The Tile Shop has black and white hex tiles and also a black and white plaid tile. Jeffery Court makes a hex carrara marble tile with black diamonds, which you can special order from the Home Depot. Jeffrey Court Marble Tile Shop Porcelain I am doing a hall/guest bathroom, which also serves as the "boys" bathroom when my two sons are at home. I will be doing a black and white floor with a carrara look alike marble in the bath/shower surround. I did opt for a carrara marble countertop. I think the ceramic and porcelain will be easier to maintain with growing boys. Even with grown boys, they don't like to clean up, so guess who ends up cleaning the bathroom :-(. HTH

Since you already have the fabric, did you try running the pattern vertically? Whichever way you orient the stripes, I would add a bolster pillow in a b/w toile or tiny polka dot to break up the large stripe. Or you can try some contrasting welting or some kind of fringe on the cushion. And use the same fringe or bullion or trim on the pillow. I personally would maintain the integrity of the chair and re-upholster it as it is now, w/ the detached back. As for painting it, a black distressed would be beautiful, accentuating the carvings. You can even stain the chair in a deep brown and glaze with a black. You can even brush with a metallic for a "funkier" look. If you do paint it, you have to remove the old fabric, lightly sand and then paint. I personally prefer using a brush for a surface with lots of nooks and crannies. And finally, you should apply either a varnish or a wax. Car wax works really well. I paint a lot of furniture, this chair has so much potential!!

Thanks very much for these ideas. I'm still wondering about something in the off-white/OC range. I have read a million posts and Pins on whites...what I'm stuck on is how they will look in eastern light that is very, very green through the tree canopy. I know from experience now that grey undertones turn to a not-so-pleasant mushroomy color when washed with green light. Beyond those airy photos, I'm imagining something geometric and angular (greek key, or diamonds) on the floor -- could be charcoal and white/cream, or a sisal. One large photo of something architectural (a plant, a bridge) on the wall opposite the gallery wall, over my desk, and a small mirror in a chunky frame on the modern louvered credenza. Love to find a deco-ish light fixture. Any suggestions for a white that would highlight an overall look like that?

Cabinet fronts date the room. Would replace w/ white or cream, slab fronts in place of those dark dust-catchers, repainting the frames, and no need for the TOWELS lettering, people know. I think the rest is fine really for now. I had a really ugly top to a living room bookcase, a “planter” top. I wanted it off! Woulda required a lotta other work beside and behind where it was. Designer said we hadda lotta other things needing done first. He was right. The rest of your room is clean, serviceable, light, and really quite soothing. Just change the cabinet fronts and trash those letters. No need to chase trends. Onward!