Hi there,

I think you have a beautiful home! Have you considered a simple, linen curtain? I would go similar to your wall color, which is reading cream. I don't think you want anything to take away from the elegance of what you have. Just like you said, just softening a bit. Good luck! Jen

Your light fixture should be centered over the table.

Gorgeous, but the window treatments look too small, but I like the simplicity of them. You could possibly center the fixture, but it looks nice where it is, but maybe too dark at night?

the fixture can't be centered unless we move the electrical box..so it's not a simple fix. but I agree it would look better!

You're on the right track with adding longer drapes (that frame the windows rather than obscure them). I'd add a rug as well.

what color rug would you do Nancy?

Blues, reds, and creams in a rug would be beautiful

I love a traditional oriental rug & would go softer (cream, lighter greens/blues).

I would do what nnigrt suggested. I had to do that and it looked better than having it so off center.

What are the other colors within your home? My designs typically pull color from another space so you have a cohesive look throughout your home, this is where you can find your color inspiration. Your home is beautiful and has a farmhouse feel. Natural textures work great with this style; linen, burlap, sisal, jute. Are you seeking stronger color or a play with textures or both?

Add a hook to the ceiling to center out the light fixture. Drapers should hang off the window and to the floor; rod should be installed outside mount above the trim. Getting these simple details right can make all the difference in how your room comes together.

Great start so far!

sarah, Thanks so much! I have a lot of reds and blues through the rest if the hosue. I am trying to mix in more modern elements with the farmhouse as I don't care for country look :) I will Def move the light fixture with a hook. and agree I need to Mount the curtains outside the window frames. my husband will hate me for that since we have plaster walls! hahah

I'd like either pure white or the colour of the hydranga for curtains

Lovely home! Maybe use a natural fiber rug (for a more contemporary feel, as well as durability), and drapes with a subtle print (blue, red and sage print on a cream background).

Since you have not answered the question on the baseboard heat, I suggest shirred off-white linen fabric on a tension rod within the window casings. No damage to plaster. Simple & soft.

What is the dilemma? I love it pretty much the way it is! Personally, I am not a fan of curtains, but floor to ceiling curtains just hanging straight would be lovely....make the curtain rod extend past the window so, that you can have the light of the entire window. I love your table, fireplace, flooring, and at the simple yet elegant decor. I would love a dining room just like yours!

I think a lighter table could go a long way. The black really takes away from the space, but definitely floor to ceiling ivory linen curtains.

Sorry our comments didn't show. Here again for you. The room is dominated by dark timber colours and is too traditional for what you say you want. Ok, ivory white walls, white matt skirtings, door & window frames and internal doors. Keep the pure white ceiling and beams. Curtains - put on a metal curtain pole outside the window framing and long as you say to almost floor level. Have in ivory cream white in hessian or natural fabric look. Replace the dining table light with a retro chandelier & yes centralise this to the table. Replace dining room chairs/or paint white, recover seats with light pastel colour fabric, or cream canvas. Paint table legs white. Paint fireplace mantle and surround in soft duck egg blue. Place a large rug under the table with soft abstract pastel blue & red pattern. Contemporary uplighters on walls to soften lighting on dimmer switches. Replace timber framed mirror over fireplace with omore ornate metal frame. Paintings on walls abstract modern, some, with soft padtel colours. Idea is to get away from farmhouse look to more new England look. Look up Farriw & Ball matt internal paints, fabulous. Trick tho is to follow a similar theme through the house, but you say you have light blue otherwise which is a great start. Let us know if you need any more assistance if you like this: janef@localdial.com

Beautiful room. Just needs some tweeking. Love the dining room furniture. I would put a runner down the middle of the table and use a large, white soup tourine with tall pewter candle sticks with colorful candles. Paint the ceiling bright white. Definitely wider rods and drapes that skim the floor. A new chandelier that has the appearance of real candles. You definitely need to swag it over with a hook to center it. Get rid of the floral arrangement on the mantle and use more white display pieces that match the soup tourine. I would also add more tall pewter candle sticks with colorful candles on the mantle as well. You have a beautiful room.

If you have to replace the wire and chain on the chandelier, in order to swag it, that is a simple fix.

I would start with the drapery, by hanging a rod half way between the window top and ceiling. I would then hang full length panels that stack off the window. If you need to buy ready made panels and they aren't long enough, sew a panel on the bottom that coordinates with the rest of the room. I would also make the drapery rod black.

I would suggest updating the lighting fixture by spray painting it black. When you re-hang the fixture just swag it over to hang 30-36 inches above the table. You may need to add some extra length to the fixture chain.

If possible I would purchase a light colored area rug that is at least 24" bigger than the table on both the width and length.

The dining room seats need a cushion or trade them out for an upholstered seat chair.

Some very large pillar candles would be good on the table.

Please feel free to drop me an email if you have any further questions.

Susan

here are my updates : I actually love the DR table, and can't afford to add cushions or reupohlster the chairs right now. I am going to look for floor to ceiling linen curtains in a cream or off white. and will hang them outside the window frame. also the light fixture was bras, I spray painted it black until I can afford a nicer chandelier! I need to replace the chain as its not long enough to center over table. still looking for an affordable rug since the table seats 12 so a huge custom size rug is needed

You could extend the chain on your fixture, and add a ceiling hook to move it over the table. I have a similar situation. Have you considered an area rug? I think you need to add some subtle textures and patterns--drapes, table linens, and area rug.

The ceiling here is beautiful. The curtains on the window to me seem out of place I would do us ceiling to floor sheer in a ocean blue color or a soft silver blue gray. I love the fireplace and the Mantle. I would D clutter the mantle just a bit remember less is more beautiful.

I absolutely adore your dining room furniture and your room is great.
People who know me would faint at the next thing I say, because I really like nice rugs; I don't think your room needs one. You have a clean classic uncluttered look going there.
I agree...longer chain and swag the light. Also if it isn't on a dimmer switch, that would be a priority for me.
I would go for a simple slender iron curtain rod a bit higher and wider than the window, with natural linen tab-top curtains to the floor.
Such a lovely room already!

thanks Mrsstem! I love the room too, but want it to feel a littel.less 'cold ' and the light is on a dimmer :) I love having soft light and candles during dinner parties!

Hi, my first response on Houzz. Great bones in your dining room. Can the dining table be moved back a foot or two from the fireplace--seems close but maybe it's just the picture. It sounds like everyone has addressed the chandelier--longer chain, centered over the table (moving the table might center it and eliminate the electrical issues). Curtains/drapes always look more sumptuous when framing the window, not inside the window frame, up to the ceiling and down to the floor. I've found some really fun, charming and elegant drapes in lengths up to 120 at Pier 1. Cheers!

Whoops Mel, apologies as have given more of an overhaul to room. From your above comment i would focus on adding a rug, with some lighter pastel red and blue as you suggest you have in the house otherwise, perhaps on a cream background. And picking up on a rich cream long curtain, with curtain pole outside the timer framing to window opening. Hope helps

How about if you stripped the stuff off tabletop then put a shallow copper or glass bowl of fruit on top of a handmade textile runner? That would be "warming", I think.

How do you feel about natural linen seat cushions for the chairs?

Smaller table or get one that you can go larger when needed the scale of room is to small then maybe you dnt have to move lighting

Add a band of dark gray fabric to the bottom of your curtains. They should just touch the floor.

OK, I see you have baseboard heat--in that case roman shades would work. You might even be able to use the curtain you have now to make roman shades.

Really lovely home--very well done.

If you can't purchase curtains use what you have but if you more of that pattern use DIY add on trick hooks or iron on tape go to Home Depot or lowes and look through their paint that customers didn't like colors and you will probably fine colors you need I love love your fire place

baseboard heat is not used. we switched to geothermal. ...but removing all the baseboard will take a ton of work and fixes..

slip cover two chairs. longer curtains, maybe just shear. add lamp shades...wait what is happening with that light.. if you like the light have it wired, and add chain to swag. or get a new swag fixture.The mirror is too much, maybe put it on the wall right of the door with a distressed buffet. and put the small picture over the mantel. also quilts soften spaces like this and fit the look.

Maybe this is not a possibility but have you considered turning the table 90 degrees? I think, from the pictures, that would line up the table under the light fixture. You could then add a server or buffet of some sort to fill up the other space. That will allow you to add a few select modern pieces to take you away from the farmhouse feel you aren't wanting. If you don't use the baseboard heat, can you just puddle longer curtains in front of them? I'd pull in some reds to add the warmth you want along with some creams and maybe a hint of coral. Not a lot but some small touches here and there. Indoor green plants go a long way to add life to a space as well.

can't turn the table any other way.. the room is a rectangle shape and we walk.through it to get to the living room from the other side of the house with kitchen and garage. that's also while the table isn't centered

Ahh...

it's funny that so many say replace the table! lol... I actually had it made from.reclaimed barn and I LOVE that it's 1 solid piece and I can fit 12 ppl around it. (or more)

but can you center it to the light.. or the light to it at least.

flair lighting.. I plan to center the light fixture but want to.r3ppace it with some thing in the near future. right now the chain is too short to move it over so I guess I need a new chain?

well more wire and chain. but if you plan to replace it... dont waste the money on parts.

OK thansk. checking out your website now :)

Who would say replace that table? That should tell you something about who to listen to.

It is a wonderful table

clarrissa - what do you mean by - "look through their paint that customers didn't like colors"

if you leave the baseboard heaters.. maybe paint them the wall color.