Because of the molding around middle, is there a way you can put the cabinet somewhere else? Seems this room cries out for a long horizontal sideboard that can them also be a buffet.

That is a very good idea! I could put this along another way or make it angled in the corner.

Consider replacing the chandelier, or at least using linen/fiber covers for the bulbs.

Need more pics of the room to get a better idea of the space and its constraints. Can you add pictures??

Is the armoire one piece or two? if cabinet on cabinet, then dropping top to the floor gives you your side-by-side service buffet height that montanamaven was suggesting.

Rather than chase the art around the room, I'd see if the subject matters as such as to be grouped into a multi-tiered arrangement in one section of the wall

What don't you like? What do you desire?

All I can see is that the scale of the existing cabinet is wrong/too small and wrong shape. I like the color of the walls, chandelier and off set arrange, arrangement of the wall art.

Armoire looks a bit small for this wall. Placing it in the corner or shorter with tall accessories might look better. Grouping the art together might help as well, they shouldn't be so far apart.

Put black cloth shades on the chandelier

Paint the wall below the chair rail white

Replace the armoire, whose size is better suited for a bedroom with a sideboard

Reposition your artwork so it makes a more significant statement

Thank you for all of your suggestions. I will post a few other views tomorrow. I am not quite sure how to group the photos-on top of each other, even if they are different sizes? The armoire does look too short; would accessories help make it taller (and if so, what type of pieces) or would the armoire go in a corner? I greatly appreciate all of these helpful comments! If I paint the lower portion white, would millwork/panels need to be there or could the drywall just be painted?

Here are a few additional views. Thank you again for all of your ideas!

what type of light fixture would you suggest, IF I change this? Again, I like transitional modern (despite colonial/transitional house that has a lot of light and high ceilings).

The pictures stretched horizontally, for some odd reason!

I have changed my mind. Might be worth trying to add items to top of armoire. Also can you adjust your chairs and table to place one chair on either side of armoire?

That is an interesting idea. Thank you.

i can post another, but this is other half

Hi Gretchen: you are saying you like transitional modern. As you know there are thousands of chandeliers to look at. I would encourage you to do your own search and find a few which you love.

From what I can see from the photos, you have the room lined with rectangular and square framed art/prints. This reads as traditional. Are you interested in swapping out your art for one or two large and colorful modern paintings/prints? This would go a long way in moving the room from being very traditional looking.

I would remove the dark wood traditional drop leaf table. You might be able to find a long Danish Modern Buffet table to line the long wall. This would coordinate well with your existing set.

Your furniture has a Danish Modern vibe. You may want to look at images of that style in Houzz Dining Rooms for inspiration.

Lastly, I know you may not want to hear this but the chair rail does not scream Transitional Modern. Something to think about perhaps.

I hope these comments are helpful to you.

Don't angle anything that is not designed to fit in a corner. You could do a pair of corner china or display cabinets to be seen from the entry to the room. I think your long table calls for a linear chandelier of some sort.

You have a VERY lovely room! I really like Beverly's last photo. Do not remove your chair rail....it looks great. I would probably replace the chandelier.

I would move the armoire to the smaller wall and in its place a long serving buffet - could be a piece of furniture or shelf - your main wall needs something large and linear IMO.
You might consider painting a darker tone of the same color below your chair rail to anchor things.
I would remove your dark wood drop leaf piece for use in another room.
I would edit the art in your dining room as it feels there is no place for the "eye to rest" -
Lastly, add a large area rug for warmth and sound abatement, and perhaps a table runner with centerpiece.
If it works for your daily needs, shorten the table and perhaps use one of the arm chairs in the corner with a throw pillow to soften the amount of case goods in the room.
One auxiliary lamp placed on the buffet would also provide some soft lightening when the chandelier is not in use.
If hubby is handy and can install a dimmer switch, then no need to change to frosty bulbs - if you are like most folks - we use our dining room tables at times for craft or wrapping presents and so more task lighting is a welcome thing ;-)

Thank you! These are all very helpful ideas, and I like the idea of painting a deeper tone under the chair rail (which I assume remains white). I have been looking for an area rug (8 x 10?). I know that it is unusual, but we actually use this table/room every night for dinner!

Gretchen,

Yes, I would keep the chair rail whatever color your woodwork trim is. It's a lovely room and so nice to hear it will be well-used. Some good resources for 8x10 rugs that look nice but don't break the bank are HomeGoods, Tuesday Morning, HomeDepot, and Lowes, also At Home store if you have one in your area.

An area rug under a dining table should be 4' wider and longer than the table yet not run into walls or furniture on the walls. I don't think that's possible in your space with a 10' table open all the time. How many of you eat there every night? Make the table a comfortable size for your daily needs and you might work a rug into the mix. However, if you expand the table for a full house dinner party, you'll probably want to remove the rug. The purpose of the sizing is to have room for chair scoot and sit space, as well as room for people to move around behind the chairs while they're being sat in.

Just four of us eat there regularly and there are two leaves that can be removed. Thank you so much for the guidelines!

Paint the wall below the chair rail flat paint same color as the trim color. Remove the armoire. Add a buffet table/side board, which is more practical. Hang all framed art so the middle of each is same height from the floor and low enough to be viewed while sitting, not standing. You may need to hang pairs of art tightly together to make a bigger impact.

I generally use a nice tablecloth for guests/events, but we use woven mats for general use. If I were to use a runner, would one use a pattern? Any suggestions for an appropriate everyday table runner? Thank you again for all of your contributions! It is so helpful and interesting. Currently, we use the Williams Sonoma Nito woven mats/ accessories and we love (& use) Simon Pearce glassware and pieces.

Your chandelier isn't bad but needs an update. You can take it to an auto body shop or powder coating business and have it powder coated in black. That will kill the shininess and focus more on the shape. If you want change out the chandelier, here are some ideas:

The brioche molds could became shades on a pipe chandelier and add a little whimsy into your dining room.

Woven placemats seem perfect. Runners, often mentioned on this forum IMO never make a smart looking table. Black mats to coordinate with the black shades on the fixture will provide the room with some needed contrast.

Agree - paint the chandelier a color - maybe a fun accent color for a little contemporary pop. Get rid of the armoire and give that table a nice centerpiece. Remove the extra leaves and stow away placemats and trivets when not in use.

One last comment - take the art pieces you love and arrange them together on to create a gallery wall in a big art collage. You may consider reframing a few for a more contiguous look.

And make sure you're using lighter mats and accessories on your table. Dark ones will get lost.... have fun - it's a beautiful room.

If you truly want a more transitional space, the light fixture has to go. So does drop leaf table. No runner. Gasp! Move armoire out of room. It keeps the traditional look going. Paint chair rail same color as walls but in semi gloss. Get a narrow, interesting modern buffet and place transitional pieces on it to continue theme. Put a large piece of contemporary art centered on long wall to bring home look. Make sure art is selected first, then new chandelier so the chandelier compliments the art.

Art is very personal, but here is a "example" of a contemporary piece and then you put a light fixture in that complements it. Like this.

Something that walks the line between traditional and contemporary.

Another transitional piece. With this "open" look, the artwork will shine through.