Your room feels French Country and I would be working with its bones vs trying to make it into something it's not and I think the curtains really compliment that style. The darker metal/style of the chandelier in the first picture would suit and rather than using one large piece of art, I would suggest a series of botantial prints with dark frames.

Bring out the green or crimson from the drapery panels for you art selection and change out the chandelier to something that does not direct the light only up in the room.

You don't need a metal console table that fights with the lovely design of the room and your furnishings.

Big art for the walls. You might consider using a group of vintage framed posters.

You could also use a very thin console table to ground the picture and give yourself some counter space when entertaining. Doesn't have to be very wide just 8 to 12 inches if you have the space behind the chairs.

One thing to be aware of is that whatever you do with the wall, be sure that someone coming to sit at the table has room to pull out the chair without bumping into something.

How about hanging a variety of plates found at antique stores or estate sales?

I would go with a long demi-table (half moon) with storage drawers to hold tablecloths, placemats/runners, etc. It would also serve to act as extra serving space during holiday dinners, like pies/plates of cookies, etc. Certainly go with a bold wallpaper, if that is your desire, and possibly a very large, oblong mirror to add visual "space", if needed. Just keep it traditional, but with clean lines (nothing too ornate). Love your dining set! Just lovely.

What about a gallery wall with some inexpensive original art? These are from etsy. Dozens more to choose from.

I'm planning an inset coffee serving bar with a marble top 10x48" and two shelves, for my tight kitchen with a similar large empty wall. It will only jut into the room about 4".

A couple more options.

Btw.. I love your drapes! Don't change them. The pattern is lovely. Warm and inviting.

beautiful room, nice wall color, just need large mirror which should go on horizontal with a thick frame to make the room look largest. change table center piece no flowers. maybe nice vase change blinds, roman shades , and a different print curtain (no flowers)

Paint the vent the same as wall color to make it disappear. I like the mirror ideas, but maybe do simple, narrow shelving in different lengths for mirror and objects and maybe some novelty/accent lighting or candles for a bit of drama. Shelves could also be recessed and framed out.

The first thing I noticed was it seems blah--there are no colors that pop--it's not welcoming. Having said that, I'd concentrate on changing out the drapes and light fixture (be sure it's large enough and lights the room with a dimmer switch), use jewel tones in both.

Next, I'd work on the dining chairs and table--again adding jewel tones in lumbar and/or seat pillows and table runner (or table cloth). Another option would be to cover the whole chair.

The flowers in the small vase do nothing to add interest and the colors are wrong. Again, think size, shape and texture--along with jewel tones for the middle of the table.

Lastly, I would put in a nice rug which covers the floor well past the chair line, one that brings in the jewel tone colors you've added in the suggestions above. And I'd be open to changing the wall color as it could be a cheap quick fix to help tie everything together.

I would paint that wall, darker than what is there right now, put a huge piece of art at least 4 feet high, 4-6 ft wide ... Either as a single piece or broken down in three pieces of same height and a combined width (including spaces) of about 5-6 feet.

That curtain looks nice now but if you that art piece, then it will clash next to it. So solid (textured) curtains might fit well.

I would replace light fixture with one in a darker metal, such as bronze, to go with table. For the wall, either a collection of framed photos, or framed menus from your favorite restaurants. Perhaps framed wine labels with your comments on the wine & what it was served with.

For starters I would paint the crown molding white to match the floor molding. Then I would consider wainscotting. It really helps break up such a big blank wall. Then you could hang a gallery wall as suggested earlier, or a large mirror.

Hi, change chandelier, choose a kitchen island style that will hang parallel to table.

Paint ceiling molding color of baseboard

Add geometric pattern rug, green and off white

At beginning of wall add a shallow bookcase at least 8" tall and display China, small paintings, etc.

Add a tall narrow plant other end of wall next to drape. With these additions your dining room will look finished and more chick.

Let me know your reaction and have fun.

At start of wall add a shallow bookcase, at least 8"tall and display China , small framed paintings, etc.

Add a plant, narrow and tall next to drape, same wall.

I can see your dining room completed and looking beautiful. Hope you like my suggestions.

I think it would look nice to paint the trim at the top the same color as the walls. Also paint a/c cover and light switch plates the same color. Then a nice chandelier similar to this with some beautiful greenery in the center of the table. Hang a beautiful mirror on the wall. Make sure not to hang no more than 36"above the table.

Wow! Every once in awhile a post comes along that results in WILDLY different suggestions. Sounds like you have LOTS of options. As mentioned earlier, don't let anyone pressure you into going a direction that does not make you happy.

Have fun And post pictures.

Large mirrors with light antique silver leaf frames to lighten up room with two nice floor lamps or large green plants in nice planters on each end

I see some very good suggestions as to lighting and adding color so I'll just share an idea for the wall that would shake up all the straight lines and add another dimension to the narrow space between table/chairs and wall. You could leave out the wall lights if you don't care for them, as well as the added electrical expense, but this look would add to the crown molding you already have in place and bring in more light to balance the darkness of the wood.

I would add a large mural with an ivory background to the wall and make it the focal point of the room - something to complement the colour of your drapes. Then paint your chairs a lovely shade of soft green to add interest and do a light fixture with glass shades in red. Repaint the crown moulding a soft shade of ivory to allow the mural to almost float on the wall and anchor the space with a beautiful rug in shades of green and ivory to ground the chairs.

Paint the vent cover to match the wall color. Without seeing more of the dining room and adjacent spaces its a bit risky provide other suggestions. My other thought was to paint the trim at the ceiling to match the base moulding, but perhaps that continues in other rooms? The light fixture could be a bit lower. Perhaps a grandfather clock and special family photos such as weddng portraits from grandparents and great-grandparents in custom frames that pick up the natural wood tones and dining set color.

You have some varied opinions regarding your dilemma. I'm sure everyone who has taken the time to help would like to hear what you think.

wall: large painting, or if you want to make it more personal, make a mosaic using your own original paintings/pictures (I did this for my large all common room with all the heirloom paintings). lighting: get something modern in the rectangular shape of white/sparkling color theme. (you'll find many pic at houzz)

example of lighting : you need something that is visually impactful for your space and your existing dining set.

Thanks for the helpful comments! This is our vacation home in mountains of Western Carolina... When we return to the house in Feb or March I plan to try several of your suggestions. Will post pictures as I do.

Front Wood fences of San Francisco height huzzah houses

I was confronted with a similar situation, a few years ago. The wallpaper I wanted was extremely expensive, so I cut it into panels and framed the panels with moulding that I bought at Home Depot. The result was quite fabulous.

Oh dear, it looks like everyone is trying to sell you something, but some of the ideas are good. I like the second lamp suggestion from Tia. Personally, I would change the curtains to white ones, or a light color, no pattern. I have old linen sheets bought at a flea market as curtains in some of my rooms and they look very stylish. For the artwork I would just buy a large canvas and paint it a color you like or hang a large mirror. This room could look really inviting with those three changes and style doesn't have to be expensive.

As I read through this blizzard of comments - many excellent suggestions to explore! I'm wondering what your sense of artwork is? That wall calls for something visual, an idea. Furniture can be wonderfully expressive, but there is nothing like artwork to engage the mind, eye and heart. I loved the idea of a grouping of plates. You might also wish to consider tondo artwork. A piece like this would complement the metals already in the room, and respond dynamically to all the ambient light. My professional opinion is that when purchasing artwork, you do not need to try to "match" it to the space. Match it to your heart first and foremost. (This piece is 36" diameter.)

De gournay wallpaper

A full length shelf would serve as a buffet and break up the wall space as well. Check out your local salvage yards for 3or 4 beautiful old corbels to hold the buffet shelf or even Home Depot if that is not an option. Just be sure they are properly installed to hold the weight. Paint below the shelf a different, darker and yummy color. Above, art work for sure. If you are on a limited budget, paint them yourself! Go simple and bold and abstract an canvases. Paint the edges as well if can not afford to frame or stip them. Use the sample size paints from the HD paint department, including a little of that bottom wall color. Then pull a few colors for the drapes and any other fabrics in the room. Choose a color pallet of in vogue colors and you will easily update a traditional room. Very little money spent, and expanded function. Have fun and good luck!

Hi. Since the family table is for gathering around how about a collage of photos depicting family gatherings around that same table. It would take time to photograph at each function but printed in black and white in the same size frame ? Over the years the table becomes an heirloom depicted in the smiling faces around it. Have fun!

love the lighting in both pictures. Brighter color drapes. or make your own art piece

I agree with nina47, style doesn't have to be expensive!

Maureen, where would I find the chandelier in 1st picture?

The chandelier is from Visual Comfort.

My mom did three mirrors similar to these on her dining room wall. They look great and match any decor she decides to use (holidays, etc.). It was less expensive than most artwork and she went from dark red walls to a nice taupe and the mirrors still match beautifully.

That reminded me of a photo:

Emmanell, where would I find the mirrors? Love the idea..

Maybe a series of photos to match your colors?

Where can one find that mirror.