With your base board heating I am not sure if a banquette is a good idea.

i built the banquette and it is open below with just four legs. It is installed in the 2nd photo

Banquette seating is perfect - and you can fill in under neath the seat as well, as long as your have ventilation holes for the heat. Looks excellent, now finish it off with custom cushion for base and toss cushions for whimsey - and you'll have many years of enjoyment!

consider a more bench like seating arrangement.

How about a rich gold for your walls? You could go darker below the chair rail and one shade lighter above.

Hi there! I think the idea of tongue and groove up to the chair rail is a good one. I would paint it the trim color in a semi-gloss for easy cleaning and it will be beautiful!

Two more thoughts:

It looks like you may have children. If so, we like to use a good looking vinyl (yes, they do exist!), such as the one called "Genius" by Joseph Noble Textiles. It is not only easy to clean, but easy to slide in and out of the corner spot.

What is the seat height of the bench? The overall height of a bench or dining chair (including cushion) should not be higher then 20". Typically we make the bench/banquette 15" - 16" high and add a 4" seat cushion for comfort. Since you have not yet installed the bench you could cut the legs if it is a bit too high now.

In terms of your question of a paint color for the room, what room is this (Breakfast Room?) and what are the adjacent room colors? Once we know this it will be easier for us to all comment.

Good luck! Cynthia Wright

Would a gold color look good with oak. Tables, floor and kitchen cabinets are oak

decoenthusiate - i love that picture. i have been leaning towards that look. think i will go for it. the surrounding rooms would get the same color. There are oak cabinets and flooring i need to work with

Have you considered painting your chair black? Or incorporating black into your banquette?

Cynthia: that room is the dining area. Behind it is the kitchen. The tv room is attached and will all be the same color. Neutrals and oak are the predominate theme currently. the bench is 15" and wanted to use 3-4" high density foam

Great job! I love the idea of neutrals throughout. In terms of the cushion, I would try the different foam densities, pick one you like, and then ask them to do a poly wrap to soften the look (not so boxy). It sound like you are well on your way to a brand new look!

I think gold would pick up some of the gold tones of the oak. I do like the wainscotting idea from Deco but make sure your board is deep enough to allow for the seat to angle back like the photo. Also, consider the foam might need an angle to make a snug fit to the wainscotting.

the depth of my bench is 21 1/2", what should that angle be?

I think 95* but I think you need to ask others for a consensus.