If you need a bar area, that would be something to think about.

And here is the built in.

The surface always seems messy and meaningless. I would like to use the silver tray that's there (hidden by a pile of junk) :-)

I also would like to display the Julia Knight serving dish (that is on the stand) but if it won't work, I'm fine with that.

Do you think a little lamp of some sort would work in this space? There is an outlet available.

The granite is not incredibly deep - 15 inches.

If it were my buffet, I'd have a few good sized orchids on it displayed in some gorgeous containers. Or at least one large gorgeous plant along with a few decor items. Maybe on a nice tray?

And I'd think about adding sconces between the windows instead of a lamp.

Furniture blocking a window is one of my bugbears. Do you have to have the buffet there? Can it go somewhere else in the room? How are you planning to use it?

The built-in is nice! It would be difficult to find a lamp small enough to fit, though, unless you can track down an antique glass figural lamp of some kind. Have you considered doing under-cabinet lighting? Is there a "lip" at the bottom of the upper cabinet that would hide light ropes or small pucks?

Chibimimi -- We have such little wall space in our home. There are so many window! Pros and cons here.

Honestly, there is no other space for the buffet. The only other storage/surface area is the built in. The built in is not deep - so storage below is just for my china and linens. The buffet houses my platters and serving pieces.

Walnutcreek - I like that idea of incorporating a lovely lamp along with pretty barware.

Olychick - the windows get some amazing southeast light - so plants would do well there. Except I do not have a green thumb.

I have a couple of accessory pieces I can photograph and get opinions. I'll also photograph the room as a whole. Will have more time tomorrow.

and group the objects in odd numbers so that it does not look so sparse. I can live with the window being the backdrop but I want more objects or larger object with items. nice floral (never have to water) orchid arrangement is nice with a grouping of glassware, biscuit boxes, liquor containers, silver etc. Glass and silver or brass will look delightful in sunlight.

We like a light on that table - so we don't have to have the chandelier on all the time. Do you think two lights? (w/ accessories in the middle) Or one where it is now? (w/ accessories to the side)

As far as the table lamps go - how tall (we have 10 foot ceilings) and what finish? (our chandelier is a a lt. moses - lighter finish than this... it's a gold tone with those same dark red and some rubbed black)

I just have wood blinds in this room.

Since you like a light on the buffet (and I would, too), with the size of the furniture, I would use just one lamp. From your description of the chandelier and from seeing the black chairs, I would look for something black, but shorter than what you currently have there. How tall is the lamp you showed in your initial post?

This is on my server, which is seen from my front entry, due to the pony wall looking into DR, can't tell you how many people have said they'd enjoy a piece of my fake cake.. LOL and I say oh no you wouldn't! it's a fake, I made.

Have you given any thought to adding tiers to the bay windows--either windowsill or flr length? Or plantation shutters?
The reason I'm asking is because I think part of your problem is that with the blinds down - and with the buffet/server in front, makes it look like you just moved in.and looks hard.
I think even just raising the blinds would help

Also, for the built-in buffet, have you given any thought to mirroring the back wall between base and wall cabinets and adding some undercabinet lighting ?

ETA: You could do something like this--edited down of course to fit space --a pair of lamps and a raised floral display in the center.
BTW, the orchid plants can be faux, just get very good quality,

This post was edited by chijim on Tue, Feb 19, 13 at 10:35

chijim - what is adding tiers? Since I have the same wood blinds throughout the house (I just like the clean, uniform look) would changing the dining room blinds to shutters look ok? If I were to take the step to changing the blinds, would you just change them entirely -- like to some sort of bamboo shade? It would warm up the space. I don't really have a budget for fabric treatments.

LOVE the idea of mirroring the back wall. Not sure how to handle the under cab lighting - unless I do one of those battery things.

bac- the light is 30" tall.

Here is a link that might be useful: bamboo shades

Simple white/cream tiered curtains aka cafe curtains, from middle of window to windowsill, just below sill, or to floor. A decorative element would be using decorative rods(brass?) and curtain clips--not the pole style.
The fabric could be muslin, denim, burlap--i.e., cheap!
You could also add stationary panels to bay like in the pic below.

Bamboo/woven shades would work--the trouble I have with the blinds now it that it look too utilitarian.
I think because a bay window is different from the rest of your windows, shutters on lower half of window or plantation won't be an issue.

Since you have an outlet, you could buy a LED strip to use and simply plug it in--I would use a small lamp as well to layer.
{{!gwi}}

Here's some example of tiers in a bay window.

This pic is for style--these are too country.

Simpler

Stationary panels

Plantation and half-shutters

I have plantation shutters in my DR only, because that's all I could afford at the time. White wood blinds on the other windows facing the street mimic the look of the plantation shutters from the outside. I don't think putting shutters in just one room is ever a problem. The thing about bamboo shades is they're either open or closed and sometimes you want a little privacy along with the light.
Since that's the best spot for your buffet, I think a simple and relatively inexpensive fix would be to keep your wood blinds and add just two drapery panels on either side of the buffet similar to the picture above. I do think you could get away with just two panels, if your budget is up to it, add two more panels on the ends.
I can't really help with the "staging" of your buffet surface, as my thoughts are "less is better." I personally don't like to see a lot of stuff on a surface that you expect to use for serving. A lamp for ambience, a decanter and a couple of crystal glasses, maybe a tray or a show piece pottery.
I really think, however, if you surround the buffet with pretty drapery panels, you'll not feel the need to do much to the top of the buffet.

Do you have any other lamps from around the house that you could play with to find the right height for lighting on the buffet? Lamps are not easy to figure out. I'm still trying to find the right lamp for a table in my LR.

OK...
I like the idea of panels. Here is a larger photo of the space:

Now, standing in the same place, but turning to my right, here is my Living Room (new rug is coming - an ivory frise shag)

Having new chair pads made for my dining room chairs in this fabric:

Not my room, but here is the idea, however, they will have a box pleat, not a ruffle:

Sooooo -- What would you recommend for the windows?

* A solid panel?
* Maybe in a velvet?
* Are you sure it would look ok with just two panels on either side of the double window? There is not much clearance on the outer sides.
* How would the pole/hardware be mounted.

I'd love to find ready-mades.... I've spent so much in the last 6 months on redecorating... and now two of our appliances conked out, so I'm out shopping for a new double oven and dishwasher. ARGH

I couldn't find any pics of draperies hanging just on the interior portion of a bay, but these show some with such a minimal volume on the outer edges that perhaps they would work for you?

Olychick - I think that would work. Thanks so much for the photos.

This bay area really needs something. Funny how when you view your space in a photo - rather than just "in person" that it gives you an entirely different perspective.