I had the same type of moulding in my old house, a 1940's cottage, and hung VERY heavy pictures from it with no problem. I used two hangers for my heaviest piece (so heavy it was difficult to move around by myself). Your moulding can probably handle it. I would be most concerned about afixing the rope securely. I'm not sure about how to do this in your case, though. Sorry that I'm no help. I would hate to mess with the plaster, too. First of all, it isn't strong enough to hold unless you hit a stud. Secondly, the placement of those aren't always where you want your art to hang. I swear, my studs were petrified wood! I couldn't even get a drill to go through them, it just got stuck.

Hope I can chime in - although I'm not totally comfortable commenting as the pictures are pretty grainy on my screen. I wonder if what is really bothering you is more of a problem with scale and weight/balance. First I should say your curtains are lovely and your sofa and chair with ottoman look so comfy. The table as other's have pointed out did not look or function well behind the chair. However, the chair is rather delicate, and it and the stand next to it are both leggy. This may be partially what is bothering you. Additionally, the lovely picture behind the chair almost overpowers the chair. It's hard to tell from the photos but it might work better if the painting were lowered down to the height of the etegere. I would soften the look on the etegere by substituting the topmost items with one soft and low mounding form like an ivy with some trailing stems...the weight would help balance the heavyish lovely valances, and provide needed contrast to the multiple verticle items on the various shelves. The inside top shelf might look even better empty with the low plant on the next shelf down... Then something to connect the chair to the etegere and painting, which could be a floor plant or a floor vase with some fronds or something with some height but not too cluttery on the floor against the wall to contrast between the stick legs of the stand and the chair, with substantial enough base/weight- not a stick base - but not enough to overpower the delicate chair. Depending on the height of the shelf, you may be able to have a cleared space on the glass near the chair to serve as the place to put a drink and plate and snacks. It might possibly work to substitute a small fat lamp sitting on the shelf for the separate table and table lamp that may just clutter up the room more. Just my thoughts. Whatever you do, have fun! You have such a lovely space!!

I really want to thank you all for your help and suggestions - you really motivated me and I'm putting your thoughts to good use! This afternoon I started painting and moving a few things into her room. I choose Meadowbrook by Ace for the walls and immediately fell in love. So much so that I called DH at work to tell him. I snapped a few pics for you to see even though the walls were still wet in some places. While painting I decided that the accent color would definitely be soft pinks and red raspberry shades. Meadowbrook wall paint. I think that the wall color looks wonderful w/ the maple wood furniture and love how it plays w/ the crisp white trim. Meadowbrook is 2 shades darker than Woodlawn (which is my MBR wall color) and is the closest match (w/o colormatching) to F&B's Pale Powder. I am definitley going to do the white IKEA curtains doubled up as someone suggested in their post! I'm going to try matchstick blinds layered underneath to pick up the wood tones in the furniture. Like I said - this room gets blinding light. Do you think that pink and berry accents will work w/ this wall color? After reading some of the thoughts about kids possibly being creeped out by staring owl eyes I went back and looked at the James Brown art and came up w/ some of these prints. Any catch your fancy for the room?: Here is a close up of the bedskirt and the pillows have a small ruffle of the same check for a border.: I found a small old wooden birdcage in the basement that I thought I could spraypaint white or berry and put butterflies and birds in and hang in a corner. Lame? I still really like the 'foresty' idea and thought I could run w/ it in an 'Enchanted Forest' girlie way (not a Harry Potter way). I can get her a white stuffed owl for her bed! Crazy thought - tell me if I'm taking it too far - What about painting the bureau a soft pink or raspberry color? Too much? Oh - and my mom called today to say that she found the sweetest antique childs rocker for $15 that she bought for her!

Unfortunately, our local framing shop went out of business a few years ago and I don't like using online for this. So, I am relegated to Hobby Lobby or Michaels. But, I have found the personnel at both to have an impeccable eye for complementing artwork with matting. The man at our local Hobby Lobby has been there as long as the store, and always has great suggestions. They'll cut it as you wait, and I don't find them pricey at all. In fact, the local framer was at least 1/3 more in cost, maybe more. I still used and supported her until she went out of business, and you may want to find a small business owner. But, don't discount Michael's because it's a chain. You also won't have to worry about the mats denting or bending in transit like online. I also don't buy frames online because I prefer glass.