I would go with a lighter paint color. You have too much brown going on in the room and it is making it gloomy. There is also not enough contrast between the mirror frame and wall color! Introducing some warm, pretty colors would also help immensely. Colors like coral, aqua, turquoise, or even certain shades of red would really help bring life to the room. I would suggest you painting the walls a light coral or aqua, something that looks good with the chairs and window treatments.

A lovely dining room! A lighter, neutral color would work well on your walls...perhaps tie in a color to work with your window treatments (of a different shade). A neutral colored rug with a color you love would brighten or soften the floors/room. You can tie the artwork, rug, and wall color together. Maybe find a rug or artwork you really love and work from there? Blues/Turquoise or greens would shine in there. :-) Maybe add a tall plant in the corner?

I would look for a patterned rug you like first, and then choose a wall color from there - something lighter and less muted than your current color.

You mentioned art ideas for your room. Here are some original, one-of-a-kind acrylic and oil paintings with great texture:

http://www.houzz.com/projects/1295077/art-original-abstract-paintings

A few specific suggestions for your wall:

SOLD!!! Original Abstract Paintings · More Info

Art - SOLD! Original Abstract Paintings · More Info

Art - Original Abstract Paintings, diptych, each 36 x 36 · More Info

Art - Original Abstract Paintings - each 36 X 36 · More Info

Great options, PQFine Arts, Antiques & Decorating.

Just throwing my two cents worth in...

As a bespoke artwork artist, my first thoughts are, have a fairly large and contrasting art piece between the windows. Border space is very important here so not too large but large enough to make the artwork look perfectly placed without looking "lost in space" or cramped.

My second thought is an abstract picture with texture or the illusion of texture. Like these for example:

Otat Ayere · More Info

If you do decide to change the colouring of the room, try to decide what furnishings you really like first, not just like, but REALLY like. It's easier to find paint or wallpaper to fit the colouring or theme of any furnishings than the other way round. This will make every decorating decision easy thereafter, including artwork!

Have a look at some of my bespoke creations specifically to compliment or contrast lots of rooms decor and furnishings to see if it helps with more ideas:

http://www.houzz.co.uk/projects/1720017//bespoke-designs

If I can be of any further help, please feel free to contact me.

All the best with whatever you decide to do.

I would use a dark color on the upper part of the walls. A grasscloth in navy blue or dark teal would be a nice contrast to the white woodwork, and would work well with the dark wood furniture and floor.

Thanks so much, Corbin! The first painting in the selection just sold this morning on Etsy, so it is no longer available.