I think a large artwork, in keeping with the style of the room, above the three-seater sofa would help.

Although I'm not usually a fan of rugs on top of carpet, I'm wondering whether a large rug would help to tie this room together, especially if you moved all of the chairs a touch closer towards the middle of the room. Obviously, not something too "patterned" as it may clash with the sofa fabric, but I would definitely try and pick up the darker pink or green from the sofa in choosing the colour as a neutral rug would just get lost in the room.

I'm a little torn on the Mona Lisa reproduction. I'm not sure it entirely suits the room and although I don't mind some famous reproductions (e.g. Van Gogh's Sunflowers), I don't think the Mona Lisa works in a house.

Thank you for your comments, Mona is actually a tapestry (also my mother-in-laws handy work) but it doesn't have to stay in the room. What sort of colours would you recommend for the rug?

As mentioned, possibly a darker pink or even a sage green for the rug.

Here are a few ideas, including a mix of contemporary and traditional, which might work:

[https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/cambridge-residence-traditional-living-room-boston-phvw-vp~118386[(https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/cambridge-residence-traditional-living-room-boston-phvw-vp~118386)

[https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/coastal-vacation-home-beach-style-living-room-philadelphia-phvw-vp~316467[(https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/coastal-vacation-home-beach-style-living-room-philadelphia-phvw-vp~316467)

[https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/every-day-chic-transitional-living-room-raleigh-phvw-vp~5996763[(https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/every-day-chic-transitional-living-room-raleigh-phvw-vp~5996763)

[https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/breakers-beach-house-beach-style-bedroom-san-francisco-phvw-vp~355987[(https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/breakers-beach-house-beach-style-bedroom-san-francisco-phvw-vp~355987)

[https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/master-bedroom-contemporary-bedroom-new-york-phvw-vp~66459[(https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/master-bedroom-contemporary-bedroom-new-york-phvw-vp~66459)

[https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/country-house-drawing-room-traditional-living-room-london-phvw-vp~11440596[(https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/country-house-drawing-room-traditional-living-room-london-phvw-vp~11440596)

[https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/model-home-living-room-transitional-living-room-santa-barbara-phvw-vp~530813[(https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/model-home-living-room-transitional-living-room-santa-barbara-phvw-vp~530813)

[https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/victorian-living-room-victorian-living-room-richmond-phvw-vp~655185[(https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/victorian-living-room-victorian-living-room-richmond-phvw-vp~655185)

[https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/traditional-living-room-victorian-living-room-philadelphia-phvw-vp~7015800[(https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/traditional-living-room-victorian-living-room-philadelphia-phvw-vp~7015800)

I would try to buy from a store which will let you take the rug home, see if it works with your décor and return it if it doesn't look right.

i think there are a couple of easy fixes. move the furniture away from the wall and create a cosy seating area. have tables close to seats. i would suggest painting the walls because they seem too cold for the warm furniture colours. i would open the desk and have a chair there so it looks useable. more art would also be great

I agree with haephestus about the artwork (in fact, will all that haephestus suggests!) - but I'm wondering, since you have one tapestry, whether you might look for another tapestry rather than a painting . . . or in keeping with material theme, even some special items of clothing (it sounds a bit strange, but there was a great article on houzz just a few weeks ago) . ..

[https://www.houzz.com.au/magazine/idea-to-steal-framed-fashion-stsetivw-vs~50544148[(https://www.houzz.com.au/magazine/idea-to-steal-framed-fashion-stsetivw-vs~50544148)

Or, given that this is a room with lots of family history in it, perhaps a display of family photos, some of your mother-in-law and husband from way back, as well as more recent ones . . .

Another idea is this story, which would also strengthen the idea of family in this room by using everyday day objects with meaning to you as artwork (but be careful - you can end spending hundreds of dollars on custom framing for items worth only a couple of dollars!)

[https://www.houzz.com.au/magazine/9-everyday-items-youd-never-think-to-frame-stsetivw-vs~45495730[(https://www.houzz.com.au/magazine/9-everyday-items-youd-never-think-to-frame-stsetivw-vs~45495730)

Have something a bit out of the ordinary likes these creates a talking point, too, for the guests sitting in your sitting room!

The addition of a rug large enough to reach from the sofa to the chairs (bring them a little closer together). The addition of a coffee table instead of the canphor wood chest and move the chest against the wall. Indoor plants are again popular, try some palms. If you changed the paint colour in just this room it would help give the room an identity as from the photos your home looks quite modern. Possibly a deep olive or muted musk to marry in with the fabric on the lounge. The addition of a bookcase from the same period or a credenza with a drinks tray & cut glass decanters would give the room purpose. Have a look around the opshops, you could find some gems at reasonable prices that fit in with the decor. Have fun! :)

Great ideas already mentioned here, but I assume you're also trying to stay on budget? So a large rug may be a little too expensive once you add the large art work in as well.

I would make your big spend the large art work, in my opinion it's more important and if you pool all your finance into that, it will ensure a better quality piece. That wall could also be painted a feature colour as a backdrop for the painting and to balance the height of the windows on the opposite side, I'd opt for a softer more subtle colour, perhaps even simply a darker tone of the already ivory walls, that way it gives the effect without being obvious or in your face.

id also move the MONA Lisa tapestry to another room (unless you have a matching tapestry elsewhere in the house to bring in to pair it with) and hang a matching set of two paintings above one another between the curtains, with the top one starting at the top of the windows, make sure your large painting is hung at a similar datum on the opposing wall to help be cohesive.

I would change the placement of the cushions and throw on the sofa, I would have the throw on a more inviting casual angle over the corner where one of the cushions currently sits, then I'd have both cushions sitting over it together rather than on opposing sides, I'd then slightly move both cushions on the single seaters more into the corners of the chairs than directly in the middle.

Laslty id put a beautiful tray like a silver one perhaps on the chest to place tea service etc on when guests are over, I'd remove the doily and if youre not going to have flowers in the vase, I'd remove that too and place some coffee table books on the chest also.

Its alsways fun making a room more inviting, enjoy!!!

Hi there, I would love to help you out with an artwork if you would like, I aim to create works that are authentic and affordable. I also do work on commission; where you can pick the price and I will work with you to create something that is right for your space and budget. You can contact me via my my website www.janamcleod.com if you are interested :) I'm very flexible as I believe everyone should have an original piece on their wall! Cheap courier delivery to most places in Australia via FastWay Couriers and order tracking available.

"An artwork can transform a space and lend to it an atmosphere. It is uniquely yours and can connect you to a time, place, thought or feeling. An artwork can add a sense of wonderment to any room"

Michellem7 - when you've redone the room, it would be lovely to see how it turned out . . .