I think you should leave the table and chairs alone. Paint will quickly show wear on heavy-use items like tables and chairs. And stripping, staining and refinishing is a lot of hard work. Unless you've done that kind of work before, a dining-room set is not the place to start.

You're right though. There is a lack of cohesion to the room. I would remove the metal shelf. I doesn't match anything. And, if you really want to refinish something, do the étagère to match your buffet and hutch. Then you'll only have 2 colours of wood.

Also, the pic over the metal shelf is too high. It would probably look very nice over the buffet. Then add some window dressings that compliment your area rug. If you're still unhappy with the table colour, put a table cloth on it. That will allow you to change its colour as often as you like!

Leave the table alone but get new chairs. Maybe painted or metal or upholstered. Just different from the table.

truey, I do like the idea of metal chairs. These are my patio chairs, I'm just trying to get an idea of what it could look like.

I also replaced the photo on the right with a chalk board. (ignore the decorations hanging from it.. that was leftover from a birthday party) I also hung a white coffee mug shelve over the buffet. It could use a few more things on the wall next to it.

Jennifer k can I keep the metal shelf it I use metal chairs at the table?

A couple of little things that would help your room come together.

Your chandelier is too high. It would also be better if it was aligned with the window at the far end of the table. Centered with the center of the window.

Drop the picture down so it relates to the shelf it's over. You could pick up a small table or chest to replace wire rack very inexpensively.

Ikea 59$

Langley Street Neville Side chairs 84$ for 2

These both probably come in other colors.

I used chalk paint on an old dining table and chairs, and the paint has held up well for a little more than three years. The entire initial prep amounted to dusting off the cobwebs. I wasn't going for shabby chic, so I applied three coats, which amounted to one can of paint. It was the first time I'd used chalk paint, and I wasn't sure if I was up to doing the recommended waxing, so I applied two coats of satin poly---a true pain to work with. You have to sand between coats, and it bubbles if you don't go slowly. Frankly, I'm sorry I didn't wax, which turns out to be easier than applying poly, imo. Mind you, I would never have done this to a good piece of furniture, but I was in my boho phase, and I was able to turn some ugly pieces of junk into funky little keepers. Good luck.

I would not keep the metal shelf or metal chairs, there are too many styles in one room. If the wall color is staying the same, you might consider painting the coffee mug shelf blue. Have you tried the buffet where the metal table is to balance the room a little more? Chalk paint is less work.

Liz h, did you use general finishes satin poly acrylic? I've never sanded between coats with it and it's been ok.

Morgan, You can also use general finishes milk paint (which is actually an acrylic)

Leelee, you were totally right about the chandelier! I have a little work to do to make it look right and centered with the window. Also you get a better look at my table and why I'd like to re finish it. The finish on the ends of table are different then the finish on the leaf inserts.

Morcreidhl, what do you think of buffet location?

eclipse Paige Floral Thermaweave Room Darkening Curtain

If you want use Chalk paint, I had what looks like the exact table and chairs that I painted black. Will give you an idea of what it would look like. I also didn't wax it, just used poly and didn't sand.

I love the long curtain idea, I just can't pull the trigger on ones that I like. And Angel your table and chairs turned out great! I'm afraid all black will be too much for my room.

Morgan Check out the link below for one brand of chalk paint. They have many, many colors to choose from.

Renaissance Innovations Furniture Chalk Paint

Morgan As long as you shop where you can return the curtains at no charge, it wouldn't hurt to bring a couple panels home to check them out!

I love mocreidhl's mock up with the curtains. I would also remove the little corner shelves and place your lovely collection of white ceramics on the buffet. Add all your tables inserts, you have the space. The chandelier needs to be beefier and much lower.

Could you try switching the 2 pieces of furniture (sideboard and hutch) as it looks like the larger piece of furniture might go better on the larger wall space. Hard to tell from pics. Agree, remove the corner cabinet and lower the chalkboard frame.

Barbara, I will add a few boards this week and give your ideas a try! Thanks everyone for all the advice, I can't wait to try moving the hutch to the larger wall.

How precious are your furniture pieces?..I think painting the table no chairs is the perfect idea for your style..and maybe more of the pieces as well...the curtains make a huge impression and maybe chair cushions to match...more paint adds a fresh friendly feel that goes together with the blue in the curtains and on the seat cushions with maybe blue placemats...white paint on the wood would work well and settle in as a crisp neutral...a couple coats of any enamel would hold up well if you prep the wood for paint with one of the products made for that...

Slipcovered chairs would look good and add interest.

posting to follow

Mocreidhl how nice of you to do that for Morgan. What do you think Morgan.

It did look a little crammed into that corner. Drapery really helps balance the room.

mocreidhl I love it!!! I am going to see if I can move the hutch this week so i can show you guys a picture!!

I like the idea of painting the corner cabinet.. but i'm a little torn since it's a piece my dad made for me using original barn wood for the shelves. Maybe I can find a new location for it.

I just noticed that the corner shelf is made from a door as well. Great idea. It is very difficult changing something a loved one made you.

Morgan , I can't wait to see the furniture moved. Hurry!

Now we all know the story of the corner unit, see if you can relocate it. No way I would change anything about it - if it were mine also.

Hey guys, here's an in progress picture of the hutch relocation.. to be honest I don't think I like it. :( Mostly because my hutch becomes the focus and I don't like that since it needs refinished and that's not something we are able to do right now.

I agree...It also makes the table and chairs look too small...sometimes a picture from as far back as possible offers more possibilities as well

The hutch looks out of proportion because you do not have curtain panels, a new light fixture, or additional leaves added to your table. Once others issues are addressed it will probably feel/look better. Also, take the bits and bobs off the top of the hutch as well as whatever is hanging in front of the top part of the cabinet.

OH, I like it much better this way. I agree that it will seem more balanced once you get curtains. If you let me know which curtains you liked, I can do a mock up with them? I also like that your hutch looks a little worn, I think I would leave it like that.

Agree, that once you have other things in place, you may have a different view of the room. Put in at least one of the leafs to give the table more presence.

If you turn the cabinet on the end so it's next to the window, it will help to balance out the weight of the hutch as well. If it feels too worn to you, look for Howard's Restore-A-Finish. A light sanding with steel wool and rubbing that over it will help a lot and still keep the rustic look. It comes in different colors that you match to the current stain. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Howards-Restore-A-Finish-Neutral-8oz/124359672?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=897&adid=22222222227049159149&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=146690353388&wl4=aud-310687322322:pla-258061509980&wl5=9012216&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=112354565&wl11=online&wl12=124359672&wl13=&veh=sem