apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Plexiglass!

I'm thinking some sort of transparent freestanding shelving unit, either glass/plexi or wire, such as the Verner Panton Montana wire cube: http://www.bonluxat.com/a/verner-panton-montana-wire-cube.html
And I'd pair it with a soft vintage armchair in some rich colour, like deep red and gold, as the only luscious decadent thing in the room.
http://www.notyourgoddess.blogspot.com/

I would actually move your desk over to where the mural is and either put a chair next to it (where that interesting light bulb/lamp is) or use the nook by the window as a seating area. Because your desk is clear glass, you will still see the mural and you will get to look at it while working.

Otherwise, put light-colored chairs and an acrylic end table between them on the mural wall.

I also think the dark brown console table is a little too dark and clunky for this room. I would paint or replace it if possible.

Nice room!

If you must put furniture against that wall, make it glass or acrylic, and avoid key facial features like eyes, lips, and noses.

It looks like that wooden piece would go on the back side of the closet, though it's hard to tell without a floor plan...

Show us what it looks like finished!

The dresser/shelf is really nice, but doesn't go with the cool grays in the room. I'd find another place for that and get black shelves to put up on the other walls in the rest of the room for your books/work stuff.

I do agree with painting the other walls white. That will throw more focus to the mural.

Great room!

I'd have a carpenter build a long, low bench with bookshelves underneath. Cushion on top, some pillows against the wall that juts out, perfect reading nook that doesn't interfere with your mural.

I like the grey walls.

Can you install shelves on the other walls, where you currently have your desk, above the windows, etc., like a built in library look that integrates a desk? A floor to ceiling shelf between the two windows might also suffice. Good luck.

I didn't notice the second angel at first because of the wooden shelf, so I agree with firstfive that you should move your desk over to that wall.
And if you're looking for a chair that won't block the mural, a Bertoia wire chair, Louis Ghost Chair, or that clear cantilevered one at ikea would work.

And I agree that the grey walls are great. They're the perfect complement to the mural and make the white trim pop. If you paint the walls white, it will be too much. Simply by taking out that dark wood piece, your room will seem much more airy.

You could use floating shelves so that you can still see most of the mural. And maybe you can even find/build acrylic shelves?

I agree with the second post. Move the glass desk to the mural wall where the side table is now. Then you can make a lovely seating nook and install shelving on the walls next to the windows for books.

I like the cool grey of the walls, but I think that painting them white would give you more options as far as decor.

I totally agree that the grey walls should stay and the dark furniture should go. You'll need to keep the path open for foot traffic, so I would only add a comfy upholstered chair (like Harpa's suggestion) at a diagonal in the corner of the wall mural with a small, white or acrylic side table - or even a slender aged brass table to balance the color in the chair. Shelving could be added to the wall next to the closet (hopefully - I can't really see it).

Have fun with it!

I think something low like the Ikea Expedit on it's side in white, with the Capita legs would, be great in front of the mural:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20116274

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20049538

Then you could put a small lounge chair or ottoman in the corner next to it. If you go with a chair, I would put it on an angle.

Check out the "Slim" line of furniture from Room and Board. They're sleek and unassuming and won't impede the visual coolness of the wall mural (like bulkier furniture would).

Keep the walls grey. I think the mural will look odd with only white around it.

Add white sheers to the window to add to the dreamy quality.

Move the desk out into the middle of the room with the desk chair behind it, so the desk faces into the room. Maybe on an angle across the corner.

Put a comfortable chair for reading in the corner by the mural, facing into the room, with a floor lamp behind it. I could see either staying with the monochromatic look or adding a punch of color here.

Add some white, low shelving (Expedit?) under the window/s.

Minimal elegant white accessories...

I would put nothing there except for perhaps a pair of low X-Base stools.

Ditto move the desk into the room. I can't imagine sitting there with my knees being cooked from two radiators?

Are all three radiators working?

It seems like a lot of heat for such a little room.

Keep the walls grey, please... beautiful.

Leave it open

I think a graphic rug would be fun, something in the same color value as the mural.
http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=170&f=5145&viewall=1

I would put a simple white tall bookcase like Ikea Lack on the wall facing the second picture where that floor lamp sits, move the floor lamp by the desk.

I think white sheers are a great idea.

I would suggest a small media stand on the wall with the mural so not much of the image is blocked but you still have storage space. Perhaps a colorful rug in the center of the room that you really like (splurge you're worth it). Lastly, I agree with the other, you need a comfy chair in the corner.

http://www.westelm.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?partNumber=WE-PRODf810&storeId=17001&langId=-1&catalogId=17002&viewSetCode=E&parentId=WE-SH1FRNMED&retainNav=true&cmsrc=WE-SH1FRNMED

Treat the mural like a piece of art. Don't obscure it by putting furniture in front of it. Or like bepsf suggested, maybe just a few low x-base stools. The classic lines of an x-stool will work well with the mural, but will have a bit of a modern edge. You can get a nice pop of color via upholstery.

The walls will be fine gray or white -- both work. Keep your desk where it is. The wood table is not working in the space (too warm). Can you move it to another room?

I would put a small, comfy, light colored (gray? white?) armchair in front of the mural, with maybe a small side table.
Love the mural...but I think the dark shelving in front distracts too much from it. Enjoy!

I forgot to say you need one splash of hot pink somewhere.

I agree that you should go with an 2 by 4 Expedit (maybe a few of them around the room as they would fit) on its side. They are awesome and fit in just about any space without taking up wall space. Then put in a comfy chair, side table, and light in a corner.

I think you should treat the mural as a plain wall--
parts will peek through. It won't be like "HERE'S MY GREAT MURAL!!!!", but more subtle and sophisticated. Like when someone wears a beautiful, odd piece of clothing, but it's all layered in with more mundane clothing and accessories.

leave the grey
move desk over under window
place white lack shelves floor to ceiling (every 18")in corner of mural and corner between windows place red interesting bench under mural
red slipcovered chair for desk
paint radiators behind desk grey(too much visual clutter w/ desk legs and chair legs)
console gotta go or paint a blending color and have cut to fit over larger radiator

Stack a set of these clear nesting tables or a coffee table along with a pair of clear Ghost chairs! I've seen clear console tables too.

http://www.moderndose.com/product_info.php?products_id=176

http://www.moderndose.com/product_info.php?products_id=278

http://www.moderndose.com/product_info.php?products_id=427

http://www.moderndose.com/product_info.php?products_id=585

I'd want my desk chair to be in the Command Position facing the door (just bring the desk out enough to sit on the other side of it facing the room). I'd also get a white plaster Greek column maybe 3.5-4' tall and put a large potted philodendren on it in the corner between the two windows (the Wealth area for this room) and nearby to the desk. The column would highlight the Greco-Roman statuary of the mural. Agreeing with the posters who said to keep walls grey and remove the clunky wood side table, go for clear acrylic or glass on this wall.
Katy
http://fengshuibyfishgirl.com

Keep the grey walls!

For a bookcase on the mural wall I suggest a clean-lined, simple, white bookcase with an open back. Like the big Lack from Ikea.

i love the grey walls, infact....could you tell me what color it is? i have about 15 sample strips on my wall and nothing is right!

I am totally in love with your mural. I would place low curvy seating (perhaps a chaise) under the angel's face on the left. I agree with keeping the walls grey but I would paint the door as well. I think the white is too much so close to the mural.

Thanks for all your amazing suggestions! I can't wait to get started. I will send a picture of the finished article...

sevenmegan, I will check on the paint colour and let you know!

Don't put anything on the mural wall. Problem solved!

sevenmegan, the grey paint is by Ralph Lauren, but I'm sorry I don't have a record of the actual shade. Hope that helps though!