Hello kellyi. The living room needs straight, long drapes in a simple pattern, I think. No swags, no tie-backs, no extra anything. I'd look for something with a light, off-white background as the room is a bit heavy with brown, and perhaps a geometric pattern that introduces your favourite colour. It could happily be green, but the room is so neutral it could be anything. Pick up that colour in a couple of throw pillows, which could also be patterned, or plain. On the lighting I think you could probably get better advice from someone else. But I'd also like to suggest big art for your fireplace to hang just a few inches above the mantlepiece. Again something modern, light and bright. Preferably with a touch of brown in it but other colours predominating -- including the curtain colour. I think these are both charming and cheerful, but of course nothing is more about your personal taste than choosing a painting. These are on etsy.com, in the landscapes section.

Perhaps light grey overhead and Japan black lower. How high are your ceilings? Inspiration shots below. I agree 2700 would be too high in black but 2400 would be fine.

Hello .. why not grey but not too dark. A neighbour paint their fence (beside a 70's but lovely yellow brick home) a dark grey. I wondered if it might be a little too dark even tho that appears to be the trend. I have too, a 70's yellow brick home and deciding what shade of grey I might paint the paling fence in a courtyard area. I think maroon (trim) and grey would work nicely and it's surprising what a new appearance does for the surroundings. I'm often amazed.

Maybe its just me , but this is made worse by having the buttery yellow walls -- in fact , the darker brown , the yellow and the white just screams 1970's and/or bumblebees . The ptroblem is that the brown is still too dark even if you went all white , but it would be an improvement IMO , and relatively inexpensive . I'm trying to think of something better , and to me , a wallpaper that is mostly white with a gold scroll or something modern like gold stripes would look good -- just keep away from anything that looks 70's unless the retro look is what you are wanting . Oh , and maybe add an artwork halfway up the stairs on the 'right' side -- art always looks good if appropriately chosen , plus it will distract the eyes .