Hi, thanks. You cannot see the other wall from the picture, but I have two Chinese style mirrors from Grandinroad opposite the sideboard. Forgot to mention :)

I think it calls for something subtle.

Any thoughts on "Creamsicle" from Crate & Barrel? A cream, strie giclee. 36 x 36

I like the paining, but maybe it's too minimalist? I am thinking a large print by Gustav Klimt

I think mirrors. Yes mirrors with an s. Try buying several Identical mirrors(about 6 or 8) and possibly with black frames(nothing too ornate). Place them at an equal distance over the sideboard to draw the eye up and open up the space. You should be able to find some relatively cheap at a big box store.

That print is a wow. Thanks - will try to get a better pic of it.

A mirror similar to this would be my choice. It fits with your style but the high gloss paint makes it not so serious. Not loving the lamp shades. More
white?

Your room is quite lovely. I like the view to the window and the french door. The door to the right of the sideboard, where does it go? Your beautiful furniture and that flat door and knob do not go. Could the door be replaced with another french door? If not, how about solid core with panels and a real brass knob?

The chandelier, curtain rod are black - the khaki stripe is the exact color of my wall, though not on purpose. Too alike maybe so it doesn't stand out? I will find a lighter color shade in my house and experiment. Mirrors on another wall.

If you are considering artwork, Etsy.com has photography and paintings from artisans all over the world and the US. You can just type what type theme you would like in there search engine. If you want something a little more impressive, you can buy originals and limited edition artwork from famous artists from Galleries like Park West (very well) known and they have a website. Sometimes you can negotiate with them and chances are the artwork will go up in value so it is an investment. You can also buy artwork on cruises - Park West is on many Cruise lines and Princess has their own galleries. So get an original from either Etsy or a Gallery and it will be unique instead of a run of the mill China version. And if you go on a cruise - its sooo much fun. We just got back from Hawaii and I will be adding new photography to my own shop on Etsy.com soon, nancyhehmann

Thanks - I will look at Etsy!

I think that a more modern landscape painting with bright colors would look great! Or, you could put up an interesting gallery wall!

etsy is the best website in the world, i could sit there for the rest of my life looking through the pages and hopefully buy too if i had the money. lol Agreed with the mirror!

I have these mirrors on an opposite wall - crystal chandelier. I feel I shouldn't use any additional shiny objects in the room.

You have a great start…your room looks LOVELY! How about a stencil or decal. (Note: decals have matte finish & look as though they were stenciled)
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Another idea would be a world map framed or a clock. Check out this Antique World Map 18" Wide Indoor/Outdoor Wall Clock (see photo) http://www.lampsplus.com/products/antique-world-map-18-inch-wide-indoor-outdoor-wall-clock__m8080.html

You were right - keep looking for the correct painting/piece - you have great sense -maybe a different table center piece - love your sidebar & room - mean it!

I can't see the world framed map - can your re-send? - but that's what I keep going back to in my head, a map. I have a beautiful mantel clock in viewing distance of the dining room so don't want to overdo the clock thing. The worry about a map is that I don't want the room to be glum. All grays and khaki. I think I will try switchinig out the lampshades for something creamier and that may warm up that area.

And thank you!

I do not have a picture of a map framed. I agree with you about not wanting the room to look neutral. Maybe you should consider a water color painting to bring in some color or frame a beautiful piece of fabric—my sister once found a piece in a shop, in a beautiful red, with a large bird & branch that was from old draperies in a theatre that she had framed. Also check out the wall art here: http://www.lampsplus.com/products/wall-art/
Note: the first 2 photos are fabric, last 2 are from website; rectangular artwork is nice but would be in competition with the lamps

Just thought of another idea…how about hanging some beautiful, colorful china plates since this is your dining room??? The area needs something to pull it together and distract a bit from the height of the lamps. The sideboard is lovely and I think it should be the focal point. Something on the wall with more height than the lamps.

I love this idea!! The lamps are tall but the right height for the width of the sideboard.

I have some pretty Limoges plates I will try; if not, will have a merry time finding new ones!

Thanks, Jeanmarie!

I am open to ideas, so thanks. I've tried larger centerpieces, they fight with the chandelier. Like the art glass idea as well. Thank you!

I listened to some great advice and switched out my more formal lampshades for light cream/white oval pieces. Now I just need the right focal point in between! Thanks all.

Get rid of the lamps

Go to an antique or resale shop and your answer is there. I've seen it often.

A mirror and a small plant, or a nice abstract or flower picture . like the new lampshades better.

I didn't want to tell you I prefer the black. and the antique and resale shops always have several ideas for where ever you need the perfect "color, shape" I think the walls are green, I see a mirrow in the third picture so I would go to a floral w/ gold, not quite to baroque frame. Go, look, it's waiting for you and if they want too much go toa Art.com and get it.

Hi :) Can't get rid of the lamps - actually, don't want to. I try to work with what I have and, in person, because the room is gloomy, more light shows through these shades than the previous black/khaki stripe. The room has a Northern exposure and there are multitudes of trees behind me so the room might be a little brighter in the winter, but not by much. I need the light.

The other shades were the exact color of the wall, though, but felt stuffy and too traditional.

I actually thought of bringing the lamps to a metal refinisher to modernize finish but it would be too expensive.

And my boyfriend tells me I throw everything away so if the next time he comes the whole lamp is gone, I'm in for it.

So will be on the hunt - next weekend. If my existing Limoges plates don't cut it (I might just want something white or Spode/Johnson Brothers brown and white or Asian), then I will go for an abstract piece or art glass. I have to be careful with art, I get tired of it quickly and cannot spring for original.

No, the metal on the lamps goes well with the room. I like the lamps, (sorry you misunderstood me) but I perfer the black shades. You want an item to be inside the the withth of the shades about an inch on each side and not quite as high as the door, but at least an inch above the sideboard. You have a beautiful eye for what you want. Please go to Art.com. The prices will astound you.

Hi, Sandra, not you. No worries. I am happy to have found this site - lots of fun. Because the room is dark the black shades didn't offer enough light and with the cream colored chairs, was going for another look.

I did go to Art.com but have no idea what kind of art I would like - I have given away so many pieces because i keep changing my taste.

I don't want color, maybe a pencil drawing or litho? I enjoy the conversations with everyone.

I just spent the last hour on Art.com!! I have no clue what I want. I am all over the place, thanks for your help

I like the oval, slightly creamy shades on those lovely lamps, they tie in nicely with your new chairs. The oval shape is also tying in nicely with the original hardware on that gorgeous side board.

How about a "collection" of several oval serving platters of various sizes? You could stick with various shades of white/cream. Perhaps find some Oriental-ish design on the platters or around the edges of the platters that mimics the pattern of the mirrors you already have on the opposite wall?

Amazon has more than 500 choices - http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_p_n_feature_twenty_b_2?rh=n%3A1055398%2Ck%3Aoval+platters%2Cp_n_feature_twenty_browse-bin%3A3254100011&bbn=1055398&keywords=oval+platters&ie=UTF8&qid=1349817340&rnid=3254097011

edited to limit the choices to just white.

You have a beautiful room already. Obviously you have a good sense of style. Allow yourself some time to find the perfect finishing pieces - it will be a lovely "That's IT!!!" moment when you make that find.

I've seen "creamsicle" and really like it. It's basically strings....how about wrapping a few strands in a pop color off center onto it. Maybe the plates you are considering have some color that would inspire a choice. Then take 3 of those plates and hang them above your customized "creamsicle".

Mirror. But you also need bigger mouldings and etc to keep up with your heavily decorated furniture. Then, you are obliged to make the rest of your house the same... Or, you could go the opposite way and have the room and house all white and modern. You could also use a door with more oomph and door furniture with more oomph. I would try and fix the big picture before I worried about if the lamps matched the pulls.

Another issue is that there is a line of symmetry running through the dining table from the big window. Another line of symmetry could run at right angles, between the two doors and with the table with the lamps at the mid point. The fact that that can't/hasn't happened just makes it look like the room will not fit your furniture.

One of your planes of glass is divided up, as fits your table. The door with the glass looks like it is left over from a mid range 1960s build and looks like there are not the resources to have it keep up the pace with the rest of the room. That's how I'd look if I wore a Rolex and didn't buy a wardrobe I can't afford.

I suggest you ditch the painfully old fashioned decanter. I am not sure anyone uses them anymore. Is that a set of Venetian blinds that can drop down from the top of the glass door? Overall, I would make things cozy and decorated, or I would strip it right back. Trying to combine Georgian, the 1960s and today in one room is a BIG ask.

In my opinion, when you are decorating it is important to avoid high status finishes and designs. If you are going to go hard with a space, then some of that will naturally creep in. If you are not going to go hard, then the viewer can be confused about if you wanted to appear above your station of if your main aim was for things to be visually pleasing. For example, if it was the LOOK of the buffet lamps that you liked, how come ornateness is not coming through in the rest of the room?

I think I have more than enough input. Thanks all.

Wow. I didn't ask for a criticism of the whole room. The house was built in the 90's - it's a condo and we all have the same door that cannot be altered or changed. The lamps have sentiment and were very expensive. The comments about "resources", "painfully old fashioned", and "appearing above my station" are offensive.

Apennamandthata needs to offer more help and less criticism!!

Take Aggie's starburst mirror design and call it a day! That was a perfect solution for your beautiful table and lamps.

These threads can be so helpful; but bottom line: answer the original question and read the responses made by the person we are all trying to help. Very first suggestions were for a mirror, but a mirror is out, as riaa explained, there are two on the opposite wall. It is also a condo, we have learned, and certain things cannot be changed.





Riaa, do you have china? A grouping of pieces, set on display, might fill in that area. Or I notice you have a black chandelier with crystals. Would you consider an art piece in a charcoal and cream? Follow Jeanmarie's suggestion and go to a fabric store which would have lots of small remnants for sale, very often the samples of discontinued, but very beautiful, fabrics. Frame it. I did this to a great find at an estate sale. It was a Scalamandre fabric from the 1980's. It looked quite nice and not expensive.

On a similar note, how about a collection of dishware displayed on the wall? You can customize the arrangement to the space above your buffet.

Riaa you have a beautiful home, with many beautiful things in your room. I love your sideboard and what a difference the new lampshades made. I like the ideas already given of either art or plates on your wall between the lamps. Have confidence in your choices remember you have excellent taste. :-)

I really like michigammon's white plate collection idea. Or use your own as mentioned ealier.

you have good taste. Just follow your intuition then ask yourself: do(es) the additional piece(s) make ME happy? If the answer is yes, then you nailed it.