Red ochre dining room needs help

9 years ago

I am struggling with how to bring my dining room together. Does it need a rug? I have paintings for the walls but took them down so they don't interfere with any advice I may get from readers. Room is open to the entryway. Measures 17'8" by 12" with a triangular wall that separates the dining room from the living room. Thanks in advance!

Featured Answer

cpaul1

9 years ago

First things first, you need to paint that room. That color is making it look very dated .... red dining rooms were a thing a very long time ago. So take care of that major problem and repaint. While you are painting, I would paint over that stenciling on the ceiling, also very dated looking. From there, yes, you need an area rug. Remove all of the knickknacks on the side table and decorate it with things that would make sense in a dining room. (Books do not make sense in a dining room ... are you going to read in there?). Example ... a large tray and decorate it like a bar (crystal decanters, etc.) Get a real centerpiece arrangement. It looks like you have two side pieces of wood furniture in there. The only way I would do two side boards in a dining room is if I could use them in a symmetrical way (example, one on either side of a window). If you cannot do that in that space, then you need to remove one of them.

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Comments (11)

emmarene9
9 years ago
Yes, a rug is needed. Get a multi color

that includes some of your red.

Remove the plants from the table. Not a good look.
Amy King thanked emmarene9
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Porter Edun
9 years ago
I'd paint the room in a flash... it's very dated and looks old fashion compared to the area I can see outside of the room. Brighten it up with a color that is more neutral and eliminate the border in the tray ceiling.

I would remove the paintings from behind the small drawer/table and center the small lamp with the books on it as the large candle stick is not working nor the art. That or angle the books with the small lamp and have a small decorative piece (single) on the other side.

A smoke in mirror type mirror (antiqued glass) that is rectangle would look nice there and also open up the space... won't be able to see people eating and so on, but some reflection would look nice in the room and keep the books and a small scale lamp as mentioned before.
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Porter Edun
9 years ago
The table is heavier and your center pieces are too yet I like them... chairs are nice yet still keep the rest surrounding on the walls a bit more simple.

Not certain what the piece is on the right in the second photo you posted? Can you take a photo of it when you have time?
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Porter Edun
9 years ago
You have an, "antiqued mirror" in your idea book that would work in this space on a bit smaller scale....
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Amy King
Original Author
9 years ago
Porter, the piece on the right in the 2nd photo is a French commode/dresser. Walnut and walnut veneers. Here is a different shot of it.
Porter Edun
9 years ago

Apologies... third picture.... My whole diatribe earlier was about the piece you just have shown at the head of the table... the third photo is my question off to the right of the photo as above.
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Amy King
Original Author
9 years ago
Would you select one of the grays (from my entryway stone floor, for example) for the dining room walls or the antique white that is on the window wall (first photo). Thank you emmarene for the rug suggestion!
Amy King
Original Author
9 years ago
Haha Porter Edun -- I'm taking that piece out of the room entirely. cpaul1's comment about symmetry was a good one.
Porter Edun
9 years ago
haha, that's funny!!!

All in all, just remember less is more and there is a lot going on. I'd paint first....No heavy framed gold pictures and the like... it's a pretty room with a pretty table and chairs. Keep it light and cohesive.
Amy King
Original Author
9 years ago
Fantastic advice. Thank you so much!