My own personal decorating consultant

Since the last post I've talked to my sister who gave me some great ideas for improving some of the spaces in my home. So, I'm posting more so she can give me even more ideas. I am thinking of having a piano bench made by our friend who bought all of Mike's tools. The piano was FREE! Isn't that amazing? Who just gives a piano away? Mike rescued it from his home teaching family that was leaving it out in the rain. He got it just before the rain started.

Also, this black bookcase area is a problem for me. I'm not sure how to fix that. The picture of the kitchen was taken a year ago and it looks the same now, only cleaner. I do have a red rug on the ground by the sink and that doesn't work--red and blue? The main thing I'm wondering about it is what do I do with the bird house? I saw it at a garage sale and painted it blue to match the curtains in the kitchen but now I don't know what else to do with it. It's been sitting there for a year. So, give me ideas. I'd be happy with any idea for any of the spaces pictured.