Hi Melissa. You say you hate trying to do anything with design, but it looks like you're doing rather well, to me. Good-looking room. I'd like to see a really large-scale sepia photograph on your dining room wall, shape as below -- find an image you and your family respond to. For the table, I love that you know how to use flowers to get the pop. So I'd say fly the rather pointless little cloth, and get a set of three vases -- they could be like the ones below, as there is a craftish feel to your table and chairs. Or perhaps the kind that take one gorgeous flower each. Blend with your neutrals, or go white, or black. Get your colour pops from your flowers.

It might also be an idea to put seat cushions on the dining chairs that pick up a colour from your art -- I like the teals/blues I see there.


http://www.wallfillers.com/landscape-canvas-pictures-prints-wall-art-gallery-10/
http://www.amazon.com/Mazatlan-Vases-Set-of-3/dp/B007VAPELW

PS The seat cushions -- I think a rich, glowing red would also work.

And PPS: Would you consider drapes on the windows?

Love the idea of the sepia tone photo. Do you think it's to many pictures on the same wall? I have the large blue one close to it.

Hi Melissa -- sorry for the delay, we're in different time zones I think. No, I think it's fine to have another picture on that wall, just keep its width a bit within the ends of the table, and there will be a good gap between them. The sepia pic would help define that dining area as separate, and I don't think it would fight for attention with the blue picture as it would blend with the wall, while the blue "pops".

If you're nervous, you might take a long piece of brown paper and put it in that position and see if you can gauge the effect for yourself.

How about a unique horizontal mirror on the wall by the dining room table? This way, it's not another piece of art side by side with the one in the living room and separates the living and dining areas by their own stylish wall art.

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker

Fun mirrors, Christ/Thos. I love the green-blue mosaic one.

Thanks Rina. The bottom left one would also work great with your idea for colored seat cushions!

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker

Can the wall behind the table handle a narrow long serving style table? If so, I would add something like that with art above it. What do you of this Bali art piece from Pier One? Nice and substantial size for that wall.

Love the piece! But there's not much space for a serving table.

I like the curtains. Is there an app you did this in?

Groveraxle gives sound advise. You can't go wrong. I just love seeing what he does.

Curtains are here: http://www.westelm.com/products/stella-curtain-gray-stone-t860/?pkey=cwindow-panels-curtains-shades&cm_src=window-panels-curtains-shades||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_--_-

It's just Photoshop Elements.

Consider recovering the chair bottoms with a bright geometric pattern. Repeat the main color again on a long, narrow pottery dish on the table. Set it on a mirror & fill with seasonal color, candles, glass balls at Christmas, small succulent plants, etc.. A?ND a big wow piece of art on the wall as suggested by groveraxle. Try adding a pottery lamp on the table in in the living area that will add volume and color. That will bring a color thread from the eating area in to the seating area. .

This may be a little too funky, but I buy different size and depth boxes, paint them with the wall paint and then purchase knitting yarns and ball them up in different ways and arrange them to fit in the various boxes. Attach the boxes to the wall in a stair step or some other previously layer out pattern. You could use a pattern to match the one on your dining chair backs. You can bring in the colors from the living area painting or just go crazy with color and texture of the yarns.

May I also suggest that if you want your dining area to be separate from the living area, a tall plant or object close to the wall but not too wide could do the trick visually so you could put that big piece of art and not have it over power the beautiful living room painting you already have in place.

Think you've gotten some good ideas here. Personally I 'd like to see a large piece of artwork that ties in with the other piece you have in either style or color. A table runner in a deep silk would be good with a low oblong decorative bowl. Curtains would also add to a more finished off look, but if those are sliders that you use, if you get a lot of sun those or need privacy on that side vertical blinds are very practical. They are also available in fabrics.

It looks like you could use a hanging light fixture over the table.

From your pics, I think you need some warm colors. Where the dining table is, you have a large wall to work with, don't skimp. Think colorful (bunt orange, yellow--warm colors). If the room is small, a nice big mirror, under that sideboard with big colorful vases. Pick up the warm colors by adding them to the couch in the way of pillows since the furniture is dark.

If you do need the slider blinds for sun or privacy, as a replacement, you can check out decorative panel curtains from Ikea, but still add the drapes to the side for a more finished look.

An area rug under the table would define the space. Colorful or sisal, depending on the other decisions you make re art, cushions, etc. definitely a chandelier.

If those walls were white it would change your life! That is just my taste of course. I would suggest a grouping of photos or art work rather than one large piece. Wine riddling racks are also a very useful and contemporary statement.

I like the wall color myself. I think art would be a nice addition, and there are many places to buy reasonable art. Go for something that makes you happy to see, rather than worry about design. It will work.

A great room! And so many wonderful ideas!
Agreeing with Diane G., a Rug can help define your design as well as separate the space from the living-room.
Here some of our ideas:

For the table: a low rectangle wood or metal box with hydrangeas or other large sized flowers - not too big of a box but keeping with the shape of the table; add a table runner or placemats to add color. For the wall, a few ideas: A large or 4 small maps in colorful frames - places that are meaningful to you; a collage of things - initial, pictures, sign, candle sconces, etc.; you can enlarge b&w pictures of your kids/family very inexpensively and group them on the wall. Agree with others that a light fixture would add interest but make sure it is centered over the table properly. It is a nice space and you have LOTS of options. Start small and keep adding until you get what you are looking for.

If you were in Dallas, I'd take you shopping TODAY. You've already gotten lots of advice but here's my 2c: no one has asked what colors are already present in the spaces adjacent to this area. I'm assuming you have some colored decor in your kitchen or family room or dining room, that are open to this nook? In any case, the new items you bring in need to repeat themselves, color wise, across these common areas.

Earth &Fire Ceramic Design on etsy will show you tableware and functional art.

I love your wall color and your dining room table and chairs. I would love to work with you to find the perfect piece of art. I'm an art consultant, which means that I find art for people at no charge. (My sources pay me behind the price). Could you please post a larger image of the other painting on that wall and could you please contact me with your budget? artconsser@gmail.com

For the table, go get a low container that you like - maybe 18-24 inches around. Take it to a florist and have them put green dried moss in it (in a mound). It looks great, is no maintenance, and lasts forever!!

Go to a Home Goods type store, don't overthink, just pick up what you like. Before you go, use HOUZZ for photos, put in the color you want, the style house you have, you can look at rooms in houses in your part of the country. This really helped me in seeing what appealed or didn't appeal to me. Buy some things, keep the receipt, take it home. you really don't know until you try it at home! IF you have a question, put it on here. But go with YOUR gut, you are the one living in your house!

I love Home Goods but I'm the person that buys something and then it just looks slightly off. I love everyones suggestions. It's given me a lot to think about. :)

I was looking for a bottle for my built in, took 3 tries!

If I was your friend I'd tell you take that beautiful red you have on your lips and put it in your home. If you're bold enough to wear it I'm sure you're fun enough to decorate with it. I'd do a large canvass with red and gold, you could probably do it yourself. Then add texture and color all over with pillows, trays, runners. Good luck. Decorating is so fun

Good Ideas. I would look at that painting in the living room for color inspiration. You have a lot of warm colors going on and the cool complimentary colors in the art are just what you need. They will keep the spaces feeling fresh and light. Also you have crisp white molding and kitchen cabinets that work well with the palette in the art. You have high contrast with the white and the dark furniture so using that palette in the art will help to rest the eye and create a nice flow to the space. Find a light fixture for the dining room that coordinates in style or metal with the ceiling fan. Choose an area rug for the dining area that continues the palette in a modern pattern. The vertical and horizontal blinds are dated, white sheers and panels carrying the palette of color again will be a nice update. A nice sideboard, buffet or serving table along the wall in the dining room will help define the space. An addition of an art piece in the diningroom would be great, but avoid introducing a completely different palette. Also I agree a mirror is a needed addition. It helps to bring light and dimension to a space. Choose coordinating pillows in the palette. Lastly a few well placed small accents of a hot color, red or orange, will keep a visual interest and balance. Remember you never want the room to overwhelm the most important item in it, you.

Skip the art work on the dining room wall....a large mirror would open up the space better...and you can find them inso many styles... In my humble opinion!! ; - )

With all due respect to mirrors in dining rooms, which I think work well.... In this case the mirror would reflect the kitchen.