and they are not happy with it? are you putting in new furniture, changing the walls, rugs?

This is what the last homeowners had in the room! We will be moving in a month! Bay window in this room too! First room
You see when you walk in!

Ok, others will come, can you take pics in different directions and measurements? What are you bringing with you? Color and style preferences? I think if you like anything beyond country, that would is going to irk you no end. I have a whole kitchen like that, errrrr.

Do you have a small budget? Most people just want to rip out, but you could go with black , white would probably show all the knots? That would be the first question.

there are a lot who will wish to rip out the fireplace too. I say live with it. Sooner or later a thought of exactly what to do will gel in your mind. I had 11 feet of red, uggh, lived with it found it useful, darkened the grout so it was not stark white against red-a touch up of watered down craft paint. now I am happy. But, your brick is really not as severe, bet it looks good with beige, white, greige, dark gray or taupe rooms, all in by the way.

So give the questions some thought and try to post what you can. try to have fun, we are!

What's your goal: maximize seating, party time, or nap time? Do you have a large enough dining space elsewhere?
http://houzz.com/photos/12402011
http://houzz.com/photos/2227855
http://houzz.com/photos/1611747
http://houzz.com/photos/22507077
Perhaps you need to live in the house a bit to find out what the best use of the space would be.

Would love to buy all new but have to work with what we have now which is this!

My goal is image 1 that you have shown love it! Would love to accent with blue like the chair you have shown! It is the first room you see when you come in! Just want to feel like come on in and stay awhile!

This is the dining room that is attached to the living room!
Was thinking of an orb chandelier! What do you think?

I would paint the paneling white or off-white, whatever goes with the other walls (or repaint whole room). My aunt had hers painted, and it was awesome. The fireplace would then be more of a focal point. I would put a sofa closer to the fp with the front feet on an appropriate-sized rug. (But don't buy the one that is there from the owners; it is not the right one.). If you are buying furniture, I think two barrel chairs would look nice flanking the sofa, open to the fp. The fp insert surround can be repainted with special paint, if it is not fresh-looking. A larger coffee table, perhaps oval shaped, would be nice. The one there is too small. It is a pretty room, I think, but it needs a cohesive seating arrangement to show it off.

Sorry, just saw the other pics you had up . . have to learn how to read the posts, I guess. The furniture you have is quite ornate. This house, to me, warrants streamline style furniture. I would keep this in mind as I replace items along the way. And I am a firm believer in consignment and resale shops. The dining room furniture is heavy looking. I would balance it with a light-colored rug. Not sure about the chandelier although I would keep that light-looking as well.

This room has tons of potential. I agree with others that you should wait a bit to settle in and evaluate, with the exception of the panelling above the fireplace. I think I'd want that gone very soon :-)) It distracts from the ability to evaluate the other options and is a definite 'no go' with your furniture. Even if you have to re-drywall, I'd remove it ASAP.

You can do almost the same setup as the current owners with your couch and accent chair when you first move in. Now is a great time to go through your own space and sell/donate anything you don't love or use regularly. It will make the move easier and its a great psychological exercise to help define your style.

Your furnishings are lovely. Do you have a rug currently or do we need to look for one?

JK how did your mom paint the paneling everyone says those knots always show through and it does not work well?

I think your room would really look great in a light gray. I am seeing a gray couch and a cream chair with light peach. Please confirm this is correct, and what is behind you, we are only seeing one full wall?

OMG! Love! Love your desk!

Not knowing what your dining set looks like, no matter, Orb chandeliers have hung around long enough :>) Don't go there, stay with a traditional one.

Celery, I will race you for the desk, but you gotta give me at least 5 feet head start, and i can't move far so maybe 10 ft away. ah just give up and give it to me already. tehehe