looks great!

I don't see any purple undertones on my monitor.
I really like the curtains.

I think a rug and any accessories with a punch of color will make a difference as far as making it homey.

Wow, it went from country bumpkin to sophisticated and serene. My monitor doesn't show purple either. Can you tell me where you got the curtains.

BTW, I think the chandelier would look fabulous in there. I wonder if you can find replacement shades in white.

Laurie

Did you see this light fixture dianalo posted on the chandelier post? It has white shades.

{{!gwi}}

Laurie

Well, that looks great!

I would love to see a close up of the fabric and paint. You know, green and purple look great together. A soft neutral green might look nice for the next room. Of course, it might make the DR look even more purple....not that that's a bad thing. :-)

I am seeing the purple undertone, more so to the left of the screen. I still think it's pretty and look forward to seeing what you add to the room.

Actually, what looks really purple on my monitor are the blinds!

Have you considered as a temporary measure taking down the chandy and using a metal spray paint in a silver or pewter to change the brass? Then add some funky lampshades for the fun element.

I would remove the napkin holder and shakers (too kitchen/diner looking - maybe put them inside the hutch) and add a simple tray to the center of the table, filled with different sizes of white or cream pillar candles, surrounded by elements of the season - for now it could be evergreens and some stems of faux or real berries tucked in. February could be ribbons in reds and pinks tied around the candles, the tray filled with the big size conversation heart candies. March might bring the removal of the pillar candles, and instead have the tray lined with some spring pattern decorative scrapbook papers, then three or five small pots of daffodils surrounded by votive candles in glass holders wrapped with bright green raffia and knotted.

If you donâÂÂt think you are going to get to the chair rail and moulding any time soon, then hang some art. Use the Command Adhesive hooks from 3M, and you wonâÂÂt have holes in the walls to deal with later, when you may decide to change out the art after the moulding is added. You can do the gallery as you planned, or even wrap some blank art canvases from the craft and hobby store in colorful fabrics and hang three in a series on the wall.

A funky rug under the table could be another way to add color and fun.

Wow! That is a huge improvement!! I think patterned drapes can be tricky, and you've chosen the perfect ones!!

I agree with Les, that what looks purple to me is the blinds. Are they white? Do they have any kind of pink or blue undertone? Maybe take them off for a few days, to see if it changes the look of the wall color.

I've seen very simple, plain white chandy shades at Lowes. I also saw some that were mean to be covered with your own fabric at Joann's. Maybe you could do a plain white silk or linen? Or a white parchment paper?

What a huge difference! I love the new look you have created. What's the paint brand and color?

Beautiful room now! You've done a great job. My next step now would be to find a beautiful, large enough carpet that will blend with the drapes. You'll be surprised how wonderfully it warms up the room. I would look for an Oriental, but it's your home and you have to love the rug. After that you'll probably have a better idea as to wall art, etc.

mrose- thank you for the chandelier suggestion. I really like it but I showed it to dh and he wasn't a fan. Oh well. Maybe I will just have to look harder for some white shades :)

By the way, the curtains are from JCPenney. They are on clearance right now: My Curtains I got them in desert khaki.

Les- the blinds are white, but a cooler white than the trim and I think that is what is making them seem purple. I do agree, in that photo, they stand out a bit. Eventually, I would like to replace the blinds with either bamboo roman shades or faux wood blinds- the blinds on there now were $3.00 a piece and we just bought them because we didn't like people seeing us eating from the street, lol.

I really like your suggestions for centerpieces. I too was thinking of some type of tray arrangement, and I really like your idea of changing it out each month to mix it up a little.

As for wall hangings... I am a bit frozen by indecision. I do want something there, but after the passionate discussions here lately about art, I feel like I should wait until I really find something that speaks to me. Is there anything wrong with hanging something cheap in the meantime? I could definitely see a fabric triptych like you suggested, or doing a row of frames with prints of some kind. And thanks for the reminder about the command hooks. I love them when I think of them, but sometimes I forget they exist, lol... if that makes any sense.

I have been eying this mirror from Pier 1 for a while now:

Thinking about it in between the built ins. However, somehow I failed to notice that it's 3 feet in diameter. That's a BIG mirror. And it ain't cheap either. But, it's stunning and unique and really different... and I liked the idea of it.

Oh, and to address the chandelier... yes, I have thought about spray painting it and putting shades on in the interim... but it's painfully small in scale when you see it with the table, so I would prefer to change it out sooner rather than later.

I don't know where my 2nd post disappeared to, but here it is again...

Amy, I am sorry I forgot to address your color comments. It's funny that you mention green because the living room IS currently a soft, neutral green. Sadly, I am not a fan. Not really sure why, I have just never cared for green in a house. I actually really wanted to do a gray-blue but now I am unsure if that will work with the dining room. What do you think?

Oh, and as requested, here is a closeup of the paint and fabric together...

:)

Ugh! I love the curtains, but I'm not ready to buy yet since I haven't definitely decided what colors I want to use in my room. I wish they weren't on clearance. I really like the mirror from Pier I alot. Cut out a circle from newspaper and tape it on the wall to see how it will look. That's what I did when I was looking for a mirror above my fireplace.

Laurie

Sooo much better!! Love the paint colour...very calming & elegant.

I really like the chandelier you've posted too...although I think the shades work, I do agree that white might be better. What about a single drum pendant as an option?

I also really like the idea of a decorative mirror on the wall...adds some sparkle.

Beautiful job!

Out of both Chandeliers posted, my vote is for the one you posted. The lines are perfect and the material of the shades look more epxensive. I would buy it and see how the shades look regarding the color. A little spray paint can always turn them white.

Are you planning on replacing the blinds? For that room, I think one wooden woven shade hung on the outside would add to the warmth that is you are creating. Your drapes a very pretty. You may want to consider using 2 more panels to add fullness to the drapes.

If you love that Pier 1 mirror, go get it. It will work beautifully. It's ok if it's a little large. I've seen a Sarah Richardson dining room that I am using for as an inspiration picture for mine where she placed a mirror on a wall at the end of the dining table. From your picture, I am not sure if the wall of the opposite side is blank. If it is, think about that as a spot.

Your doing a great job.

So clean and elegant! I do see a hint of purple too. I think the Candice Olson rug would add some whimsy (and purple!) without looking too casual.

What about bringing the white buffet back in and adding simple white or glass open shelves over it until you get your mirror?

Very nice and quite a difference! I think that first chandelier is beautiful and the beige shades would look fine.

My daughter has a chandelier like your shiny brass one and she spray painted it white and replaced the brass chain with a white one. I am surprised how good it looks now, very fresh and modern.

I do love that mirror! I think that would be very pretty in that room! The curtain pattern is gorgeous!! Congrats again on such a pretty room!

Nice! Getting to feel more like you aye? You are making it home:) great job!

Your dining room is gorgeous and I'm jealous that you are finished before me. Love the chandy and mirror, you are making some nice choices.

The room looks wonderful! I like the Pier 1 mirror, too!
Love to see bamboo roman shades and a sisal rug someday, also.

I just wanted to pop in and say thank you to makeithome!! Because of this thread I purchased 4 of the curtain panels for my sliding door and living room window and I love them. I also went with the desert khaki and the pictures really do not do the colors justice.

So...thank you (and yes, I got them for half off)!!!!!!

Ponderous - You are very welcome!

I love the curtains too, and you are right, the photos don't do them justice. Part of the problem for me has been finding a rug that works with them... I refuse to give up on my curtains because they are so pretty.

I am glad I could help!

ahhh... That's what your room feels like to me! A breath of fresh, calm, serene air!

Great job!

What an incredible transformation.

Ah! What a beautiful room!

What a great transformation - the room looks completely different from the MLS photo. I like the chandelier with white shades that msrose posted.

Beautiful transformation.
And I think I am inspired to change my dining room.
~boxer

I agree the room looks fantastic and I love what you have done. I think though, that with the photo you have shared - which is the one we are all scrutinizing to look at artwork and rugs-- the lighting is a bit strange ( I wish I knew a more descriptive term but it is sort of hazy?)... and that is making it harder to get a good idea of the rugs and artwork. I think the curtains are great, as is the paint color. Maybe can you take another photo and see if that is a better indicator of what you are looking at? 'cause I think that several of those rugs will look great.