One problem is that your curtains aren't full enough for the wide window. Houzz might have a formula but I found one here: http://www.ehow.com/way_6038775_many-should-hung-double-window_.html. Also, try this: remove the tie backs and let the curtains fall naturally. That should help a little with the fullness. Then buy pillows that bring in those colors. You can also add color to that bookcase by painting it the same color as the wall for a more built-in look. Add more collectibles or books to the shelves. Then find a large graphic poster for that long wall. Next pull the sofa and chairs closer to the fireplace so that they have at least two feet on the rug. Pull the end table closer to the furniture. Drop the picture on the right of the window down about 5". It's way too high.

I hope you can talk her out of that. The walls are beautiful and there will be glue to remove and a price to pay if you ever want to go back. Most people are removing their paper not putting paper up. Many houses have dated paneling and don't look this nice around the fire place. I still think the middle area would look good grey to match the grey around the opening of the fire place. It would look like a visible chimney. I do like lofts/ industrial looks so this appeals more to me than some people. Show her pictures of red brick walls in loft studios and what they are doing with colors on the interior walls and she can get ideas of what color she wants. This probably sounds odd to you but I l like the dirty spot on the bricks. I wish some pros would weigh in.

I think black, cream and gold is quite a classic combination unless you wanted more colour? Perhaps a side table or low console to the right of the fire but keep the profile lower than the fire. I would change the mirror for a larger one and add something tallish on the LHS, agree re painting skirts, would do these in the ŵall colour though to maximise ŵall height and also paint the door. Perhaps a glass coffee table with a rug under the sofas? I would keep the rug similar in tone to the floor. You could also try arranging cushions either 2/3 on one side with just one on the other to move away from a traditonal look but do bring in the gold and pattern. You could try just a grasscloth on the fire ŵall. I would also add art. If you choose black frames keep the frame fairly thin. Also agree re tv unit.

Hi Pam, didn’t notice you’re dilemma before, just had a look at it. Milky Way mural sounds interesting. Although I’m a bit confused as to which wall you were thinking of putting it on. Is it the long wall where the fireplace is? The mural itself is most likely to be very dark in colour and like you say quite difficult to tie in with traditional furniture. But it could work with with jewel tone soft furnishings (emerald green, teal, wine red etc. in sumptuous fabrics like velvet and silk). You also say you have a conservatory garden wall mural upstairs on the landing, I imagine this to have a lot of green colours so I think anything downstairs should also have an element of green to link the colours through the house and create a better flow. Personally I wouldn’t put it on the fireplace wall as I think it would be too overbearing but the area where the dining table is would be nice and you could link it on the other side of the partition with paint colour and art. Was definitely thinking you need a rug in front of the sideboard as you come in from the hall. Maybe you could have a space themed rug:) here are some nice ones: https://jan-kath.de/collection/spacecrafted/overview/ https://www.kibek.de/teppiche/moderne-teppiche/81336/sky-and-sea Also here’s a link to some wall murals, I think the nebula ones with a greenish tinge would look superb. https://www.muralswallpaper.co.uk/wall-murals/space-mural-wallpaper/galaxy-and-nebula-wallpaper-wall-murals/ I’ll see if I can do some mock ups in photoshop, in the mean time here’s some inspo: