As LeeLee suggested architectural pieces would be great...Even have your hand at a stencil on old wood planks. I have mocked up an image utilizing the suggestions you have had here. Additionally, putting some red items into the hutch would help too!

Hi mount brook, I'm just joining the discussion. You have a lovely open space. As others suggested, I would move hutch to other wall. It will have better impact and we'll be better able to see/assess chandelier. I know you said no rug suggestions, however, I could see moving that runner to go between island and couch back and finding a complementary rug for dining room that ties all colors together. I also agree that a large piece of statement art would bring life to entire space. I would also suggest full length curtains to soften the edges. Hope this helps, just one person's opinion. Perhaps you have pieces in other rooms you could try out before making a commitment to any of these ideas.

Correction, mount brook, I meant runner between island and two comfy chairs, not sofa.

How about a palm tree next to the window in the corner and and architectural piece on the wall opposite the windows.

hi, how about getting on that wall opposite your window over your table a nice big clock, would really bring in some atmosphere and define the style of your home even more -
i agree with someone's post earlier on about some bench and chair cushions, they'll soften up the wood a bit -

Your bench and the chairs look right. If you switched them then you'd see the backs of the chairs in front of the table and that would block the view. The way you have it is the best for a more open look.

I know you said you didn't want a rug but I think a nice sisal rug under your table would make the table stand out more it seems to disappear into the floor.

I must be the only one that the levitating hutch bothers? Guess so....

No, I would remove it also rocket

You could also maybe shorten the length of the chain to that light fixture...bringing it higher to the ceiling.

Put flowers or electronic candles on the table

What about a mirror with texture, carving or some color on the opposite wall ?
It will open up the room and really finish up the setting ...
Here are a couple of suggestions

Hutch looks like it is floating in mid air , it needs something like shelves, or a cabinet, in darker tone of blue, under to ground it.

I am not loving that plate rack/hutch piece on that wall. Try taking it down and adding a larger chandelier to the space.

Ok - its bothering me now too. Why does that hutch have legs? Is it supposed to sit on the floor? If so, why did you decide to hang it? I mean no disrespect, you have beautiful pieces, I'm just wondering.

Art on left and right plus shades on the chandelier.

We were looking for a hutch to hang & my decorator found that at an antique mart. She thought the color was perfect and bought it. We thought that we could decorate the wall so that it didn't look awkward that it had legs. But then, she got sick and she hasn't been able to get back out to help - hence the post. The legs bothered me- though I'm kinda used to them & kinda like the quirkly look. Definitely a conversation piece.... & There's not much I can do about it now. Just have to work with it. My husband bolted it into the wall. No room to put anything underneath it. Any suggestions how to make it work better -- other than take it down?

ART ART ART. And don't shy away from something contemporary!
What colors do you love?
look at our Affordable Art.
Look at TheDailyArt at TKYTOO.COM
Keep it uncluttered by moving the plate rack into the kitchen.
Let the table and the as yet unchosen art shine
Let us create a mural for that one wall.
Regards,
Karen & Joseph
for Decorative Philosopy

I just want to say I love your table - here's something you could add to the wall to emphasize the rustic look with a touch of luxury. See more at http://www.luxewaterwalls.com/fountains.html

I like lucidos mock-up with the art. I like the hutch too but leaving the legs on is too strange. I would contact a skilled woodworking artist to remove the legs and try to match the paint. Or move it to the floor. I think a rug would really help that space seem more finished, and move your runner to a a different location ( behind chairs at island?). The impact of a rug could far outweigh a pretty but tiny runner. A large plant can also make it feel more cozy and not so empty.

Add a sconce on each side of the hutch. Also a table runner on the table.a plant in the corner by the window would also add a pop of color and add warmth to the room.

I like the hutch and the color...but agree with Allison that a carpenter should remove the legs. If the front legs had been straight or smaller it might have looked ok, but it's so obviously a floor piece that i think its too 'quirky'. He might be able to do it without taking it down. Then I would try shads on the light fixture just to see if its a little more visible.

mountbrook, your space is beautiful and I just love to see farm tables (duh!). I think I may be in the minority, but I like your plate rack. To me, it reads as art work. @Gilman Kitchens added a photo with a sconce next to a plate rack and I think something delicate on either side would work. Candle sconces, so no hard wiring needed.
As for art work, what do you like? Abstract? Figurative? I'm picturing a bucolic settting, maybe a farm or a pasture in a frame with a touch of metallic for sparkle. A grouping of photographs would be pretty, too.
Your plate rack could be turned into a hutch by having a bottom portion built. A reclaimed wood top and two doors and slightly proud of the rack.
Your home is beautiful!

I've been looking at some vintage travel posters. My family loves to travel. Thought I may get a couple from places that we have been to hang and add some color.... maybe with some rustic or wood frames. Weird idea?

Love it!

Ok. This hutch used to be combined with a chest of some kind. There was probably a closed cabinet below it. The "legs" were decorative. If it bothers you a narrow server could be put under it or even a single board/ piece of granite could be wall mounted below it to use for serving. If the hutch isn't making it too crowded, then these thin items will be ok too.

The art with the painted panels is too busy next to the hutch. They would be fine on the end wall opposite the windows. Something simple like sconces would look best next to the hutch as it is mounted. I would even be tempted to leave the walls blank next to the hutch only adding curtains and art on the back wall.

I would have a good local cabinet maker in to create a piece to go below the plate holder. There are some real artists out there that could make you just what is needed. Then just two scones to the side, as Dar suggested.

I like the idea of a console table/server beneath the plate rack. Perhaps granite or reclaimed wood plank above iron legs, either straight or curved to pick up some of the shape of the bar stools at the island. I think your home is lovely.

Love the travel poster idea as it is another part of YOU and your family in this space. Be careful with the glass on them with the windows right there to cause a huge glare. Maybe they could be made in to a canvas? Get them large enough to hang together.

I often recommend vintage food or travel posters because they're so colorful and cover lots of wall space.

What that appears to be is a Queen Anne book case. I'm guessing when it was re-purposed some one added the plate rails. It's fun and quirky and a total anachronism. I, personally, love where and how it's placed. I would rethink the way you are displaying the items in there a bit. It needs a fewer and chunkier items with bolder colors it's all to washed out looking. You also need to bring the reds to the table. The chandelier needs more presence I like the look of the 2 shades over the table in this instance.

I thought of something fun for the wall continuing with the anachronism. This is the art of Susanne Shap. https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/193691395/original-abstract-contemporary-fine-art?ref=related-7

You might be suffering from an open floor plan!
White fixed in kitchen is light, and more neutral elsewhere. Mountbrook this is not meant to be critical but just say kitchen were historic red, etc. you might just need art in dining, but it's white, you need color as big as the kitchen is white/ to balance.
I thought 1 or 2 glazing/ soft red could work, soft drama. Someone mentioned 'atmosphere'.... I have been to elegant historic restaurants that feel delightfully warm.....I am not sure course cause I haven't been inside, but not sure more items will solve the empty, I'm trying to help.

to illustrate - this post shows how white kitchen modernizes the open space:
https://www.houzz.com/discussions/help-picking-a-coffee-table-dsvw-vd~1182707

mountbrook do you have any background info on the display shelf?

I see you already answered the question above. Have you paid the decorator for it yet?

Hello Mountbrook, if the existing chandelier could be used elsewhere, it would be great.
using two similar pendants/ chandeliers above dining table so the plate rack will be centred
will create a neat look .
The back wall could add more character to your space by adding a DIY wall art.
The branch design will give more country/rustic appeal & also the red colour! It will also match your runner!

mountbrook, I think that your room is working as it is. I have been reading some of the comments and my advice is to ignore a lot of them, The plate rack is good and the color is wonderful. Your light fixture is fine. Just because it doesn't pop in photographs does not mean that it should be removed. It is hard to photograph a real room and have it look in a photo like it looks to the eye irl. What look are you going for in this room? Right now the room looks cool and simple. Some of the comments are pushing toward warm and busy. But the real question is, what do you like about the room now and what do you want to change? Don't doubt your own vision here.

I agree with Paula, I would just rearrange the items on the shelf and maybe add a bit more color that could then be brought out in a centerpiece of table runner. Red is my personal favorite but it could actually be any color that speaks to you. I would favor a long, low centerpiece that wouldn't detract from the plate rack behind it like a trough and you could change the things in it with the seasons. Your room is really beautiful and welcoming without being overworked, your instincts so far have been pretty terrific.

The paintings shown are oils on linen, by Jeff Briggs. His artwork would look perfect in your dining room. www.appletonartdesign.com

Hello Mountbrook, here's an other idea working on symmetry & keep the colours neutral...
The rustic plate rack becomes the focal point & your travel photo wall on the other side is in neutral washed out shade of your wall colour so it does not shout its presence.
Definitely weigh your priorities. Make your space lovable to you & your family. This is all that matters :)

Another simple approach..

I haven't read all the comments, but what about a quilt hung on the wall? Large, colorful, farmhouse-y, and will add some softness.

I still think a long table runner and something like this would make a huge difference. It would add some color through the different seasons and fill some of the empty space along the table.

Mountbrook, I totally agree with New England Farm Table and Paula Lewis. Please do not doubt your personal aesthetic and your decorator. One thing I tell all my clients is that a space is no one else's but your very own. I happen to love your little hutch - legs and all. If the space seems empty to you, all you need to do is add more of YOUR personality into it. I think the travel posters are a good start....just keep the overall look in mind. I think the hutch is a good focal point, so try not to distract too much from it, but rather, compliment it. Let that hutch be your inspiration and build from there.

Good luck and do not be too swayed by all of our comments!

Janis, Designer, GKB

Your rooms are lovely but I see your dilemma. I would echo so many of the good ideas already given. I think your dining-room needs a pop of that deep red cranberry color which appears in the runner and lamp in the sitting area. The wall shelf display does make the chandelier disappear - less white plates and more jewel tone ones picked up from the runner. If it was mine, I would paint & antique the shelf deep cranberry. With the dark table and chairs, I would have a brighter white floral or urn-like object as a center piece with a narrow fabric runner on the table. Some nice artwork would tie it all together.

cranberry shelf interesting.

https://www.houzz.com/products/parade-of-red-trees-multi-panel-canvas-art-set-by-rio-prvw-vr~36814474

https://www.houzz.com/products/parade-of-red-trees-multi-panel-canvas-art-set-by-rio-prvw-vr~36814474

https://www.houzz.com/products/red-vision-multi-panel-canvas-art-set-by-philippe-sainte-laudy-prvw-vr~36784421

mountbrook, are you getting these?

My work is very rustic and contemporary! I would love for you to check out my projects and see if there is anything that gets you inspired! If you do I would love for you to shoot me a message to work together on some artwork to custom fir this space! It is beautiful!