<p>Our room looks almost exactly like that second link (Martha wants it?) on the prior page. </p>
<p>Yes…it is brass…this entire room is so outdated. I do love my fireplace, but isn’t that TV hideous? Anyway, we are seriously considering getting rid if the furniture…hate to part with it, it’s Hancock and Moore…but still. Hmmmm…so much to consider. Is the color of furniture what you don’t think is good? We were trying to find a color that was light against the paneling.</p>
<p>Ok…for those who are still willing to give me some decorating advice. Here is one more view trying to take in the whole thing. Now I’m rethinking the paneling…keep it and put a larger something on the wall…new furniture, get rid if table replace with ottoman…and new drapes. Have to have drapes to absorb sound. </p>
<p>Well, personally I don’t like the style of the furniture, but that is just my taste. If anything is dated, it is that. I don’t think the color is bad in and of itself, but it definitely does not work in that room. I’d prefer something more classic, with color, that would be comfortable but liven things up. Right now it honestly looks like your classic 1980s furnished walk-out basement room.</p>
<p>This is not what I had in mind for your room, exactly, but if you want leather furniture, just look how great this room looks with the persian rug and a different kind of leather furniture. Note that it is NOT matchy-matchy! It isn’t dated in any way: it is classic:</p>
<p><a href=“Merilane - Traditional - Family Room - Minneapolis - by Stonewood, LLC | Houzz”>Merilane - Traditional - Family Room - Minneapolis - by Stonewood, LLC | Houzz;
<p>My vote (for what it is worth) is to paint the paneling. We did it ourselves in our former home, and I liked it a lot. The pinterest boards someone posted earlier look great . . .but truth in advertising, I like a more modern, updated look as a general rule. Paneling just says “seventies/early eighties” to me.</p>
<p>It does look like a beautiful room though with great potential. Have fun with your project!</p>
<p>To me, the room looks a lot like my parents’ house. I liked that in the one huge, bright room but not the darker room. I still sometimes think about things I’d have done to that house and I’d have changed the stain but not painted. It’s a lot more work to sand and stain light but I realized it was the color which needed changing, not the materials. </p>
<p>Thanks, that is what is was looking for. Yes…it’s time for a chance. We redecorated 15 years ago…carpet and sofas. I think it’s time to redo the entire room. </p>
<p>@conmama, I’m LOL’ing that we are talking you into a whole room redo and lots of $$$ spending!!!</p>
<p>I also want to give you and whoever suggested it, kudos for getting around the whole “can’t post a pic on CC” by having your avatar be a picture of your room - brilliant!!! 
</p>
<p>@abasket…this is something we know has been coming and we’ve been discussing it…plus knocking out the wall that separates the kitchen from this room. I really appreciate everyone’s opinions and ideas. I went on Pinterest this morning and found a really nice room where they left all the wood stained moulding and did a warm off white on the paneling…plus they had a huge brick fireplace like mine. The floors were wood and more updated furniture and accessories…it really looked quite nice. Or maybe it was houuzz? Anyway…it showed me what was possible with the “bones” of my room and I’m geared to paint and redecorate. Just need a contractor to talk about the wall.</p>
<p>also…that was as great idea that someone had on how to post a picture!</p>
<p>I agree with those who say either paint or pickle the paneling. You clearly don’t love it as is and YOU are the one who will be living there. And yes, new furniture while you’re at it!! I love spending your money for you, lol.</p>
<p>I had another brainstorm about your walls: you could cut out the top third or so of the paneling–it would depend on the height of the ceiling-- install a line of trim that goes with the other trim in the room, and drywall above it. You’d retain the beams and trim in the ceiling. If you wanted, you could make the trim on any wall a narrow, grooved shelf that you could place decorative things like plates or paintings leaning against the wall. You would then have several choices: leave the remaining wood as-is and paint the new wall area a great color, or paint the paneling and <em>still</em> paint the new wall area a great color, paint both the same color, etc. You could also paper the new wall area, if you prefer.</p>
<p>I looked for something on Houzz that would be exactly what I had in mind, to no avail, but these might give you some wild ideas about paint and paneling:</p>
<p><a href=“The Moorings - Traditional - Living Room - Boston - by Polhemus Savery DaSilva | Houzz”>The Moorings - Traditional - Living Room - Boston - by Polhemus Savery DaSilva | Houzz;
<a href=“Color Design-beachy bungalow - Beach Style - Living Room - San Francisco - by Rachel Perls, Hue Consulting | Houzz”>Color Design-beachy bungalow - Beach Style - Living Room - San Francisco - by Rachel Perls, Hue Consulting | Houzz;
<a href=“Los Altos Project #3 - Craftsman - Living Room - San Francisco - by User | Houzz”>Los Altos Project #3 - Craftsman - Living Room - San Francisco - by User | Houzz;
<a href=“Corbett Lighting - Traditional - Living Room - Miami - by 1800Lighting | Houzz”>Corbett Lighting - Traditional - Living Room - Miami - by 1800Lighting | Houzz;
<a href=“Greenville, DE Residence - Craftsman - Living Room - Wilmington - by Bancroft Homes, Inc. | Houzz”>Greenville, DE Residence - Craftsman - Living Room - Wilmington - by Bancroft Homes, Inc. | Houzz;
<a href=“Modern Rustic Beach Cottage | Turnberry Lane - Beach Style - Living Room - Orange County - by Barclay Butera Interiors | Houzz”>Modern Rustic Beach Cottage | Turnberry Lane - Beach Style - Living Room - Orange County - by Barclay Butera Interiors | Houzz;
<a href=“Cape Cod - Beach Style - Living Room - Los Angeles - by Norman Design Group, Inc. | Houzz”>Cape Cod - Beach Style - Living Room - Los Angeles - by Norman Design Group, Inc. | Houzz;
<p>This would transform your dated paneling into classic wainscoting. :)</p>
<h1>consolation–those are very cool ideas–a nice selection to start the planning and dreaming process.</h1>