This arrangement works much better, but some adjustments are needed to make it work. First, the fireplace grouping needs to be tightened. It crowds the dining area and you need a passageway behind the couch. Turn the rug lengthwise, parallel to the fireplace. Pull the large couch about 2 1/2 feet closer to the fireplace, and place the two chairs and loveseat on the ends of the rug, and pull them closer together. This will give you a more intimate conversation area, and not impose on the other areas of the room. Remove that floor lamp from behind the couch. If you need the light in that area, put it by the fireplace. Also, the stereo system on the mantel needs to find another home. Maybe it can go IN the fireplace instead. At the other end of the room, I think the arrangement would look better if the seating were rotated 90 degrees. Keep the rug and coffee table in its current configuration, place the sofa either facing the window or with its back to the window, and put the two chairs opposite it. Finally, the dining area. Now that you've moved the big leather chairs, you should have enough room. Your rug is too small. It should be big enough to give you at least a 2 ft. border all the way around when the chairs are pushed in. And it's a really beautiful table; please uncover it. I can't see what kind of lighting that area has. It really needs a pendant or chandelier hanging directly over the table.

HI RinaI do agree I love jewelbox rooms, but I consider them more cosy ... and with a grey marble floor it goes all Versace Italianate! I am trying to balance the colours by bringing in a pattern on the covers rather than plain. I feel this will bring colour without overpowering the room. In the pictures I showed above, the rooms are basically neutral but the colour is brought in via pattern - I think this might be the way to go...Ideally a green or blue on a subdued grey would be the best, but I dont know what the market is like for Sumit...Cushions can do a lot to tie in the other white/grey elements.Shelley - navy is a good suggestion, but as Sumits area is quite tall and thin, trying to keep the general area light Any more suggestions most welcome. These are just ideas after all and Sumit will choose what works for the room in the end ;-)

The room has exquisite bones: the windows, flooring and decorative crown molding. If simplicity is what you want but with a bit more personal taste, I suggest the following: 1) paint the walls white that has a soft, warm undertone such as Benjamin and Moore's moonlight white or Dove. (Or try any good paint store for help on picking the right white color.) Paint the molding a stark white with an egg shell or gloss finish. 2) keep the bed covering as is. I love the warm colors and mixed patterns. If you do want more comfort, yes add a thicker mattress. Can you get a fabric similar for the table top? Or just remove the fabric from the table top, painting or stenciling it with a similar pattern. (see #5 below for where to look for stencils.) 3) Move the table to the head of the bed, add a modern lamp and lots of books or other meaningful, personal items. 4) Add a comfy chair or as suggested above, pile lush floor pillows where the table is, under the window. Use complementing or solid color fabric on the floor pillows or chair. Add a small table with more lighting. (See my most popular post on Floor Pillows. Towards the end you will see examples of suitable floor pillows. Or just do a search here on Houzz and the internet.) 5) Make a dramatic statement above the bed with a very large painting. Select with care based upon your personal taste: abstract, minimal but with a hint or some of the colors found in the bedding fabric. It doesn't have to be centered, a little off centered will do since there appears to already be something on the wall above the bed. Do add a soft art lamp above the painting. (If you don't have money for the painting, purchase a very large canvas, take your time and create it yourself (collage it, play around with paint on paper before adding it to your canvas, stencil it, etc.--but have fun and make it personal) Here's a great place for getting a wide range of designs for stenciling: Cutting Edge Stencils. Note you don't have to take the design all the way to the edge of the canvas! 6) Add a small (wool) flokati rug in front of the bed. Get the kind that comes from Greece, it has long-fibers and a plush pile. These rugs are to die for when it comes to comfort and texture--and they're inexpensive. Take a look and if you like it, be sure to get wool: Flokati Rug.Net. These ideas will give you lots of varying textures to get rid of the boredom; contrasting colors for depth and drama; play up the wonderful architectural elements already found in the room; personalize it with what you love; and still, keep it simple and beautiful. Use soft lighting. Good luck!

Had another question - I have been told that any granite that’s non-black is not suitable for kitchen platform usage. Is this true? Are lighter shade of granite prone to discolouration or other issues?