Actually neutral rooms are very classy :) And adding a hand-knotted New Zealand wool carpet such as the one I've pictured would add a lot of coziness and ground the space, while complementing your striped chair. Small accents of colour can be added in artwork and on new sofa cushions. The fireplace makes a bold statement in the room, which could be compromised by giving the walls equal weight with bold colour. I understand that this is your family room, where you will be relaxing at the end of a long day and watching television. Therefore a calm, relaxing (yes, neutral!) colour scheme will achieve that. The charcoal grey drapes I described above should have lining, and they will add to the warmth of the room at night so you're not looking at cold black glass that's reflecting the room back to you. The colour scheme you have now is actually very nice--it just needs punching up a little with additions such as I described.

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.

Hi, you have a lovely home! I read through your thread, and I like Dar Eckarts suggestion above the best. I think because of the symmetry of it as an H shaped house is symmetrical, and it would also keep the space looking decorated but still open and uncluttered which is what an entrance should be. Sorry, but I don't care for the bookcase idea in an entrance. I also noticed the masks you have, and think it would be great to decorate the space using them as inspiration. Here is a photo to show you the kind of rug I think would work here.

Take out sofa, use beanbags and those blow up seats for their friends. Coloured rugs for tumbling and crawling on. Supersoft teddy bear blankets so they can curl up. Add in one of those soft blanket boxes for toy storage and so you have somewhere soft to perch when you are with them. Paper half way up the wall in the wall paper that kids can draw on, so they can decorate in whatever colour they like and you won't mind. A childs lift up desk, bookcase and some crazy lamps in weird colours. Then close the door, collapse on the sofa that you have moved, breathe a sigh of relief and thank your lucky stars that you have another room for the kids to go to. (Grab wine and pretend they aren't yours for half an hour! ;-) )