(and i'm not quite sure how people on the back side are supposed to deal with the drapery panel...)

I agree with katinparadise. We have an upholstered chair that will balance well with the generous scaling of your side chairs and tall ceilings. The Jayden is a stylized wing chair proportioned for dining at a standard 30" high table. I've rendered it in a bold red Ikat below, which would add color and reference the interesting lines of your side chairs.

The chair is available with nail heads and in leather. Lots of custom options and fabrics! We can drop ship anywhere in the US. You have a great start to your room! A cool eclectic mix.

I would have used your highback chairs on the ends, and chairs that are shorter on the side.

I immediately thought an upholstered wing back in a very neutral fabric.

Thanks for the input! My biggest issue is I hate the dark chairs, my interior designer picked them out and unfortunately I didn't go with my gut and say no since she was the professional.. I can't return them so I'm trying to work with them. I agree they are too big.. We currently have cream captain chairs at the heads, but in my mind they just don't work. If I had to start all over, what should I do?? The dark chairs are hooker brand and were expensive so I'm trying to figure out how to love them!
And the curtain isn't in the way of seating.

Honestly I don't get the bench seating even with the newer pics, looks like middle person will be leaning up against the drapery panel and the others will have the windowsill protruding into their backs. Maybe it is just how the pictures came out. Have you tried sitting their yourself for a meal to see if it really works? It's a pretty space but doesn't seem practical to me.

I love a combo of bench setting and upholstered chairs!

We have a very large family that eats every meal there, everyone fights over who gets to sit on the bench. I've eaten there plenty of times and it's very comfortable.

I would suggest that you get a different curtain. The patch of grey in the middle is chopping up the window and is distracting. Get a solid color. Either all grey or all cream/white. And I would not put a panel in the middle. In fact just remove the middle panel and that may improve it. Take all the placemats off the table. Exchange out the pillows for ones with a pattern and an accent color. Get a lumbar pillow for the host chairs in that same accent color and try them on the seat of the chairs also. Take off the booster chairs until you need them. Try those things first before buying new chairs.

I don't think the end chairs are too large, the shape actually mirrors the others and they are the same height. It just may take a bit of getting used to. I also feel they create a balance in the room by filling the large space at either end.

The end chairs are shorter than the side chairs...

One other thing. The host chairs look smaller than the side chairs. It should be the opposite. I knew there was something wrong in your last photo that included the end chairs. The backs need to be taller,

Can you sell the side chairs?

Just saw your last comment. Yes we are correct the host chair do not fit.

You have 2 options. replace the side chairs or the host chairs.

Ok good rlk I believe you, it just doesn't come off that way in pics. I like the end chairs you have but agree it would be nice if they were a little taller.

I would measure the height of yours and not go higher, so they don't overwhelm. One below is 44" and they have shorter arms so don't feel too bulky and will easily slide under the table, which is also something to consider.

I've tried selling the side chairs but no takers yet. I actually had the curtains custom made and the middle is the same color in the ones in the great room next to this area. I'm not changing the curtains, I actually love the way they look.. I do have some accent pillows being made. I use the booster seats every meal for 2 year old twins and it would be a great pain to remove them every time..

Maureen where are those from? I also though these might work for the side instead? Or is it too much gray/blue?

I like the old saying, don't throw good money after bad. Buy the host chairs that you love in your preferred fabric, then have seat cushions made to match or coordinate for the bench and side chair seats. Consider having the chairs you hate refinished if that would help. And trust your own instincts/first impressions.

Yes as the mom of twins (now grown) I agree with keeping the boosters in place, who needs the hassle of removing, storing, and replacing for every meal? The 2 yr olds will outgrow the need for them in a blink of an eye anyway.

I am attaching the link, but just (sorry) noticed they are $1,300 each. But this style should be available in lots of furniture shops. http://www.houzz.com/photos/products/query/beige-wingbacks

I like the color of the chair above and the price is perfect...but I would ensure they are tall/bulky enough. Also, they feel a touch provincial/more formal? It's really so hard to tell, I'm a firm believer in bringing items home and returning if they don't feel right. Can you go back to your decorator and ask for suggestions as well?

Just looked at link for maureens chairs $1300 pretty pricey. I like your idea of the Pier 1 chairs. I was going to suggest that you go down to local store and measure the back of some you like or maybe bring one home and try it.

This one from Pier 1 is 41" high and $219

item: 2673650

All good ideas. Thanks! One thought - what if I used the gray ones down the side and had the black ones painted cream and used on the ends? The black ones are 44" tall. I have gone back to my designer - but she keeps leading me down a "urban farmhouse" style and it's just not what I have in my head!

I painted my chairs but a word of warning - when using on a daily basis and with children, they will get chipped and worn even with the best prep and paint quality, so there will be upkeep involved. Can you get two more chairs for the ends that match what you have - may resolve your problem and look nice too. Urban farmhouse is sort of the style of your rooms...I would try and keep that look...the chandelier and your drapery bring it up a notch..so I think it works well. Also, instead of selling the beige ones, would they work in any other room - living room, bedroom or even separate into two rooms.

Let me see if I can find some taller backed chairs that are not so pricey. You could try the other way. Put your two end chairs on the side and the wood on the ends and take photo and send. We can see how it looks.

Here is a pic of them switched... I just hate that it limits us to only 2 chairs on that side

What about these in the ends?

Can you just order 3 more of the original wood chairs and make them all the same? The way I see it you are going to have to sell the 2 host chairs. They are too big and the closed backs are not good. Plus I doubt that you want the twins on the fabric chairs.

How tall are they?

I really like the tall wood chairs as end chairs! not sure they work with the upholstered ones as side chairs, but maybe you could use those in another room and get something else for the side chairs.

Agree with lyndi, like the wood chairs on the end, look for something smaller for the side chairs so you can fit 3. Not sure you'll want upholstered with the 2 yr olds though.

These are 47" tall in grey. They are not so wide and bulky looking, but the back is high. $300

paint the dark chairs chalk gray ...........

Here are some side chairs I found that would coordinate with the dark side chairs. I don't mind getting rid of the upholstered ones. They were cheap. Thoughts?
Also , I removed a chair... And put one next to the front door?

Front door pic

Susan2494 where are those chairs from?

just paint the ones you have. Or have them painted... im not saying teal, but a light blue or gray or the green you posted.

that being said, having only the two there now did wonders....... looks great.

I agree that the two makes it feel less heavy and the end chairs work better (never really thought they didn't). You could keep the 3rd chair and use as backup when needed.

Chairs are from overstock.com ITEM# 15718130 There are several others in same style.

Thank you so much for all the help everyone!

Keep us informed on the results when you make your decision. Post photos :>)

Hi, I would not be adding $200-$300 chairs to your pricey chairs. They look fine with one removed. Do the window treatments end at the bench or do they go to the floor? Hope you can clean and vacuum them often. I've never seen draperies incorporated into the actual seating area before.
Could have used a beautiful custom roman shade in a coordinating fabric to your drapery in the other room.

I'm going to switch the beige end chairs for gray ones. I think that will pull it all together. The drapes stop at the bench. I'm considering having them shortened to the bottom of the windowsill. But not because anyone at our house complains about them just because everyone on here seems to not like it. I got the inspiration from an HGTV photo. I wanted the windows to appear as one big wall of windows. I'm not an interior designer obviously! I try my best. I appreciate your input.

Just an FYI, you can buy iron on tape at Joann's Fabric. It is a good way to shorten the drapes. If you shorten, just cover the bottom of window sill. I used this to shorten my sheers and it worked great. Test it on one panel behind the pillow.

Just a small tweak to consider, but that mirror on the left wall of the eating area looks off-balanced. You probably hung it centered on that wall before hanging curtains, but now that curtains are hung, the mirror needs to be hung a little more to the left. Just my 2 cents worth. :)

A beautiful home. Move the chair from the foyer corner to the wall and add a very small side table. Or use it elsewhere if the wall is too narrow.