Your current mix of formal and casual styles and finishes have gone a bit past eclectic. Consider moving the bench to another space, taking the slipcovers off the dining room chairs and putting them back up to the table, switching out the black iron super-tall table lamps for shorter, silver finish or glass base buffet lamps with light shades, refinishing the mirror frame in silver, and choosing a more formal style of area rug than the seagrass/ coir. How about light aqua walls?

loose the slip covered chairs, if you keep the bench. or loose the bench. the lamps are too much for the mirror. or the mirror is to small. the room lacks balance. try just removing the benchs and putting the slip covered chairs at either end.

the light over the table is really enough, it dominates the space having the tall black lamps should not be another lighting focal point.

well, the chandelier looks humongous for the table and possibly to large for the room. given the rectanglular dining room table I would have wanted an oblong or rectilinear chandelier.

If the green color is the color on the wall, I think it can work. it looks fine with the bench on my screen.

do you have a rug?

could you take an image where there is less glare from the chandelier?

i dont mind the size of the chandelier, its just all the stuff around it clogging up the space. it needs to be simple. she has a rug down, but again, its hard to focus on anything in here. I love all the elements, they just cant all live here LOL

Here's another picture. I agree I need to pick formal or casual, te buffet lamps are prob too tall. Great tips thank you!

Hey there..I think you are off to a great start. I would remove the slipcovers. I think wallpaper would help a lot in the space. It would provide a lot of texture.

I have a few blog posts that may help you out..

www.timothyriversinteriors.com/blog

I'm going to be the odd man out here...I think your dining room looks amazing-I love all your pieces but agree that you may have a bit too much going on. Maybe remove the bench, keep 6 of the same dining chairs at the table (they are beautiful) and place the upholstered chairs at each end.

Other option-keep the bench and remove of the upholstered chairs.

Love your chandelier. The lamps on the buffet could be a bit shorter. Really like your existing wall color and love the natural fiber rug. Really like the formal dining set with the more casual sea grass/natural fiber rug! Hard to see the paint color you are thinking about using, but you obviously have a great sense of design, so trust your instincts. How does your rug look with the dry sage? Something to consider if you are planning to keep the rug.

Upholstered chairs at ends of table-remove bench

Keep bench-remove upholstered chairs

Hi mommymaris, we would remove the bench seat and the Slipcovered chairs, the space just seems too busy. Perhaps a table of some sort or a cabinet holding fine china or other decorations could replace the chairs and add to the charm of your dining room. Looking forward to seeing the finished product :)

I think your husband feels that he would prefer a chair to sharing a bench at a dinner so doesn't like the bench idea. I agree for self, but I do not think it looks too bad. I like the color - you win that one. The lamps are too tall -so sorry to say that. Maybe if you raised the mirror?? - I don't know, I thick they would still be just a bit too tall:( Your husband probably doesn't get the slip covers either - I know mine wouldn't. He associates slip covers with trying to hide something. He has never read a home style magazine - and isn't about to start:)

Can't see the buffet table because back of bench is blocking it, so it might be better to move bench to another area in the house.

Lamps are too tall, but if you place them on the floor, they may be too short. So, might be better to remove them.

I think wallpaper would be great on the back wall.

How about BM's Nantucket Gray. It looks sage in certain light. Then 6 matching chairs. No bench, only 2 people are ever going to sit on it as it is impossible for middle person to get up without disturbing end people. Chandelier looks huge but that could just be angle of picture. Rule of thumb for chandelier size: Add length + width of room, convert to inches 15' + 13' = 28' so diameter of chandelier should be 28". Remove tall lamps from buffet and turn mirror horizontally.

Mommymaris, a few people have mentioned that the rug is too casual-I live in the south-New Orleans where they mix natural fiber rugs (less formal) with antiques which can be quite formal in many beautiful homes. Your table and chairs are beautiful along with your chandelier. They all work lovely together. The more I'm looking at the pictures, I think what could be throwing things off is the bench because of its height-its blocking you buffet. I would try bringing back you dining chairs from the set, placing the slipcovered chairs at each end, and then take a picture. Don't get me wrong, I do love the bench idea, maybe just not in this space. And, we actually have a backless Louis XVl bench in our dining room. My husband also hates it...thinks it is useless. Would post the picture, but I'm scared about the remarks.....Like I stated before, you really have some beautiful and elegant pieces. Can't wait to see any of the changes you make. Keep us posted.

The lamps on the buffet are much too tall, and I hope you can use them elsewhere in the house. Perhaps they could function as floor lamps if placed on a table in the corner of a room. The mirror that is directly across from the chandelier is reflecting the light too much and causing a glare. If you could put a large picture where the mirror is and then get a matching mirror so that the mirrors would flank the picture, this arrangement would look much better. Small lamps with shades (about 12-14 inches high) could look nice in front of the mirrors without overpowering, but even small lamps may not be necessary. I believe the chandelier is fine as it should be the focal point.

The main problem is that the other elements are overdone so that they make the room look too busy. I also agree with another poster's comment that the bench is too much, and I hope you can use it in another room. The slipcovers do not go with the decor, and the chairs would look much better uncovered and placed at the ends of the table. You basically have a very nice room that looks warm and inviting in peach. However, if you want a pastel green, that would be a cheerful and welcoming color.

I actually like the slipcovered chairs in there, as well as the chandelier. It has a very casual Pottery Barn feel. The two things that I don't like are the bench and the buffet lamps. I would get rid of the bench and do 6 chairs, and swap the lamps out for something more natural looking. And as far as "Dry Sage" walls not working- of course they'll work- everything in the room is already neutral!

Thanks for all the helpful tips! I removed the buffet lamps, bench, and put the slipcovered chairs at the ends of the table. It already looks much better (I need to order 3 more upholstered chairs). I'm thankful to have a direction now! The room doesn't look as busy and looks more focused. Thanks again!

Would love to see an updated picture! Glad you like your changes!

yes, please thank us by show and tell lol.

Could only get an idea of the opposite side of your dining room from the reflection in the mirror. Please take a photo of all sides. The buffet lamps are definitely too tall & I would also prefer seeing a painting over the buffet. People do not like to see themselves while eating. I am with the ones on the bench being in another space in your lovely home. Maybe two chairs on each side of the table & the slipcovered at the ends for now. Please try this & give us full photos of thw whole room. Thank you.

I will post a picture tomorrow. We are taping the room to paint it tonight. I agree with the painting over the buffet. I will need some time to find one though. It needs to blend with the colors in the room and be the right size. I also have to order 3 more chairs so those aren't here yet but I will post a picture once we have the room back together.

Can't wait to see your beautiful dining room when you are finished with updating it.

Here are the updated pictures. We are hiring someone to match the trim color and paint the bottom portion of the wall (I know it looks awful right now). We are going for a wainscoting look. I'm keeping the bench there until I can order the 3 other chairs. I have some questions going forward:

- the chandelier has matching sconces, would you do those next to the mirror?

-what do I do for drapes? I feel like linen or RH Sand drapes to match the chairs will be too bland and boring? Patterned drapes with sheers on the inside? Roman shades?

-end chairs, get a linen slipcover to match the 6 chairs or get something in a different color to add some interest?

Thank you!

sorry but the bench has to go. I owuld take it out and put two chairs on either side. it looks much better with out the two buffet lamps. try hanging the mirror in the other direction, to soak up some space

I'm not crazy about the area rug with the new paint color. I did like it with the old wall color, though. I would consider looking for an area rug that has some subtle colors in it including sage green. The bench definitely does not work with the new wall color, but I know you are planning to remove once you get your chairs. I would wait to get your chairs before making any more major decisions-but would consider looking for a different area rug. Everything else looks great.

I do think that the addition of wall sconces would be nice on both sides of the mirror.

I think the chandelier is too delicate a look with your dark furniture, but I love the sage green paint. You might want to look at these types of chandeliers in an oil-rubbed bronze finish.

A nice, sage green based oriental type rug, and striped draperies.

I like the new wall color and think the rug is OK with it. A rug with some sage green would be better, but this one isn't terrible. I agree the bench needs to go, but you could get by with 2 chairs on each side of the table if you prefer to just buy one more chair instead of 3 more. But, if buying 3 is in the budget, go for it. I like the candlesticks but would use them together as a pair (on one side of the mirror or the other, kind of overlapping the mirror a bit). Then maybe a plant on the other end of the buffet. The candlesticks look a bit small and lost as individuals but will look great as a pair.

Wow, looks gorgeous! Love the vases on your buffet and love the slipcovered chairs.

That looks beautiful! What did you finally decide about chairs and or bench? Are you just planning on adding two more of the slipcovered chairs?

I'm stuck on that choice at the moment. I did this using stuff I already had just moved things around. I don't know if I should do a slipcovered bench with a gathered skirt or just 2 more slipcovered chairs.

And by bench I mean a 6 ft bench with no back and a slipcover that has a gathered skirt. I would put it in the front in the space that's empty at the table.

I still think that the rug is way too casual for this space. It's the kind of rug that belongs outdoors on a terrace. I love the new color! Looks fresh and green is always a good color in a dining room. I think that two more slipcovered chairs would be preferable to a bench, especially a backless one. I know for that I would have difficulty sitting on that, but being older and with back problems I realize I am in the minority in that respect.

*clapping, I am so excited, just have the four chairs around the table. it looks so good!

very nice!

I also like the chair idea better than the bench idea.

I really love the idea of doing a bench to add some interest. I love slipcovered chairs but recently removed 3 of mine and replaced with a backless bench. I love the way it looks; my husband is not very fond of it, though. Ha! The other option would be to do 2 slipcovered chairs at the head of the table with the wood chairs you had there before on the sides. Or, option 3, you could do all slipcovered chairs.. Your dining room looks amazing and will end up looking great either way! Here are 2 pictures that may help inspire you. I actually love the natural fiber rug with the slipcovered chairs-great contrast.

My two cents worth- covered chairs only at the ends and wooden chairs somewhat like Bayshores Drive like Karen posted. Anything else covers the visual of the console.

Do you still have your wooden chairs to try with the slipcovered chairs at the ends? If you do, please post a picture :-)

http://mobile.kohls.com/product/prd-1873624/waverly-felicite-stain-resistant-microfiber-quilted-table-runner.jsp?isFromSrch=true

mommymaris-did you get all your dining chairs in yet? How is your room coming along?

Thanks for checking in! I'm having the hardest time finding dining chairs. I agree they need to be upholstered but I can't decide between these two:

http://www.worldmarket.com/product/mobile/linen-lydia-dining-chair-set-of-2.do?sortby=ourPicks

https://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod2461212&categoryId=cat2390006

I also bought these sconces to go on either side of the mirror but I think they might be too short? What are the rules for sconce sizing when placing next to a large mirror or painting?
http://www.horchow.com/Parisian-Acanthus-Sconce-Sconces/cprod82500002_cat7930731__/p.prod?icid=&searchType=EndecaDrivenCat&rte=%2Fcategory.jsp%3FitemId%3Dcat7930731%26pageSize%3D120%26No%3D0%26refinements%3D&eItemId=cprod82500002&cmCat=product

I'm having the hardest time finding a rug that's neutral but not wool! They don't come in 9x12. I can't stand the wool shedding on our dark hardwoods.

Also, are the drapes too casual? I moved them from the breakfast area.

mommymaris-I think your room looks beautiful as it is!

Are you still thinking about changing all the chairs or just doing the slipcovered at the ends and choosing another chair for the sides? If so, I love both your choices-the one from Restoration Hardware and World Market. Which one works best with your slipcovered chairs in terms of size and fabric? Also, love your sconces you picked out.

I was going to keep the slipcovered chairs at the ends and possibly not even have the slipcovered chairs at all. Definitely go with upholstered side chairs. I LOVE the RH ones but they won't let me do the legs in dark wood. I also wonder if they match my traditional style? I know the world market ones would look great and they are the safe choice. They would blend with the room. The RH ones are just gorgeous.

I don't think that the legs need to match the table, but I agree that the ones from World Market could be pretty perfect. Can you order one from World Market to try it? I think they are pretty easy about returns if it is not perfect.