The set of pictures is hung too low. Are they Gilbert & Sullivan costume designs by any chance?

They are commedia dell'arte characters. Costume designers - no clue.

I also think the gallery needs to be raised up. I think when people hang pictures they always remember the saying "you shouldn't hang them too high" and so many people then end up hanging them too low!

Lots of things you could hang or display on either side of the windows, but I would keep it empty until I found something that I love. I try not to buy stuff just to fill a space and yes, sometimes it takes years to find a piece I love.

It's been 15 years. I will never "love" this room. I just want it done.

Ahh, sorry you don't love the room 2pups, I think it's lovely. I also really like the chandelier, and wouldn't change it.

I agree with moving up the gallery wall. I might try spreading them out a bit too, so they cover a little more of the wall space. I think the subject is fun and interesting.

I'd start off with something on the bigger left hand side of the window wall. I'd go with a large piece that fills out wall. I think one large piece is needed, with the gallery wall opposite, it would look too busy otherwise. I'm obsessed with Artfinder, so I would look there for some original art that calls me. Since you're over this room, the quickest and easiest thing would be a large mirror. You could choose a frame and have the glass cut at a local glass shop. that way it can be the exact size and style you want. One that is up, you can decide if the smaller right hand side even needs anything on it.

Why don't you love the room?

The things in the room look like nice quality items and it is pleasant to look at.

Thanks aimeekm. Sorry I didn't mention that there is a server opposite the china cabinet with a mirror above it. I will check out art finder- thanks for that tip.

I love those prints!

Would you consider painting? Maybe in the color of those light medallions in the rug? Also, I'd probably get lighter drapes or maybe none. Some plant in that window?

I like the idea very much!

But, I'd like to see how it would work w/ the bottom row of pictures moved up to each end of the grid to make it 2X6, rather than 3X4, and a bit more space between as well. Bottom row appears below eye level & looks awkward & pictures look a little cramped so close together.

IMO, the room needs some color. Yes, you have some, but not enough and it seems monochromatic and dark to me. Do remember the dining room from some years back with the red drapes and pale gold walls? It was stunning.

You could reupholster the chairs in more colorful fabric and change the drapes to coordinate with the new fabric.

If I were starting over in this room, I would paint the walls a pale aqua or pale apple green- or add a chair rail and paint the top of the wall a contrasting color from what you have.

It seems to me you need some glitzy shiny stuff in the room to balance out the wood. Some silver/gold balls in a basket on the table, maybe? A picture on the window wall with some bit of chrome in the frame? Some sort of art piece made of shiny metal? This is the kind of fix that a walk through - I hate to say it - Home Goods might inspire you.

Whatever you do with the 12 pictures, I say keep them together.

This room is pretty much a black hole. The wall color is BM Powell Buff - supposedly good for northern exposure. In this room, not so much. It actually is a shade in the medallions, so not up for painting again. The seat covers are newly recovered so that won't be changing.

Wall art for the walls by the window is what I really need. That and a new chandy.

Powermuffin - you must be thinking of someone else's room. I never had red drapes or gold walls.

I like the way you have the Italian prints now. I like the current chandy and the one you have in your link but I don't think you really need to switch unless you just want to. I agree with Graywings about adding something metallic. Anything you put on the window wall should be different from the prints, and I agree that a piece on the left side of the window might be sufficient. Good luck, it's a pretty room. I hope you can find something that will help you be satisfied with it.

Well, I like the chandelier and for a dining room which is a room in which you sit, pictures should be a little lower so I happen to think that they are fine.

A chandelier from the arts and crafts idea might work in your room (not the stained glass or pool table type) by giving it a little extra interest.

for eg

Olympia 5-Light Chandelier, Burnt Sienna · More Info

Hinkley Stowe 9 Light Metro Copper Up Chandelier, 30"x27.5" · More Info

Just trying to give you different avenues to explore. I don;t like the light you chose. If you want to up the room then go away from what you already have. Wood and traditional.

Whoops sorry, those are huge pictures.

How about a tall plant against the wall? Or a smaller plant on a stand to give it height?

Would you try removing the lowest row of pics just so we can see how that looks? I think that is a great idea to try.

I think you could add some bling in the chandelier to give the room some life and sparkle.

What about some mirrored sconces flanking the window? If you like the pic arrangement with 4 less, you could hang 2 on each of the opposite walls, one above the other with a candle sconce filling out the arrangement. Or just find sconces that are large enough to stand on their own. If you don't want to mess with electric, there are some nice candle sconces and if they were mirrored, would look lovely lit for dinner.

These are the points that occur to me:

1. The pictures should be moved higher up and further apart.

2. The table runner should have more color, with at least some blue in it.

3. The chandelier is too dark and heavy looking and weighs the room down. Something with chrome (silver or gold/brass color and glass) would lighten the mood considerably.

4. Find some porcelain or ceramic colorful plates to add to the hutch so that there is some interest there.

5. Some fruit (faux or real) in warm colors for the basket on the table.

6. Colorful paintings (not prints) to flank the window. Try e-bay, they have unusual art, often from the painter himself, at very good prices. To make the room less formal, they could even be canvases without frames. Make sure there are some warm colors, reds, green and terracotta, since the room is lacking in those colors. You want a dining room to always have warm colors.

For something large for the window wall: this is 27x36, costs $150 fromGreatBig Canvas. Use it as a place holder until you find something perfect:

Please ignore the table runner and basket - this room is definitely not accessorized.

ingrid - there is no blue in the room - it's black on the chairs.

one row of prints (sort of) removed.

(trying to learn some photoshop stuff, obviously still lots to learn!)

I really prefer all of the prints together. They make such an impact! But yes - space them out just a little bit and hang them slightly higher. I like the idea of (large-ish scale) mirrored sconces on the walls flanking the windows.

I like the wall opposite the window with fewer prints, gives the ones there more breathing space. If it were me, for now I would put the other four prints on the other wall, two on either side of the window and call it a day. The room looks great, have fun using it and if later you find some wonderful art pieces to put in there, then rehang the print set. But meanwhile, it's done. Don't overthink it.

I've tried the arrangement with 4 over 4 before. It bothers me because it seems to be floating - nothing below to ground it.

I love your dining room. But I can see that it needs a little je ne sais quoi.

If this was my house I would:

Paint the soffit the same as the walls (personally I would change the color, but I could work with it)

Paint the ceiling semi or high gloss with little softer white

Find a fabulous multi color oriental rug

Pull one of the colors of the rug (one of the darker, but a color) to recover the seat cushions in

try hanging the prints a little further apart

Get a roman shade in the same color as the chair cushions for the window (or better yet a large modern floral print in the cushion color and white)

Hang it from the ceiling to a little past the molding. Resist the urge to do a scalloped roman, too many scallops in the room.

find a glass, or iron and glass table for the niche, (a waterfall lucite table would be nice) put a beautiful wide planter with an interesting plant

I might find a large planter one of the colors in the rug, dark but not the same as the chair cushions and place it in the corner to the right of the niche and put a tree in it

I would find a crystal chandelier that would light up the ceiling like magic

To the left of the niche, maybe something that compliments the prints, or two of those hung one over the other.

On the dining table, I don't know. My creativity just drew a blank

But lastly, I think a color that would look so beautiful in the room with the wood and yellow walls is some sort of lavender or blue.

If the rugs, chairs cushions, drapes all stay, try to bring in another color with art, pottery etc, another color that would work with you colors is a maroon.

ps, your chair covers look blue on my monitor.

Don't give up on making a dining room you will LOVE. You have such a good start, in fact, for me, you've already done the hard part getting all the furniture.

Olychick, I love the first and third chandys, brass would look beautiful and classic with some other brass elements.

I think it needs something alive and a big beautiful plant/tree in the corner to the right side of the window would be a good spot or a table with a huge orchid .

I like the double row you just did better . On the left side of the window a very decorative mirror would be nice and add some sparkle possibly in a round or starburst .

Starburst mirrors

Definitely lighten up the chandy

I like that chandy, ravencajun! Do you happen to know the manufacturer name?

Well, I'm not sure the grid of prints is going to work. I was just in the dining room and several of the prints are askew, even though I put museum putty in the corners to keep them from moving. It's the same wall that goes to the back hall. My bet is that the constant opening and closing of the back door is causing the wall to vibrate.

Back to square one.