Clynch10, not sure how you feel about a floral chair, but the colors would be amazing in your room....and its from Target!

I love the idea of an arrangement with 2 chairs in that pretty bay window. So, since you have a tight entry, could the sofa be placed facing the chairs to create a conversation area and divider between the living and dining spaces? Maybe add a small bar on the wall next to the entryway for serving cocktails before dinner?

Hi, I agree with Lanie Brown, two chairs in the bay window, couch opposite, which would also serve as a divider between DR. Leather chair is nice for an eventual library nook.

Thanks for your space planning ideas! I like the idea of swapping couch and chairs (into bay window) but I don't even need to move the couch for this one. There will only be like 6 inches between the couch and the odd part of the wall that juts out on the left for people to walk through. The picture is making the room look bigger than it is I think.

Can you lose the sofa? Put 2 chairs against the bay window with a nice coffee table in front of them?

I like the idea of two chairs backed up to your dining room, and to have them be good transitional pieces with a good height to offeset your dining room. I think a taller pair of chairs with a small foot print will better define the two areas. I've attached something I believe is worth considering.

As for your fireplace, where the marble is currently on the face, I would apply a mosaic tile in your gray tones, which appears to be your neutral color of choice. I would then pick up a paint color to reflect the mosaic gray color to paint the fireplace. This will create more dimension and interest without actually creating a new color scheme beyond what you have currently.

When you say you need something for both the left side and right side that doesn't require much styling, I'm not understanding exactly what it is to which you are referring. Please explain.

I would love a photo of the wall opposite the fireplace. I understand there is an opening, but I would love to understand the placement of that opening and how much wall space there is on either side. That will help in attempting to balance out the room and to place lighting.

Also, could you measure the diameter of your mirror, the length of your dining room buffet and the width and height of your fireplace? Additionally, what are the measurements of your piece of art over the fireplace?

I'm looking at the light fixture in the living room? At first I thought it was in the dining room. If it is actually in the living room, I love the shape and size and height for that room.

I'm looking at your draperies and it is difficult to see exactly how they are hung and what type of rod you have used. Am I correct in assuming you recently purchased these draperies for your living room?

Karen, thank you for all your comments and questions :). we have 2 alabaster identical light fixtures, one in the LR and one in the DR. I would like something a little more flashy/modern, but I am glad you think it is ok in the LR at least! The draperies are actually quite old when we bought the house 10 years ago, but were custom ethan allen with custom wood wrap around rod, and hard for me to pick a new color so I have been reticent to replace. I wish they were more grey than beige/brown. I love the wingback chair you picked! We have been looking at that style, but I was not sure if it was too big, especially if we wanted two so appreciate the advice that it will be good offset to the smaller DR chairs. I also like the nailhead design. Can't get white unfortunately as I have a 2 and 5 year old (hence the clutter under coffee table ;). Maybe one chair would be fine with a glass/metal side table (as rereh suggested) to create some reflection. Re: the fireplace sides, I thought 2 tall narrow bookshelves with accessories would be pretty (maybe with a cabinet to hide ipod speaker and other things) but would go nuts trying to pick out pretty vases, bowls, books etc. and arrange them. Hence the request for an idea that doesn't require a lot of styling :). Measurements - buffet = 70", mirror=38", fireplace 5 ft wide, 44' tall. Art 4 ft. x 2ft. Length of area where chair is now and potentially 2 chairs would have to be = 122" . See below for entry picture. Thank you again for thoughtful advice. so helpful!

i like your room setting i do not think any change required

I believe you will have no problem finding a smaller scale (such as the Grant) wing chair. When shopping for a chair, look for a small foot print and bring measurements to know if you have room for two. Of course, the single wing with a table next to it is the other option. Your current chair is not small and fits the space so you can use the measurements of that chair as a guideline. As for fabrics, I am a great advocate of ultra suede in any color. Ultra suede requires vacuuming, will clean up with water and you never have to worry about removing stains. It's almost bullet proof. I just finished a project that required a fabric that would hold up under heavy duty use by people who are careless (lobbies), and they are working their charm.

I really do love the classical lines of your alabaster light fixtures. The one in the living room is wonderful. As for the dining room, another light fixture that will allow you to hang it lower is the optimum situation. If you have any thoughts about style you should post what appeals to you. Houzzers love to give input and make suggestions.

Your piece of art would very definitely work well over your buffet, as you will have 11" left over on each side. Start out lower than you think it should be, so your nail hole will not show up if you have to raise it up a few inches. :) Unfortunately, I don't believe your current lamp on the buffet will work with the art. I can't see the lamp all that well, but I believe you will end up with too much "line" between the lamp and the art.

If you were to place the mirror over the fireplace, that also works out to a measurement of 11" on either side. The 38" diameter would do well with the 44" height of the fireplace. What is the measurement from your mantle up to the first molding?

I just took another look at the space for your chair, and you only have room for one. Sorry, didn't look closely enough. My bad! :)

I just took another look at the space for your chair, and you only have room for one. Sorry, didn't look closely enough. My bad! :)

I'm with
michigammemom and Lanie .

So, I'm wondering if you brought everything in a little and tightened it up. Got a smaller rug, glass coffee table and slid the couch nearer to the fireplace with a smaller side chair at a right angle to the couch and another across from the couch (where your leather chair is now). That would leave it open and airy and cozy at the same time. ??? Just a thought.
And I love the idea of the mirror over the fireplace. If you change it post another picture so we can see :-)

Vikrant, Lanie, michelgammon, Totally appreciate that chairs would be nicer in the bay than a couch, but can't put the couch on other side (due to space) and don't want to ditch the couch all together. This is our main conversation area when people come over and we are already short on seating so even if it is just one couple, someone has to bring a dining chair over :(

Janemb, I would love to get a smaller glass/ especailly Noguchi coffee table. Have 2 young boys. Husband thinks too dangerous with potential wrestling about. Grg.

All - Agree mirror would look great/better over fp. But agree with Karen Paul the art will not work with the lamp and hate to ditch the new lamp. Trying to stick with blues in LR and orange in DR, but I know that is probably too simplistic. Mirror is super heavy so I need a helper- will try to post later with those switched!

Below is Targe' tripod light I want to try left of sofa near entry way - what do you think? Do I need to spring for a more expensive version, or different style? My kids will trip on it - oh well. I also like the spun lamp but maybe too white and glossy. I love the lamps with the big arches + drum shade, but think it might be odd with the alabaster fixture in the middle of the room already.

I wish I could come over and just help you move furniture until we figure it out!

I suggest simple clean lined credenzas or chests for either side of the fireplace. I like the art you hae there now. I'd get two smaller scale printed chairs. Maybe look at dwr.com or cb2.com for some ideas that are mid-century. Crate and barrel or west elm or cb2 for the chests/credenzas. You don't have to style them much if you hang a mirror over each - maybe just a vase, lamp or frame on each. To me wha tis lacking is the rugs. I don't a lot of designers on houzz don't like them under dining tables, but I view it as a must. And I would look at the rug in your seating area it's just way too plain. I would maybe do something in the blue tone, but textured. Or anything just to add some more warmth. Good luck.

Clynch10, the thing I love about your room is the understated elegance of the high ceiling, inlaid hardwood floors, and painted mantle. I would suggest a slightly more traditional floor lamp. I'm sure you will find the perfect small-scaled chairs that you can angle at the corners of the rug opposite the couch. I would never guess that you have a 2 and 5 year old. Your home is the picture of serenity:)

Have you thought about removing the sofa and getting 4 chairs instead with a round coffee table in the center? I suggest soft colors (camel, gray, blue) in 2 different but complimentary fabrics. I also like the idea of moving your mirror above the fireplace. This will become your focal point and you won't need to modify the fireplace surround. I think a floor lamp by the fireplace would look great also. I like the one suggested above.

you are right,.actually i already did this in my apartment

My suggestion for chairs is to go neutral and use pillows with fun, bright patterns to spice them up. Pillows are much cheaper to replace and I do it all the time when I get bored with a space! 2 chairs facing the couch with a small (maybe glass?) table between them would be good. You can add trim to your curtains with ribbon just to add color.

i suggest to make a corner of sofa seats between this seats glass top table preferably in mango shape you can add small carpet(rouge) and silky curtain

What I would have suggested if you were open to changing the couch would be to buy a larger rounded back sofa that would curve into the bay space and give you a little more seating. You could add small wall sconces beside the middle bay window for light at night. On the walls beside door opening or in other areas have you considered small benches/ottomans for extra seating or placing a table/cabinet or low shelving unit on one or both sides of the doorway topped with a lamp where you could put your Ipod things,etc there. If you need to keep those things where they are I would try the bookshelves/cabinets like you mentioned but regardless I'd pick something in the white color of your fireplace to blend in then buy acessories to bring in some color and interest. I think tall narrow trees in great planters would look great on both sides of your fireplace besides adding more color and warmth to the room. As far as acessories, you seem scared to experiment. You just need to go shopping picking out a few things you like such as some bulky candlesticks or tall ceramic vases perhaps for each end of your mantle and then some smaller items. Just keep in mind the colors in your room, if they don't work just take them back and try something else. My best advice is to just look at a lot of pictures and see what you like. Your dining room table does seem too small. At the least I would add a rug to bring in more color and make the area not seem so bare. When I was younger trying to decorate on a budget I used large potted plants/trees to fill empty spaces and they added great color. The big leather chair does need to be replaced with something that blends in better. I was wondering if two small square upholstered chairs placed almost side to side with each other would fit your space maybe done in a lovely print. I'm trying to think of ways to work in as much seating space as possible is why I suggest this. Maybe with a standing lamp between them? Hope any of this gives you ideas. Good luck.

Would a pair of torchiere floor lamps on either side of the fireplace be something you would like? Would provide balanced light on that wall and would finish that wall. I like the finish and the shape with your alabaster lights. This is by Crate and Barrel. http://www.crateandbarrel.com/jerry-antiqued-bronze-torchiere-lamp/s199233

i don;t think it will be balanced but idea of table lamps is not bad but it will be most approperiate if these lamps may place in any corner or both sides of the couch other than fire place

If you decide to do a table on the left side of the sofa, I found these with pen shell top which is water and heat resistant, finished in an antiqued brass. If you were to use these, then I would change out the torchiere lamps for something different.

Is this your new lamp in the dining room?

Yes, Karen, that is our lamp. I do think those torchiere lamps would make nice lines by the fireplace. And michigammenom I love the quatrefoil :).

Mona and thegriers - great ideas! thank you so much. I do have another leaf and 2 armchairs for the dining table I can add.

If you decide to do only 1 lamp, I think the quatrefoil is a beautiful look. I love the lines of it very much. Very elegant.

Hi All, I have been chair hunting and would love to get your opinions. I like the idea of a tall chair to fill the space, but I have noticed that the current chair blocks a lot of light into the dining room so now I am wondering if maybe a smaller chair would be good. I am kinda into the barcelona chair below which has a very very reasonably priced reproduction. Maybe I can use the ottoman next to it or somewhere in the room as extra seating? Or squeeze in 2? 29inches wide in a 122 inch space. Can't really return so need to be sure. Not wild about crate and barrel patterned slipper chair, but 26 inches wide, maybe could fit 2? Other options include the 2 room and board chairs below which have decent color options (but not real pattern options). Would love to know what you think! I also really like the milo baughman chrome wraparound chairs but can't find a reasonably priced reproduction. AND still really like that Grant Wingback too...

No contest...the Barcelona knock-off is by far your best choice. Your 122" measurement is from where to where? Since you are moving toward a modern look, I would always select a classic look over others.

Yippee!! You are the best Karen! 122" is from the fireplace to the wierd corner on the wall that sticks out on the left side. The fire place is actually about a foot north of that wall, but realistically the chairs + an aisle to walk to the dining room need to fit within that space.

Oh - and we bought grey matte, glass, frosted white subway tiles for the fireplace area so that will look more modern. Thinking about white curtains with chrome bar to modernize windows too. Would like more modern grey couch but too expensive to replace right now.

So, whip out your tape measure and center your two chairs on the sofa and add several inches between the chairs. Your walkway into the dining room needs to have minimally 3' of clearance from the chair on left, UNLESS you have chairs pulled forward enough so as not to impede. How much space do you have to move them forward to allow at least 15" from the coffee table AND to have them approximately the same distance from the fireplace as the sofa, looking at front legs. I think it's tight but the tape measure will give you your answer. If you can't do two, then you need to choose a chair that can stand alone and act as an anchor for that end of the room.

Hi Everyone, I just wanted to say thanks for all your help and suggestions and show you where I ended up! I got the barcelona chair and a plant for that corner of the fireplace. Was going to subway tile the fireplace but decided it would be too many lines so just painted the current tiles (for now). Took down the curtains and added a sofa table and lamps to take more advantage of the bay window. I added more chairs and some candles to the center of the dining table. Added some white branch arty things to fill the blank wall space. Added some candles and flowers to the left side of the fireplace to give some height. Thanks again for all of your suggestions which helped me so much. I still agree that the mirror could be moved, but just can't deal with that right now. Open to more ideas, but nothing too major :)! Casey

The sofa table and lamps add a lot of interest to your bay window area. Very pretty indeed!

Hi. Looks great. So glad you posted some pictures. I like what you did. Really like the new chair. I see the ceramic stool/table at end of sofa. Great choice. If I was to do anything else to it I'd probably use some inexpensive bamboo or reed type blinds in the windows. Maybe have them about halfway down. Unless you're going to be moving them up and down you can pull the cords up to the top to get them out of little one's reach. It'd add a little warmth and tie into the tan of the sofa, picture above fireplace and your overhead light fixture. You might want to look for something for the mantle. Just something simple. Check out pictures for ideas and just look around for something similar. I think you've done great.

One more small comment. I noticed from up above the ottoman that goes with your chair. That looks great. I know that right now you may not have room to use it in front ot the chair but maybe you could use it for extra seating somewhere else but have it to use with the chair later if you move or whatever and have the room. One thing I've learned is to buy the set because you might not bt able to get it later if you change your mind.

Thegriers- that is amazing because this morning I went to buy the ottoman and it is now backordered arg! But sounds like I will be able to get it still. I was frustrated we had company recently that we still didn't have enough seating in the LR for 4. So, since I can't fit another chair I figure I will hve to stash the ottomoan somewhere in the room and pull it out as an extra seat. And yes, puta ceramic palmer stool/table left of sofa. Wasn't sure if it was right, so glad you like it.

what a gorgeous room! I like what you have and I don't think you need to get rid of anything. To make it more feminine, just add details......like jewelry. Some suggestions include: 2 suzani print pillows for sofa, potted orchids for the coffee table, mercury glass votives to line the mantle, a glazed garden stool in a contrasting color like orange next to the sofa, matchstick blinds under the draperies, add vertical trim to the draperies,etc. You get the idea. Small details will make this room go from nice to "wow"! I would move the painting to the opposite wall and hang a venetian style mirror over the mantle. Restoration hardware sells a beaded one that is not too ornate. I would also pick 2 matching slipper chairs in a colorful fabric. If that doesn't do the trick, hang a crystal chandelier. Good luck!

good job , much better and more lively, thanks for the update.

Your "Barcelona" looks great!! The white makes your art piece "zing" and really is very nice for the fireplace. Like the idea of the sofa table, however, since your lamps are quite tall, you might want to rethink the plant you have in the center. I would get something larger so it doesn't get lost with the back of the sofa and the height of the sofa. You might be able to use the flowers you have in the corner? It would be worth a try. The grasses you have on the sofa table could possibly go on the coffee table on the l.s. near the outside edge (as you are facing the sofa). I'm not a fan of filling up that space to the l.s. of your fireplace. To leave it blank could well be a good thing, just to feel the negative space. Also, now that you have the taller lamps, you might want to consider a much taller tree to replace the one you have. The dining room table with 6 chairs is very nice. In fact, I'm not minding the mirror there now. Possibly because you had a round and a square side by side? Now the table reads larger and much better. Unfortunately, your wonderful lamp on the credenza is looking much too small, at least in this last photo. Seems every time you change one thing you will find further adjustments have to be made elsewhere. You should be so very pleased with your progress. :)