You're limiting your tablescape options by having such a low-hanging fixture. Perhaps some of the items you have on top of the hutch might look good on the table. Would you like something that you don't have to worry about (i.e. not fresh flowers)? You could add a runner as well.

I like something simple (but that fits beneath your chandelier, without crowding it). The items in the first photo are too tall, but you could scale it down.

Consider an unexpected centerpiece also. What about the art you have to the right of the buffet? It would be a very simple, tone-on-tone centerpiece.

Regarding your comment that the chest is too heavy and dated. Since I need to keep it, can you suggest how I can improve the look of it?

I like the chest, just too much stuff on it. Take down all of the stuff on top.
Agree, fixture is too low. Have you considered painting the room?

I think she meant the small chest/luggage on top of your buffet.

That's too low for the chandelier. It should be about 36" from the top of the table at its lowest point.

Would you consider painting the hutch? The chairs just to fade into it. Liven the room with a splash of color.

Hi. Absolutely I can explain and we can make this work.

You have no photos in your idea book, so I am not sure what look you are trying to achieve.

Your table and chairs look very clean-lined. All of the items on your buffet are disconnected with each other and most don't fit with the style of your chairs and table.

The chest/luggage item is too visually heavy on the top edge of your buffet. That being said, I think we can fit it in. I like more unexpected table centers. For example, you could place the luggage in the center with 2 smaller pieces of luggage or on the bottom of the buffet. Maybe you could have a travel theme in your dining room, with photos of places you travelled. Just one idea.

Or, maybe the luggage could be used in another room.

So, could you let us know

-what is the style you want to achieve? Explain or post photos.
-what items would you like to keep in the room?

From what I can see, the inside of the buffet looks good. There is a lot of black. I would consider painting the back of the buffet an alternate color.

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The hutch is nice, just too much "stuff" on top. Clear it off or pare it down. A suggestion to consider: paint the inside back the color of the wall, or even another complementary color your like, and put a few really nice ceramic pieces inside. Definitely raise the chandelier a bit. There are endless possibilities for the table centerpiece and I'm sure you'll get many on this site. That's the fun part, and you can change it out whenever the design spirit moves you.

I don't have any photos of what I am trying to achieve. I want to keep the hutch and table s and chandelier. That part of the house has autumn colors as theme so to change the color scheme completely would be a lot of work. I lean toward a pottery barn comfortable look but just not quite as stark. Have a lot of nature themes going on in the house. For example I have faux succulent framed box hanging above the stone fireplace. Large gray leather sectional in living room is more modern looking, and we have updated that look with muted shades of spa green/blue and gray.Like to mix a little modern in with the tempered rustic look of the house, which explains the black chairs. But we actually want to get new dining room chairs because the current chairs squeak (pleather). If we change out the chairs, what should we consider that would complement the room? Stick with black or something else? What color should we consider painting the back of the hutch? Will take a more recent photo of updated living room area so you can get a better idea of the overall look.

Thanks. That is very helpful. You seem to have more of an eclectic look.

Cream chairs would look fabulous.

Hello rfletcher77! I love the earthy "Americana" decor of the room. I would recommend finding a simple linen table runner in a light neutral tone to run the entire length of the table...perhaps with a little drape over the edge. Next, I would purchase a few old mason jars from an antique store (or second hand store) and fill them with flowers for the center of the table. You can usually find old mason jars fairly inexpensively. Craft stores even sell new mason-style jars that are designed to look vintage. You could keep the tablescape simple with just one big mason jar bouquet or cluster three jars of varying heights and sizes and fill each with the flowers of your choosing. Roses or lilies would be lovely options for a more formal ambiance. Hydrangeas, daisies or tulips could convey a more casual feel. This type of tablescape would tie in well with your existing decor without competing against the other accents in the room. I hope this is helpful. Happy decorating!

Those 2 candle holders on the mantle would go nice on dining table - with something in the middle. Picks up the wrought iron.

@Real Sliding I agree, a simple off-white linen table runner would be lovely. Would that we all could keep beautiful fresh flowers on our tables daily, a great idea if you can swing it.

Hi. I know you want to work on the dining room, so let us know if you don't want us to comment on the living room......

You have a lovely home, but you are making a common mistake: too many small items. They mantle would be better with one simple piece of art. If you want to keep the art with the succulents, I would remove the 2 grasses and the candles. The grasses are taking away from the art and the candles appear to be never lit an not used.

Recommend:

-Lower the succulent art
-remove the grass and candles
-move the 2 vases that are on the dining room buffet to the right side of the art

As Angel recommended, how about trying the 2 candles on the dining room table?

Antique dough bowl, fill it with fruit or seasonal decor:

That's a great idea. Thank you.