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ani2111

Dining Room Dilemma

11 years ago
Dear Houzzers, I don't like the choices I made in our dining room (the paint color, furniture, drapes etc are all new additions). I'm usually attracted to cool grays and I my aim was to go for a neutral, calm and edited themed dining room however the result is too 'classical' looking. I think my main issue is the wall color and now finding something that complements the drapes (because I will not be replacing them). I'm also open to bringing in another color theme such as teal blues, charcoals, whites. I love the chair design but I would like to find a solution that will pull me away from it looking too classical or 'Grecian'. Thanks in advance for your help. I've attached some pictures showing how the room looks as well as how it adjoins the kitchen.

Comments (13)

  • 11 years ago
    I want to add that this room looks very different in the morning light versus the evening light and under artificial lighting. It gets a lot of direct sunlight for most of the day.
  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago
    I would put the backless bench somewhere else in the home. Trust me, no wants wants to spend an evening without a chair to relax back into!

    Maybe after the bench is gone, shop some consignment stores for a few other chairs to fill the table. Not matching is ok and will be way less formal.

    Think painting the walls teal or charcoal would add great drama.

    Mediterranean Dining Room · More Info
  • 11 years ago
    BM Carribean Teal:
    Benjamin Moore · More Info
  • 11 years ago
    Can you lose the white sheers? That would definitely help in getting away from the Grecian thing.
  • 11 years ago
    @pcmom1 Thanks for your advice! I could lose the bench and even just use two chairs on each side of the table (I have 4 regular and 2 armchairs). The bright teal walls are too dramatic for my taste, I generally like the light and airy feel. The purpose of the white drapes are to block out the intense sun. What else would you suggest? The windows are too big for blinds. I could contrast with black or charcoal sheers? They were relatively cheap so I don't mind replacing the white sheers.
  • 11 years ago
    @Gray & Walter, Ltd. I agree with you. I'm planning on bringing in black/dark charcoal lines so do you think a dark iron/bronze chandelier would work? What about the wall color? If you were designing this room what kind of palette would you go for?
  • 11 years ago
    I like your soft palette...maybe try this...turn table other direction, use only 4 chairs for now. The plant feels heavy and abit squished in that corner so perhaps place it in the corner where you have that single chair in photo. Also you could bring in color with a rug under table. Grey sheers with a subtle texture would be nice. Good luck...have fun with it....nice home!
  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago
    Like the idea of gray sheers:
    Modern Living Room · More Info

    Try the idea posted of turning the table 90 degrees. Put the long bench on the wall opposite the fireplace and just use the chairs you have right now.

    Post us a photo update!
  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago
    Love your dog! How about a local artist paints a huge painting of him for the wall? That would be personal, and definitely NOT formal!
    Ranch Lane · More Info
  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago
    How do you feel about wallpaper? Most are peelable and easy to remove. And so many ways to go!
    Connecticut Estate · More Info

    My Houzz: Parisian Flair in Chicago · More Info
  • 11 years ago
    The walls should be a cooler tan or gray to go with the drapes. I like the bench. I'd glaze it's legs and the chairs with mocha or gray to give them a softer off-white finish. A gallery wall of simple black frames with cream mats and related art, like botanicals, antique maps, etc. or, if you turn the table, a rustic china hutch would fit. The photo is from Restoration Hardware.
  • 11 years ago
    Mick50, have you ever had to sit on a bench like that for a dinner party?