Two large windows and three doorways.

I love wainscotting, it is not generally done here unfortunately so I am not very familiar with all aspects of it. This might give you some interesting background

. http://www.ehow.com/about_5240987_types-wainscoting.html

Your room does look very Victorian and the style of windows suggests a formal look where I note from the above wainscotting was done in Victorian times in less formal settings and cottages. If you are wanting to maintain the Victorian look I would definitely say no, I think the deep skirting looks very elegant.

Thank you all for your comments. Gives me direction.

My experience from being in lots of Victorians, don't do the wainscoting. It will detract from the height of those beautiful windows. If you want to break up the walls, put a railing up high on the wall, running off the top of your door molding.

Hi janewilson! It depends on how Victorian you want to be. In the Victorian style, more is more... More trim, more wallpaper, more pattern, more color. This doesn't always translate well to our modern sensibilities, so you have to do what is comfortable for you. If you really do want a period feel, then yes, go with the wainscotting, which you could do in wood, or if you prefer to keep attention on the window frames, you can simply add a chair rail with wallpaper above and below (or just below, if you want less!). In discussing the window frames, however, you should think ahead to what sort of treatments you intend to put on those windows. Again, if you want a period feel, you will probably have some sort of shade, followed by sheers or lace, followed by some pretty serious draperies, in which case, much of that trim work will be covered, and you might be left wishing you had done the waincotting after all!

If you can give me a better idea of YOUR style, and how you'd like the room to feel when you're done, I might be able to guide you a little more clearly. Hope that helps!

With all the doors and windows, I would refrain from doing wainscot. Perhaps a low profile coffered ceiling with a picture molding below will formalize the dining room without taking away from the ornate casings and base.

Looks like you do not have ceiling or cornice treatments. Victorian design took advantage of the height of rooms and applied a tremendous amount of detail to the ceilings. You may want to consider deep cornices, center medallions, ceiling panels, ceiling borders, etc. Here are some photos from www.wishihadthat.com...

My 1906 Foursquare had diningroom wainscotting similar to this...it was painted..