You have really nice things to work with! I love your furniture choices. The first thing I thought of was some color on the walls. Is that an option?

My first thought was color also. Maybe a chair rail too. Then go from there.

What a pretty room! In the first picture, it does look like the painting is too high though, but I can't really tell. Should be eye level. I was thinking maybe sconces on either side of the painting. Also, maybe one of the little tables you showed on the wall opposite the painting (on the left side of photo #1. Left side of door) or where the chair is on the right side of the photos.. Looks nice already though!

Susan, you're off to a beautiful start!

Did you save any favorite pictures from the Gallery thread about dining rooms? Can you show them to us and tell us what you like about them and we can discuss putting those touches in your room?

I'd like to see more color on the walls, and possibly some soft of wainscoating as well as crown moulding. I'd also put a pretty rug under the dr table and another one under the desk area. Then I'd want a little texture and relief on the walls -- like maybe some candle sconces, or architectural pieces, and maybe a tapestry. I love that you have a plant on the desk -- is there room for a couple of floor plants?

Thank you all for your responses.
As for color, the photo shows almost white. The color on wall is a creamy french vanilla color.
Maybe this pic shows it better.
{{!gwi}}

I can't, (at least not in the near future) add chair rail or any molding. Not in our budget.
Color is fine, but I was hoping to add the color with accessories. Looks like it isnt possible?

If I am to go with a color, any suggestions. It would be for both rooms, and then I assume the entry?

Thanks
Susan.

PS: Still hoping to get some suggestions on furniture pieces. Anyone?

I agree, color is needed.

I like Oceanna's idea of area rugs under the DR table and in front of the desk.

You might also reupholster the seats of the DR chairs with a more colorful fabric. This would be inexpensive and easy to do.

How about some plants? That might help give the room color and life.

Susan - lovely room and appointments
my 1st thought was color as well - even painting subtle verticle stripes 1-2 shades up from existing wall color - that would be easy & inexpensive
if that is not an option on the wall at this pt - I totally agree mcclarke-plants, reupolster the seats w/color - right now it's fading into the carpet color
also not sure if window treatment is an option - that would be good place to add color - if not - how about a decorative rod to hang existing on

Here is a link that might be useful: painting wide stripes hgtv

How about a sideboard with some storage? All the existing pieces are lovely, but are all "leggy." I think you need a piece that is more solid and grounded like this

It measures 29 1/2"H x 52 1/2"W x 15 3/4"D and is available in black or distressed white. I think the black would like great in your room.

As far as something near the door, how about a pedistal or short pillar with a plant, floral arrangement or a scuptural piece.

I also think an area rug in the wide open space in the study would add some color and fill the space. The drapes are lovely.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ballard Avondale Sideboard

Susan, I know your not going to want to hear another person say color, but I agree. It seems like adding more furniture to the space will make it appear really crowded. Everyone has already given the suggestions I would have. Keep us posted. :)

Lovely room-- you are off to a great start.

I totally agree with others about adding rugs to the dining space and desk area. You already have color in your accessories-- but the color is just kind of lost in the large expanse of neutral and wood tones. Rugs with some of the reds in your accessories will bring them all together and let the small bits of color take on a bigger role.

I also see a slightly different color for the pillars to help visually separate the two spaces (the rugs will do that too). You seem a little hesitant to paint though so perhaps painting just the pillars? There is just too much wall space reflecting light. I'd lean towards a color that is light but slightly warm.. a hint of gold would work well with your wood tones and the reds in your accessories but I would select a color after selecting throw rugs.

A couple low cost suggestions to add to your space would be to place all the chairs around the table, and add tall accessories (potted plants, decorative urn, etc.) to where the chair currently are sitting. The accessories would bring color down to the floor level and add some contract to the curly furniture legs. IMHO, the chair against the wall gives the appearance that the room is too small for the dining set. Would it be an option to change out the table runner to a colorful print (drawing on the artwork colors) and to have matching cushions made for the office side of the room? A printed or textured fabric would add life to your space. You could also consider recovering the chairs in the same or coordinating fabric.

I have no problem painting the room. I love color. Just dont know what color to choose.

As for rugs, I am okay with that. I am still looking for my greatroom rug, so I will add that to my search. Can you all give me some direction is what kind of rugs. I

And, I love the idea of changing the color of the chair fabric. I do have this fabric that I love...what do you all think?

Also, have my drape fabric from great room>

SO WHERE DO I START.................

Paint....color?

Rug...what type?

Thanks for all your help.

Susan

Susan...

I know you said chair rail, etc, is not in the budget... but if you or dh is even a little bit handy, I'd say that would be cheaper in the end (and give more impact) than more accessories. You are fortunate that, even tho the dining room is open to the other room, your bedroom door gives a great "ending point" for some simulated wainscoting. I'd do a chair rail and picture box moulding and paint that whole area to match your trim color. You could then add some color above the chair rail if desired. This would add some drama to the room without taking up more valuable floor space.

Here's an example of what I'm talking about taken from another thread...

{{!gwi}}

creekylis: What a gorgeous room, and I am sure it would bring beauty to my room, just not able to do it now. I am keeping that idea on the "Future to do list".

If I get a rug for the study, where would it go? I understand the one in the DR goes under table, but cant figure what shape or place to put the one in the study.

Thanks
Susan

Your fabrics look very similar to my sitting room fabrics.
If you look carefully you will see a bit of my melon drapes in the corner and my floral chair and ottoman.
I used B Moore standish white paint...do you think that would work for you??

Here is a link that might be useful:

Loribee, gorgeous room. I dont know if that color will go with the gold curtains, but sure to check it out.

You and others have convinced me on the chair rail. I am going to attempt it myself. The rooms has simple lines, so it shouldnt be too difficult. Wish me luck.

Also, I was thinking that I could put a light color gold (drape color) on bottom of wall of DR and in Study put that same gold on the steps above front window? Any advise.

You all got me excited on this project!

Thanks
Susan

Susan, I would not do a chair rail but would paint the entire room using either the red or the gold fleck color in the first fabric you posted. I would use that same fabric for the seats (get a staple gun and do it yourself), lower that painting by at least six inches, put sconces on either side of it. I think your room is too small for two colors. One beautiful, deep color will be more effective, imo.

Hi, Susan
I personally love chair rail and moldings a lot, but realize that kswl may have a good point and without actually being in the room, it's hard to tell. I've seen even small baths look great with wainscoting though. My comment is that IF you do try to put up chair rail yourself, you'll need a miter saw and a finish nailer or brad nailer probably since it's really hard to put up molding without a nailer--but maybe you know all this. The little brads that nailers use or finish nails have very small heads and almost disappear into the molding making the covering up of them much easier than if you try to nail them by hand. (Or at least my nailing by hand has been met with a lot of failure compared to using a nailer!) Hope I'm not sounding like I actually know what I'm doing since I'm a major amateur at this. Kimbo recently posted a link with pictures of hers and it is really motivating! I was really intriqued that she just painted the wall and molding below white (or light)and it gives the appearance of all being painted wood down below the chair rail. Here's the link to her post below.

BTW, I agree with Oceanna about adding plants to your room and think the picture will look better lower and with the first console you posted down below it if there's room. While I love the other console cindywooloo posted, I'm not sure that style and finish fits your room. While the area rugs sound perfect, too, they may use up your budget faster right now than anything else would.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kimbo's molding and DR--really pretty