I feel like there is a lot going on here. Maybe its the chairs and the table cloth? What about taking some things off the shelves as well. You should try and put everything you want on there and then take away half. Find a collection of hardback books and take the jackets off of them, stack them in different ways and add a fun nick knack here and there. good luck :)

I now have a solid table cloth on there if it helps

Have you tried the two leaning ladders where the big mirror is? Maybe with the accent wall it will bring what you have on the shelves "to life" and then we can edit those shelves too. It doesn't look from here that you have enough space but computers can be deceiving. Those three mirror are small for the space too. Do you have a window in the room? I am not a fan of tablecloths either.

No window, the wall with the mirror has a counter from the kitchen that sticks out so the bookcases wont fit there. I thinkg you can see it in the second picture, sort of.

I agree, the bookcases are a mess

Unless you need the tablecloth, I would remove it. It's creating visual clutter, I think the room will look very nice without it. I would also remove the pillows on the large chairs..

I think I like the idea of moving the shelving too! Then maybe a big piece of artwork on that main wall with no small mirrors. If you want to go creative just buy a large canvas at the craft store grab some black and white paint and some gold leaf sheets and go to town creating something special for your own wall. (or silver leaf if you arnt crazy about gold) What color is the new table cloth?

I am not a fan of ladder shelves in general. They just always look like clutter to me . How do you feel about finding a console table with storage/doors and then get some artwork in the middle with two lamps on either side. This way, you can actually use it as a buffet.

Love the console idea

Unfortunately, If I put a console table there, I can't even pull out that center dining chair. This is the reason for the 2 separate ladder shelves. This room is TINY! haha

Can you move anything down to the center.

what about a big canvas photo of the baby? Its a beautiful photo

One way to make the ladder shelves look great is with linen-look boxes to hold knick-knacks that don't have to be displayed 24/7. This is a great way to rotate your accessories; put some in the boxes and leave some out. Then when the seasons change reverse the process. It will be like having a whole new room! [houzz=]

Do you have two smaller chairs that you can use with the cream ones and use the darker ones in LR?

space the shelving out a little more, put the big mirror between them and big artwork on the other wall. (sorry for so many comments just staring at your room)
:)

As this photo suggests have some art where your mirror is presently. move the mirror over a console table. Edit the rest for a spacious looking dining area .
I would disregard the overhanging light fixture

I have 2 bar stools that are identical to those dark arm chairs only taller and arm-less, but they wont fit under the table and my husband likes his chair arms =p

Ok keep hubbie in chairs! Both sets of chairs are very nice but feel that together they may be too much but then again maybe its the table cloth that makes i seem so pleas take a pic without it and post

again, I wish i had room for a console table! I could space out the bookshelves a little more and try the mirror in between. Maybe I'll get different bookcases? how could I get bookcases that aren't ladders but aren't overwhelming in a small space?

I intend to get more of the white chairs and use them on a big table so the dark ones wont be so overpowering... once we get a house =p

Do you have a dresser or chest of drawers that you can place in the room withbthe mirror over it? Then you can maybe place the shelves in LR?

No, you don't need different bookcases!!! IMO, anyway. The ladder shelves are open and airy and bookcases will only make the room look smaller. I like the idea of the round mirror between them.

console table is probably the answer.. we dont really USE this table for eating, maybe I could just fold down both leaves and forget about two chairs.. push it against the wall?

Ok i used a tall furniture piece as a bar just placed decanters on it , from what you say of moving down the line its better try to work with what you have dont buy special things for the space found pieces make great looks

That could work, also you could have a little romantic table for two and a litte side table i will post pic os the bar thing im talking about im a tru believer in "shopping" oround the house

Here is the bar idea sorry pic is bad, this would work with any dresser

In a small room a narrow but taller table makes the room look bigger

Since you've finally confessed that you don't eat at this table, I suggest you sell it on Craigslist and use this area for an office. The ladder shelves are very much an office piece IMO. Flank the mirror with the two ladder shelves. Put a slender desk on the longer wall. For entertaining, rent a table and linens.

Thats a very cool piece, I'll be on the look out! We haven't really acquired many actual furniture pieces

Table is an antique passed down from my husbands great grandmother- just had it refinished. No selling :) And we don't have room anywhere else. Boo

Also I bought a table in overstock.com that was $100 but its only 1' deep here is a pic

Lets see the antique! Where are you planning to place it?

its the table in the picture... my "dining" table. That comment was in response to decoenthusiaste

I like the table if you really wanted to do something do a linen runner on the table and put the candles back on it.

Sorry understood you had another table! Nooo dont sell that piece its beutiful and priceless

Thanks for the ideas guys, I'm going to try a few things and I'll post some pics later!

Looking foward !

Working with what you have, I'd paint the entire room in that great ochre color ... In my opinion, an accent wall in such a small space doesn't work well and breaks the room up, rather than unifying it. .. I'd push those two shelving units together, off-centred to the right, and use a tall palm plant (real or fake) to the left, between the shelves and the mirror wall. Alternatively, lose the small mirrors, use a bigger piece of art between the two shelving units and change out some of the small photos for larger items, such as boxes (as mentioned) bigger vases and/or stacked books. Put the original tablecloth back on the table (if you love it) and you'll have a really cozy space ! .. I think it's more a matter of following through on what you started, since it's clear from the original table covering, cushions and chairs that you wanted to get a comfy look, rather than a formal one .. and I think those items actually showed some personality. Painting the rest of the room will enhance that little 'nest' feeling you started with the table setting and tie things together. I think it'll look sweet !

A curveball for you- the other end of this room is the green living room from my other discussion. I didn't paint that wall ochre because the other end of the room has such a dark green! Table cloth had both colors in it

Even more reason to go the whole way. That pale wall makes it look like you chickened out on your obvious love of rich colors ! :-)

I did chicken out :p

My comments keep appearing on the wrong threads this evening .. not sure why. Anyway, I've mentioned your room on a couple of unrelated pages so far :-0 (since deleted ! :-) and will try one last time here ... Grab that paintbrush and finish the ochre wall end of the room ! Love your green ... and the funky (in a good way) tablecloth. Yours is a pretty unique color combo that works really well and definitely has personality !

Problem is, there are literally no windows on that whole half of the apartment and I was hesitant to paint every wall a dark color :/ I'll take some other pictures tomorrow so y'all can see what I mean.

This is where the dust settled... Just thought I'd update y'all! No doubt there is still work to be done, but this looks a little cleaner I think. Hope all is well!

I love the change up. I'd show the table, it has character! ;)