't see the ottoman! Keep the ottoman, but reduce some of the other furniture to open up the space a little.

Love the couch and chairs!

1. either "flip" the room so the couch and chairs change places, or:
2. place couch against TV wall, with chairs facing, either way I'd def. move the couch away from the window.
3. the curtains & blinds don't really match nor highlight the beautiful couch, I'd go for white blinds, and light but voluminous! curtains in a simple sheer gray cotton with a matte finish.
4. The black skinny curtain rod doesn't seem in step with the rest of the room, and too me it seems hung too high. Depending on what type of blinds you get, I think a slightly heftier one, hung at the height of the door frame might be nice. The curtain rod could also be in one of the accent colors, esp. if the curtains are in a muted understated color.
5. the TV wall: the shelf isn't really doing much for the room, I completely agree with getting a great, small, modern, mid century credenza, but whatever happens the shelf has to go. Or, the easiest would be to hang the TV on the wall, but might be weird with that painting (which I think is nice and a keeper)
6. the color on that TV wall - personally, I'm a big fan of the simple clean white wall, esp. in a small room. I like the gray on the other wall. But that cream seems somehow not really the thing. Wallpaper?
7. the white table could be between the chairs, but it seems somewhat too tall as an end table in this room and with this furniture.
8. the ottoman seems a little out of sync.
9. love the rug!

ps. a small, low coffee table in the middle and no end tables perhaps?

ps, again, by small coffee table i don't mean short, but rather a skinny long one.

Also, question, is that the front door? does it get much use or should that area be incorporated into the room?

I'm not going to reiterate any of the good comments here, but if you want to keep the rug, you could get a larger natural fiber rug (sisal, seagrass) that fits the space better and then layer the one you have on top of it.

I love these ideas!! They are so helpful. To respond to a few of your questions:
1) Yes that is the front door, it gets moderate use.

2) Shelf can go, yes. But now that I've read all your comments, maybe I can put the sofa in front of it so there's a spot for a lamp, a book, a drink etc? You know, like a behing the sofa table type thing? Thoughts?

3) I have always hated the curtains, but Thom Felicia told me to hang them and when Thom Felicia tell you to go with a curtain scheme, you do it. I always wanted to do these super wide and long cream and sage linen tab-top panels from Dransfield and Ross,to pull it together better, so now that I know even Thom Felicia can be wrong, I shall do so.

4) Yes, I can put the TV on a little table elsewhere. Maybe opposite window?

5) Since we took this picture the ceiling and back wall have been painted a pale, sage green (Ralph Lauren "Canvas"."

6) I def need a bigger rug. How about this one? http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Bella-Lily-Wool-Area-Rug-5-x-8/3954816/product.html?sec_iid=33969

or this one:

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Hand-woven-Sisal-Black-Rug-8-x-10/2852237/product.html

How am I doing? And most importantly... THANK YOU!

I shall obey!

I personally like the first one, medusa - but it still might be a little small.

OP, I think your instinct regarding the curtains is very good. A tailored look would suit the furniture far better than those fussy pink things. Fortunately, I don't know who Thom Felicia is. If you start the curtains at the top of the wall, then add a valance to hide the space above the window.

Good points. They're actually not pink. They are more of an orange. They just look pink when the flash hits it. I hate pink.

Personally, I like the old rug and both of new rugs, however, think first new rug might match new color of the wall the best?

Well, I'd totally hit my head on that shelf every time I throw back my head and laugh. Might it look cramped?
If you were to get a low coffee table you wouldn't need it, really.

Oh yes! Your idea for the curtains sounds lovely! Go for it!
Keep us updated!