J Dandy's Profile

My favorite warm grey is Keratin by Frazee. It has a hint of orange in it (hence the name), and works really well with orange-toned woods, as your floors are. It's like a warm hug.

I also agree with other commenters about adding more brightly colored wall decor and accents, especially in the center of the room.

Most water based polys are clear, meaning they won't turn your white paint yellow.

Add texture and curves -
A coffee table with curved lines in a warm wood tone
A few table lamps with interesting textures/shapes, maybe a burlap shade
A cozy woven throw
Plants

You have a good thing started. I'd see how it all shapes up once you get it in the room. It may not look as stark in a larger scale.

Microfiber is the bomb. Dark colors work too. Microfiber in a dark color is a dream team for toddlers.

You actually might be able to get away with white leather if it's prepared correctly. Some types are treated to be wiped off easily. Their texture is similar to vinyl. Other (softer) leathers are more absorbent and will stain just as badly as fabric. Grill your salesperson about this if you're really considering it.

We bought in the summer of '05 and our house has lost 50% of it's value. Though it sucks that the guy next door who throws parties every weekend is paying half as much for the same floor plan, there are positives:

1. Interest rates are really low, and HARP 2.0 is actually helpful - this month we refinanced at a rate of 3.75% even though we're underwater. Call your bank!

2. It's kept us humble.

3. We've been forced to declutter in order to fit in our small house and made $7000 selling stuff we didn't need anymore.

4. We've learned valuable lessons - like be the seller in a housing bubble, not the buyer.

I have an unspoken tipping point that tells me I need to declutter. When my son gets something new and there is literally no place to put it in the closet, it's purging time. When I come home and feel like the walls of the house are closing in on me, it's time to clear some shelves. I feel it in my chest and my boiling blood. I might be an exception.

Since the curtain pattern is smaller, I'd go with either a large stripe or a large all-over pattern that isn't too busy, in the same color ways as the curtains.

Examples:
http://www.westelm.com/products/camden-stripe-handwoven-rug-t053/?pkey=cwool-rugs
http://www.cb2.com/roundabout-rug/f6765
http://www.cb2.com/hopscotch-rug/f5803

I think anything less than 12" diameter would be too puny.

My son has a La-Z-Boy recliner in his room. I bought it when he was a newborn because it was comfortable for nursing.

Now that he's older I've thought about replacing it with an Eames rocker. My son will hate me for it, but whatevs, it will look so much better when I post photos of his room online.

I'm so in love with this idea, I think my head might explode.