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The corner placement of your windows make drapery panels an awkward choice and I like the clean look of the white blinds with your contemporary furnishings. To add softness to the room, you might consider hanging a great textile above your buffet. I'm sure the slant of your light fixture is intentional but it is very disorienting.

I think hanging the light fixture at an angle is off-putting. The rug needs a pad under it, but with the white chairs I would get another one with pattern and color - red, maybe.

For the windows, add one floor to ceiling panel each on the the far sides. You could also get a sheer fabric with a silver metalic finish and cover the windows, shutters and all.

I would do cornices on the windows, tufted,possibly, for interest. I would straighten the light fixture as others have mentioned. I'd get rid of the rug, or use a color to tie it in with the suggested cornices.

Perhaps fabric shades would help: [houzz=]

But honestly, I don't think window treatments alone will add enough softness to this room. Try a table runner, or fabric placemats, even small pillows in the bend of the chairs. Maybe a patterned area rug.

This room is very cold, to me.

The only warm item here is the leather rug which does need a pad. Warm up by adding some more appetite stimulating red to the room. Red silk drapes swagged back to each side with silver holdbacks, red lumbar pillows in the chairs, red in a great piece of art on that wall between the windows, a red glass scluptural piece on the table. And please straighten the chandy. Can't imagine how odd the view of it is from the left end of the table - do you just see light bulbs?

The rug bothers me more than the light fixture . :)

Get a pad. I love chairs...nice. If you must add fabric, very white side drapes. Not billowy, but rather starched and formal. One on left window pulled left, one on right pulled right.

maybe add Huge white tassles on the top of drapes. No texture on fabric. The tassles are to be chunky, stark white. about 3 inches. This adds Alice In Wonderland play.. Are the current window blinds California Shutters? If not
get them, white 3 " slats. Wood. PS.. I like the idea of stark white sheers. small silver thread/design. maybe Napolianic.
BUT hang sheer over the side drape. Of course tassles on top.

Like where this is going.

F.

A large softer piece of artwork above the credeza would go a long way. I do like the fabric shades above.

I like JMittman's suggestions. Tufted. Definitely need to add some life to the room. Maybe prints and a pop of bright color. Maybe a bright print or original artwork of bright green ferns, and replaces the items on the hutch w/ real life. Maybe a collection of apathocary jars filled w/moss and ferns? there's a great pic of jar collection here on houzz. Here is the link:

Cait. you've received many comments on your post but we haven't heard from you! Is there anything here you like?

Straight in that beautiful fixture. Loose the shutters. Frost the windows if the view is an issue . Add long bold color, large pattern drape panels on grommets. Like plate sized red poppies on black background. Agree about the padding. You have spent a lot of money and you are just short of a fabulous room. Good luck!

olldbob! I'm sorry I haven't responded!!! I love this forum!
First of all, this picture has a funny story behind it. A friend of mine, asked me to help her with her dining room, I agreed and she sent me this picture saying she just purchased this dining room set. I automatically assumed this was a pic of her house. Since it's not my style AT ALL, I asked for your help!!!!
As it turns out, this wasn't her house!! It was just a pic of they style she likes!! So thankfully I didn't have to deal with awkward windows, a crooked light fixure, and bad rug choice!!!

So, in the end, her room was similar style, but much easier to decorate and not as contemporary.

I took Fabia's ideas with the stark white window treatments. And also listened to everyone's red accent idea. When my friends dining room is complete, I'll share with everyone!!!

Thanks again for all the responses. I love this forum!

OH, good grief! Well it was nice of you to help your friend, and yes! Please post pics when the room is complete!

OH, and as a side note, I would not want to sit at the low end of that chandelier :))

Oh I know!!! I originally thought it was a mistake... but apparently it wasn't. They think it's artistic. I guess to each their own right!!!!

My friend actually inherited a swarovski crystal chandelier from her Grandparents. It's stunning.

Lucky friend!

Hunter Douglas carries a product called Design Studio, its a soft window treatment. Only select Hunter Douglas dealers carry this product though. You can choose from four distinctive shade styles, beautiful rich fabrics - textures, patterns, stripes, rich solids and sheers. You can also add coordinating valances, tapes and trims. I attached a couple of pictures for you to take a look at. Let me know what you think!

It would be a good idea to have your friend join houzz and just be honest. some of us spend good energy helping people. just my thoughts about this particular post. glad I read through before giving tips.