Maybe you could paint the dining room white dove also. If you can't paint the woodwork perhaps you can paint only the hutch white and add two upholstered captain's chairs.

I would put your color in an area rug under the table and also the accents need color in your built in.

Lighten the walls and perhaps add sheers to your windows that will soften the glass and add elegance.

Best of luck to you.

I also wanted to ask if your carpet was inlaid? If not you could buy a new rug a lighter color and drapes.

Sample of sheers....

I think your woodwork would pop by using the same neutral color on the walls that you used in the rest of the house.

You have many opportunities to add color. Plants, colored glass, table runners, etc.

I would do a light cream colour (or more white dove for consistency) on the walls. I actually love the wood and think that a lighter wall colour will do wonders.

I would also find out if you can change out the carpet - it doesn't have enough texture or interest.

I love the wood in your dining room and I agree that you should not paint it! Just paint your dining room a light, neutral color like cream, pale blue or green, or even a pale yellow would work. White or off white sheers would really help lighten up the room. A light colored rug would also help a lot. White or off white table linens would also help along with white or off white slip covers for the chairs.

What really helps this dark dining room to not be as dark are the light chairs, drapes, curtains, rug, and wall color!

I like the idea of lightening up the room and tying it to the rest of the house and light drapes but what do you think about doing the white dove in a semi or high gloss on the walls. Sorry for the mess in the picture but I just moved into the house a few weeks ago. Another decorator had suggested grass cloth same color as paneling to turn the eyes to the outside but I wasnt sure about that. Or a lighter color like silver, blue or green on the walls to bring the outside in? I really appreciate your ideas. Thank you very much!!!

Try a light cream color on the walls allowing the woodwork to be the star it deserves to be. Your room will be a knockout.

I agree with cramps36, you want to accentuate the woodwork. With all of the light coming in and the windows, you already have the outdoors inside. I would not paint a high gloss on the walls.

I love stained wood & absolutely love your woodwork! I agree w/ most that walls need to be lightened up. If you go w/ wallpaper, I would not use grasscloth. We had grasscloth in our entryway for years & I liked it, but your DR has more formal look than our ranch style house does. Your woodwork reminds me of an English parlor or library. To me, grasscloth there would be decorating cross-dressing.

This is our dining room, before, with red walls, dark woodwork, and wood cabinets. Primer and three coats to woodwork and cabinets made all the difference in our new-white wood dining room! Yes, it was a lot of work, but natural wood finishes are not immune to wear, they are a matter of preference, and changing them can make a beautiful room come to light. I did all the painting, not my husband. When it was done, he thought it looked so much better.

If you don't want to paint your woodwork, go with the other suggestions and do light walks and curtains or sheers. I hope it's what you both like when you're done.

Patti, yours came out really nice. BLP Poehlmann's paneling has high quality hardwood, exceptional craftsmanship & a superb finish. I paint softwood, but rarely hardwood.

My first thought was to add wallpaper to the room! I would definitely make it a light background color regardless of the style. You can then fill with a beautiful rug, and reupholster the seat cushions. I can't remember what you lighting looks like but update that too and it will be a new space! Good luck.

Anyone have particular paint color suggestions for a cream color for the walls? Do you agree no semi or high glosss?

Check out B.M. Manchester Tan and Mannequin Cream and use lighter sheers on your windows. I would not use a semi-gloss paint. It would be a distraction to the beautiful wood you have.
If you want glow, add a mirror to the center of your table to reflect your chandelier or a beautiful centerpiece with some color. Save your glow and color for accents...

While we all are making suggestions on what neutral color to use it is worthwhile to get the paint chips and tape them to your woodwork and stand back about 3 feet. Your eye will tell you which one it is because the woodwork and paint will enhance each other. It's easier to decide when your paint chips are directly on the wood work - not on the wall with the color that will be gone.