I think your DR is lovely. I love your furniture!

I don't think those fixtures are a great fit with your furniture. There is nothing wrong with them in isolation.

Any suggestions for what fixtures might work better?

Your room is very traditional...I would go with a very traditional fixture...namely a candelabra type fixture. I like brass.
Not sure why you think you need buffet lamps....I would omit them. and I would like some glass in there....as a centerpiece on the table, perhaps some candle sticks....maybe a pair of hurricanes....

I like the light fixtures you've chosen and think the would go nicely with your furniture. But I don't think they go well with the style of the buffet lamps or picture frames. What look do you want the room to have?

I am trying to make the room a bit less traditional, I love the idea of more glass.

I agree that your room is delightful. I somewhat agree that in isolation the lights might not be a wonderful fit, but honestly I think they are both lovely and would look great.
I think if you put them in the room you would indeed still have a GREAT looking dining room. I seem to prefer the first one.

I think either fixture could work with your furniture nicely, the second one being the best pick. I feel like it's your pictures and buffet lamps that are too traditional to go with the new lighting. If you change them out with something a little more transitional they would like each other better. I would also paint the crown to match the baseboards.

Maybe something like this.

Haha! For some reason, when I read the title of the thread, I just imagined looking in the dining room and saying, "Pull yourself together!"

Love your furniture.

I'm not a fan of either fixture, but that's because I'm not a fan of drum shades....something to do with my age and remembrances of the drum shades from the 50s and 60s.

Your photoshopping is good, but it looks like the chandy that's there may be a bit high...bottom of the fixture should be about 60" off the floor.

I agree that, while pretty, the buffet lamps aren't right. I think part of the problem is everything is at about the same height...the lamps are close in height to the picture which is the same height as the pictures on the far wall which is the same height as the top of the shutters. I'd like to see lower lamps on the buffet, maybe that come up to about the middle of the picture...and perhaps something that harkens to the new chandy.

I'd like to see something in the middle of the buffet table.

Also, is there another corner to put the chair on the right in? Part of what is troubling me is that, with the buffet, you have to move the table right which is out of balance....then with the chandy and the pics on the far wall, you are trying to create a new center for the room, but the same chairs in opposite corners only drive home the fact that the room is off center. Seems like there's a fair amount of light in the room....I'd love to see a live taller plant in that corner instead...will help with the height issue and the balance.

Another alternative, which you might consider before changing chandys, is to move the buffet to the back wall to create a nice focal point. This will allow you to center the table in the room from the POV of the camera and give more room to people sitting on the sides of the table....

The room looks great! I do like the 2nd fixture... I have found that if you can photoshop a few chandeliers in.. it could help you finalize your decision. It's hard, I know!!

I think it's the off center table that's troubling. I'd move the buffet to the far wall and center the table in the room.

Actually the table is slightly off center but not much, here is the table with current light fixture.

I don't think silver-colored metal will work at all, sorry. Why can't you can do something with more glass and less traditional, but with gold colors? And not with a white shade come to think of it.

Beautiful room! I love the buffet lamps that caminnc posted. I would definitely use buffet lamps, but might consider changing yours out for something along the lines of those posted above.

I agree that the fixtures you're looking at are nice, but don't think either is substantial enough to hold its own in your room. If you could find a more updated twist on the crystal chandelier - and a fairly large one, at that - that's more what I'm envisioning here.

Is it possible to move your buffet to the far wall and then center the table to a tee so that the chandy will work and not look off center. If you can then I think either chandy will look great with similar items in glass and crystal on the buffet, they don't necessarily have to be lamps. A large crystal bowl with two nickel candlesticks would look super. I like the direction your going and your room is charming. If you do get candlesticks, make them a lower height so as to vary the heights around the room. I'd like to see the picture frames in wood like the table. You have a lovely room as it is and will look even better.

Myabe something in a bronze or oil-rubbed bronze finish -- with a ceiling medallion?

Here is a link that might be useful: bellacor.com -- bronze chandelier

Fascinating finish on this one -- neither gold nor silver ....

Here is a link that might be useful: another chandelier from Bellacor

gmp3, I am currently trying to do the same thing in my DR- going from traditional to more of a transitional style. Our furniture looks similar so I wanted to show you what I have done so far. I spray painted the chandy from brass to bronze, painted crown moulding white. What I also want to do is replace chairs with cloth parson chairs & take the top off the hutch.

Definitely move the sideboard.

I think you need something more substantial with your table in terms if lighting.

I feel like the 1st light is a prisoner in the shade: "Let me out!" and neither one has enough presence.

I like the gold in your room. I think it warms it up, given all the white. If you change it, then think of ways to bring more color into the room (through art).

I like the lights Teacats posted.

I agree with others in that the silver in the fixtures you posted just doesn't work with the room. I think a clean, simple fixture would serve you better. And the current lamps are too tall. I would also like to see the room with the server on the back wall. It seems to be crowding the chairs. The room is beautiful btw.
Diane

Just measured and I can't move the sideboard unless I move the table to run the other way, and then they will be lined up. I can't get rid of it because I need the storage.

it must be the camera angle, but the table does look almost a couple feet off center...(and the pictures on the far wall look off too!)
i like the 2nd chandy best of the 2 you show-is the size right?... but agree, would have to change out pic frames(paint dk brown perhaps?) and lamps(don't think you need lamps).
also agree that the far wall might be a better place for buffet and put the armed chairs at the table...but again, maybe everything looks so off because of a very funky camera angle??

I think if you are going for the shaded chandelier look, a warmer finish would work better. This one doesn't have any crystals, but it is light bronze with a champagne shade instead of silver and white. I don't think it's perfect either but the warmth of it is more suited to your current room.

Here is a link that might be useful: Shades of Light.

Hmmm lots of ideas, thanks!!! I like some of the linked pics. In the rest of the house I have no brass, all chrome or black/brown fixtures but the light bronze one from Pal or silvery gold one teacats posted are both great compromises .

The first chandelier picture I posted actually has an ivory not white shade according to the description and comments, that's why I thought it could work.

I need to keep looking and do some photoshopping tonight.

I like the current light fixture. :)

Wow GMP3, your room is elegant and gorgeous. You are doing a great job. I would paint the cove molding white, to match your baseboards, but maybe that's just me.

Okay so here is a photoshop of the 2nd chandy (I might loo for a similar shape in a different finish), dark frames on the pics, and a mirror over the buffet. I think the mirror is too heavy.

I really like it! But that's my style.

It looks like the table is centered on the window, but the buffet is centered on the wall? What if you moved the table down a bit to center it on the wall, would there be room for the buffet at the end of the room then?

That looks great! What a big difference! Love the round mirror above the side buffet.

Geokid, there is a step down under the camera. I can't put the buffet on the back wall or I won't be able to seat 6. The wall by the buffet has the pass through to the kitchen. The room is about 13.5 x 13.5.

I like the new photshopped photo best. Though, I'm not sold on the chrome look. I think an antiqued gold in the same style might look nice., If you want less of a traditional look, I would find different pics too. Something maybe larger w/more color. You really don't have much color in the room. Have you thought about an area rug under your table?

Check out the Crystorama Hampton Collection. It comes in antique brass.

I was going to suggest a mirror over the buffet. Reading through the posts I see you photoshopped one in. Try adding a low decoration in the center. We have a buffet w/ a large round mirror above it along with a pair of buffet lamps and a low decoration in the center. I like that look but that's me.

Someone suggested one large picture. Can you photoshop that to see what you think? If you want smaller pictures what about doing four prints? I would get a different picture(s) with more color too.

You have a very nice diningroom!

I like the photoshopped dining room; also prefer the second light fixture. If you want gold, here is another option

Here is a link that might be useful: gold chandelier

I understand now, gmp3.

nosoccermom, I like your chandelier option too!

I think something in a warmer metal color would be better than the chrome/silver/nickel family, and something lighter. Circa Lighting has some interesting modern takes on the traditional chandelier shapes:

The one I posted has less bling but I like the gold, textured off-white shade, and the price.

Ooooh I love those nosoccermom and kswl. Thanks!

You have the same table and chairs that I bought on Craigslist for my new build...but I have 8 chairs. I bought an antique bronze light and still need to find a buffet. I love to see what ideas you have been given...some good ones!

Love that second one kswl posted.

When I first looked at the chandelier/lamps, I didn't think the two complimented each other. After concentrating a bit more, IMO, *black* shades might give the the room, as well as the chandy and lamps a more unique look.

Your photoshop skills are excellent! Pacify me and photoshop in black shades, pretty please? ;o)

Here's the general idea. You may not want a shade that's so transparent, but I liked the idea of less crystals. It also comes in a different sizes. ;o)

Here is a link that might be useful: black shade chandy

I would be a bit worried that the whole drum-shade-around-a-chandelier thing might be over too soon for a large ticket item you plan to keep for years.

....and shades for the lamps, although you could go with a different shade style.

Kswl, since I *hate* anything even simulating a trend, that's definitely something to consider. In spite of that i'm still drawn to them. I even see the drum shades, some vintage, at the antique mall over vintage chandeliers.....everything old is new again. Who knew? ;o)

Here is a link that might be useful: shades

Here are two new photshops, black shade and gold chandy...

I am loving the gold one, but would like the shade to be a bit more sheer. I'm wondering if it makes sense to buy a chandelier I like and retrofit with a shade I like. That way I can remove the shade if I get tired of it. I think the black shade would be impractical because I don't think it would give off enough light.

"I'm wondering if it makes sense to buy a chandelier I like and retrofit with a shade I like. That way I can remove the shade if I get tired of it."

Makes sense to me! I LoVe the one nosoccermom posted.

Maybe a BroWn string shade would work too? In any case, I wouldn't hesitate to change out a lampshade or a picture frame. It would be a bigger hassle to change out the light fixture. So that's how I decide. Maybe I'm just lazy...

I still think those buffet lights are too tall....I'd want something shorter to make the mirror more prominent as it's so pretty....and to break up the water line around the room.

I think part of the problem I have with the drum shade is it emphasizes wide vs. tall, and in the pic at least, it looks like you could use a taller light fixture.

{{!gwi}}

Okay, this picture doesn't really do it justice. And, for some reason, I can't find the actual chandelier version of this. It's at lowes of all places. The fabric is a sheer bronze. And, I believe the crystals at the top are more amber than clear. It's in antique brass with crystals at the top along the drum shade edge. I thought it looked pretty nice at lowes. I walked by it. Although, I didn't look really close. So, you might want to see if your lowes has it. I thought that it was bigger than sixteen inches. But, I can't remember. It's definitely more transitional if you're looking to stay in the brass/bronze tones. I hope it's larger than 16 inches or it's just way too small. I don't think it was too much maybe two hundred and something.

Here is a link that might be useful: lowes- antique brass