Maybe a shade of green?

oh my gosh I think I am going to faint right now I love it I wish that was mine help me I love it

Actually SO much to like about your room. Your rug is beautiful and fun, love your furniture and your mix of colors. I think painting the lower portion of the wall the same color would work fine. In terms of the room being pulled together, I think there are a few things you might do to balance it. I would consider switching out the black and white prints so that the smallest one was in the middle and center the lamp under it. I would move the floor lamp on that side to the other side of the room so that it flanked the other side of the picture. I would introduce some black and white elements somewhere else in the room in order to pull in the black and white pictures. Perhaps something like a black and white chevron pattern runner on the table and a colorful vase that matched some of your other colors with flowers or another colorful centerpiece. It might be fun if you could find something for the centerpiece that pulled from the sunflowers in your rug as a possibility. It looks like a very inviting room!

Strange how the room should work so well, but didn't. It doesn't reflect badly on you.

I think that part of the problem is that dinging rooms are inherently formal and people just don't dine any more. You have gone super casual, even edgy with your dining set up. So, the best way to make it congruent with its surrings would be to... knock the wall out and go open plan. Failing that, get rid of the chair rail and paint the wall all one colour: it does not matter what you do, the two-level design will always look too formal and dated.

Having done that, get some REALLY edgy tribal art, like the first person said, and funk that space UP.

I think the room is very nice, but I think what is missing is balance.

I would paint the bottom of the wall the same color as the top; move the lamps together(on the empty wall); paint the frame of the large art black and move it over the console. I would hang the 3 pictures on the other side (flanked by the two large lamps) and maybe add a few more to make it a gallery wall. That side of the room is too empty.

As for your husband -- tell him you want to try the room this way for a few weeks and if he doesn’t like it you can move it back –sometimes people can’t visualize things until they are done. All these changes are easy and you can always add the grass cloth wallpaper later.

You've done a fabulous job! The white in the room is what is throwing you off, and the fact that everything is matched absolutely perfectly! Change the white to cream or beige or tan, and add a centerpiece with some variations of the current colors that do not match soooo perfectly. You are going to have to play with this because you seem more comfortable with the absolute matching- try out some fresh flowers in a a variety of colors; try some purple. The cool of the purple will give you some visual relief from all the warm tones. Good luck!

I run the risk of being critizied for my view but here goes. I think there are too many things going on in this room that fight with each other. A great rug, stylistically now, with a rustic table and bench with Danish chairs, Modern cold console, misplaced but fabulous floor lamps, colors from the 70s and drapes that are too long. Not sure what is going on with the artwork but it is not hung in a way that makes me want to enjoy it. Eclectic is great but the items must speak to each other. There needs to more unity among all the items. I would paint the same color above and below the chair rail and bring the drapery color to your seating. Grass cloth has the inherent problem in that it fades over time and then the aqrea behind console will not and it will be hard to move things around at a leter date. I would suggest that if you could change something out it would be the table , chairs and Bench. Get something more cohesive. I hate to use the word set but in dining furniture it is probably OK. At least get all the seating to match( another word I dislike), possibly with upholstered backs to soften the room. Personally I do not like benches as they are not good for dining because of no back support. Move the console under the large painitng and flank with the two floor lamps as previously suggested. I would arrange the others else where or atleast in a different configuration. May be the two smaller ones stacked next to the other one but that will depend on the actual sizes. I agree with shortening the drapes to just break on the floor. While it seems like I have attacked the whole room I am only suggesting replacing chairs and possibly table while rearranging the rest of what you have. Unify though color, texture, or theme and you can still be eclectic. The back of a beautifully upholstered chair actually makes me want to see the rest of the room. It is all in the details.

I think the room looks really nice. The thing i notice is that the ceiling looks like it "floats", giving the sense of not being "grounded" to the rest of the space. While high ceilings are often desirable, sometimes bringing them down, visually adds intimacy.
What about painting a rectangle of color over the space that defines the sitting area, not just the table, but the chairs as well, or a simle ceiling medallian, or even simple trim that defines a space that mimics a coved ceiling. That would require very little change to other elements that I think work well.

Catiekay... when painting a ceiling over a table would that work best if you have a dining room that is separate from the other rooms? If my living and dining room are one than would this idea work for me? I have a feeling that its specific to a room with walls around it such as the room posted by ranchownerad.

Catiekay... when painting a ceiling over a table would that work best if you have a dining room that is separate from the other rooms? If my living and dining room are one than would this idea work for me? I have a feeling that its specific to a room with walls around it such as the room posted by ranchownerad.

hi ranchowerad, I love your room! I wouldn't paint the wainscotting--it keeps the room brighter. I would extend the drapery rods and panels out to the side walls. And find another room for the 2 floor lamps.....Otherwise, I think you did a beautiful job!!

Here are images of a couple of ceiling treatment ideas I wanted to include in my first post. These are painted on or applied, doesn't cost much or require construction.

ranchownerad, you may consider a rectangle that centers with the trim between your windows, this will connect it visually to the walls.

designideas4me, I think with a simple rectangle, or shape, depending on your space the painted treatment can really help define a separate space visually.

[houzz=]

I think apennameandthata hit the nail on the head about the molding on the walls: it is inherently formal and we are going for casual, and that is why it is giving me such trouble.

Here are some more photos (showing the vestibule and front door): I moved the lamps (I know some feel they are out of place but we really need the light). That big piece of art is a exhibition poster (I worked on the exhibition so it has sentimental value); although its style is too slick for the rest of the room it is playful and colorful. The prints on the other side of the room are by Christo; a couple of them are signed. There is a little bit of mustardy yellow in each but I agree they are out of synch with the rest of the room. There was a fabulous Pottery Barn glass lamp with a black and white cowhide shade that I wanted for that spot (it would have picked up the b/w from the top (as emzc suggested), but they sold out of them! I will eventually replace the art with more rustic pieces.

I really like the table, chairs and bench and it is not practical to replace them. It is the Crate and Barrel Honey Basque set; we may get the buffet (sans hutch) for the wall opposite the glass table. Eventually we may break down part of the wall between the dining room and the kitchen and make it a more open and casual space.

Caitiekay: I am intrigued by your ceiling idea. Would you be able to link to some examples?

Just getting around table would do a lot, I like the round chandalier

caitiekay: thanks for the examples; our posts crossed. The yellow one is particularly apt and I could see it working in my space very nicely. I like the ceiling medallion idea too; maybe a round shape that echoes the flowers in the rug would work (as long as it is not too traditional).

Yes! The room looks very nice. I love the rug, casual style and the drapes. My two cents in minor tweaking. I'd suggest just swapping the art. Put the exhibition poster above the console and the black and whites on the other wall. Get another sheepskin (end to end) to fill the entire bench. Remove the table runner. I'd also edit the console and remove the center top item with the sticks in it and edit the second shelf. Rearrange items to visually see odd numbers when you glance at it. Lookin good! Oh..I'd just paint the bottom of the walls the same color as the top. (But, I'd even remove the chair rail...it's not really your style).

Use of a mirror would help reflect light and show off your lovely chandalier. I like the floor lamps on the same side of the room but do put a sideboard, possibly painted, between them. I have the same colors in my carpet in my LR. Keep casual thoughts and enjoy your space.

Maybe a single (or arrangement of) sunburst mirror(s) to replace the art? We are planning on a buffet console in between the lamps (the Honey Basque buffet cabinet that goes with the table and chairs). Also continue the gold color on the walls, tailor the draperies, refine the glass console arrangement.

Remove the runner? The table is so big I feel I need some color there. I will certainly devise some kind of centerpiece once I find the right object; have been looking at bowls and platters of all sorts and have not find the right one yet. I think it needs to be big, dramatic and round (to contrast with the dominant rectangular table and pick up the round pattern of the flowers in the rug and chandelier.

Thank you all for the excellent responses.

ranchownerad..I really like the table runner individually but not sure it works with the rug pattern and the vertical stripes of the drapes, and then horizontal stripes on the runner. How about a solid color runner taken from the rug? Until you find the perfect centerpiece, how about a big oval basket? Lots at Ross', Home Goods, etc and fill with oranges and other fruits. Food is pretty. : ) Or a large pedestal bowl. Oh..I was thinking the same as you to bring in more "round" items to relate to rug pattern and chandelier. Love your sunburst mirrors idea.

it's a wonderful, lovely room. I think a big, happy centerpiece — red, yellow and orange flowers with greens echoing the colors in your great rug, more emphasis on the arrangement than the bowl — will make a huge difference. It will bring everything together, soften the tablescape and create an inviting space. You could save a space on your console where you can put it if it gets in the way of family meals or homework. Then you can work out the other details.

Having said that, I think the red on the lower wall, with the golden-yellow will be too intense. And perhaps you can switch the photos with the gallery print so the other wall will echo the black graphic lines of the glass console, giving a bit more balance.

I too think you did a great job, I like most things in it and a lot of the suggestions would take it in a totally different direction. It seems to me that you want what you have to look better?
My two cents: Lamp cords, get covers at Lamps Plus, wrap them and pin to the wall/floor. I would pull out the bench for now and put it under the the big picture and put a few things on it, it will fill the space and balance better and be easy to move for use,move the chairs, put one next to the iron table with a fun fabric or over in the corner next to the drape, love the two lamps on that wall now.
OR: move the black iron table under the art and put the two lamps and bench on the other wall with the black and whites. I would rehang the pics , one large to the left or right and the other two high and low close to it with the lamps flanking it.
Paint color: I like it with the white wainscoting and it does not feel that formal to me, it's a very simple wainscoting. I wouldn't bring in another color there but you could cut the BM color in half and paint it. I also find stripes very playful so could imagine stripes down there, painted not paper in a playful design to go with the rug and drapes.
Drapes: Can you pull them over a little to almost cover the side windows and then either tie them over to the side or tie in the middle and pin up to the wall to make a low pouf, would make them a bit more casual, I think its the pinch pleats that are too formal for the room, love the fabric.

How about a "collection" of wooden candlesticks for your centerpiece? This sample photo only shows two candles, but I'd prefer 5 in varying heights. That way you could add color with the candles, either all the same color, or mix up the colors to be more fun! You'll also be able to have an impromptu candlelight dinner anytime!

Attached is a makeshift solution using items I had handy: a stool to prop the table lamp on; a rubber band to hold back the curtain, and a chair for that left corner with a pillow (to stand in for a small upholstered chair that may go there eventually). Removed the striped runner and put a round red platter under the plant. Moved the glass console to the other side of the room and edited the objects a little. We will eventually have a buffet (part of the set that matches the table and chairs) on the other side of the wall. [Ciaosusanna: like all your suggestions but the bench is too heavy to keep moving back and forth from the wall to the table; we do use it for seating throughout the day.]

I like this better. Except I like the curtains hung straight. Also, I'd move the bench to the other side of the table so that there is a "break" with the console, bench, table. (all sort of the same kind of shape/height). Sooo, the chairs on the console side of the table. Console, chairs, table, bench. Hey..how would those pretty green and yellow trays look together on the table runner? It may look nice to see those colors above the rug and on the brown of the table.

I think your room is lovely! There are very few people in this world who have your decorating "guts" Good for you! I might suggest the you have one of the flowers in the pattern in your rug painted on the ceiling around the light fixture. To finish the look, paint a 1 to 2 inch border on the ceiling around the room, indented perhaps 7" from the walls to frame your masterpiece! Oh what fun!

I like the floor lamps flanking the console; altho I' also like the drapery panels to hang straight; not sure about the corner chair idea. Just wondering....could you place 2 dining chairs on each side of the table; and the bench on one end.....or is the bench too long? --I think the room would look more balanced. I also like the idea of using the colourful trays on the tabletop--maybe on top of the striped runner (I kinda liked that runner :) ....maybe the centerpiece you have right now is too small.

Looking great! I can't believe what a difference moving the glass console made. Now how about reversing the positions of the black and white pictures so the smaller one is near the entrance to the room and you go from small to large--drawing your eye into the room.

Wow, that looks great ! I would put one of the dinning chairs in the corner for now instead of introducing another style, maybe even over with the little table and lamp, make a little corner vignette. I don't like three chairs on one side and one at the head. How about bench on one side, two chairs on the other side, two chairs and the lamp and table to make a little vignette to balance out the heavy side?
I too liked the striped runner on the wood table.
I would pull the curtain above the rubber band to make a ) shape and it will be more casual too.

good idea. Suzanne. I will try it and send new photos when the whole room is done.

Thanks all.

Ok I will take that little glass console table if you dont want it. I have the perfect spot for it...lol

ranchownerad - can I suggest you paint the bottom of the wall the same as the top, and paint the chair rail as well, so you can get the effect before you do anything drastic. That way it is always there when you decorate in the future. I didn't mind the striped runner, but you obviously have a lot of choices so can change things around as your mood takes you. Love the print, the colours are perfect for the room and the lamps each side look great. PLEASE put your curtains back straight they keep the room casual that way..

You are aiming for a casual room, so try to stay focussed on that, I think many suggestions here, while great suggestions, could take your room away from the casual look you are trying to achieve.

I hope you have a lovely Christmas in your new home and best wishes to all Houzzers for the Festive Season.

I really like how the console, painting and floor lamps look now. The white wall is essentially covered as are the lamp cords that everyone is so upset about. Try re doing the art on the other wall as I had suggested also. Hem the drapes and let them hang straight down. Buy your buffet and put it on the other wall.

Once we get the buffet for the opposite wall, we may not need to paint the bottom half (but we'll see). I let the curtains hang straight again and will hem them. Eventually we will revise the art; I like the idea of a rustic sunburst mirror but will not invest until we install the buffet. That black chair in the corner is just a makeshift; I would like to get a Crate and Barrel Cody dining chair for that spot (it is upholstered) or maybe just a floor vase. [Not enough room for a corner vignette.]

Thank you all again.

I agree that with your style the draperies need to hang straight. But take them lower and cool them off with a pelmet. This will really work to bring the eye down and send it where it should go ie the nice view out the window. I miss the table runner!

I think the console table with the lamps on either side of the white framed print looks fantastic!!

Yeah, its amazing how rearranging stuff works. I never can anticipate how it will help, but others can.

One reason (no, truly) that I did not suggest putting the lamps together on the same wall, was that they already had that role on either side of the wall where the photo was taken from. So, maybe that wall looks less good now. Just sayin.

To, I like how the blinds and curtains are layered. But the curtains should probs hand straight down.

Too, thanks for posting after photos. Preciate it.

Your room is really pulling together. I don't know how you have taken the best from all the comments but you have done a fantastic job. If you decide to buy upholstered chairs for the ends of the table you could set one of them in the corner, when not in use. Hope you have a great Christmas dinner in that room. Please do post more pictures when you make the rest of your changes.

I love this room. The moved floor lamps and console look amazing. And your overhead lighting is perfect with the tall drapes. Don't paint the ceiling detail! The room decor brings your focus to eye level, which is exactly what makes the conversation flow at a dinner table.

All it needs:
1. Dark to mid toned grass cloth covering the white bottom of wall, to match either blinds or curtains. The red is warm and will create excitement; the natural will be more subdued. Personally, I'd go with the red -- great counter point to the grey entry walls.
2. One large round item on the console will add just the needed softness to your rectilinear furnishings (like the standing plate in another's comments, or a smooth polished wooden bowl)
3. A darker yet narrow picture frame on the large poster.

Oh, and I like your table runner better than the plate in the centre of the table. Maybe put that red plate on a plate stand on the console?

And you're done!

I did not plan on changing the ceiling, but now we come 'round to my initial question of the red grass cloth for the bottom half of the wall.

My apprehension about it is: it will not match the exact red of the curtains so it may look a little off, it will be too intense and/or give a "color block" effect, whereas I was aiming for integration. Furthermore, after we install the buffet for the left side, much of the lower wall will not be visible anyway. It is also expensive. It would be a worthy investment (in red or some other color) if it integrates and warms up the space, but if continuing the paint from the top has the same effect grass cloth would be an unnecessary extravagance.

As far as the console and table arrangements, I will be fooling around with these for a while until I hit the right note. If anyone wants to post some photos or products for inspiration, they would be much appreciated.

Thank you all again!

I did not plan on changing the ceiling, but now we come 'round to my initial question of the red grass cloth for the bottom half of the wall.

My apprehension about it is: it will not match the exact red of the curtains so it may look a little off, it will be too intense and/or give a "color block" effect, whereas I was aiming for integration. Furthermore, after we install the buffet for the left side, much of the lower wall will not be visible anyway. It is also expensive. It would be a worthy investment (in red or some other color) if it integrates and warms up the space, but if continuing the paint from the top has the same effect grass cloth would be an unnecessary extravagance.

As far as the console and table arrangements, I will be fooling around with these for a while until I hit the right note. If anyone wants to post some photos or products for inspiration, they would be much appreciated.

Thank you all again!

I agree, if you are ultimately going to buy the buffet, the texture on the wall behind it would be redundant.

However, if adding the texture and colour will finish the room off, you might not need the buffet at all?

Plus unless you keep the consol on the opposite site, you will still have one wall fully exposed. If you have enough width in the room for both consol and buffet, I would agree, just paint the bottom to match the wall above.

One final factor is noise reflection: if the dining room is at all noisy, cloth on the wall will help to reduce the effect. Grass cloth walls lend a cozy, intimate feeling to a dining room as well, in a less formal way than a linen table cloth.

Ranchownerad - sorry, but unless you use a similar shade of red to your curtains, any other red on your walls is a NO from me. The shades in your room are what I would call autumn colours which is why they all blend so well and give such a harmonious look to the room. To bring in a bright red or a crimson or any other shade of absolute red would kill the whole effect. If you can't decide then maybe either leave the white or play safe with the yellow, especially if you have surplus paint, finish off your room and live with it for a while before making any further decisions.

I like olldroo's idea except if you have left over paint you may want to stretch it by tinting it just a shade or two darker and then paint below the rail. Also placing a mirror on the table under the chandelier would make a great base for any center piece and wipes clean easily.

So many great ideas. Like last posted arrangement (2 lamps, console, single picture). Tie up loose cords under console table, or if on opposite wall receptacles are located on proper place for two lamps you could just transfer the arrangement exactly as it is now to other wall. Painting bottom part of the wall the same color as top is tempting, however it could be too yellow (wall+floor). I think more natural textured bottom part wall would be better. There plenty of natural light add a big plant. If you use a lot dining room and as well for kids activities, to disguise not always pristine view I thought about adding french doors on entry side opening. It looks the same height as entrance doors and if it's not more than 5' wide standard double doors should be okay.

If you want to add color to the bottom of the chair rail...how about taking your curtains and have Lowe's, Home Depot colormatch the curtain color. That would tie it all together. It looks lovely now..great job!

I think when you love a color...really embrace it! (And paint is so easy to change). Get rid of the chair rail and paint the entire walls the same red or coral red as the deep color of the flowers in the rug to really add warmth to the room. White sheers will lighten/brighten. At some point you will come across some fantastic interesting looking sideboard to put in front of the floor lamp plug. Don't worry about it. Let it find you. Same about changing the artwork. It's not just something you use to fill up a space. You will at some time run into a work of art that you just love looking it. Meanwhile enjoy your life and your kids.

Thanks queenabbycat: right now, I really like the contrast between my hall color (a gray-blue, visible in the second set of photos I posted) and the gold of the dining room. I also do not want to change the curtains (at this point, anyway). But I do love red and white (with gold touches), and your suggestions would definitely work.

Hi. Love your room. Bright and happy. I think if you put the red grass cloth below the rail and it doesn't match the drapes your just going to add more problems.Just add pops of red around the room if you want more of it around. I do think you're right. After adding the new buffet on the other side it won't make much difference about the color and I think the white looks good and really makes your furniture and accessories pop against it. If you do decide to change it I would just match the color you already have at the top to keep the room from looking choppy. I agree with someone earlier that said a darker frame on your poster would look better. You could paint that yourself. I think it looks great in the room. I think an affordable and attractive way to fill that big empty corner would be a tall plant in a great pot. In time I would replace the black & white artwork because it just doesn't seem to fit but it might really be great somewhere else in your house. Have you considered having them matted and reframed in a way that would make them more of the same size? I really think you used great creatively in this room and I love the colors.

I love your room as is ,looks great.
only possible "tryout"take glass shades off chandelier expose candlelabra bulbs clear glass.
maybe fun change.