Lia, I'm guessing that when you mentioned looking at color swatches, you were referring to colors other than what most consider "neutral." Some include blues and greens. I keep wondering about considering them.

This week I took a screenshot of a room with the arrangement I'm planning to use. It's considerably larger than mine, mostly due to the space between the living and dining areas. What appeals to me is the balance of colors. Off-white on each end, with a deeper, contrastting color in the middle.

Since I practically live on my sofa (resting my back) I know I don't want leather. It feels too cold, as I learned with the last sofa I had. Otherwise, I loved it. Since the chairs will mostly be used by guests, which is to say infrequently, I think I can live with them in an almost-white performance fabric. That leads me, once again, thinking about a blue sofa.

I need to look at what is available in blue.*

Note that I very much liked the AI image shared by Molly. I just can't find a light-colored "performance" fabric that is as soft and smooth as I want for the sofa. In fact, I don't see very many performance fabrics offered among the walls of fabrics in the shops. I also what 100% polyester for its benefits. With those criteria, my options are terribly limited.

*I love green, but blue will work better in this home that has so much gray in it. Blue can be the thread throughout. (I already have three bedrooms in blues.)

Well, I had expected the opposite reactions! Thanks, Flo and Lia. Before I spend more time with this idea, I'm going to see what is available. It's hard to give up on shades of beige or taupe, but I have to at least look. (Already I've thought about the limits of pillow colors on a blue sofa.)

I'll get back here once I've had a chance to shop.

Thank you, Alice, Kcooz and Kjoy. Kjoy, your mom’s room looks very nice. I like that shade of blue. Thanks for sharing the photo s.

I agree you want to make sure it doesn’t go too gray. It’s hard to tell from online photos with the shade actually is.

It is definitely not gray. I like this “medium” tone. I think it keeps it feeling like a neutral. When darker while still pretty acts more as a statement.

Happy Thanksgiving, Lia! Your home looks set for a beautiful time with your family.

Ollie is a lot better behaved than Dexter. Poor Dexter. He wouldn’t allow any touching and he was a biter.

Kcooz. That’s great news and praying they are ok in both locations. That means they have power restored for many so that is half the recovery battle. Then just clean up from flying debris etc. Hope you can check in soon gls!!

The rug was delivered yesterday! @ DIS thank you SO much for the suggestion to use this rug! It is perfect. I'm continuing to work on the other pieces. I have had 2 estimates for romans, but I did not care for the fabrics offered and for $2500 for 3 small windows, I want something that REALLY like. On Saturday I'm going to a different store to look at cabinets to flank the FP.

New pics -

Melfairm, I understand your original question and your concern about the TONE of subsequent comments. I too have had situations with contractors where there were concerns and they try to make you think there’s either no issue or want to push a quick, but not best fix to save themselves time and money. So asking experts for advice prior to the conversation makes sense to me. It also seems folks on this forum routinely respond with a condescending and rude tone under the guise of honesty. Honesty does not require rudeness.

I agree with you robbie, the guy was just asking for a little help.

Thank you, Robbie and doods! I appreciate it. What’s the point of having an advice forum if people try make you feel bad or stupid for asking for advice.