lolauren, thank you for the details on the table and chairs. I was excited to see the store is in LA ... I can drive there and take a look at the great stuff they have - in person - doing the happy dance!!! lol

From the snow through your windows it looks like you aren't in LA and were brave and ordered online.

Are you familiar with the blog "Just Beachy"? It's one of the 40 I follow (eek).

Anyway, the blogger has a living room with really high ceilings that remind me of your dining room. In her living room, she created paneling that actually works beautifully with the high ceiling. I never would have thought of that! It really adds drama.

So I thought I would share the link. Alas, she seems to have updated her blog, and now it is messed up! So I am not able to give you a link to the blog.

However, since she is in the process of selling her house, I was able to find a link from the realty site.

Scroll down to the second-to-last picture; it's the one that has this caption: "Living room features 16 foot ceilings and beautiful double height windows , paneled wall and hardwood floors and window seat."

Although, now that I've written all this, I have to tell you that I love the mock-up with the small rectangular pictures a ton (the ones framed in orange).

Here is a link that might be useful: Just Beachy Living Room

hilltop: thanks for the mock ups! :) I am going to show DH the different size options and see what he says.

chispa: haha at your happy dance! I live in a mostly rural part of WA state (which has been blasted with snow this week.) If I bought locally, it would be from one of very few places (uhh.. Wal Mart?)...... so I purchase online often. :)

Maybe use some of these prints for your wall?

Here is a link that might be useful: art.com -- Samuel Curis art prints

I love the idea of the prints - love the frameless ones that are shown above - your room has a contemporary vibe to it as do those prints - would not opt for a typical 19th century, matted botantical framed look.

I would add something different to the center - one of those gorgeous sunburst mirrors (Ballard Designs has them in several sizes)...then surround the mirror with prints top, sides and bottom....it is fun to go one step beyond the expected.

Another thought for possible art -- find a wonderful tree in your area -- photograph it and have it printed in black-and-white -- and then mat it and frame it.

Or perhaps photocopy your house plans -- and carefully cut the copies to fit mats and frames.

Or perhaps an old map of the area or local town?

Or an antique map?

Here is a link that might be useful: art.com -- old map of Florence

I love the botanicals idea, wouldn't they look darling in your cute room?? Check out the blog, Back Porch Musings- clever Pat has pretty botanicals hung in her DR.
I also saw a fun mirror at Walmart, let me hunt and see if I can find it again!

I just got a catalog from Ballard Designs in the mail and they have several large art prints.

Another thought: elegant sconces on both sides of the art would showcase it, plus serve as another layer of lighting in room...could be a very soft, romantic effect.

xantippe: I just now saw your comment....... I love that inspiration photo. thanks. We might put up molding to break the wall up (but still hang art.) I'll think about something similar to what they did.... easy but looks beautiful. :)

lascatx.... I have looked at Ballard. The one piece I like there wouldn't be the right size for the space... (I think?) It's the Storm Over the March giclee. I think it's orientation is opposite of what I need... ?

teacats... I like your ideas. I have some map art in my laundry room already. :) The one grouping I've considered is going through old letters and family documents to get samples of various family members writing/notes. I would copy and enlarge then mat and frame them. The problem is finding all the pieces, but I think it would be something my DH and I would both appreciate having up. I might find the frames/mats and put up botanicals until I have gathered all those writing samples... :)

loribee: I think they would be cute, especially because I like gardening! thanks for the blog suggestion.

I found the Walmart mirror...it's unusually shaped and would look nice on your wall, I think.

Here is a link that might be useful: Harrison Mirror

I think the room needs more to be a ROOM. Since there isn't floor space for furniture/side board/china cabinet I would go with the multiple over one large anything, mirrors, art what ever.

How about this? This is my dining room wall. These used to be spread out on a two-story wall. I had to compress them in new house. I kind of like them better overlapping.

Having seen vsalz clock collage on another thread, I was going to suggest her idea as well. I also wonder if there isn't something similar that could be used to make a collage.

Vsalz...amazing wall!

Another vote to add drapery and a rug. If it's too much to have them at all 3 "doorways," what about a set at either end?

I like botanical prints, but prefer the ones done on black paper. I think they are more striking, and more interesting than the ones on white paper. While looking for an example for you i stumbled across these ones by Mary Delany, who made these in the 1700s out of paper! thought she was really interesting, so jUst ordered a book about her! This is wht i love about the decorating forum!

Here is a link that might be useful: Mary delaney black paper botanicals. Scroll down

I have a large print that I love. I have used it in every dining room I have had since I bought it. I bought the print and then had it custom framed. The framing is what cost the big bucks.

I love the curtains idea! In fact, I may steal the idea for my home.

I see your room as a jewel box kind of room. I'd paint it a striking color, do something awesome on the ceiling, maybe a rug under the table, and a great print(s) on the wall.

Thanks for all the extra suggestions! I am out of town currently, but wanted to pop in to say I appreciate the thoughts and ideas.

Quickly.. some of you have suggested a rug. While I agree that it would look cozier/warmer, we have way too much dust in the windy desert here to have one. :(

I am likely going to move forward with the botanical prints idea (I could switch to something larger later if I fall in love with a piece of art...)..... Thanks again, everyone.

I'm just adding updated photos. The space is not "done," but I certainly like it better. I imagine we will add casings around the entryways at some point (and maybe wainscoting.)



{{!gwi}}


{{!gwi}}


{{!gwi}}

There are some more photos in the linked album.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://s1171.photobucket.com/albums/r546/pizzaflakes/Dining%20room/

Lo, that looks great! Where did you find the prints?

Thanks. :)

The botanicals were on Ebay. It must have been fate since they were almost all white flowers and there were 24 prints.

If anyone is doing similar, the mats are from wholesalematboards dot com. I wasn't too sure about that web site, but they sent my custom mats really quickly. It was considerably less money than getting mats cut at Michael's/Hobby Lobby.

looks great!

Very pretty and I am so impressed that they appear to be so perfectly hung. All I could think about with that many pieces would be that any little tilt would make me crazy! How did you hang them?

It looks fantastic and thank you for the tip re: the mats.

I've also appreciate all of the ideas on this thread. I have been checking out the links provided and have been overwhelmed (in a good way) with the choices . . .so many neat ideas to pick from.

olychick: My husband is very precise!

First, we had to take measurements. I wanted the top of the frames to be the same height as the top of my entryways into the room (also same as middle of our windows.) Also, I wanted the bottom frame to be above the backs of our dining chairs.

Once I knew how much room that left me for spacing, we taped a piece of string to make a straight line at the highest point. (Our version of a laser level, I guess. We measured and taped the string at several points on the wall to make sure there was no sagging and used a level to confirm again.)

In the photos, the string is hard to see since it's yellow, but it's there. :)

{{!gwi}}

From there, we found the center point and put the center frame up. Once that row was done, we used the string approach again, this time at the height of the 2nd row of frames...


{{!gwi}}


{{!gwi}}

Etc.... :)

It looks great! Also love the plant in the corner. What did you use to hang the prints (I'm assuming you have drywall)?

nosoccermom - just little nails that were in a picture hanging kit.... the frames are very lightweight aluminum and the "glass" is acrylic. I hung four of these frames in another room quickly with thumb tacks.

Linking to the frames...

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.jerrysartarama.com/discount-art-supplies/framing-and-matting/ready-made-metal-frames/ambiance-gallery-aluminum-frames.htm

That turned out FABULOUS! Thanks for the tip on the matboards, too. And I love your substitution for a laser level!

Wow, looks wonderful and serene, love your chandelier too!
Really excellent job and some great advice.

thanks, all :) I should thank everyone else for helping me with this one; THANKS. I love this board (also, I just looked back at the photos and had to laugh again at that Arnold photo.) :)

Very nicely done! With that team work you might substitute large format pic of Ah-nahld with one (or multiples) of DH!

Did you lower the chandelier or does it just look better with the wall decorated?

Anyway, as I said, your room looks nice and I like the flow from your adjoining rooms.

Java

Java: LOL. :) My DH is a little too shy to appreciate that shrine.

I haven't lowered the chandelier.... I'm still considering it and open to the idea, but I have hesitated because it will partially block the view out those windows. It's already very bright in that room as well.

If people still think I should lower it, let me know.

In the photos, the chandelier looks much better even though it's higher than the "standard". I first wondered whether it would overpower the table if it were hung lower. Do you know its diameter vs table diameter?

21" diameter chandelier vs. 57" diameter table

No, it won't overwhelm the table if you decide to lower it.

Found it! Lauren, they look fabulous! GREAT job!

Wow, everything looks awesome! I don't think it could have turned out any better. It's such a great space.

Lolauren - I love how your pictures turned out!
Can you tell me what kind of floors you have? Are they dark enough that the dust shows or are they pretty good about hiding "stuff"? I love the rustic charm of them.

Maybe I should have started a new thread for the "After" photos to make this easier. oh well :)

loribee, gsciencechick, msrose: thank you!

If others have further advice, I'm all ears. I said no to a rug, but I'm keeping my eyes open if one (that looks easily cleanable) really wants to come home with me.

msrose: the floor is a pre-finished, handscraped hickory. With two big dogs, "rustic" was the only direction we were comfortable going with hardwood floors. The floors are from a small company called, "Lewis & Clark." (I think it's only available regionally.)

Yes, the floor IS dark enough to show dust in direct lighting (same with my black countertop... I can't tell it is dusty until the sun is setting and the light hits it just right.) The floors show wet paw prints, when they dry, in any lighting! We have a patio cover that eliminates a lot of the direct lighting in our great room, so I rarely can see the floors are dusty. I would use lighter floors if the rooms had direct lighting all day!

I think the prints look great.

If you do curtain panels I would hang the rod in the jamb like portieres, not on one side or the other.

Thanks, palimpsest.

Also, it's nice to now know the word "portieres," so I can google ideas. :)

Your prints are lovely. I love what you did with that room.
Its not an "everyone has this" wall and that makes it yours.
Good job.
Can I say not "everyone has that" DH as well? lol.
Good job again!

citywoman, I agree...where is the website where I can find someone like that DH???

LOL citywoman and olychick :)

Are you saying other DH's don't help with projects like this? (If that is the case, I am even more thankful for him!)

Lauren - The reason I said you should hang multiple photos of DH is because when I saw what you were doing, my first thought was if I were a DH that would be the most detested decorating task I would want. I think I'd rather go shopping than try to get everything aligned. Plus, if I were the DW, I'd see the results and decide I had designed it all wrong and it needed to be re-hung. Poor Mr. Javachik!

Prints look beautiful . I still would like to see the chandelier lowered, but that's me.

javachick: I measured really, really (really, really) well. I didn't want to subject DH to doing it twice! :)

dex215: you are saying that just because of how it would look, right?