I find the ceiling really distracting and would make them all one colour (maybe a heavy cream or light tan... What about staining the walls a really deep colour and then leaving the blinds and mantel .... if you don't keep those then there really isn't much left to paint... It would look better with the brick...

i would def paint the ceiling ones i agree a tan or cream.then depending on how much space there is at the bottom of the stairs i would do a build in entertainment center in front of those windows. then i would move the tv to that wall so you can still enjoy the tv and the fireplace without having to watch both.at the same time.i would lose the small mantel and make columns on either side and make it bigger again a cream or tan color or pale grey is pretty too . you can always add a pop of color with pillows and things. i would do a small sectional sofa and a great leather ottoman that also has storage in it. has lots of great potentional

Do you have pictures of the rest of the house?

Painting all the wood grey would contemporize the room and coordinate with the brick. Paint the ceiling the same or a few shades lighter.

Thank you all for your suggestions. @ Kelli here is a picture of the living room... The furnishing arent mine.

Your fireplace has grey brick; if you paint all the wood grey you are going to have one huge grey room. I would paint the ceiling beams to match the ceiling, but I would paint the wood off-white.

Pehaps you could pickle the wood to have color and still show the grain. I agree about painting the ceiling and switching the blinds for panels. This will definitely change the look of the room.

Example of pickled floors: https://www.houzz.com/photos/1512-dolphin-terrace-beach-style-living-room-los-angeles-phvw-vp~235541 This is a pretty application on the trim and mantle:

The problem with this room is not the wood! It is the lack of furnishings and colour. Take out the wood blinds and make them darker, paint the railing darker. Change the carpet. Paint the ceiling a tan/taupe color to pick a color in the brick. Change to ceiling fan to something more contemporary. You could go midcentury furnishing or more contemporary would be a nice style but I would not put you existing furniture in there. To small and too traditional for the room. I would flank two long couches on either side of the fireplace with a square coffee table. Sometimes you have to decorate with the house's style. Have fun!

The problem with this room is not the wood! It is the lack of furnishings and colour. Take out the wood blinds and make them darker, paint the railing darker. Change the carpet. Paint the ceiling a tan/taupe color to pick a color in the brick. Change to ceiling fan to something more contemporary. You could go midcentury furnishing or more contemporary would be a nice style but I would not put you existing furniture in there. To small and too traditional for the room. I would flank two long couches on either side of the fireplace with a square coffee table. Sometimes you have to decorate with the house's style. Have fun!

Thanks so much for all of your suggestions they are very helpful. If we end up purchasing this home I would definitely paint the wood and replace the blinds with white blinds. I was also thinking about painting the beams white or off white and adding some trim similar to the1512 Dolphin Chase pic to capitalize on the beams architectural interest. I was also thinking I would add a mantel and mount the TV on the fireplace above the mantel. I will post after pics in a couple months if all goes well. Cross your fingers for me.

That would be great! Good luck!

Fingers crossed!

Thanks.

There is a lot going on in the room as far as colors and textures. I think painting most of the elements in the room the same color would harmonize the different elements. the brick fireplace is handsome but the brick looks dated. Would suggest painting it also but once done it can't be unpainted. I would consider perhaps leaving the ceiling beams (in some fashion) but would suggest staining them darker to provide some contrast. Good luck!

7 year old post

You would think Houzz would delete after 7 years, LOL!