Hi Janis Unfortunately I am not in the Boston area - I live in Ireland! Yes there are red items in 3 of the main rooms, the kitchen, sitting room and tv room (library) - although we have pared those back now and it's not as overwhelming. thanks for all your help everyone, i really feel like it's made a big difference and am excited to finish the tv room and then refresh the play room. do you think I should move the piano to the sitting room? and would the jazz painting work in the tv room? speak later, thanks!

The trim in your rooms is outstanding. To "tie the rooms together", the one thing I would do is install chair rail the same color as the existing trim. The horizontal lines of chair rail will move the eye around the room and into the next room creating a flow. Chair rail is relatively inexpensive, easy to install and would be wonderful compliment to your existing beautiful trim.

Thank you all for replying and for your advice! I will certainly consider changing the lamps for taller ones. They are very low all right. General feeling seems to be that mirror would be better same colour as the fireplace so I will think about that (it was originally that colour but I thought it looked very dark LOL). I might move it to my bedroom, I have a space where it might work. I will try centring the rug also. Lots to consider, I appreciate the comments everyone!

It is a gorgeous room with lovely features. I would second Minnie's colour choices, I have Farrow & Ball Pale Powder in my bedroom and it is a gorgeous colour - like an Eau de nil but changes colour throughout the day and is very soothing. I have dark wooden floors and dark brown leather sofas like you and I think I'm going with Farrow & Ball Borrowed Light when I come to decorate to give everything a lift, a pale rug is also a great idea. The cabinets you mention I would choose white to go with your existing bookcase and also to keep things light against the walls. This is currently my inspirational living room pic, the walls are borrowed light.