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Design Dilemma
luvsparis

Dining Room Challenges

9 years ago
We moved into this new construction home almost two years ago. Our dining room is 17' L x 12' W. My dining table is 101" long. My mother bought this once beautiful Baker table and chairs in the late 1960's. After she passed away, my father remarried. His new wife had the chairs reupholstered in the early 1990's in a rose colored velvety fabric. After my father passed away my sister took the dining set to her house. For some reason it became the kids table, Easter egg coloring station, etc. The table top has definitely seen better days. My sister recently passed away, and the dining set made its way to my house. I usually keep a table cloth on it because I hate how the top looks. I don't know what to do with this room. The dining set needs to stay. The French Armoire between the windows is my prized possession. I'm hanging on to the small (empty) French cabinet and tea cart for my niece. The light fixture is what the builder put in, and definitely needs to be replaced. I have such a hard time choosing lighting. How can I make this room look good?

The walls are painted SW accessible beige. The shutters need to stay. I have an antique silver framed mirror that has been hanging in my family's dining rooms for decades. I'm thinking about hanging it over the sideboard. I welcome all ideas. Please be kind.
Featured Answer
  • 9 years ago
    I know what you're saying about the chairs. But it would be far too expensive for me to reupholster them. If I replace them, I would replace the table too. More money. Yes, the dining set has sentimental value. If it was in better condition it would be worth a lot of money. But it's not. I'm just trying to work with what I've got. If I do sell it, the deal my siblings and I all made when our father passed away was that if something was sold we would split the proceeds. I doubt I could get enough from my share to buy a new dining set. This is a seldom used room that we don't even see unless we turn our heads as we pass the opening. I know it needs a new light fixture. I'm fine with putting up drapes. A rug will bring the room together. Other than that I would like to use what I have. I'm retired and love to travel. Every time I think about buying something I ask myself if I want it more than another trip to Paris or wherever. I'm a cancer survivor and have discovered that I now prioritize experiences over things. This might not make sense to everyone. I love beautiful things, but they are in the end still just things. :-)

    Comments (331)

    • 9 years ago
      Like this Luv.
    • 9 years ago
      Maria, it's funny you mention beams. My husband and I were talking about that when we first bought the house. One of the models homes (not our model) had beams in the dining area. It could still happen. This dining room opens to a long hallway that goes from the front door to the great room in the back of the house, and the butlers pantry. The style in the dining room, dictated by inherited furniture, is different from the rest of the house. At least it's not like everyone else's! I'm not ignoring the pink of the chairs, but I don't want to make pink the focus.

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    • 9 years ago

      Was searching Houzz for some pictures with beams. None actually were what I had in mind, but together they might give an idea. One has beams in white, which is of course also a possibility.


      Montecito Residence · More Info


      Dining Room · More Info


      Franklin · More Info

      This last one also shows what kind of luxurious wallpaper fits this style.

      Have fun!

    • 9 years ago
      I like the idea of the beams Maria. It certainly would enhance the architecture in this space . As we were working on the assumption that this was a limited budget and nothing structural was being done ; I think this would be a great idea for future improvement!
    • 9 years ago
      Lynartist, you are correct that right now budget is important. The beams in the model home were faux beams, but really nice ones. We were thinking about 3 or 4 going across the room the short way. Maybe one of these days.
    • 9 years ago
      When the time is right for doing this( and I think it is a very good suggestion) you should keep in mind the color of your floor. As your furniture is a very different color wood I wouldn't try to match that. I wouldn't do dark wood either. You could do white of course but I think a weathered/ grayer tone such as these would work better. Ahhh... all homes are a work in progress!
    • 9 years ago
      The third picture posted by Maria shows how a light area rug would lighten up the room whenever that is possible. Love the idea of beams and Lynn's lighter ones are perfect with the floors.
    • PRO
      9 years ago

      Any update? Hope it is all coming together for you:))

    • PRO
      9 years ago

      Due to the sentimental value of the dining set you could look into a local refinishing company to have the top repaired. Also, if you felt comfortable at some point, reupholstering the dining chairs would help to update the space.

      In the meantime, you are correct, accessories are the way to update. This chandelier goes with your french theme. Good luck!


      Capital Lighting Adele 6-Light Chandelier · More Info

    • 9 years ago
      My curtain rings arrived late this afternoon, while I was polishing up the pieces of silver that might work as decor in the room. My husband will get home from work tomorrow and will help me hang the curtains. I'll post a picture when that's done.

      I'm going to start a new thread for the accessories. This thread has gotten pretty long. :-)
    • PRO
      9 years ago

      Looking forward to it!

    • 9 years ago
      Me too;)
    • 9 years ago
      Crown molding, more color on the walls. I second the idea of the tea cart between the Windows.
    • 9 years ago
      Me three!
    • 9 years ago
      Me four. :)
    • 9 years ago
      OMG, look at this LR in PINK!

      stately manor · More Info


      Pink can be beautiful.
    • PRO
      9 years ago

      Wow that is so over the top:(

    • 9 years ago
      I love pink! Just working on a pink bedroom now. Not quite done yet.
    • 9 years ago
      Oops, don't mind the chair pillows, the covers are at the monogrammers;)!
    • PRO
      9 years ago

      Lynartist....just curious what state do you live in? East coast area

    • 9 years ago
      West coast Fla. most of the year. RI in the summer.
    • PRO
      9 years ago

      Got it:) kinda figured east coast somewhere you have that east coast traditional style....was in Massachusetts last summer...the hotel had the same look as your pink bedroom!:)

    • 9 years ago
      Lovely Lyn. Can you take a picture to include chandy over the bed. So pretty.
    • 9 years ago
      Ha! Well this lady is from the NE so it's her style;)! Down here everyone is from somewhere else:))
    • PRO
      9 years ago

      Lynartist...

      Would of loved to see your drapes up to the ceiling would be so grand!

      Sorry

      Luvparis...attention is back on your space:))

    • 9 years ago
      I would have loved to do that HI WE but all the windows in this room were different heights! In fact the windows next to the bed are very small and squat and the one next to the slider is nearly a ft. Shorter than the very tall sliding glass door! The balances are hiding the builders rather stupid mistakes here!
    • 9 years ago
      Best I have Seajay.
    • 9 years ago
      Yes Sorry Luvsparis! Looking forward to seeing you next post!
    • 9 years ago
      What a beautiful room lynartist. No worries about the chitchat ladies. I think where someone lives, or where they are from, can greatly influence their style. Your comment about how everyone in Florida is from somewhere else made me chuckle. I am a native Californian. There aren't a lot of us. Not only that, but I'm 4th generation Californian on my paternal grandmothers side. Her family was here during the gold rush that started in 1849. Among the treasures in my curio cabinet are some plates that survived the 1906 earthquake and fire in in San Francisco. My style is somewhat laid back. My mother was born in the Midwest and was more formal. I'm sure that is why she was drawn to the dining table and chairs and why she paired it with a crystal chandelier.
    • 9 years ago
      Phase one of the dining room makeover is done. I want to thank all of you for helping me with my space. Especially those that gave me visuals so I could see how things would look in my space. I appreciate all the time you all took to help me.

      I'm going to start a new post for assistance in placing accessories.

      I'm posting the before and after photos.
    • 9 years ago
      Hmmm... I'm not sure why it posted the pictures out of order. These are all 'after' photos -
    • PRO
      9 years ago

      Looks great! Love the drapes really look beautiful with a charming feel:))

      see you on your new accessories dilemma thread!

    • 9 years ago
      It looks so lovely! We will be sure to show up in your new thread!! Have really enjoyed visiting your beautiful home:)!
    • 9 years ago
      Looks beautiful!
    • 9 years ago

      Beautiful job! Thanks for letting us be part of your transformation..Well done!

    • 9 years ago

      Turned out so nice. It's really a pleasure to help someone who actually considers the advice and acts on it one way or the other. You did a great job and look forward to the next step. Congrats!!

    • PRO
      9 years ago

      Very pretty!

    • 9 years ago
      I have started another post titled "Dining Room Decor." I'm looking forward to getting more advice from all of you.
    • PRO
      9 years ago
      Sea jay ? I totally agree. Love a decisive Houzzer ;) it looks grand!
    • 9 years ago
      I would remove the leaf from the table, paint the room a soft gray, switch out the light fixture and call it a day.
    • 9 years ago
      A white floral arrangement would finish off the table... soft colors.
    • 9 years ago
      Flowers were delivered today;)
    • PRO
      9 years ago

      Love it!!!

    • 9 years ago

      not finding the new thread :(

    • 9 years ago
      I don't know how to link to it. Look for Dining Room Decor.
    • 9 years ago

      All the way back to 2012 with Dining Room Decor :(

    • 9 years ago
      https://www.houzz.com/discussions/dining-room-decor-dsvw-vd~4673065
    • 9 years ago
      The new link ^^^^^^^^^
    • 9 years ago
      Jdgail, did you find the new thread? Not sure what device you are on , I use my phone so it looks like this under new dilemmas
    • 9 years ago
      Seajaygerns posted a link to the new thread 2 posts up from yours. On your screen shot it showed the new thread--- Dining Room Decor.
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