Hi tomalme, that is exactly my dilemma, putting something in will hide the effect.

I think you should keep the centerpiece, it's nice and so are your chairs. The paintings have blue and green in them, so you could go with similar colored drapes on your wall. Also the art breaks the monotone successfully. You might not wanna add anything right away.

I'd like to see some different seat cushions--lime green or orange or even black & white.

Love your Harry Bertoi chairs. Bowl is nice. Maybe a rust colored runner under it.

thanks for all comments! I just went to pier 1 and bought some balls. what do you think? with or without them?

would love to change the cushions on chairs! just not in my bugdet right now :(

candlesticks?

Hmmm....the balls don't do the piece justice. Maybe 4 isn't enough...the bowl dwarfs them. Plus, maybe it's just me but I like to see an odd number of accessories such as these balls.

I would add a pop

I like what Tareo77 said about a rustic touch or maybe some color.

rearranged the balls. the silver ones reflect the glass! I can buy more tomorrow. pier 1 has a 20% discount on the decorative balls, in Canada at least!

what you guys think of the centerpieces now?

rearranged the balls. these reflect the glass colors! I can buy more to get an odd number of them. pier 1 has a 20% discount on them! added a green vase with flowers. what you think?

Why would you take a bowl that is designed to show the swirl and make the statement and add some balls? Please return the balls;)

I can get some nice colored candlesticks also

YIKES- the balls are now in mass production.... NO BALLS;))

I like the green vase but NO fake flowers.

Balls in bowls look just plain silly to me. If you're working so hard to change to the look of the bowl, take it back to C&B and get something else.

Hi, I think the bowl should be empty too. How about a green or cranberry runner under it? Some drape panels from pier 1 and I would change the pictures for something with more color.

Your room is starting to get very busy looking with the patterns on the walls, rug and tree art. They're fighting with each other. Calm your room down. I can see at least 9 balls on your coffee table--enough with the balls.

You're also repeating a theme of glass top tables dining table, coffee table and two end tables. Too many stacks of books on tables. I'm not trying to beat you up--it's very common for people to find a look they like and keep returning to it. The modern glass top tables and metal chairs looses the impact because it's everywhere you look. Mix it up. Add rustic. A table with a wood top?

LOL adivra- I have a big bowl with balls that I just took away and replaced with Christmas balls. After Christmas I think I will remove my balls too lol lol lol Where is Fred??

leelee finally addressed the problem with this room. You have a glass and chrome table with Bertoia wire chairs and everything is TRANSPARENT! Even your cowhide rug disappears into the floor. You need some substance and contrast in the room. On a budget, I would look at replacing the table top with wood.

As for the centerpiece, the Murano bowl is stunning. Leave it empty.

Bertoia chairs need contrast to work:

Keep!

Another thing to take a second look at--vases with sticks. No more than one, please.

The problem is it's opaqueness on a table so transparent try placing a colorful round placement under the bowl. A green to match your pictures would work well. Or bring in a color from your living room. The bowl is very pretty so leave it empty.

If a round placemat doesn't look right try an oval one since the table is oval.

OK guys but the poster already HAS the glass top and Bertoia chairs! She asked about the bowl and then the balls... not everyone can run out and buy a new table on demand;) Martha is trying to make it work;))

hi guys. I am adding a rustic barn wood panel to my fireplace and tv surround. so there will be a very nice contrast on there. I am not replacing this table. it is working fine in our opinion, but thanks for the comments. what I am going to try to do is get a centerpiece in wood to create some contrast. my husband came back from his trip and didn't like the centerpiece with the swirl (!) - he doesn't like madre pearl - so I HAVE to return it :(.
I need to use fake flowers in my house because I have a dog and she would eat real flowers. I love my dog and I prefer to deal with fake flowers :)
thanks for all the comments.
and in the near future I want to add two rustic wood stools in front of the fireplace. will keep you all posted!
most balls will be returned! going to homesense today to see if I find anything nice....

I will remove so books as well.

Wonder if you could spray paint the underside of the glass top on the end tables or the console table? I've never done it but that would be an inexpensive way to have tables that weren't all see-thru. Maybe even add a color. I hear people on Houzz mention painting the backs of glass tiles for backsplashes but don't know if they're actually painting glass.

Return it for something red, or apple green or bright yellow. Need a shot of color in that room.

See if you can get a print table runner at Pier 1 when you return things, and look at some orange or red drapery panels. Would really give you a zing and soften the edges. Have fun.

saw these vases at pier 1 when I was getting the balls. what you think?

looks good, now what about some drapes?

Vases don't always need flowers -- they can be beautiful alone or just with the stalks you have in the back. I think drapes with color will pull this room together -- soften all the glass and cool colors (or lack thereof). It should be whatever deep color touches your soul --whatabout the teal that seems to be in the picture over glass credenza? Or red or orange or deep olive? Drapes that have one color 3/4s the way down with a 2nd color stripe for the bottom 1/3rd might be great. Then look for a centerpiece but avoid centering everything (bowl in between candelsticks, bowl with bowls in center of credenza. Are the chairs comfortable or maybe consider a flat cushion? What about painting the bar cart a deep charcoal and having a little less on top of it.

I would like drapes, but my husband don't agree. he didn't like the green vase with flowers either. he accepts the red vase though. the chairs are xomfortable and have a flat black cushion on them. about the bar, I was kind of thinking about painting it, but that will have to wait for spring. too cold now to be working in the garage.
what do you mean about not centering the things?

Try putting both candlesticks on one side of a bowl, at an angle. Is your husband who is open to trying something -- like ask him if you could pin up some drapes for a bit and see if he becomes more comfortable with them. My husband can change his mind that way -- it just takes him trying it out. Your bar cart might feel better up against wall instead of at an a diagonal.

No to the vase. You already have at least two vases with sticks. Try to think "out of the vase".

There are bigger issues to deal with here than the bowl in the center of the table. If all 6 chairs cannot be pushed comfortably under the table top, something needs to go. You have nice elements in your space but the lighting makes it look very grim - like an interrogation room. Add color and softness via fabric at windows and chair seats to break out of the closed up sterile feeling. There is lots of glass but the transparency isn't really addressing the issue which is poor light and lack of color.

I think you need to put some greens. How about replacing it with a vase

I would leave the center piece bowl empty. Maybe scrunch up a colorful scarf under the bowl to soften the table and add color.

guys all the chairs fit under the table. I took the picture with my cell so lighting is not great.
the green vase will be returned and probable the orange one too, that is why iam thinking about the red vase.

That is a beautiful piece of glass, why cover it up with anything? It goes with the rug, and maybe adding some drapery and relocating the bar cart to another corner and put a chair on either side of the window would make the table look less crowded. Chair cushions could be an option, but would leave as is if it were mine. Great minimalist room.

leelee, i like the bowls you shared. May i ask where they are sold? thx

Return it and and see what C & B has replaced it with for this season. Likey they will have a more colorful one. They aren't meant to hold balls though, they're art by themselves.

Love the bowl. I think the vertical line of the vase works against the look you are going for. I agree with comments which suggest something subtle under the bowl that would soften the look of glass on glass, but not detract from the look of the bowl itself. Leave it empty and let it function as an art piece.

I believe the murano glass is beautiful, and I would keep it. However, the glass would be nicely accented by a round black table cloth.

I suggest you find some green fabric to match the green in the paintings, for curtain panels. Some green glasses for the bar, and a bowl of limes on the bar and I think you're done.

Try a large black square tray with sides - then add a few interesting pieces on top - it needs to be grounded.