Thanks all - our belongings arrive this week so I will have a go at transforming the space with what we have then search for new things to add. We have quite a bit of art with strong yellow colors and also a Tibetian Chest with yellows and greens. Thanks again!

OK - I'm a beginner here on Houzz so my opinion isn't worth a lot but here it is: the room is a bit bland and lacking in character. I think you have to find some pieces you really love to bring it alive. All the suggestions are good for widening your horizons, but ultimately, you need to find things that matter to you, because it's your home and not a magazine photoshoot. That said, if it were me, I'd throw a couple of small, colorful rugs down, and put either one large painting or three smaller ones over the bed - not in a line but at different heights - to break up the binary look. I'd also put something on the wall above the heater. Then, play around with a few cushions and maybe a quilt that picks up some of the colours in your artwork.

The all black kitchen looks scary as. Maybe because there's no lightness in there at all.

Purchasing this 2400 sq foot home near the beach. Love the open floor plan but want to update it. We are definitely planning to redo kitchen and floors and paint but am stumped with how it all should be laid out. The main floor consists of kitchen, LR, and sitting room which currently houses the dining room table. I am considering having the wood fireplace removed altogether as it doesn't get much use in low-country SC but am not sure how to lay out the room without it, e.g., where should LR go and on which wall should TV go? Also considering converting the f/p to electric so that it is not a hazard and can be the focal point of room and place to mount TV. The home will also be used for short-term rentals so having a TV and dining room table are essential. Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated.