Help decorating buffet

18 years ago

Hi, we finally got the dining room floor done and the furniture moved in. Now I was wondering if I should put up the sconce (matches a pair on the other side of the room) over the buffet as I originally planned, or if I should just hang a picture over that box? I could either put 2 lamps like this on the buffet, or put a picture light over the painting and wire it into the box. We can also move the buffet, it's centered under the electrical box right now, not on the wall. Only thing is, if I move it to the center of the wall then it kinda looks like it's in the middle of the doorway into the kitchen (the buffet can't go between the windows since it'll be right on the edge of the rug, and will look tight even if it's not too tight to get past).

I was going to hang an oil painting (copy of Rembrandt's The Jewish Bride, in a cherry/gilt frame) between the 2 sconces at the head of the table, but the table/chandelier is not centered between the sconces, and I think hanging a picture there will emphasize that. The sconces are centered on the back wall, but I had the chandelier put where I planned to put the table (shifted off center due to china cabinet). Plus the chandy makes it so you wouldn't really be able to see the painting unless you were sitting at a side chair - can't even see both sconces from the stairs.

Or would you put the painting between the windows? My drapes are only going to come out about 4-5" from each side of the window, so I do have room. I was just thinking I'd like to put a small piece of furniture, or a wall hanging, between since I want to hide the quad outlet that my builder for some reason put between the windows (I've got a fake Chinese vase with silk poinsettias there now to try to hide it, but they're too low).

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Comments (7)

User
18 years ago
I don't see why the buffet will not go between the windows. How wide is it??? Looks like that would be the perfect spot.
2ajsmama
Original Author
18 years ago
NHB, the buffet will fit between the windows, but it's too deep to squeeze past or to pull out a chair. It's as deep as the china cabinet, so if I put it there, I'd have to center the table/rug in the room, which would make the chandy off-center. Plus would make it a little crowded on each side between side chairs and china/buffet.

So where would you hang the painting, and would you use lamps on the buffet, a picture light over (if hang the painting over the buffet), or the sconce? Thanks
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annzgw
18 years ago
If it's that deep, I wouldn't use the buffet in that room. If you choose to leave it where it is, I would cover the outlet with a large painting and forget the picture light.

Since you have sconces as extra lighting (I assume on a dimmer) consider using 2-3 candle holders instead of a lamp on the buffet. I'd bring in a darker candle holder for contrast.
Another item you could us on the top is a decorative bowl (you have any china?) and fill it with real or faux fruit........or do a flower arrangement in it.

Lampsplus has some nice decor and candle holders so you may want to check them out.

Here is a link that might be useful: decor
2ajsmama
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks Ann. I have no other room to put that in, and I store extra table pad pieces (for self-storing leaves) in the drawer, candlesticks, vases, etc. as well as liquor underneath. I need to put the chandy on a dimmer (3-way) since the builder didn't. Was just wodering if painting would need some lighting. I originally had electrical box put there for 3rd sconce for extra lighting for that end of table, without having chandy full brightness. Other 2 sconces are at head of table.

I do have china, I also have crystal footed trifle bowl, also silver Revere bowl I could put there.

China and buffet are each 18" deep with doors closed, room is only 13 ft wide x 14ft long. I have 8x10 rug under table, centered under chandy which is 5" offcenter. So from china to edge of rug is 16", it's 24" from the shoe to the rug on the other side of the room. I could move the rug/table 5" closer to the china, put the buffet between the windows, but then I'd only have 11" from each case piece to the edge of the rug, and I'm afraid even if people can get around the sides (my parents are large people and need to pull chairs out at least 24" to get in, edge of rug to edge of table is 29" so they should be able to keep the back legs on the rug and not bang the furniture behind them), it will just *look* too crowded. Plus the chandy would be 5" closer to the china side of the table than the window side. I'll take a pic if I can get DH to move the buffet again (we did try it there once).

Here's a pic of painting (yes it's too low but I just hung it on mounting screw on top side of box)
teacats
18 years ago
I LOVE the artwork there! Yes -- your thin buffet lamp would work there too! Then just add a BRASS-colored Revere-style bowl with a seasonal silk arrangement.

I would wait until the curtains are hung -- but consider a very thin half-moon table with a shelf with a gold-framed mirror above it. OR just a long mirror with a plant in a brass pot.

OR -- if there is room (and it is hard to tell from the photos!) perhaps a long narrow console table would work on the MAIN wall behind the head of the table. THEN add two larger prints (or even a grid of smaller prints) above the console table.

JUST some thoughts --hope you don't mind!

Also included a link to a favorite Dutch portrait -- and the colors would work so well in your room!

Jan

Here is a link that might be useful: art.com -- Vermeer -- Girl with a Pearl Earring
2ajsmama
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks Jan. I was looking to see if I could reuse 2 of my 3 brass lamps from my bedroom since 1) they're too short to use on nightstands and 2) ceiling fan in new house MBR is ORB, as are (will be) MBA fixtures. The painting was a wedding gift from my brother I have had no place to hang for 19 yrs (yesterday), just thought it would go nicely here in new house. I would love to have a 12" deep hunt table on that 7 ft wall next to stairs, but manufacturer has gone out of business so can't find to match. Do you think we should move the buffet over slightly if hang the picture over electrical box? Just can't center it on wall since it's 18" deep and edge of door trim is only 6" from corner.

Thanks for the link - I love Vermeer too.
teacats
18 years ago
I think the buffet looks fine where it is (although obviously when you hang the picture just make sure that it works with the picture! Inches do count in decor! LOL!)

IF you wait until the room is finished -- and then sit at the head of the table -- and that wall appears to be lopsided (which I don't think so at all!!) THEN you could hang a couple (or even three depending on size) of plates (maybe a VERY simple plain creamware or blue-and-white ones)

You could even expand that idea to the wall between the windows and hang a line of plain white or cream or ivory creamware plates. Or try the thin gold-framed mirror with a small plate above -- and below -- the frame.

Again -- JUST thoughts! :)

Jan