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Design Dilemma
sueb1961

Ideas to update my DR?

13 years ago
Hi, a few years back we updated our kitchen and I do like the red color on the walls. It is BM 2172-30 Mexicana. So now the dining area is in dire need of a new paint color, new light fixture, chairs and rug etc. I was thinking about a soft blue for a wall color and we will paint the LR the same color as well. Is it too much color for my space or should I tone it down? I like the idea of a black napolean chair - the table has to stay. The table is pictured with the leaf in, but we usually use only four chairs. I would REALLY appreciate your thoughts!
Featured Answer
  • 13 years ago
    Hi dandelionwishes, the french doors go to a small deck and hot tub area. Yes, I agree that its time for the glass table to go; I'd like to have some sort of cabinet in the room. Maybe a long one with a big piece of art over it? I'd like the room to feel fresh and not stuffy, but warm. Lots of family gatherings are here. Have any suggestions?

    Comments (45)

    • 13 years ago
      last modified: 13 years ago
      And what about gray (medium or a bit dark)? It will look fine with all the rest of colours and furniture. But with gray I would let the red areas as they are now.
    • 13 years ago
      Yes, I like gray in general. I have a dark gray in my office adjacent to the kitchen; I don't want the house to appear too dark though.

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    • 13 years ago
      I finally went gray in my living room. With the red accent wall it would look lovely! I thought it would look too cold, but it really did the opposite. Now the accent colors can shine as well as the artwork.
    • 13 years ago
      last modified: 13 years ago
      How about Smokey Taupe - BM
      http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/smokeytaupe

      But whatever colour you choose, please test it out first on all the walls that you want to paint and look at it at different times of the day in different lights.

      You'd need a larger rug. It would be lovely if it had some of the red of the walls in it.
      https://www.houzz.com/magazine/how-to-choose-a-rug-for-your-dining-room-stsetivw-vs~534512
    • 13 years ago
      Thank you, I think I would lean more toward the taupe than the gray. Do you think the black napoleon chair is a good choice?
    • 13 years ago
      I like the Napoleon chair, but do think that a chair that is more similar to your bar stools will be a better choice.

      http://www.potterybarn.com/products/aaron-upholstered-chair/?pkey=cchairs-barstools&
    • 13 years ago
      I think a light gray or light blue would work. The question is does light blue go with what you have in your living room, especially the window treatments? They appear to be red. If you are keeping them I would keep the walls more neutral. If you are not, then a blue would be nice especially if you had more neutral window treatments. Here are some pictures where blue and red mix nicely. I think you want to focus on warmer blues. Which blue depends totally on the amount of light you have.
      Laguna Cottage · More Info
      Betsy Burnham · More Info
    • 13 years ago
      I like the smokey taupe too - a little warmer than gray.
    • 13 years ago
      This are the light fixtures that I am considering. Any comments would be greatly appreciated!
    • 13 years ago
      The window treatments lean toward a cinnamon family brown floral and stripe; but as they have been up around 10 years I would like to change them too for a fresher look.
    • 13 years ago
      Ehm... top right... because of its shape and it seems to fit in with your style. Doesn't look heavy, but substantial enough with the little shades.
    • 13 years ago
      What is outside the door? a deck? I would try to make the room more inviting to the outside instead of a barrier. I know that sounds kind of ephermeral. But. I also don't like the glass top table it looks very heavy and formal. What about a big statement art piece on the wall? Then you can build the room's theme around that.
    • 13 years ago
      Moodboard. I actually first added the rug that you already have and that's too small (is it Pottery Barn?). So I found another one (on sale at PB) that could go well too. Just to give you an idea of how it will come together. If you have any other ideas about lamps, furniture or rugs I'd be happy to try and throw it in there :-)
    • 13 years ago
      If you are doing new window treatments than I would love to see something lighter. I do like the panel style, I would just like to see an off white (like Carolins above or a faint geometric print. You could pair with roman shades if you need to in your bay window.
      Dining Room · More Info
    • 13 years ago
      Hi amymthornton, I do like the idea of a faint geometric print in a lighter fabric. I have a nubby roman shade in the kitchen windows now ... should I duplicate that on the french door and put a panel next to it?
    • 13 years ago
      carolins, your moodboard is fantastic. I love the rug you suggest. I will check out the houzz article link for choosing the size. Thanks!
    • 13 years ago
      last modified: 13 years ago
      You're welcome. I chose this rug because it's fairly neutral and has the little red 'dots' in it. But if you'd like to see another one or a different light fixture... just say so, I'd be happy to put it in there to give you an idea of how it looks.

      I like the idea of a longer buffet style cabinet with a piece of art above it. Do you need roman shades on the french doors? Because you have curtains too I mean.
    • 13 years ago
      Yes, if you already have a solid shade you like than it would be great to match it in the french door. It's very difficult to see in your picture. Also, forgot to mention a mirror over that sideboard. Would love to see a little bit of glitz in it to give your room a little bit of pop and not so flat.
    • 13 years ago
      carolins, I'd love to see your other ideas on light fixtures or maybe a second rug choice. I don't need the roman shades on the windows, there's no need for privacy from the backyard.
    • 13 years ago
      Amy, here is a better picture of the roman shade that's in the kitchen windows. Sorry, my iPad doesn't seem to capture the room lighting very well.
    • 13 years ago
      And this is hopefully a better picture of the fabrics on the window seat in the adjacent LR. Rust, gold, green and cinnamon tones. Open to changing these though.
    • 13 years ago
      That looks quite nice. I agree with Carolins, I would only add roman shades in addition to the panels if you think you need them. I often do panels by themselves. Also, you could do the panel fabric in a roman shade in your bay window. (like in the picture with the blue paint above). I do like to mix types of window treatments in the rooms.

      Traditional Family Room · More Info
    • 13 years ago
      I've added the chandelier that you're considering, instantly creates a different atmosphere:
    • 13 years ago
      I do like that chandelier. Can I ask where it is from?
    • 13 years ago
      amymthorton, You wrote earlier that the shade of blue entirely depends on the light. I plan to paint my living room light warm blue. I have very large windows with light coming from north and east. Other than trying the color out on the wall, is there any general rule about using blue and the light in the room?
    • 13 years ago
      A warm blue? And there was I thinking that blue is a cold colour. Light from the north is cold. East is warmer in the morning, colder during the day as the sun moves away. So I'm not sure if blue is the right choice is you want a warmer colour. Which shade of blue did you have in mind?

      I'm a bit puzzled by your chair in the living room actually. Is it black&white? Or blueish?
    • 13 years ago
      Hi carolins, I do like that chandelier better now that I see it together because of the round shape; it feels like everything else in my space is rectangular. I didn't write the comment about the blue just now; I am still liking what you suggested yesterday, the taupe from BM. And the living room chair and large ottoman? They are just there temporarily. In my mind's eye I see my taupe leather couch and two club chairs there instead. Thank you for your ideas.
    • 13 years ago
      Also, I checked out the rug from pottery barn. Although the colors seem to be right on, I'm a little worried about putting a plush rug under my table (harder to clean)? Although my kids are teenagers, they're still messy! :)
    • 13 years ago
      Once they drop something on the rug, relegate their meals to the bar!!! Or better yet, make them clean it or pay for cleaning it. Dining room for grown-ups only. LOL
    • 13 years ago
      The chandelier is from Ballard, amymthornton.
    • 13 years ago
      And believe me decoenthusiaste, there are a lot of places I'd like to relegate my teenagers to sometimes!! All of the parenting experts these days say a family that eats together will stay on the right path..... I'm not willing to take any chances! lol.
    • 13 years ago
      Sorry, didn't pay attention there. It was someone else who wrote about the blue. My bad. I will go and sit in my corner and feel a little bit ashamed :-)

      Good to hear about the chair with ottoman. Although they look really comfortable, they just seemed odd to me. Don't really fit in. I like what you see in your minds eye.

      If you find another rug that you like, I'll be happy to put it in the moodboard for you. What kind of weave would you prefer? Or an indoor/outdoor one?
    • 13 years ago
      Oh don't feel bad, you are obviously talented and reading a lot of these posts to try and help a lot of people. No corner!
    • 13 years ago
      Phew :-D
    • 13 years ago
      Hi, I was wondering how your dining room is coming on. I saw this rug and it reminded me or your dilemma. Something like this could be nice too perhaps:
      http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Brown-Grey-Area-Rug-78-x-1010/6206531/product.html
    • 13 years ago
      Hi carolins, I am painting the rooms the BM smoky taupe as we speak and I really like the color. I found the PB cross back chairs, a set of 8, on CL, what a find! They are in the distressed off white instead of black that was suggested but I think the off white will coordinate just fine. I fell in love with and ordered a chandelier from a local store. Will post in a moment. I'm still undecided about the rug. Thanks so much for checking; I will post pictures when finished painting. Any other rug ideas would be most welcome!
    • 13 years ago
      Wow! Great find indeed! And I'm glad you like the smokey taupe. Looking forward to seeing the pics. Good luck with the project.
    • 13 years ago
      Here is the chandelier. It reminded me of the Sara Milk Glass chandeliers from Tonic Home.
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      Sueb, I am not sure if you need art for your room. If yes, you can check out our page to see if there is anything there you may like. Enjoy and best of luck with your project!... Raisa
    • 13 years ago
      Nice!
    • 12 years ago
      carolins, I love the light fixture. Could you please tell me who makes it?
    • 12 years ago
      @rgrs, I'm sorry, but I don't know which light fixture you're referring to. And I have not posted any light fixtures here that I've found. All were posted by other people. So I can't help you :-)

      But... sueb1961... how is this room? Is there any progress? Can you show us updates? I'd love to see :-)
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      Something to compliment the other light fixtures would be the first thing. Definately a larger rug with some color, I would think about parting with the curtains and having shutters installed. Great space with lots of potential!
    • 12 years ago
      last modified: 12 years ago
      Sorry carolins - I sent to wrong person. Yes, sueb1961, how is that room going?
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