Hi nld904

Great to hear from you....the lighting just seems to high looking at the photo? I would just check to be sure:).... Well the chandelier doesn't seem to blend with the room...right now it stills has a Very strong Traditional look...all you need to do is add a couple more contemporary items to your space to help it blend...like a new mirror....I strongly suggest host chairs..no Need to change the color of your furniture at this pointe..I would just go with it.....but add balance to the space between the old and the new.....I think with that choice in lighting you need to add just a little more Glam to the space.The rug still has a very traditional feel to it so you need to pump up the contemporary items in the space. I think a more open pattern contemporary rug would have been a better choice with such strong traditional furniture...sorry I just keep going on and on...you are so close to it really changing and really being fabulous!

Also the room doesn't look to be very large....is a buffet necessary in the room? If not I would remove it and only have the dining set with upholsted end chairs for a sophisticated formal space.....add a new large mirror and drapes...add one large piece of art on the other large wall next to window and that is all you need.

it might be time to re-look at your inspiration photo. notice the scale and layers to the items on the buffet and the table doesn't even have a centerpiece. It is not just the table color but the composition of the room that drew you to it.

Trying to address everyone's feedback here..

The room isn't that big...maybe 12x12. I like having the buffet and need it for storage.

My inspiration photo was really all about the color scheme and look of the furniture. At the time I didn't really pay attention to how they decorated the buffet or table or walls.

I obviously need to look at examples of what people put on buffet tables because I can't seem to get it right. I don't know how to select things and put together the right scale and layers


Home Interiors with Ease i am trying to blend traditional and contemporary. I may not have selected the right rug but I love it so I'm trying to make other tweaks to make the space work as you suggested. Should I just get grey upholstered chairs?

Claire I love the white and gold bowl but I can't spend $200 on a bowl. Need to put the money towards a piece of art for now. Thank you for sending these items.

Looked at all your idea book pictures...yes traditional with contemporary is your thing...I love it...what image In your idea book is your inspiration? Your favorite?

Oh brother; there's nothing wrong with this dining room furniture, the rug is lovely, yes the chandelier is hung a bit high but that's not earth shattering. This is not to small for a sideboard; a very pretty and serviceable piece of furniture. This does not have to be a modern space to be beautiful nor do the chairs have to be tossed as they are very nice, comfortable and probably worth more than the crap you can buy now. This is a room that needs to be " decorated" period. It just needs stuff . It's a nice room!

Why a mirror? Big art would give you something more interesting to look at. Jmho.

The room does look great, I love the light, paint etc, you are just not done. Go to your idea book. for dining rooms and notice how big decor pieces are. FYI , there is a plant, snake plant, or mother-in-law's tongue that is impossible to kill. Home depot has for 12-24 dollars for a good size.

Nld already had this very lovely mirror. There are other walls for artwork. She is having a hard enough time finding art for one wall let alone this big wall. Adding linen side panels would soften and lighten the room. The accessories; whatever you decide to use just need to be larger. I am not fond of the three little mirrors on the wall. You seem to have a problem with scale and we post things but it doesn't seem as though that is helping.

Here are a couple ideas for accessories. I hope they help. They are for size and placement; not for style necessarily. If you do accessorize your sideboard chose large pieces, do a symmetrical arrangement. It will be easier for you.

More

I know you don't want to spend a lot of money on these things. They have lots to choose from in places like Homegoods, Marshalls, TJMaxxs, etc. I find wonderful things in consignment shops and second hand! Take your time and think larger;)

I checked and the bottom crystal of the lamp is 32.5" from the top of the table so perhaps the pics I'm posting are deceiving unless the 32" should be measured from a different point

No nld, your fixture is just fine. You can't always judge from pics so don't worry, it's perfect. I hope we have been of some help to you.

I think maybe the bottom of the shade perhaps is where it should be measured from..I think because the shade is up so much higher than the Chrystals it might be visually makeing it appear to high..that's why sometimes you have to tweek the rules..I think if bottom of shade was at around 32" it might look better visually in your space...you might consider dropping it down....

because it seems you are on a tight budget I am posting an idea for art...

These art botanical prints all kinds in blue you can order on Etsy.com they are $10 per print 8x10..

You can frame them yourself with frames from Joann's crafts

these are dark brown wall frames for $6.59 each! You could frame a set of 4 or 6 for your other wall next to window.

Here are buffet lamps in antique silver that would be very pretty on your buffet.

still think you should change out your mirror, add neutral upholstered host chairs and drapes..pops of blue in the botanical art...your rug...and accents on your table and buffet in blue would be beautiful..I agree try to be selective on accessories...only a few large pieces rather than a bunch of small things.

drapes and host chair idea

Would love for you to post a image of your dining room inspiration image if possible!

This is in your ideabook..light gray walls and layers of neutrals..

If you want a very light gray host chair this is beautiful..fits with the transitional look with a high back...grays are all so different so hard to tell if these would look good with your walls.that is why I think going neutral is best.

Great space! Excellent choices so far. Love the paint, rug and chandelier. Your chandelier appears to be hung too high though. Looks like it should drop about 6". How far off the table is it now?

Do your seat covers in a solid greyed royal blue, almost a steel blue. Velvet would add some texture and shine.
Solid linen drapery panels and buffet lamps. Love the ones posted just above! The blue etsy floral art would also look fabulous! You're so close to being done!

Wickedwhite the bottom of the light is actually 32.5" from the top of table (measured from the middle hanging crystal)

Wickedwhite was the paint color you posted just to see what it looks like next to the blue? I love that color seat. I'm going to look for fabric like that. Any idea if the picture you shared had the fabric detail?

Yes. That paint colour is Coventry grey. Same as your walls? Looks great with the blue velvet!
Here's the link to the chairs. I'm sure you could find something similar at your local fabric store. Bring this photo with you.

Home Interiors with Ease
Thanks for sending the links for everything I'm going to check them out today.

As far as the "inspiration" photo goes it was this one but I liked it originally when I was thinking about painting the furniture black. The one you pulled off of my idea book is one of my favorites!

Home Interiors with Ease
The lamps are great too...I was originally thinking I couldn't do them because I don't have an outlet where the buffet table is but maybe I should have one put in?

I do think you should drop your chandelier. I would consider the bottom of your light fixture to be the bottom of the drum shade. So I would measure 30 to 32" from there to your table. Looks to be a drop of about 4 or 6"?

Is their a plug anywhere else in your space? Have you tried your buffet on the back wall? Seems like that is a better spot so it is not so close to the opening to your kitchen..looks very tight near that traffic area in and out of dining room. insee a plug over on that side wall so you could add lamps to buffet and add much needed light into the space. It is worth a try......than add a new contemporary mirror over it....I think you should consider lowering your chandelier so shade bottom is at 32".

Also when looking at host chairs make sure they are the same height or higher than the side chairs you have now.

You could use some mirrors and art work to enhance the rooms.

http://www.hobbitholeco.ca/collections/abstract/Acrylic-Paintings

http://www.hobbitholeco.ca/collections/mirrors

I've received so much feedback from so many people (thanks everyone) and I'm trying to figure out which direction to go in because there has been a variety of opinions. If I go with a blue fabric on the chairs and I just doing 4 of them and finding 2 neutral upholstered chairs? found a few fabrics - will need to order samples because it is so hard to tell on the computer screen. Any favorites?

I will try and adjust the light tonight and send new pics.

As far as the location of the buffet goes, the wall it is on now is really the only place. It sticks out too much if I put it on either the wall across from it or to the right of the window. The kids cut through the dining room from the front of the house A LOT and if I put it in either location they will run into the corner of the table. So I either need to add an outlet or figure out other items to place on the buffet.

Why not just add blue drapes and keep the upholstery neutral...

would be very charming!

That way if you ever decide to paint out the table And chairs black! ( I think would be gorgeous) you have the room ready and nothing else would need to be changed.

New height of light

Great job looks like you added about 3 more links of chain.....looks much better!

Light looks great! A couple of inches makes such a big difference. Of the blue velvets you posted, I think midnight, royal and bayoux have potential. Would be worth seeing the samples in your space against your rug.

Nld, I think you should take some time and read through this thread; take notes of what your priorities are. It's a bit confusing as you have changed your mind and focus on the function of this room. Certainly adding an outlet to that wall is an easy thing to do as you have one right by the kitchen opening. Earlier in the thread you said you didn't want to. You also said you wanted to keep this space more casual as you have small children. You also wanted to keep this room light and wanted yellow I believe. I would keep the blue to a minimum in here. I don't think it will show that well on the seats and you run the risk of this room looking a bit dreary. I would not spend money on head chairs right now but might think of having those two slipcovered beautifully. Your chandelier looks great, nice job.

Of course you should get memos of those blue fabrics to try though just for your own satisfaction. Get one of each! Couldn't hurt.

Torry, posted this much earlier. I don't know why you would buy an inexpensive chair when you have a high quality one. Just dress it up! If the kids get it dirty you can dry clean it.

Lynartist...give her a break.....she can change her mind and go into any direction she wants...all we can do is help her sort through the process and Not discourage her. I think she is taking her time and figuring things out just fine.....and at her pace......you can be honest with your opinion on design ideas...but no need to scold her for her way of working through the thread...:(

I'm not scolding her;far from it. I think it is very confusing and you can get easily sidetracked from your original intent! I went back and reread this myself and became confused! This is not a criticism on the OP nor anyone else but I feel that before any large purchases are done a review of the input is helpful. I don't care a wit if nld takes my advice or not; that isn't important. What is important is that she feel comfortable with whatever decision she does make.

Her original intent can change and go in any direction she wants....we give advice and if she changes her direction than so be it..if she changes her mind on color from whatever was the original intent than she is thinking things through and making changes on her own...my goodness sake...I have been on so many of these threads and the OP completely changes the Original intent all the time....because so many different ideas are brought up they never thought of....and they get very excited about new ideas:) I am sure she is very comfortable about her ideas and decisions.

I agree with Lyn.

My comment was directed to nld as a kind and thought provoking one. She may consider it or not; but hopefully with the intent with which it was given.

The op said this " I know I'm all over the place when it comes to what I like so I need help reining things in. Lol"

I started this post about whether or not I should paint the furniture. Since then I have had an overwhelming (in a good way) amount of feedback, some consistent and some inconsistent, which has caused me to think and rethink what I'm doing. I've learned a lot from everyone and I realize everyone has their own opinion...in the end my husband and I need to love the changes. We are not trying to win awards with the decor however we want it to look nice and want to pull off the mix of old and new, in the right way.

That being said, I'm fully aware that I have changed my mind about things over the last few months. Given all of the suggestions how could I not? Also just because I didn't make changes based on some of your suggestions it doesn't mean I'm ignoring the input. The room is not done and I'm taking baby steps with some slip ups along the way.

Perhaps it is time for me to take the input and make changes on my own. I don't want to see negative comments going back and forth especially when so many of you have spent your time trying to help me. Thanks again for all of your advice. Perhaps I will post again once we have more decorations finalized.

Nld904...you are doing great and I know you will make it look beautiful....don't give up on us...we are honestly here to help you!

I agree. No one wants to see negative comments here. How are you finding the changes so far? What are you considering as a next move?

I believe that a large scale golden buffalo print would look gorgeous in that corner by the window.

Nld904.... How are things going...would enjoy it if you keep us posted on your project......did not mean to scare you away:)