I don't think the fireplace is particularly jarring against the walls.

Don't love the carpet. (Well, I don't love ANY carpet, so this might not be a valid point.) It seems a little too matchy-but-not-quite with the gray walls. I'd love dark wood floors, but understand the $$ issues involved.

I think if you flanked the fireplace with shapes and colors, you'd remove the way it stands out so badly. Bold prints or paintings OR bookshelves stacked with many various things will make the gray wall become background, as it should, and add more contrast to the whole.

I like the red couch. If you go gray, I'd go much darker than the walls. (But I'm not a monochromatic person, either.)

One thing I recommend off the top of my head is not to get a white leather sofa.

Paint the fireplace. Go for it. And the trim and the banister. The dark gray would be fine. The red couch can stay - pick up red in your art work (great idea to do your own!), plant containers, maybe red shelves in the dining area, and so on.

Personally the walls around the chartreuce/yellow look blue to me, so with the red sofa it kind of screams day care to me with so many primary colors. I think a dark grey sofa with a nice rug with look much better. I wouldn't paint the fireplace, but that is up to you....cabinets/bookshelves (hard to chose for you since I have no idea what you need to store but I prefer bookshelves) in around the same wood tone could help it blend in.

the first thing I would do is deconstruct that fireplace! you clearly are going for a more modern aesthetic and your fireplace surround/mantle is anything but...even a coat of paint isn't going to change that. Mantles like this are usually just applied trim and millwork. Start taking it off bit piece by piece until you get a a more simplified appearance. If you need to add wood to it that can be done easily and affordably. Fill nail holes with wood putty, sand it well and then paint it.

I also the red sofa sticks out. If you have it in your budget to get a new one, go for it, but if you have a lot of things to do in your new place you might want to allocate your funds differently.

If you painted the walls then leave them, but if you didn't I would lose the chartreuse color and repaint with the gray. I like the gray too. If you love the chartreuse then use it in accessories, pillows on the sofa...things you can change easily if you grow tired of it. It will also make the red sofa work much better in the room.

And I'm with Mary B C...I don't love the carpeting...I don't love any carpeting...so keep the red leather sofa, paint over the green, use it in accessories, and spend your $$$ on new flooring...wood or laminate or bamboo.

Good Luck!

I really abhor the paint...sorry. Put if it has to stay...def paint the fireplace surround. and I would hang diff curtains...too matchy matchy with the blue on the wall.

The first thing you need to work on is that fear! Break away from the frozen-ness. A Drawing professor announced, "You're going to make 100 bad drawings before you make a good one, so get started!" Don't repaint the walls. You've done great with them. The red is a great element of surprise. The main reason why the oak looks so orange is because it's next to a blue-gray. Colors that are opposites on the color wheel, like orange and blue, will make each other pop. Even if that's not a blue-gray, just a gray, the orange oak probably makes it look a bit blue, right? I say, "Be brave, young lovers," and paint the oak. Maybe a charcoal gray? Experiment with some pint-sized paint pots and poster board, sheet rock scraps, whatever. Live with them a while, checking them out in different types of light. If it were my house, I'd paint the baseboards to match the walls, i.e. just make them go away. If you go with white fireplace, white baseboards, white couch, that be lovely, but, with the colors you've already chosen, you seem to be more lively than lovely. Have fun.

I'm with abcornwell - paint the wood! But I vote for white - and white for your bookshelves/storage choices, as well. And I love your red couch and the chartreuse; it's one of my favorite color combinations. That said, if you're looking to replace the couch, I'd choose a dark grey, but be careful to keep it in the same warm/cool family as the grey on your walls.

So, first off- I know how you feel, the good news is that it can be helped!

A. If you want to keep the walls, I would go for painting the fireplace (yes you can always sand, restain, and restore down the road), as well as getting a new seating option for that red couch... I think white with accessories (lamps, pillows, art) that pull in your wall colors. Use the white and the gray as your neutrals while the wall colors attract your accent colors.

B. If you aren't attached to the wall colors-I would paint them all a unified gray color, (you could keep the fireplace as is, if you get a new couch (white blends best with wood and gray) then pop with ONE accent color to pull it in.

C. Or- if you are up for it, paint the fire place black, the walls a light shade of gray, leave the red sofa and pop with white, gray, black, and yellow accents. This will give a mondern color palate while, not overwhelming the room.

All in all, good luck and DO NOT BE AFRAID, life is too short to live in an place that doesn't make you happy, calm, elated, etc.

i say paint the fireplace. add a nice area rug that ties all the colors together. if you decide to keep the sofa add more pillows. if you have money to buy one thing, i say buy the bookshelves. Good Luck

You can pretty inexpensively dry encase the mantel. That way you can keep it intact. This would add a more modern look to it. I think you should definitely paint the trim white. The honey oak has a real country flavor and I think that's not the direction you're going. Good luck!

I agree with Dustinstruckmeyer - that fireplace is clearly jarring with your modern aesthetic not only in color but in shape too. it is very traditional and you may want to at least change the mantle shape to something more geometrically square (those points at the top of the mantle are the most bothersome to me).

The same goes for the banister - it should be beefier chunkier squared off wood, instead of the orange traditional kind.

I say all the trim should be painted white for a clean modern look. All the orange just isn't gelling with the style you are going for.

If you insist on the nasty yellow wall colour then paint the fireplace black and go for the whole bachelor pad modern...Mondrian primary colours...a hermes orange egg chair perhaps.

I don't think the fireplace is that bad personally - but I think for a more stylishly grown up modern look, unify the wall colour and let your sofa pop.

Or a third route of course would be to get a rug to anchor the sofa, get some artwork up on the walls (perhaps a 'Keep calm and carry on' poster), get an Eames chair in there, a small Saarinen side table..and don't forget the antlers - possibly painted honeysuckle ;)

My first thought before reading your post was "paint the fireplace white". That wood tone is so dated. The only people I know who still have that is, well, my dad. Because he's obsessed with oak and has no clue about design. Don't be afraid. People hang on to ugly wood for the weirdest reasons. Either repaint the walls so it fits, or paint the wood so it doesn't clash with the walls.

Do you rent? If so, ask the landlord if you can paint the fireplace. If you own, or they say yes, paint the fireplace.

I agree with others that the fireplace clashes stylistically with your color choices.

BUT!

If you were to go for a more Anthropologie, eclectic, loft sort of a style, I could see all these pieces and colors suddenly working together. The layering of textures and patterns will relegate those bright, bold walls to the background and better integrate the look of the fireplace.

This house tour is a great example; they use a lot of bold paint and modern pieces, but the overall look is softened by mixing and matching accent colors and patterns, and by adding unique pieces that help impart some character.

Paint the fireplace. It is not antique wood nor is it architecturally interesting.

Paint the fireplace,go for it! Yes,the red is too repulsive for a sofa for me, go with a neutral grey or the beige family, since you are already thinking of getting a new sofa. Good luck!

First thing that strikes me is the bright combination of colours, and indeed, the oak of the fireplace clashes with the modern esthetic. I agree with the idea of an area rug to tie things together, and also with the idea of the eclectic Anthropologie look. If you want to pull this off, however, I would suggest that you tone down the chartreuse to a slightly less strident shade. Then you'll have an easier time pulling the other elements together into a coherent scheme.

Get the new sofa and rug, etc first. Decorate the room, and once you've done it, paint the fireplace and trim if you still hate them. You can also consider staining them in a dark color...ebonizing would be nice too...if you're worried about losing the "wood" appeal.

I think the red sofa makes it worse than it is. I am no fan of the wood work in that finish, but I think the red sofa and mix of stuff is really the bigger problem right now.

Maybe just re-stain the fireplace a dark wenge color to tone it down and to tie in your dining table?

Kudos on making some seriously bold color choices! I agree you should paint all the woodwork a unifying neutral white or light grey, probably in a glossier sheen. A shiny black fireplace would certainly make a statement, but will make for a difficult sell later down the road. Walls are easy to repaint. Woodwork is a different story.

I think your instinct to swap the sofa for grey wool is right on. A slightly smaller-scaled, more streamlined piece would also fit the room a little better and allow for other chairs, etc. I'd do white, light grey and silver accents and accessories through the rest of the space with a splash of green, which you've already started to do. Instead of working red into the room, maybe add some sunny yellow or yellow/green touches here and there to warm things up. When you can afford it, I would definitely change your flooring throughout as it looks like you've got a pretty open floorplan.

Good luck!

paint the walls a nice shade of gray, better to paint the wall than a wooden fireplace.

I know exacly what you are going through! I just started decorating my first place and it had the same ugly wood color on the fire place. I am renting so to paint it was out of the question. What i did was cover it with white contact paper. The reason I am mentioning this is that you could always test it out with contact paper since it is removable. If you like it, paint it, if not, you can leave as is. I know I always felt guily painting wood until recently. Give it try you might really like the look.

I think the red sofa could stay under on condition. You paint out the green with a gray tone. Take a look at this link. Gray and red look fabolous together in my opinion.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/inspiration/color-combo-red-and-gray-087937

Use some solid white accessories like vases and sculptures. Use metalics to add some unexspected touches. Be careful of how much red accents you use. You want to make sure you use it around the room, but in smaller quanities since the couch is red. I.E. don't get a red rug, maybe a white and black or white shag (if you can keep it clean, I know I can't)

Since you are on a budget, get accesories at thrift stores. You will be AMAZED what you can find. Don't worry about their colors, you can always spray paint. Find some brass lamps, you know the ugly ones from the 80s. You can use an automotive creame to turn them silver and modern! I did it and it turnouted out great. Here is the link how:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/tips/blissful-blue-magic-makeovers-from-style-north-075791

The biggest thing is just to start. as you add pieces, you'll get a feel as what you like. Remember, things don't have to "Match" they just have to go together.

The fireplace (and the trim and the stair rail) are the problem. That color wood was SUCH a tragedy. It looks dated and it's not your aesthetic yet it's the focal point of the room, so fix it. Why would you design, or in this case change a whole room to work around a builder special fireplace surround that you don't like in the first place? Paint it, refinish it or restyle it--I would decide which one based on how much effort you want to put in.

black

Honey oak is very outdated. White would be wonderful, but you could also consider painting the trim in the room black since you have such a modern palette. I love the colors you've chosen! Keeping in mind your modern aesthetic, I would suggest a free-standing bookcase NOT along the fireplace wall. Can't wait to see the "afters"!

1. What is this space to be used for? Main living? Entertaining? Will you be doing any computer work in here? Before you know what you need, you need to know what it's FOR.

2. Paint all your trim white. Period.
3. Fireplace surround... Gotta. Go. Yes, it is oak. Yes, it is gorgeous. Is it working with a modern look...? NO!!!! Like the poster before said, surrounds are easy to pare down - or remove. You can remove and try to sell on Craigslist (mantles/surrounds usually sell like hotcakes in my neck of the woods) and replace with something that works. I think something in a dark espresso like what your table is would be best, actually. Something nice and big and clean and sqaure...like the frames on those oversized West Elm mirrors. SO, you could pare down the surround you have and strip and restain a dark espresso - or remove, replace with something else entirely, and sell or re-purpose the surround you have for another room (like a headboard in a spare room or a landing strip element or something).
4. That huge window is just BEGGING to have a seating area under it (see converted IKEA lack shelves as bench) for more seating and storage. Again, I would use a dark espresso color for the wood itself... http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/boston/diy-using-ikea-shelf-unit-as-storage-bench-100376

That's where I would start...then go from there. Change the fireplace, throw a bench with storage under the window, and re-assess after those changes. You still need to figure out if you want room for entertaining, or a tv, or a desk if you're going to be doing any computer surfing in that area... Before you make any big couch color decisions, buy a sheet and throw it over the couch and see how it feels for a few weeks...easy to "try on" colors that way before having to committ.

I would also, eventually, change out the light fixture above the table for a more modern piece...something with mostly clear glass and not a lot of metal work would look smashing, I think - but ultimately it has to be something YOU love :)

Also, since you say this is your first place, I will warn you against white OR black upholstered furniture - gets waaaaaay to dirty and waaaaaaaaay too fast - ugh! I personally would lean against an orange couch...but again, change the fireplace, and see how it feels after that. It's a process :)

Honestly, I'd get rid of the whole wood mantle around the fireplace. It just doesn't go with your style.

And re-upholster the couch in a more neutral tone.

Also, try to re-arrange things to change the focus to your best element... that huge window :)

I like the red sofa, gray walls and white ceiling. Those should stay as is.

If you paint the fireplace, you'll have to paint all the wood trim in the room also (white, please). It'll be some work, but will look awesome.

I agree w/others...please get rid of that neon green. It's a nice color but doesn't fit here at all.

I would "mod" up the fireplace mantle and surrounds by painting them a deep, flat grey. The flat paint will also help hide the colonial type of detailing in the woodwork.

Paint out the green/yellow-green recesses. They're too small to be in such contrast to the rest of the room. I think the same colour as the walls would be nice, adding in colourful plants, art, etc. to punch up the colour.

If you aren't able to remove or replace the banister, I'd consider placing a credenza or some sort of storage piece directly in front of it.

A few things I am noticing: the reason this room seems jarring is that the hot and cold tones are not harmonious. The red couch and the chartreuse walls seem to be fighting with each other--and collectively fighting with the carpet and the fireplace surround.

Here's what I do when faced with situations like this:

1. Find a fabric or piece of art (or rug/wallpaper sample) and work from that color palette. It could include any of the colors you are currently working with. Maybe it's something you already own that you have always loved.

(I'm a huge fan of marimekko fabrics for wall hangings--and often the colors are unusual but inspired--but there might be something else you love).
http://www.alwaysmod.com/marimekko-cotton-fabrics.html

2. Make whatever this is the focal point of the room (over the mantle, perhaps?)

3. Your color choices for everything else will more or less fall into place.

4. Repeat colors from your focal point throughout the room. Contrasts in color will draw attention to aspects of the room.

5. I'm all about neutrals for big furniture pieces. But the thing about neutrals is that it matters if they are cool toned (i.e. your gray walls) or warm (your beige carpet). Cool neutrals play best with cool colors and vice versa. Something that is neutral in one context might stick out like a sore thumb in another. If you are basing your color choices from your artwork--you might be able to break this rule.

Hope this helps!

If you want modern, paint the fireplace and wood trim black. White is going to look very suburban.

1) Color
Sorry, but the colors are awful. The space looks juvenile, and screams “this is my first place and I’m painting it myself!”

Bright colors can be great (and clearly you like them), but using them takes some know-how. A safer and easier approach would be to use neutral colors on most walls, then incorporate a few accent walls of more intense color. You can also incorporate the bright colors you love via accessories such as pillows, throws, and art. (Plus, this way you won’t have to get a new sofa every time you paint…)

Another tip: A little color goes a long way. Spaces with lots of different colors can be jarring. Instead of using 5 super bright accent colors, pick 2 incorporate them throughout the whole house.

2) Style
You are going for an ultra modern look. But the shell of your house is traditional (as evidenced by the fireplace, stair railing, dining light fixture). Result = Big Clash. If you’re going to go ultra modern, you gotta go all the way. My guess is that the house has a many other traditional elements throughout… are you going to change all that out? Is that realistic? If not, I suggest toning it down just a bit, and following the advice in #1.

And regardless of what you end of up doing… DO paint the fireplace and all the other wood trim. Do NOT get a white leather sofa.

for surely paint the fireplace. yikes.

I agree w/ Arroyo - This is a fairly traditional suburban house that someone has attempted to turn into PeeWee's Playhouse.

The grey isn't bad at all, but the large areas of chartruse, the red sofa, (am I seeing blue curtains?) along with the silver and black pieces are jarring and inappropriate - particularly since you've ignored the existance of the orange wood, beige floors and traditional bones of the space.

Paint the chartruse grey and carry that grey throughout the rest of the space, such as the fireplace wall - Get the new grey sofa and stick to a more cohesive and less juvenile color scheme while taking the existing elements of the house into consideration with your subsequent purchases, replacements and additions - I suggest repeating and reusing greys, orange, beige, white and black for all the elements in your space.

The fireplace is the major jarring element, and removing and selling that surround and replacing it is better than partially deconstructing and painting it.

What dustinstruckmeyer said is exactly what I would say for everything, really.

I didn't read any other comments, but I'm wondering if you chose those paint colors on the wall? If so, and you seem to like them, then the couch does clash and I would get something more neutral (gray or chocolate brown family.) However, I do think the problem is mostly in the wall colors. Your red sofa can be considered a "neutral" if the rest of the room is toned down. I LOVE painting walls, but in this case, I would do cream colored walls and use your furniture and artwork/plants to bring in more color. The lightness of the wood and the carpet is also something to consider. They are all very neutral and clash very badly with the gray and chartreuse.
Another option would be to replace the couch for one in the white or very light beige family and repaint the walls a rich green (like the inside of an avocado, but a few shades darker.) This would complement the oak color. THEN, you could paint the ceiling another shade of green, perhaps a bit lighter (but not so neon like the chartreuse.)
Also, replace the 80s torch floor lamp and replace the dining room pendant with something more modern (such as an orb from Ikea.)
As for storage, I would wait until you are happy with your paint colors and furniture before you tackle shelving. Stay away from silver/chrome and don't match with the oak if you go with wood. You can mix woods.

Soooooooooooo, I just want to comment and throw this out there for those who say things like "hideous colors" and "juvenile" and "PeeWee's Playhouse", etc etc.. If you READ Melinda's post, it says she LIKES the color palette and a modern look and is asking for help pulling it all together. Just because it's not necessarily YOUR style doesn't mean you need to be negative or condescending or whatever about other, different styles and tastes. I thought the whole point of Apartment Therapy was helping people find and work their OWN styles successfully...? Especially those who might not have even heard or paid attention until recently to terms in design -speak like "focal points" and "warm/cool" and "french country vs. danish modern" and whatnot because they have other careers/interests going on.

Anyway, in addition to my earlier comments, it seems that the chartreuse wall is only around the window and one little pocket...SO, if you are making that -the window - the focal point, then other big pieces should fade into the background for the most part...

I find Google "imaging" (click on the image instead of web at the top of the Google page) things really helps me visualize stuff - like if you Google image "modern fireplace" or "modern style living room" or "grey living room" or that sort of thing, it really brings up a lot of things that might help generate ideas :)

Cheers!

i like the couch ^_^

@CarmenJF: I happen to appreciate ALL styles, when done well. Minimal, maximal, space-age, French Art Deco… everything. A job well done is a job well done, no matter what the language. Likewise, a failure is a failure, no matter what the style. I never dislike a space because the style is different from my own. I dislike a space because it is poorly done. Because it fails aesthetically and/or functionally.

I hope you can grasp the distinction, CarmenJF.

I referred to Melinda’s space as juvenile. And it is. I’m not attacking Melinda’s preference for bright color and modern spaces. I am offering suggestions that she can use to incorporate her preferences into a design scheme that will be easier to pull off, and ultimately more successful. In other words, I’m trying to help Melinda translate her own style more successfully.

CarmenJF, I am sorry that you are upended by such highly technical terms such as “focal point” and “Danish Modern.” My sense is that most AT readers are either 1) already familiar with those terms, or 2) interested in learning more about those and other design terms. In other words, they read AT because they want to expand their knowledge of design. And they appreciate hearing from people with different knowledge, perspectives, and opinions. Perhaps you could use your Google search skills to seek out the definition of those pesky terms?

One, possibly two paint colors, but not three. The couch, fireplace, and chartreuse wall are in competition for attention. Tone down what you don't want to highlight and crank up what you do. I would probably lose the chartreuse, paint the fireplace and get some contrasting curtains.

Agree with arroyo totally - well done in any aesthetic is well done ..it has nothing to do with personal taste.
If the OP is looking for a room makeover rather than developing their style, maybe sending the photos to a weekly sad mag or equivalent TV show would yield the desired result.

Carmen JF, this isn't a difference in style. Arroyo is right (if a little brusque): the combination of blue grey, chartreuse and fire engine red is objectively horrible. The colours are different strengths, and that makes them jar.

However I think Melinda is on the right path in seeking a modern grey wool couch: it'll add class to the room and calm it down.

The fireplace is nasty... not because of the wood colour, but because it's too big for the room. However I think it could be toned down by adding more occasional furniture in honey-toned woods to disperse its presence.

Lastly, Melinda, remember one of the golden rules of decorating: don't try to force the house to be something it isn't. Short of completely gutting it back to the shell, it's never going to be a sleek modernist loft, so don't try to force it because you WILL fail. Look objectively at the architecture and work out what will look good.

Tricky color palette. Attempting to make this room something it's not--modern. The best you can do is to hire a professional.

A design consultant can interpret your vision with a level of sophistication the current space lacks. A couple hundred bucks for a color consult, space/furniture plan and clear direction will cost a heck of lot less than the time, energy and money you'll spend making more mistakes.

The paint colours are terrible, a horrible bright yellow-green and blue reminds me of a tacky 80's daycare and it clashes with the red sofa.

I'm with CarmenJF! While Melinda asked for opinions, it's black-and-white rules, "right" versus "wrong" thinking, that feed our fears. Think of all the different things we see on AT, many of which evoke I-sure-wouldn't-do-that thoughts. If people didn't break away from conventional thinking, we wouldn't get to experience delightful weirdness. Well, maybe not weirdness, but surprise. When I was growing up, seeing blue and green together made me physically ill! Something else: Most of us have only a few people see the insides of our homes. Who are we decorating for? Some magazine? Yes, there are basic principles and elements of design, but we're not going for a grade in Interior Design class, nor are they as black-and-white as gravity. If you use gray, green, and red together, you will not fall down. We speak Opinions. Besides, we're lucky to have the priviledge of actually decorating, as opposed to barely surviving in mud huts.

Arroyo - Certainly I can grasp the distinction. Do you grasp the distinction that this space is not "done" by any means? Hence, I hardly would call it a "failure", as it is not a finished product - or even a 1/3 or 1/2 finished product. It's a person who just moved in and is looking to go from there. Notice that this is not on a "Gee, here's my beautiful, finished space" area but rather a "I know something's not right here, this is what I like, this is what I don't like, please help!" area.

Melinda is absolutely certain about two things in her post (if you read it) - that she likes the wall colors and a modern look. So how to make the area work with those wall colors and set up a modern scheme is what she's looking for - so if you lack the imagination or skill to successfully help with that particular situation... <shrugs> But there's no need to belittle people's tastes.

And HongKonger, FYI - calling a color someone else likes as "nasty" - as in "if you insist on those nasty yellow walls", etc etc. - HARDLY falls under "appreciating different styles done well", and is certainly not helpful, as well as completely uncalled for. Surely there are some people who think the colors YOU like are "nasty".

Also, I appreciate that it appears you both were trying to be truly helpful with some of your comments...but that way of helping is like stomping on somebody's bare foot with a steel toe boot while trying to help them up.

Absolutely paint the fireplace and the trim white. You should use a primer like Stix first and then paint (you can use the tutorial here:
http://designpopinteriors.blogspot.com/2011/01/saving-jan-brady-fireplace.html
It will work for wood as well as brick. Then put down a flotaki white rug and put some white textured pillows on the couch.
Find a lime throw and put it across the couch. Get rid of the mirrors over the fireplace and paint an abstract incorporating the colors in the room - one like this one from Etsy but bigger:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/43603533/light-watercolor-original-painting?ref=sc_1
Switch out those curtains for white panels and get a glass or clear coffee table. Incorporate some reflection in the room in the way of some shiny accessories. I think you will love your red couch once you do those things.

I didn't read all the posts, so please forgive me if someone already said this.

If you OWN this place, you need to determine whether you are a minimalist (as your paint and sofa suggest) or not. If you are, tear out the fireplace surround and do something minimal -- one foot square granite or glass tiles all around flush with the wall, for instance. No storage added. Everything very crisp, stripped down, but colorful. Replace the bannisters with something modern and simple.

If you are NOT a minimalist, you can salvage the fireplace and bannisters in one of several ways. Since they match the wood trim elsewhere, I'd seriously decide how much I wanted to get rid of the oak -- it's a big job, and you should be consistent, so if you paint the fireplace, you should do it all. (With the exception of kitchen cabinets if they happen to match.) I'd go white, but that's a NE tradition I have adopted and happen to like. Dark gray or black for the fireplace only would also work, but then I'd do the other oak in white.

An area rug with the chartreuse and red in it would help, and maybe 2 white chairs (something streamlined but comfortable like Barcelonas maybe) flanking the fireplace, facing the sofa.

If NOT minimalistic, I'd choose a few sofa pillows for the sofa and the chairs in a colorful patterned fabric that contains the chartreuse. Maybe something with physical texture.

You could put up a couple of floating shelves either side of the fireplace (Lacks?) in white or black -- or, if adventurous, red. Not too many, avoid clutter.

Paint the fire-place. it is orange toned oak and that wood color is not coming back for a loooooooooooong time. If you really want to keep the wood look strip it down and stain it ebony to modernize it. But that fireplace as it is will always look dated. And I like your red couch

I have to agree with some of the above. From what appears to be, most people here try to be tolerant of all styles - but this is just awful. The blue-grey and the neon-yellow are in huge competition - she needs to pick one or the other and do the nooks in shades that actually MATCH each other.

I know a lot of people don't like your paint colors, but I really enjoy them. They seems like a lot of fun without being overpowering. I personally would completely get rid of the fireplace mantle and the banister. They are very dated. I would also switch out the couch to the grey. I hope you find something that matches your vision!

you have to do something with that fireplace, either get rid of it or repaint it.

a few thoughts:
-I think the green paint around the window is detracting from the architectural interest.
- a darker grey on all the walls would make it more cohesive, it has a choppy hodge-podge feel at the moment.
- if replacing floors in not in your budget or desire, layer a few area rugs in complementing colors/patterns.
- while the oak fireplace isn't the most trendy of things, it's also not terrible. it has nice lines and can fit in with the room if you pick other pieces of wood furniture that complement (but not necessarily match it). if you wanted to stain it darker, that would look nice, though.
- I would invest in a clean-lined sectional sofa to anchor the room, in a charcoal grey. some interestingly patterned/textured pillows would break it up and a little personality.
- a buffet to the left of the fireplace would transition nicely to the eating nook; place white floating shelves (like the lack ones from ikea) above to store books and a few objects.

so, i had a little too much fun with this and created a little inspiration board of how it could all come together...

http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=27282883

good luck!! :)

Just three steps to finish your look:
1) The wall color: Start with the corner. (Could try changing the darker strip to the lighter gray. Quick and easy to do, and to change back if you don't like and decide to use the darker shade on the fireplace wall.)
2) Fireplace and woodwork: Paint them, you know you want to! White for contrast, black for anchoring, or grey to blend in.
3} Storage: Same color range as the fireplace to make it stand out less. The focal point is the windows; your accent wall is already pointing there. Bookshelves or buffets is a question of balancing height and bulk in the room as a whole. From the photos, looks like it should be buffets, to balance the sofa.

As for the sofa, red will work a lot better without the orange. You can always upgrade later, if you want.

As for scariness, a couple shots of tequila works best with your color scheme. But then, that's a matter of taste.