Your drapes could be navy and/or white since they both will look great with the SW sea salt paint and they are colors in the rug. You need a great piece of art or mirror that should be hung over the server. You will also want to decorate the top of the server. Here are some ideas:

Drape idea!

Server decor with mirror or art ideas.

Thank you @sewsmore! I love the idea of navy curtains, but didn't want the room to feel too dark as the rug is on the darker side. Do you think I could use a patterned curtain with the rug? I've never been good a mixing patterns and this rug not helping!

Also, if I put a large mirror over a server, should I place anything else on the walls in the room? (Not pictured due the the angle of the photos is the wall at the "head" of the table). It is a walk through area to get to the laundry room/master/ect.

Move the bench to the other side of the table. Put the chairs in back next to the wall. Can you show another picture with that arrangement, please?

The unifying color appears to be the cream. If you are afraid of the room looking too dark, go with a cream chair cover and a light linen sheer curtain. Mirrors are always good, but the most important thing is to put something in the room that makes you smile every time you walk in there: a piece of art, a knickknack, a memory piece. By all means add art...if it makes you happy. Don't put in something because it "goes with everything." It might be as simple as a really great plant, but it must make you delighted whenever it catches your eye.

You could put a mirror up, but think about whether your guests will be watching themselves eat or not. I know I would fight not to sit across from a mirror.

Regarding curtains, your rug is somewhat floral with a medium size (say fist-sized) pattern. So you want the pattern on the curtains either to be much larger or much smaller and you want it to be linear. Stripes or a lattice could work well, or floral on a different scale. I think navy and white might be a bit stark. Maybe something like these:

The colours might not be quite right with the above since I can't see the rug as clearly as I'd like. But the patterns give you an idea of scale and emphasis. The first and last are meant to pick up on the rosy-brown in your rug. The 2nd is more about your wall colour, with the floral intended to reference your rug.

And this last is an extra formal navy and cream. I post it because the panels could work. I like the wide navy trim and the plain panel. I'd skip the pelmet though!

And lastly, please whatever you do, don't let your curtains puddle on the floor. I looks unkempt and reduces their durability.

Big art on wall. This is PB 50 x 50

@hettlin: l love the suggestion for cream chair covers, but we bought the chairs recently and my husband would not be pleased if I wanted to cover them already. I really do love the color and fabric on the chairs though. Maybe a cream curtain will pull it together more? Also, the rug is the item that I adore-I am just not sure if this room is the place for it. My dad bought it for my childhood room overseas and gifted it to me upon buying my first home. I have wonderful memories of it while growing up and it's in surprisingly great condition.

@Jennifer K: Thanks for the suggestion not to use a mirror; I didn't even think of people having to watch themselves eat. I definitely wouldn't want to do that! I will plan on artwork for that space instead. I really like the first curtains you posted (beige looming with a vertical pattern)! I will start looking for some similar to those! Here is a closer picture of the rug:

@leelee: I usually prefer more literal (as compared to abstract) art, but I really like that piece! I think it would modernize the rug and compliment the light fixture (chosen by the previous owners).

Thoughts on this table runner? More white than cream; not sure if the pattern clashes with the rug?

Hi Lindsey,

I specialize in a new type of art, serious derivative works. As an artist I have one major piece of advice to offer here on Houzz, rooms need an accent piece, a work of art with color. Not a compromise, but the work must be elegant.

It is early this week, but as of last Monday I uploaded for review six more versions of what I am about to show you. Each one is very different, but two versions of this in your dining room would be a beautiful profound statement. Currently the other six versions are pending review before going on sale.

Cheers, Dave

@puremichigan: I have been trying to get away from the matchy-matchy furniture rut I have found myself in...I will start searching for a distressed-looking buffet. I really love the first mirror you posted, not sure if the second set would be too small/delicate for that wall. And I like the idea of making the rug stand out more with rose drapes. I stayed away from that idea as the rug is rather "older" in style and didn't want the room to feel dated. But you all have a better eye than I do! I will try some and see how they look!

Any thoughts on the table runner? If I decide not to keep it, I need to return it this week.




Also

Also, if

Also, if I decide to place a large abstract piece on the "walk through" wall, could I also use artwork over the buffet? Is there a "rule" for choosing two large pieces in one room? I don't want them to compete, but not sure if I can use different styles and still have a cohesive look.

IMO, the table runner screams dated. ;)

I'd return the runner. And yes, you can have 2 large pieces of art in one room. They can also be different styles, but I'd have similar colors in both.

Okay, runner is being returned :) I don't have anything (art, mirrors, ect) for this room yet...since I will be buying new, I want to make sure they will coordinate! Thanks for the tip on keeping similar colors in multiple art pieces. I am open to any suggestions for art/decor for this room! I do like the large abstract that leelee posted above.

Thanks for the pic of the rug. Here it is with its major colours palettized. That should make it easier for you to to think about what might match.

Thanks, Jennifer K! That helps a lot!!

Here are some art suggestions for you. I'm keeping my suggestions to colors matching your current decor. Many more of my artwork available here in various colors and sizes: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ShoaGallery

Enjoy decorating!

A runner should hang over the end of the table but not more than 8 inches. It shouldn't end up in the lap.

Natural linen drapes will keep your room open and airy feeling.

Thank you for the tip, leelee! I have never used a runner before (only tablecloths), but I love the one you posted! I am planning to look for cream, oatmeal, and rose colored drapes (preferably linen) and compare in the room to see which I like best!

Look at the orange tones in your oak floors. The rose color, while technically matching your rug, will not play well with the floors. Rose will also darken the room and give it more of an old-fashioned look. Try several colors but be aware of the overall look--not just the match for the rug.

OK, have read the comments and here is my take. Move the bench back to bedroom. No adult wants to sit there. Beautiful story about the rug. I would hang panels that are the same color as window trim, maybe with a small pattern to match the wall color, if you can find. If not do plain ones. Find a buffet you love, it doesn't have to match the table, but I would keep the wood tones close. If you want a dark one to go with table that is fine., otherwise I would do one that is a lot lighter, no medium woods.

No mirror above buffet, unless the frame is large and the mirror part small. Like this

Buy your buffet and then accessorize it. Art is a good option. Again wait until you have a buffet/server. Your art/mirror behind buffet should take up 2/3-3/4 of the wall space and bottom of piece should be 5-8" above surface. If you do a mirror then art on another wall will be open to what you like. It's always nice to have the colors in the art compliment your rug.

No table runner. Your table centerpiece can wait until everything is in place so you can tie to rest of décor.

I would also consider a new chandelier. The current one does nothing for the room.

Good point! I am having a difficult time with the golden oak floors in the rest of the house as well. It seems like cooler colors seem to look best with the floors in general. If I choose a cream-oatmeal drape, should I leave the bench in the room? Or just stick with all chairs?

When you get your buffet and curtains in place, come back with photos and we can help accessorize the walls and table/buffet top.

Just stick with the chairs.

Would you be willing to move the rug to your bedroom and change the look of the room completely by adding a lighter rug?

Chairs are easier to get in and out of compared to a bench. Plus the bench is a different color but don't you think that it looks better, if just temporarily, in front of the table?

Sitting on a bench is not good if you know someone with arthritis in their back (I speak from experience). Chairs with back support are best.

Here are some art pieces from Pier 1, that you might consider. I put them with your rug and your wall color. Just some options.

So much to think about! The safety and comfort of my guests is my top priority so the bench will go back to the bedroom (once our bedroom rug arrives). We eat at our kitchen table usually and this room will be used when we have guests.

I am open to moving the rug to our family room loft (it's completely empty currently; also has SW sea salt walls); I like the one posted! I am completely clueless about light fixtures...there is a mini version of the chandelier over our kitchen table, and a coordinating one in our kitchen (all within sight of each other). Would it look odd for the dining room one to be different? Any ideas of what to hange it to?

Don't forget that both your walls and your rug share a cool aqua colour that won't argue with your oak floor. That may be the best colour for curtains if you're concerned about the oak.

Maybe something like:

a solid linen

nice pattern with cream and aqua

colour-blocked with navy (might be too contemporary)

But me, I wouldn't worry about your oak. It will quietly blend in with pretty much anything. So if you want to go warm, do it. And don't forget, people pay most attention to what's at eye-level, not foot-level.

Also, I love the decorative mirrors you posted, susan! And I like the first and last artwork you posted to go with the room. Thank you all so much for the suggestions! I really appreciate it! This new house is 4x the size of my previous apartment, so very overwhelming with so much furniture to buy and so much space to decorate.