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sarahpost

Need Ideas for Dining Room

12 years ago
Looking for ideas to finish off my dining room. We will only use this room a couple times a year, but it is one of the first things you see when you walk in the house. I know I want to add drapes (for looks- I have no need to close them), a centerpiece for the table, and something over the fireplace. I’m really struggling with what to put there, as I already have a mirror on the opposite wall. I would also like to purchase this console table for under the mirror http://www.noirfurniturela.com/product/details/ART006S-OW?category=Consoles. I liked that it was on wheels so if we needed the extra space it could be wheeled out of the room.

I think my style is coastal/ transitional. I’m going for soft beiges (walls are SW Accessible Beige), blues, and greens. I’m including a couple photos of my entry, as you see both rooms when you enter the house. The color of the rug in the entry wasn't exactly the shade of blue I was going for, but I love the style so it is staying until I find something l like better. Oh, and I hate the foyer light, so would love ideas for that too. I was thinking a lantern style light with no glass inserts.

Comments (25)

  • 12 years ago
    Two more pics of the entry.
  • 12 years ago
    soto01, you are too kind! Here are two fabrics I was looking at for drapes. The blue in the entry rug and the blue in the trim around my dining rug are different shades, so trying to find fabric to bring in some color and look good with both shades has been challenging! I would be interested in seeing a pic of the clock you are talking about. I had considered a clock, but wasn't sure I wanted it in the dining room. I want time to not matter when gathering with family over a nice meal =) It could work in my home office, though. The table is from Pottery Barn.
  • 12 years ago
    And the other fabric against both rugs.
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Beautiful room. To balance fireplace, perhaps a tall, narrow armoire would be nice on left wall. You could move mirror to over the fireplace if it fits, or on the wall on the left was you walk in.
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  • 12 years ago
    Either of the two fabrics will be far enough away from the entrance rug so that clashing blues won't be a problem. I love both fabrics, but must confess that the second one with the large pattern is my favorite. It is GORGEOUS! Are you leaning towards one or the other? Both will work well. I'm sure on this Houzz site, that you will find a large divided split in the votes on the two fabrics.
  • 12 years ago
    I agree the wall opposite the fireplace needs more. There isn't a lot of space between the back of the chair and the wall. There is enough room for something narrow, but I don't want the room to be visually crowded which is why I thought the mirror and console combo would work well. The mirror won't fit anywhere else, and I love how it reflects the fireplace. I do like the rustic style of the armoires you shared.
  • 12 years ago
    I am not computer savvy, so I don't know how to attach photos. But if you will click on my head icon beside my name, I have posted some photos of clocks in SOTO18 book just for you. I love that mirror you have in the room, but it is so big that it will hide most of the stone above the fireplace, plus it will leave you with that big empty wall to fill. Are you planning to add artwork?
  • 12 years ago
    I'm so torn between the two fabrics! I love the pattern of the second one, but the other looks very soft and elegant in the room. The drapes will be custom and cost a lot, so I don't want to pick the wrong fabric :-)
  • 12 years ago
    I definitely want artwork in the room, but I haven't found anything I love yet.
  • 12 years ago
    Hi Sarah! Did you get a chance to look at my ideabook #18? I put things in it just for you - Pictures of clocks (found one over the mantel). Also put some very different ideas for console tables and one for entry lantern. I do love the idea of a lantern fixture in the entry. All things considered, I think I would choose the drapery fabric that you said looked very soft and elegant in the room. The room is so neutral and gorgeous that I would hate to lose that soft elegant feel in the room. You are doing a fabulous job so far and are talented enough to be a designer yourself! I will look for more lanterns and console tables for you to see, while we wait for professionals to respond. This thread is really buried and hard to find. If you want, I will put out a call for more voices to respond in the decision making process. What type of artwork do you like (abstract, a particular theme perhaps, or even a series of photos?)
  • 12 years ago
    I can't get to your ideabooks from my phone :-/ I'll have to try from my laptop when I get back to it. I agree that the softer pattern is the way to go for the drapes. I love the other fabric, but I don't think it is right for the room. I also think you are right about the console being too industrial for the room. I think deep down I knew it wasn't right which is why I haven't purchased it yet. I did purchase a floral arrangement for the table today. It is hard to get a good pic because it is rainy here today. As for artwork, I love vintage coastal prints, but am open to all suggestions. I REALLY appreciate your input!
  • 12 years ago
    I prefer the 2nd fabric also. I love bold drapes and the color and scroll just have that custom drape look to me. I can't put my finger on it but the first fabric is a little granny looking to me. I think it has something to do with soft colors and the pattern. The blob in the middle looks lavender on my computer.
  • 12 years ago
    I forgot to say, your home is beautiful and similar to my style. You've done a great job so far.
  • 12 years ago
    LOVE the orchid!!! Absolutely perfect for the room IMO. Refresh my memory -- why do you need help from Houzzers??? LOL With your excellent taste and decorating skills -- you should be helping the rest of us!
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    For the lights try 4 of the same hanging lights contemporary with some crystal smaller rather than one large one. Use farmhouse paint for any wooden piece. I would personally remove the mantel and put some gorgeous contemporary painting to capture all your colors. High lite with recessed lights that can be directed on the painting. There are plenty of beginning starving artists that could do a piece for you.
    Lovely room.
  • 12 years ago
    Funny you suggest that the mantle be removed and the dining room light be replaced. Those are the first two things everyone says they love when they walk in my home. Most important, I love them :-) I appreciate the different perspective, though. That's the fun of Houzz- it makes you look at things in a different way. I do have an "eye ball" light over the fireplace to accent any art I find. I'm just at a loss of what to put there. I have a rather contemporary piece in my entry, so I'm not sure if I want something similar in my dining room.
  • 12 years ago
    Zgallerie has some nice coastal themed prints. I can't put them in my book, but I did put some in for you -- mostly to get a direction of where you want to go. Then I can look in a more specific direction. The art in the entry is more abstract -- is that the direction you want to go or vintage?
  • 12 years ago
    LOVE the mantel and the light fixture -- please don't change or remove either...
  • 12 years ago
    Thank you groveraxle! Nice option- I needed your photoshop skills! Any ideas for over the FP?
  • 12 years ago
    Oops! You are faster than I at posting :-)
  • 12 years ago
    Thanks Grover for heading my call....
  • 12 years ago
    From gallerydirect.com, I also found some ocean scenes by Kim Coulter (silver linings I, II, and III) (also Regatta at Argenteuil). They bring out the blues you have in the rug, curtains, and rug border. Sorry I cannot attach images.