Tobi,

I’m redecorating my family room from scratch and I’m stumped on what fabric colors to choose for the sofa, two chairs, cocktail ottoman and end tables without making the room feel crowded and without going too light where I’d need extra maintenance. I’d like the room to feel warm and calm. The room has been empty for months because I can’t decide what direction to go with the colors for the upholstery and furniture and my husband is worried that it will still be empty come Spring time.

The room is 15’ x 12’ with a 9’ ceiling. There is a 50” cast stone fireplace (yellow-beige) in the center of the 12’ wall and a 44” TV cabinet (cool brown) on the 15’ wall. There’s a cream rug with some cool brown, very pale blue-green, very pale salmon pink and a light camel color similar to Naples yellow. The wall color is Benjamin Moore Natural Linen.

I’d like to flank the TV cabinet with two chairs and the sofa will sit opposite the TV.

Could I go with a light camel sofa (supplier calls it Doeskin) and off-white chairs or will the chairs look to stark next to the TV cabinet? What color should I choose for the cocktail ottoman and end tables? Slipcovers will not be option at this time.

Thank you in advance for your help.

I’m looking for a new color palette for my dining room. Our 1928 center-entrance colonial home has dark wood trim and hardwood floors throughout. The living room is painted a creamy white with accents of cerulean blue, sage green, French gray, soft yellow and copper. I painted the adjacent hallway a mid tone blue-gray. Any ideas for colors that will coordinate with the colors in the other rooms and will complement the abundance of brown?