I , too, love that dining room. And the view! What color are the walls? I think that you need to just go with your instincts, and choose the colors you enjoy, as you did here. Maybe, instead of the foyer, start with a repaint in the family room. Choose a color that makes you happy, and work from there, in shades up and down in saturation.

And yes, I'm in the don't paint the oak camp.

Your woodwork is lovely. I could see my hand shaking uncontrollably if I tried to paint the wainscoat.

You just need color!. Add a cushion to your bench and a few pillows. (I can't believe I am suggesting wallpaper,) but wallpaper the stair wall with an oversize print. Paint stripes or stencil the dining room walls and add interesting rugs. Clean the wood with a deep cleaner and I bet you will love it! Beige and brown have their place, but a house full of it is just boring.

Thanks for all the comments. The dining room seems to be the only room coming together as I don't have to deal with an abundance of oak in that room and the new furniture and mirror have helped. I need a new chandelier though. It also needs paint, but I'd kinda like to get one paint to run through the main floor so that does sort of tie into the 'wow' foyer.

I like the paint in the dining room. It looks like it is warm and neutral so you can add pops of color and texture in layers. You ask yesterday about the rectangle chandelier but I preferred the round better. It does seem to echo the mirror's shape. I would go to a lighting place and just find one you really like. Every room can use a little sparkle!

So we had a painter over today. He can't start work until Septemberish but we got some good idea. So it looks like we are going with a light grey for the walls. Front door may be painted white, staircase may be painted black but spindles would remain white. Still not sure what we are doing with the wainscoting room. He had suggested that he kitchen be painted white, and have the spindles that separate the kitchen from the family room be painted black.

Hi rberesh73, has painting started?

Hello there and thanks for checking in. No painting hasn't started yet. We are hoping within this month or next month. We've hired a painter, just waiting on him to be free. We settled with going through the main floor with a really light grey. I'll check the name for you, if you'd like to see it. The doors will basically be staying the same, but the painter said he's going to go over them and the trim to make it match better..perhaps with a stain? And he said he wants to take the 'shine' off the doors a bit. The only oak we may paint right now is the wainscoting. We are thinking of going white. Not sure yet.

Sounds exciting I would love to see the light grey you picked and if you get a chance I would love to see how it all looks when you've completed the project :)

Will do! I will try to look up that grey today and share the colour.

hmm I wonder why my pictures didn't appear

so there is what the entrance looks like now....just need some suggestions of what should be my next step there.....the more specific or examples given...the better! I do have a large mirror that goes behind that table.

Good job! Are the furniture pieces staying?

Did you need seating?

Good questions! I'd kinda like to keep the furniture if possible. I probably do need seating. I'd love to hear what your thinking no matter what my responses are though

Console table with ottomans

round table at curve

If ottomans are insufficient seating, try a bench with pillows at the curve

Wow I love that table. That being said, how do you feel about the current table i have there. I actually do have a bench.

This is a before picture and you can see the bench we have

If the size works, just style it up! Mirror or art above. Accessories on top. What's the bench look like?

I don't think the chair and current mirror table works.

The bench is nice! Add some pillows. Also a larger area rug that covers most of the space!

I wonder where i could find a table like the one you've shown. Where would a mirror table like that i have would work. Oh and the chair has been removed.

would you have a table or the bench in that curved area?

I think the bench solves your seating needs.

Your mirror table seems to be the wrong size.

The mirror table is also too glitzy for the space.

If you are going for the WOW factor, the pieces you choose have to be wow pieces. If you just want a table and seating area and for it to look well placed and styled you can work with what you have.

Ok..hmm..i wonder where that mirror table could go then...ha.

i do love that table you showed me...wonder where i could get one

The round one?

Because you already have a console table, I think the bench works better. But if you like the round table, Pottery Barn has them. I'm sure other places do too in different price points. Just pick the right size

yes

is the current table too big?

Looks too tall and not wide enough. But I can't tell by the pic. Can you post a pic of it separately without the chair in the center of that wall. And post the diameter and height

And post a pic of the bench separately in the new space as well. Add a couple throw pillows if you have any laying around.

Ok i will try that and take some pictures. How do you like the current rectangular table i have against the flat wall? I have a mirror that goes behind it.

How high is the console table? I think it could work just needs some styling. Post a pic of the mirror with it. You might want to start another post. You'll get people that will photoshop stuff in for you to see :)

Think about the overall look you would like to see, budget, colors, style etc.

A good sized rug is needed so if your budget isn't huge you should work with the furniture you have.

I would put only put a round table at the curve of the stairs.....with a glass vase filled with fresh green and only a few flowers.....less is more in your case. I would place a large upholstered bench on the large wall that has the sofa table on it...with a large colorful rug...once they are in place you can work on the smaller things that add personality to the space. The small round table I think is to glam looking for your space"..maybe a painted piece in a color you want to use in your home. I would not go for a formal feel but a updated traditional feel.

That's another option if u can fit a bench and still open that door

Yep, there is quite a bit of room along that wall to place a bench.

Any suggestions on what kind of upholstered bench would look good?

What is the width of the large wall? Why not do an eclectic mix...being your home has some history...I love the old door handles and wouldn't touch them.....I would do a mix of old farmhouse meets new traditional..

I like the bench you have. Just add some pillows, maybe a cushion.

I think a larger bench is needed for that wall.....would like to see something done in upholstery.....this is where a more contemporary fabric can bring in a more updated feel. Maybe tuck some large baskets under it to hold items needed for each season. A set of three framed fun colorful pieces of Art hung above it. That wall could really bring some personality to the open space.

Snap a pic with current bench and post. What are dimensions of that wall and dimensions of bench? It seems small once you factor in the space where the door swings open. But it could just be my monitor

I think the thing about the bench is not nessesarly the width it is the height and the presence of it......to many hard finishes........upholstery on the back and seat will bring softness and a welcoming feeling to the area...I am thinking the bench can't be much wider than around 54" but can have a high back that is upholstered. Need measurements...here are some bench suggestions