My unliveable space

I am living in a house built in the 1950s, which my husband grew up in and inherited when his parents passed. He thought everything was "good enough" just the way it was. He passed away this past July and I can finally have an updated house after 35 years of always hearing "it's just fine the way it is."

Design by Littman Bros. Lighting

The current layout of this room is hiding all of its structural beauty. The fireplace should be the focal point of the room and the furniture should be arranged around it. Slide the couch that is in front of the fireplace to the left side and move the desk to another wall.

Repaint the walls to a neutral taupe or light gray to complement the stone on the fireplace and add some lighting to brighten up the space.

Paint all of the trim and shutters white to pop against the new paint color.

1) A center light fixture will help to provide an overall wash of light to the dark space. A restoration style fixture would play off the rustic fireplace. Center TRG1716OZ by Quoizel in the ceiling space. It is a fun and rustic restoration piece.

2) Remove the wall sconce and replace it with a floor lamp so there is no longer a cord on the wall. 74256BCZ from Kichler is a nice modern and neutral lamp that will function like the swing arm sconce. Add a table lamp to the other side of the room to balance the floor lamp. Currey and Co. makes the "Continuum" No. 6361 that is rustic and architectural.

3) Replace the frameless mirror over the fireplace with a focal point piece. 78152 From Kichler has an intricate beveled mirror frame that is refined and rustic at the same time.

4) Last step is to modernize the area rug. Uttermost has a nice collection of iconic rugs. Try the 73029 in a rustic red. This will add a color with a layered pattern.