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I am about to move into my first home and there are a few rooms that I would love to change around. Problem is, I am lacking creativity. Attached is a photo of the first room you walk into, it is currently set up as one of two living rooms. I would love to paint this room and do something with the built ins to make them flow better. Also planning on eventually redoing the fireplace. Any ideas would be great!

I would paint the walls a nice cream color, and it looks like the woodwork in your house is white so I would paint the built in' white also. I would put a nice big mirror above your fireplace. If you dont want to paint the built ins, then I think the things in your builtins need more "presence" and I would suggest fewer and larger things. Love the archways.

Thank you! I was actually thinking about staining the cabinets but the white is a great idea! the only thing is I have an 8 month old little boy so not sure how well the white would hold up haha

I agree w/painting walls cream, but I'd wait to paint the cabinets as they look like beautiful wood. You can always come in later and paint them at another time.

Agree, I wouldn't paint the built-ins. WRT the color cream would be beautiful and provide a lovely contrast. (BTW, you'll lose that contrast, if you paint-out the wood.)

You're not selling the home, however, so you don't need to stay neutral, unless that's what you want. I would definitely stay on the lighter side of the color wheel but I'd select a color that flows with the rest of your rooms.

Or, if you need to paint the other rooms also, then select the color wheel itself and use that as a guide. Start with the lighter colors in this room (BTW, it appears dark in your photo) and you can select additional colors from the same family/paint chips as you go.

Yes, I would remove the multiple items from above the mantel and only feature one larger item in that small space, e.g. the flag. (Please thank someone for their service and/or thank your family members (and you) for your/their sacrifice.)

Do you plan to hang a flat screen above the mantel? That's another option. A mirror would work - you could also lean a small painting/piece of artwork. Incidentally, what are those boxes on the right and left side of that space? Vents? Did someone paint them? I would consider some other options b4 simply painting them again.

Let us know how it turns out. Would love to see the finished product, if you have time to send another photo.

All of the above, JMHO.

Good Luck!

P.S. Looking at your photo again and checking out the items on the shelves in the built-ins. Do you need/want help arranging accessories?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: AguaBella,

Late reply,
First I doubt that you lack creativity. Most of have creativity in our geans, but just have never had a chance or reason to use it!
If I were you, I would take my time in making any changes. Look at the rooms at different times of the day to see the quility and qunity of natural sunlight or just plan light you get in each room. Then buy the largest box of crayns
that you can find, and a large amount of white paper,IE, a ream(500 sheets). Pick out some crayon colors that you like or think would go well with the light in the room as well as the furniture that you have. Color each sheet of paper with the colors of the crayons that you picked. Maybe colur more then one sheet of paper with the same colur and tape the sheets to the different walls in you room. Spend time at different times of the day and see how the colurs look in different types of light(don't forget about lamp light!).Take your time and make sure that you REALLY like the colur that you pick! Also make sure that they look well with the natural colur of the wood in the bookcases.
And PLEASE DON't paint the bookcases or the mantle. In my opion, there is nothing like the warm feeling of natural wood to warm up a room.If they look dingy ect, maybe all they need is to washed down well with a solution of TSP and warm water. It may take 2 or 3 washing to get all the old wax and grime off them, but they will look great when you are done. If you decide to wash them down, use above solutionon a sponge, that is almost wrang dry, then rinse them off and dry with a soft towel,Do the same with the mante do not get the wood too wet as that may raise the grain of the wood. Once they are clean, apply a thin coat of Butchers wax. and polish wellI bet that you will love the look. Ater all you can always paint them later, but
You might be surprized at how well all the wood looks.If you still don't like the way they look,then go ahead and paint them.
But remember that a painted surface requirse a lot more upkeep then the natural wood which will only require waxing once or twice a year to keep it looking good.
Just my thoughts on the matter,
Mary