Can you add a electrical box for a chandelier?

Love your large windows!

What a great space to put a fantastic dining table, chairs and probably a buffet of some type. With that much room, a long rectangular table would be great. That would probably require two chandeliers, so figure that out before you start doing things. Have you purchased this home? You will need some window treatments to provide privacy to this space. You can always add a couple of chairs and a table or even a bar cart on the far end if you don't want a very large table. So, start with what kind of table you would like in this space and then we can go from there.

The best thing about this room to me is the gracious character of the space suggested by your photos. If it were my room, I would be very hesitant to compromise that sense by putting too much furniture and other furnishings in the space, particularly items that are unrelated to, and not necessary for, the dining function.

I do not know what your taste is like, but a simple yet handsome dining table with a clear vase of cut flowers changed regularly and chairs that are not overly decorative or stuffed might reinforce the room's elegance if the table is positioned to work with the window locations. I might suggest you question the use of chandeliers in order to keep the sight lines across the room and to window views clear. (An 8'-6" ceiling height is not particularly high.) If your budget permits, you might consider installing recessed wall wash light fixtures controlled with dimmers to highlight a few special pieces of artwork on the walls, with downlights over the table, at least one of which could highlight that vase of flowers or whatever you chose to place on the table when not in use.

If you work with what you perceive to be is the basic character of the room, the design result should be pleasing to you.

All good ideas! what do you think of plantation shutters on windows? I'd like this to be open and unfussy. Have Ethan Allen 10' plantation table and 6 woven straight back chairs. Also have 2 Drexel upholstered chairs. Probably would put 2 chandeliers of Restoration Hardware look or a very long open candle/iron light fixture?. Also have a large buffet with art for back wall.

Well than you are all set! Sounds great....I'm not a big fan of plantation shutters....I love to layer natural woven shades with stationary drapes just to soften the room and add different textures..you can still have it be more casual with linen fabrics and black or deep stained natural woven shades.

2 lights over table would be a great idea!!

Yes, Home with Ease... once hardwood is on the floor, linen panels would be lovely... thank you!! Privacy not a factor since room is elevated off street level and it's very quiet street... just not sure of the sun intensity yet.

Keep in mind that those windows are very low and drapery needs to be planned accordingly. This is one reason why I wouldn't do plantation shutters. They would weigh down the space IMO. Those long windows remind me the plantation homes in the South. Not sure where you are located, but I could see this being very warm southern styling. That is one huge table! So, first lay that out then you can decide on chandeliers, but I absolutely feel you will need two and even with the 8.5' ceilings there are many desirable fixtures that would enhance your room and at the same time provide that wonderful dinner lighting. Just have to keep the measurements in mind. Sconces are always an option as well.

What a beautiful space! Do you have the floor plan by any chance so I can make the 3D model with the furniture layout options?

Thank you JM and FM and ID for some awesome input! I don't have the floor plan nor the exact measurements yet, but I'm so excited to hear from thoughtful professionals with their ideas. I'm new to Houzz and am already so impressed by the feedback to my question that I'm hooked! You will be hearing from me again as a truly appreciated sounding board when things get rolling!

Can't wait to see what you do! Sounds like your dining table and chairs will work perfect in this large space! Saw this image thought the drapes were gorgeous! Also really love the grasscloth wallpaper!

Here are some lovely large rooms that are very simple quiet and elegant.....you might consider some of these ideas?

HIE, I'm in love, and have been a grass cloth fan for many years, have it in my kitchen now as above cabinet accent and on the slim wall space wherever it would fit....it never gets old! This is spot on for my dream DR... thank you!

Another question... since the carpet in the room is brand new, and quite light, could I have hardwood installed as a border and leave it under the table and chairs as an inlaid feature? Just a thought.. any drawbacks?

Yes, pushing chairs back becomes a challenge due to the "junction" of carpet and wood. Better to get the carpet gone and do all wood. When you can.

Yes you could as long as the carpet feature extends two feet on all sides so chairs move in and out easily...so whatever the width of the table is add 4' that is how wide the carpet should extend before the wood and take the length of the table and add 4' and that is how long the carpet should extend....no different than adding a rug on top of a wood floor...

So glad you love that dining room image...I just felt like it was so welcoming but also elegant....I can just picture your two pendants over it! That will be fun to shop for:))

yes, you can do as HIWE suggests, but then at some point, you will remove the carpet and have to "feather in" new wood" and matching can be a problem down the road. Just a hurtle to consider. Did a dining room with a "built-in" carpet in the dining room. The folks wanted to remove it and complete with the matching wood. Wood was no longer available, so we designed a different wood and pattern, but the space wasn't symmetrical so it became a real difficult fix and ultimately more trouble and cost than they wanted. So, just consider the challenge of this for the future, especially if this room "adjoins" with another room? How would that interface work? Devil is in the details! With that size table, you probably want to make a 2-3 year decision, because moving the table will be somewhat challenging probably. Anything is doable, just have to decide on options and budget.

Ok, thanks again, now all I have to figure out on Houzz app is how to save all this invaluable info!

Well... so nice you have so many options...if you do keep the carpet inlaid with wood around it....just think how many choices you would have when it was time to replace it.....so many gorgeous wall to wall carpets...the patterns are endless! Keep me posted:)

You can take a "screen shot" of comments and put them in a Houzz Ideabook you setup. That is one way. There may be others, but that is easy. Just take your iPhone, get Houzz app on it, then take a screen shot, by holding down the on/off button and the menu button at the same time. You should hear a "click" like a camera shot and it will go to your "library" on your phone. This is for an iPhone. Not sure on other phones. Then you can "save" it to an ideabook you set up in advance. So, you go on the Houzz website and see a photo you like and where there is a green box that says "save" you click and a screen will come up with "ideabooks". You pick the idea book you have set up, or set a "create new ideabook" and "save" to the idea book. Sounds complicated, but once you do this a time or two, you will get the hang of it.

I use the bookmark feature to save threads I want to refer back to. When a thread gets long though, and there is just a little nugget of info I want, I do take screenshots as Flo mentioned.

Thanks you all are the Best!

This is a smallish family room right off a galley kitchen, the blank wall will be opened up for an island, the F/P will remain, bookcases updated, floors refinished. A brick patio is outside this room and the slider will be replaced with a French door.
My question is... would this room work as a dining room???? Or is it best kept a smallish F/R with tv over fireplace and at most couch and 2 chairs?

I think it would make a charming dining room.

Hard to be sure without seeing context of whole house. But if you do need dining space here in addition to the large dining room, I would make it more like a "keeping room". Small table, maybe gateleg, or drop leaf and use upholstered chairs so it has cozy feeling.

Hi Ease and Flo,
I should have clarified, I'm thinking about a swap... above room as a fairly casual dining area and the large room mentioned earlier becoming the family room with large sectional, TV, etc.

Guess it depends on what you will do with your giant table? And how will your family lifestyle work. If you won't have large groups, then I am all in favor of USING ROOMS not making "showrooms". So, a nice maybe round table that seats 6? Would that work in the smaller "keeping" area? The living room is long so don't go buying a sectional just because you see a large room. Usually, long rooms require segmenting into two zones, so before you decide, let's layout your two rooms with precise measurements so you get the best utilization of your spaces. I can do scale drawings for you if you give me the basic dimensions, where the doorways are, sizes and lengths of fireplace and windows, etc.

You are too nice! Once I get those measurements and start working on configuring I'll get back to you... Thank you!

OK - great. I'll check back or watch for "notifications".