The dark shades and wall color weight down the room, as do the wicker chairs. I like the idea of a very light color as previously suggested for the walls.

A sparkly light fixture/chandelier over table? I like your colors/contrast a lot. I could see white, milk glass on the table to stand out against the dark wood....A 3-tiered piece with red, green fruit?

A cute crystal chandelier would certainly give a shabby chic look. Add slipcovers (in white) to the two wooden chairs. You've got too many little pictures on the wall and they look too close to the curtain.

Instead of the tall glass container on the chest go for a shorter bowl filled with clear crystal ornaments.

Consider painting your cabinet an aqua or warm brown with whitewash.

chandelier

lol... I like it the way it is! Maybe a nice hooked rug and some like-colors on the seats of the chairs?

Add some cushions to the seat, fruit bowl on table and maybe some table mats.

( center piece for table)

( sample of cushions for wicker chairs)

( sample of cushions for white
chairs)


( sample of table mats)

Lovely room. Really lovely. I would only change two things, sparkly chandelier above dining table and tie-backs to the curtains. Just loose, relaxed tie-backs. To lift them a bit. I don't know, rope or sparkle....

I agree with responses suggesting fun chandelier over table, and removing small pieces of art on walls. I wouldn't remove the lovely lamp off the side buffet & painting it a POP colour may be great change.

I don't agree you need to make major changes like painting walls or changing furniture.

The one thing I luv about shabby chic look is there is often pastels & florals in design. I would look for a charming floral print tablecloth which I think would add colour & soften the look quite nicely......I can see it making the change I think you are wanting.

If you live in Canada, HomeSense is a great place to find designer linens, at great prices In USA, you have a vast selection of shops to cruise thru....I am thinking of a Ralph Lauren print with large flowers on a soft background.

My favourite table cloth is RL which I found @ HomeSense - a soft yellow with large white peonies on it.

I have also found some lovely old tablecloths with personality at garage sales or antique markets.

Couple of thoughts....add slip cover to the wood chairs, or simple seat cushion w ties. Relocate the tall lidded vase to another room and move up the stack of plates/bowls from top left cubby in the cabinet. Adding a sparkly or aged finish chandelier is essential. The bamboo shades are dark...can you wash them with a dove grey/green finish? I thin in this case your rods are hung high...hemming drape panels is super easy w iron on fusing you can get at the craft store. I would remove the art...keep it simple.

And...would you ever consider cafe curtains instead of full panels? Or cover lower half of windows with olive red shutters?

Paint the shelves under the window turquoise

Add a bit of Pink! (Lol! I love pink! So always think more is better.) But seriously I think pink would help lighten brighten and a bit of a feminine touch. Maybe a floral tablecloth with pink or seat cushions. A bit of pink or colored glass on the dresser in front of the table. Touches of pink in the wall art.
I also agree with Annesbrand, the bamboo shades are making the windows heavy. If you need more of a window covering then the white curtains, how about a fabric roman shade in white or a light color? Instead of covering you wooden chairs, I think painting you wicker white and adding matching seat cushions would unify then nicely. For your wall art, since it is such a narrow space beside the windows, long narrow botanical/floral prints would be pretty. Add a little more visual impact too.
Painting the inside back of your glass fronted cabinets will help your glasses and white dishes pop. Maybe a soft blue or green? I love your little lamps on the counter. The add a pretty touch. The shades could be a floral, also the shade on the lamp in the breakfast nook.

a silver tray tray as a centre piece on your table would add sparkle

Thanks so much for all of the ideas! So far I have removed the pictures and added tiebacks to the curtains. This already looks a lot better! It's amazing how much more light comes into the space just by adding the tiebacks. Now I need to tackle some of the other suggestions and go shopping! Thanks again everyone :)

What would be really cute and Shaby is if you could find a vintage looking floral rug for under your table or a french country sykesJohnson one with some white in it

Have you thought about paining your wicker chairs whi painting them white would help a lot

I'd put your white pitcher with flowers on the table and the bowl of apples on the counter.

Some pastel accessories in classic shabby chic colors. Lovely space.

old post, folks