Manon Floreat Wow, I think your chairs are pretty great! Rather than replacing them, consider reupholstering the seats in a fabric you really like. Then you can take a cue from the fabric for the wall color. Some options are below.

I would consider a different light fixture in the dining room. Perhaps a wrought iron chandelier.

Depending on the fabric you choose for your chair, consider making the window wall an accent wall. Perhaps a medium gray, with the shade you currently have. The other walls would look nice in a wheat or linen color.

I wouldn't paint the cupboards. In the kitchen, I'd just have a de-cluttering session so that at the end all surfaces were free and clear (including the top of the fridge).

Later, you may want to move the range to the opposite wall and build a cabinet around your refrigerator. It'll make the space look neater and be more convenient for cooking. Also, recessed can lighting with under cabinet lighting in the kitchen is really the way to go.

Below are ideas. Hope they help!

bandit50 Take down the three small pictures..too small for that size wall. And either switch out the light fixture for something more contemporary...but whatever you do...lower the light fixture, right now, it is too high. Take off the centrepiece, looks too much like a floral shop. Do some glass votives..and remove the lace fabric. Instead, do a table runner. Wall color..not sure, anything but white! Good luck!

Bond Girl I agree with all Manon's suggestions. Unless you are planning to have the boxes and doors professionally painted, the paint will chip, and you'll end up with a mess. I'd add some hardware to your cabinets. Pick your new lighting based on the new hardware. There are a lot of on-line sites to shop for both hardware and lighting.

I'd pick some panels that you love for the window, and pick the wall color from that. Stay away from brown/tan or red. Have fun!

Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC. Hi Charlize Try Clarksville Gray HC-102 from Benjamin Moore. I agree with Manon that de-cluttering will help a lot. Also, agree that I would not paint the cabinets. I would almost never paint stain grade cabinets, it doesn't improve the looks of the cabinets at all. I think your chairs and table are fine and will look nice against the Clarksville Gray, which is a beautiful green/gray color. One thing that would really improve the look of the kitchen is to consider a built-in fridge. These can be a bit pricey, but maybe money better spent there instead of painting cabinets and buying new chairs. I hope this helps and good luck with your project. Charmean Neithart

charlize Thanks everyone, love your suggestion. I guess I should have mentioned the reason for replacing chairs is that the cane is damaged on four of the chairs, it is pricing to have the cane fixed any suggestion? Also, you mentioned the height of the light fixture is too high what measurement should the fixture be placed above the table. I like the idea of adding hardware to the cabinets who you suggest the same as the light fixture that I chose. Do you have further suggestions on the gray shade that could be used, and suggestions regarding paint colour in the wheat or linen colours thats so much your are wonderful. Have a great day. Hope to hear from you soon.

Manon Floreat Oh - too bad about the cane. But! You can upholster over that as well. See this link:

http://sugarandspackle.blogspot.com/2011/02/how-to-upholster-over-cane-back-chair.html

If you're DIY type of person, it's a fun project.

Below is the Clarksville Grey that Charmean recommends. Very sophisticated. The second one is Rockport Grey. That might work as well.

For linen colors check out Harvest Brown by Behr (last photo).

Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC. Like the Rockport as well Manon, I've never used that one before. Cane can also be restrung, just another option and shouldn't be too expensive.

L.e.a.f. Home Renovations LLC I would also suggest changing the light fixture in the kitchen . A ceiling hugger fan with light kit is a great addition to the kitchen.

Riverside Design Hi there, The bottom of the light fixture should be 36" off the table, roughly...hope that helps

3wanda I agree with the comments about the clutter. Clear it out. There should be nothing on or on top of the refrigerator. Here's an idea about the calendar: instead of hanging it off of your cabinet, hang it inside a cabinet door. It is still accessible that way without cluttering your space.You might consider having your cabinets professionally cleaned and resealed. I would replace the dining room chairs with something more updated. A new light fixture and curtains are needed. I like the Harvest Brown color that has been suggested. The three pictures you are using are the wrong scale for the room. One large picture would work better.

alwaysdesigning Your refrig needs a built in shelf/wall to hide it; replace the light fixtures; with your neutral tiles I would see a nice sage paint in the kitchen/dining; get curtains, a huge canvas print to replace the 3 little ones; make that your focal wall. Pull your inspiration and colors from your canvas. Hide all the countertop stuff. Get rid of floor clutter. The clutter is the first place to start and you will be inspired to go from there. I have attached IKEA inspirations (curtains, lights, dining set, large canvas picture) and a Benj Moore paint color as ideas.

14thstreet Love the idea of a gray tone on the wall. A chair like this would help keep the room warm.


A large wall mirror such as this one would be beautiful on the wall rather than the print set you have now and would give much more impact. http://www.zgallerie.com/p-2041-devon-mirror.aspx

I love the chandelier that Manon suggested. Something airy and light like that would be appropriate for that room size and still allow light from the window into the kitchen.

I agree about not painting the cabinets yourself- instead add nice pulls (to match the chandelier finish you choose) or handles and replace hinges to match. Removing everything from the counters except for a utensil caddy and a decorative bowl to put fresh fruit in and also getting rid of the microwave cart under the phone would help for a clean and updated look also.

Replace your sink rug with a mat such as: http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/kitchen/decor/kitchen_rugs/PRD~c19430/NATCO+Kitchen+Chef+Mat.jsp These are a cinch to clean up and really save your back. I have one similar to this and I practically live on it when I'm in the kitchen.

charlize Hi Everyone,
This is such a great forum, love all your suggestions. The information from allwaysdesigning mentions an attachment which was not on the message. I am doing my neighbor a favour as she is not to computer savy and I said I would help out with asking the questions. She has seen most of the suggestions and loves them and appreciates all your help. I will be next.

Erik Waldorf Interior Design Was browsing on One Kings Lane this morning and saw this image! It's a VERY similar set-up to your friend's room. You can get the chairs right now on One Kings Lane (Madeleine Slipcover Chair). I agree that the light fixture should be changed too. Although, I wouldn't typically suggest blue in a dining room (especially with existing dining table color) if you head toward the grey direction with a little blue and use warm colors everywhere else it could work. Otherwise, choose a warm color for the walls. :-)