Formal Living/Dining room combo

11 years ago

I am wanting to redo/update my formal living/dining room. This room is mainly used for holiday parties. The walls are done in a faux finish (I do not plan on repainting) 14 years ago. Stenciling was recently added to 2 of the 4 walls (not sure if I should extend to other walls?..). Since the walls were done in a faux finish using 3 different paint colors, I am having a difficult time color matching and am currently restricted in moving pictures (nail holes) etc...around due to that. Yes, I plan on adding drapes (not sure on color but nothing heavy).

The room size is 22 ft x 17 1/2. One wall has two french doors that lead out to patio. The other wall is the main entrance and is by the foyer. I need to update the fireplace by either painting it or having a new fireplace insert. And yes, I am on a restricted budget. Help!!

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Comments (14)

btydrvn
11 years ago
Almost always the primary change updating involves re-painting..it is the cheapest way to make a big change..
btydrvn
11 years ago
The fireplace change won't have much impact to the overall look...maybe new slip overs at the table can freshen up the space
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btydrvn
11 years ago
Try calling a paint store re products that will allow you to hang your art without nails..
btydrvn
11 years ago
Try re- arranging the furniture..
btydrvn
11 years ago
Maybe switch the console table and buffet...try the table in front of the fireplace?
mamao1956
11 years ago
I love your walls - faux painting and stencils both! I still don't feel like we have a good 360 of the room. Fireplace wall and window wall views would be helpful.
Jeffery Rost
11 years ago
Do you want to relax the room, thus being able to feel freer to use it all year? Formal vs Informal?
Moving some things around within the room would help. I can't tell what the stencil is. Does it have an Asian, Morcorran, Indian theme to it? How is the rest of the house decorated?
There are some awesome products that allow you to hang pictures without big nail holes.
Do you have other things in the house you can swap out for? Shop your own house, first. Someone mentioned moving the table and chairs closer to the fireplace, try that and post a picture for us. :) Love your floors!
Ana G
Original Author
11 years ago
Rita's-

Thank you for comments. I love the faux painted walls as much as I did 14 years ago when I selected it. So repainting is out....even if I rehung art work in different locations using something other than nails I am still left with the dilemma of old nail holes and the difficulty of color matching the existing paint after the holes have been patched.

I am thinking of moving the dining room table closer to the fireplace. I have an area rug (taupe and cream colored) that is due to arrive soon. That will go under the dining room table and chairs.

Again, thanks for your input...
Ana G
Original Author
11 years ago
Mamoa1956-

Thanks for compliment. I was somewhat hesitant 14 years ago to go red in a formal living/dining room but a glad I did. One of the pictures included the fireplace wall. It is a small section but it's there. I will attempt to get a decent picture of the wall with the french doors...see below.

Please excuse the mess in the room as I am in the midst of re-decorating and have placed accessories from other areas of my home in that room temporarily.

Thanks--
Ana G
Original Author
11 years ago
Movethisandnotthat-

I like your user name! I have been shopping in my own home. Funny how much stuff you accumulate over the years and not realize it until you start redecorating!! The remainder of my home is more traditional and I love color. I repainted (yes, I painted) my family room, kitchen, foyer and powder room. I am thinking of moving pieces around in the formal (and I do want to keep it formal) living /dining room.

As I mentioned in my response to ritaj, I have an area rug (taupe/cream) that is arriving soon that I plan using in the dining room. I'm hoping it will work in this room.

Ana
MarleneM
11 years ago
Nice room, and you have many nice pieces in it, it seems to be lacking something to me. Walls and stencils are wow, but you need more. I think room needs a larger DR table, centered under trey ceiling with a large chandelier. If you want two separate areas maybe you could do two chandeliers so one could be over table and one over seating area.
I think you have too many chairs in room. If you keep existing table, I suggest something different in front of FP, maybe two loveseats or settees facing each other perpendicular to FP. The coffee table there I think is too modern. With a larger DR table, other seating might fit better by the doors.
regina5697
11 years ago
I couldn't put my finger on what was missing. Sounds like you have curtains planned. I think new upholstery on the dining chairs would freshen it up. Then I realized there is no chandelier... I understand it's most likely due to your ceiling. It's hard to tell from the angle of the photos if your ceiling would allow for one.
I really like your faux paint and stencil. It's timeless and if you live it, you're right yo keep it.
regina5697
11 years ago
...love it...
User
11 years ago
Marlene M & Regina 5697,

Thank you for your comments. I love the idea of a chandelier(s) but I am not sure there is room for two (see photos). I am also hesitant to have the venetian plaster tray ceiling disturbed. I would love to keep the room into to separate areas (dining area and small sitting area). Making this room into a dining room only leaves me with what to do with my other furnishings ( 2 formal living room chairs etc...) I had planned on removing the existing table and finding another piece that will fit into the design.

Again thanks for your input.