What style are you going for? Transitional, Traditional, etc.

I think you have a good start with the wall colors. I would select an area rug next and then work around that for additional colors and textures. The store you purchase the rugs from will be able to help you with sizes. They should know the average size needed for the table and chairs. How do you feel about a solid area rug with some texture in one of the rooms which would play off one of the colors in the patterned area rug you select? The floors are gorgeous. I would hate to see you cover up too much of them.

Love, Love, Love dark furniture for the dining room but not matchy matchy.

jerseygirl: I guess you could stay my style is more transitional-borderline traditional for these rooms. Nothing too ornate or fussy though. Clean and classic. The floors are brand new rift and quartersawn oak--throughout the whole house so it's OK to cover them up a bit. I am mostly thinking of an area rug for the dining room--both because I'd like to protect the floors from the dining chairs (I do use the felt protectors, but I like the look of a oriental style rug below). I never thought of choosing the rug first, but makes sense esp if I am thinking a solid for the drapes; but then I guess I'd get the table first so I know the size. Hmmm. The windows have been naked for about 4 mos now since we moved back so guess they can remain naked a bit longer since I do want it to go with the furniture.

Below is a link of a the type/colors of rug I was thinking of. It has the moss green that is in both my granite and a similar to the accent wall. It also looks like it has some gold/bronze like I am evisioning for the drapes, plus the burgundy. I like it that it is dark and won't show the dirt so much since I do have 3 kids. I am leaning towards the larger 8x11 size, though it will then cover the majority of the dining room floor which measures approx. 11x14 (to buffet). With the 5x8 size, I am worried that when someone pushes back the chairs it will go off the edge of the rug and then get caught up in the chair legs.

Here is a link that might be useful: Possible rug for dining

Now I understand where you are headed. My suggestions will not be matchy matchy and are pretty eclectic in nature. So, hopefully you will get some ideas you may not have thought about.

Let's start with the DR.

Drapes: I like dramatic so, if the rug has bronze that would be my first choice though there is nothing wrong with gold. I like plain simple drapes. I think drapes like blacksplashes should not be a focal point of a room when you have other beautiful things going. They should help frame the room like the color on the walls do. You may not need pinch pleated drapes. It would save you money not to have the pinch pleats. You need to decide if you want to run them from ceiling to floor or with a rod (I saw some beautiful rods at Calico Corner's. I think JCP carries Kirsch hardware also) above the window not from the ceiling.

Dining table: I notice most people select wood to use with oriental rugs. I am working with a designer for my family room and breakfast nook and he just taught me a good lesson: Print rug-glass table, solid rug-wood table.
He said you want to show off the beauty of the rug at all times from every direction. They do make some very large glass tables that you can use with 2 wooden pedestals for support or a great square base. If you are having a lot of guests for dinner like Christmas than you can add a folding table and use the same table cloth. This is just a suggestion. You can use wood but I always like to share new knowledge when I learn something. I still like crystal for chandeliers in dining rooms. In this case I would use crystal with some funky lamp shades to add a little fun into the room. You may find these at Home Goods or on line. I would try leopard for shades. It's hard to visualize if this will work without actually seeing it in person. Maybe someone will photoshop.

Do you know the size of the table you want to use?

I also think you may be able to find dining room chairs on ebay or a used furniture store that might be in decent condition or you can buy them new. Remember the chair wood does not need to match the wood of the table. There is more interest created when they don't.

Here is another idea for chairs: you can used entirely different ones for the head of the table.

Actually, I am pretty good at decorating eclectically. My friends are always looking for my eye. The designer I am working with always says to me "what do you need me for". Well, he is a great buffer between me and my BF whom I share my new home with. He has made my life so much more easier and is worth every penny. I am also learning alot about decorating from him.

jersey girl: Thank you for all the suggestions. I like your ideas for the window treatments. I am thinking bronze silk--either pinch pleat hidden under a boxed valance that has a two-tone look (bronze/cream(which looks quite $$ and may be a heavier look than I am planning) or with hooks hanging from a rod. If I go the two-toned valance I was thinking of pairing it with a cream colored sofa with colorful cushions. I already bought bronze rods months ago on sale at JCP, but I can exchange if I like. I made an appt today with JCP custom draperies, but it will take 6-8 weeks for installation and could not get appt before Nov. 1, so may try to go with made-to-order.

I would really prefer a wooden dining table--like a dark cherry; though I can see the point about not seeing the rug. Hmmmmm. The dining table needs to be large enough to seat 6-10 people as that's the only time we'll use this room--for entertaining, but don't want anything too bulky. Just put in the dining fixture so that stays. I was debating about using the mni lamp shades, but went for a more understated look; though I've has a few second thoughts; nevertheless, it's new and it's there so for now at least it stays in favor of putting in some furniture which is sorely needed.

More suggestions welcome! Esp. about the living room seating area.

On your link to the rug - it shows the Lascala silk drapes. I like those very much with the adjustible cornice. You could paint the cornice black or just dry brush some black glaze to knock down the gold look of it. They are very reasonably priced and would look very nice. I am a symmetry gal, so I think it would look nice for both rooms to have the same treatment.

I would stay more neutral/clean lined in your upholstery. I can't really tell what your accent wall color is. I would stay creamy/tannish for upholstery - smaller styled sofa - not with 3 seat cushions. I could also see 2 really cool - funky small benches in front of the fireplace. You could move these around for additional seating. cool funky pillows to go on your neutral upholstery that you can change when you want!! A rug with touches of black in it. I don't know why but I see shiny, reflective accessories in your living room. Tuesday morning has a big collection of mercury glass.

Your rooms are very pretty and will be fun to decorate.
Smiles:)

I really like boxed valances because it is a clean look. Another option: 2 tone look when you add the second tone to the drape in the form of 2 strips sewn on to the drape itself. You would not need a valance. This would be a custom option unless you find someone who can sew stripes on premade drapes.

I agree with neutral sofa maybe a chenille or something with a timeless texture to it. I really like the look of 2 sofas on either side of the fireplace. Looks like you have enough room. Coffee table in the middle. A tapestry material a accent chair and maybe neutral for other chairs in a diffent texture than the other furnishings. Funky pillows.

I go either way with symetry vs assymetrical. In my life I am mostly assymetrical though I can lean symetrical when forced to.

In my family room I will have 2 art deco chairs with ottomans on either side of the fireplace. When the designer suggested that I was like, how can I do that it's so symetrical. I even bowed to 2 nightstands the same in the MBR (that's because I did not have the time to look for 2 different ones). Sometimes I think I am looony with this decorating stuff.