You should have got it, Susan. Was it expensive?

No, it wasn't expensive. I think maybe $150. I was going to put it in my den and then my Mom died and she had a huge Thomas Kinkade she always said she wanted me to have, so I hung it there instead.

That's a nice connection with your Mom.

Lol, horse pics keep coming across my feed. Its a horse feed, lollol.

Lol!

Where's Eileen?

^ Probably Witness Protection.

I think the issue is although there are many patterns, there is not enough contrast. All of your walls are the same color throughout your home (or at least from photos) I would paint your dining area a lighter shade. Maybe do a gold metallic ceiling, since you mentioned gold in the fabric. You could add a moulding to help with transition, or not. I wouldn't do a rug, you have enough patterns and I hate rugs under dining tables. As for artwork, although you did a lovely job on the painting, I think you need something more wow! It is once again too much of the same thing in terms of color tone. And also much larger scale. No to the horse picture.
Good luck!

Now Karen, you've got me wondering whatever happened to Houzzer Designpolice.

They're currently holding me hostage. Send money.

Will they accept supermarket coupons?

I'm doomed...

Perhaps a knight on a white charger will come riding to your rescue?

Woooooo! Stop with the horse jokes! Ha, we're so punny. Y'all will be happy to know I've moved the floral end chairs out of the room all together. I've ordered some ruffled slip covers and they'll live in my bedroom, we have space for chairs at the foot of our bed, there's plenty of room. I never did really like that fabric, sigh. Also, going to leave the horses corralled where they are until I order the new "Avery" chandelier, to see what that does for the room. Also picked up a few pieces for a centerpiece at the Ethan Allen floor sample sale yesterday. Happy Friday!

Wanna show us the goods Eileen?

Not sure if I'm asking for trouble, but here's a pic of what I bought...

Going to take the wine rack down too, decided it's not doing the room any favors.

I am not quite sure if I am 100% on board with the big green topiary on the table? I wonder if you could try it on the table under the wine rack when you take the wine rack down?

I like the floral chairs removed;)

Chook - I believe the floral chairs had arms. Sorry, don't yell at me. :)

Chook what pet theme?

That's great, Eileen. Nothing like a great sale to satisfy me.

Sorry, I have no need for a romantic bedroom.

Are you wanting it to be more of a casual dinning room?

Not trying to go for formal or casual, maybe somewhere in between, just trying to get the room to look the best it can keeping the furniture.

Beautiful traditional casual dinning room..thought it might inspire you.

I did a search of plaid dining room in photos and Houzz found 530 photos which makes you not at all rare. You said you wanted spectacular,

This is a little more rustic than I think you're going for but it's a color palette that is closest to yours.

Very elegant and traditional - lots of balance between light and dark

Modern and absolutely fearless

Traditional and awesome -- in this case, the dark table and chairs are surrounded by lighter colored walls -- and lots of decoration

More inspiration

Shockingly, these words have never left my fingers before...Maybe a mural?

Phoenix, Arizona

Not suggesting that you need to swap out armchair for a big hand, however

Fantastic pics, Lynne! With the Mediterranean history of troupe l' oeil, that room would lend itself. Might have to rethink the plaid, or get a Scottish scene!

what about a hybrid, sing! "Roman, in the glomin, on the bonnie banks of Tiber".

Put three of the plaid chairs on the side by the wall and get a bench for the outside. (From photo above)

OMG, love the room zzmom and the first one Lynne posted. Hubby really likes the idea of an unholstered bench!

Maybe you have an upholstery school near you where you just pay for fabric. You could have your armchairs recovered.

What do y'all think of these for the ends?

Beautiful but I think I would go with one that is skirted to soften the look. I have one that is perfect I will post picture and very budget friendly too!

Love.

Nice, no skirts please. The plaid chairs will give the area texture and interest.

Eileen yes the inspiration picture is one of my favorites..so classic and formal with a very comfortable feel...both of these chairs would be fabulous in your space! Great prices too!

Susan sorry disagree..I think it is needed to keep it from looking dated 1990. The inspiration picture she liked has a soft feel and the skirt will give it the softness..plaid pattern does not give texture? Agree to disagree

Yep 1990...stricken to it

Just because she has a big wall why does everyone what to slap a big canvas picture on it?? Sorry I am cranky today...let's encourage using different wall decor available please.

Ok done crabbing back to helping Eileen.....

Y'all want to hear something funny, hubby hasn't even noticed the new centerpiece, lol! I know it might not be everyone's taste, but what doesn't come across well in the pics is the scale of the space. It is very large, open and has high ceilings, so the scale of the topiary call may look large in pick, it looks well proportioned to the space. Love the first skirted chair, of course it's the more $$$ one! I like the skirt idea, in my mind it gives it a more feminine, softer look. But, I still like the bench idea too, I think that would function well on a daily basis for us. Totally open to other suggestions to break up the back wall other than one pic! I think I'm going to do a platter/plate arrangement on the wall where the wine rack is.

Wouldn't do large wall decor until you get new lighting up and new chairs in the room...do your art last so the proportions work for the space. Love the plate idea..remember keep them all in the same color family and I would stay away from printed. Look on Arhaus.com for inspiration they have plate art to die for..some look more like flowers.

I have 2 of these on the wall

http://www.pier1.com/Infinity-Mirrored-Wall-Decor/3027726,default,pd.html?cgid=mirrors#nav=top&start=1&sz=104&showAll=104

Chair from Pier 1 $199

http://www.pier1.com/Hourglass-Dining-Chair---Chevron-Flax/2870675,default,pd.html?cgid=dining-chairs#nav=top&start=1&sz=172&showAll=172

Something like this is what I was thinking...

Benches look good, but have Hubby sit on one for a couple of hours for dinner. I think he might change his mind :>) That's a nice arrangements of plates. BTW, mirrors are nice in a dining room, they reflect the light and these are small so no one has to watch themselves eat.

Plates are perfect!

Love the bench idea...but I love your plaid chairs no reason to switch them out. Maybe a long bench in your hallway near the dinning room...when you have more guests you can move it to your table when it is extended.

The plates would be completely classic -- especially if you already collect them. You can get Wedgwood Queensware, Wellesley, Patrician or Edme platters and plates for short $$$s on ebay