Hi Porter! I’m so sorry to hear about your mother. It’s wonderful that you’re able to be there for her during this difficult time. I will keep you and your mom in my prayers. . Thank you so much for thinking of me! I totally agree with you about hanging the mirror vertically above the buffet. I plant to have my husband change it soon. I also bought flowers for the vase I found and love them! I will post a pic in the morning. I still have to change out the lighting and plant to replace the two end dining chairs with ivory upholstered chairs. Just waiting to find the right ones. Hopefully that will help pull this room together. I will post in the morning. Still considering moving forward with painting my kitchen white. I’ve missed seeing your advice on houzzer’s posts. Thank you for making a comeback. Your mother is blessed to have such a caring and devoted daughter by her side. Sending prayers that your mother heals and recovers.

So like I said, I’m still planning to hang the mirror vertically, change out the chandelier, and replace wooden end chairs with ivory upholstered ones. I just need advice on buffet and table decor. I love the dough bowl, but I’m not sure if it looks too bland on the table. I also need help with the buffet... I love my vase and stems, but not sure what to place on the other end. Here are some thoughts:
1. Should I place the dough bowl on the buffet or candles of varying heights?
2. Should I replace the dough bowl with candles in the dining room table?
3. Here are some candle holders I was thinking of buying for the space...

Here are the candle holders I thought might work for my table or buffet.

I would NOT go white ..they will stick out even more and make the whole place look like a parking garage . Paint all the brown wood in black ....it will go away and not be so intrusive ...then lighten the room with light furniture , white walls , paintings ...don't buy all kinds of pillows to decorate ...first fix the problem ...once it's all black ..you will see how wonderful and cozy your rooms ...blend .. And you won't even see the columns anymore ...but all will look more attractive .. I did it in my barn ...where I had natural wood beams and columns ..but they where like yours ...sticking out like a sore thumb in my space !

umm Silvia, read the thread. Painting is done.

AC LB, I love the red candleholders. The scale might be a little big, it's hard to say without seeing them on the buffet or table.

Thank you dgw!

I just see a lot of browns. What is your wall colour? Instead of painting those wooden beams (painful process) try painting your walls a soft white. I think the lighter wall colour will help unify the various wood tones. Also put up some colourful art work and an area rug for the dining area. Get the rug first then pull some colours from that. Or if no area rug buy a print you like and get colour inspiration from that.

zimmer, please read the thread, the beams are already painted.

AC LB, this sideboard arrangement is simple and stunning. Don't gild the lily.

That’s a HUGE compliment coming from you!! What are your thoughts on a dining room table centerpiece? Do you like the red candle holders? Also, which chandelier do you think would look good in the space the ivory globe or rectangular lantern chandelier? Thank you in advance!!

I think the column and beam are a little too much. Don't know if the column or the beam is the support. I think the beam would look better if was straight and a little rustic. Don't know if changing that out is in your budget which is why you're wanting to paint. But I agree that there is a lack of color. Try to offset the wood by doing the opposite. The more color you add it will distract from what is standing out.

Oops I’m out glamping and I guess my phone did not download the entire thread. The beams look great! Worth the extra effort

I agree with many here. While the columns do you no favours, there are a lot of other things to focus on instead. The drapery is what called out to me.

Everything is...just ok. Inoffensive. But truthfully, bland.

Maybe a more interesting table runner...

...and something with some life on the table:

AC LB, let me think on your room a bit. I have to agree with jpp221, the space is a little bland, a bit generic. As for the chandelier, the linear one fits the table better, but again, it's a bit common and doesn't push the space to the next level.

I agree with everyone... the room is a bit hodgepodge and bland. I’m trying to give it a more transitional style. I think one change that might add some color would be switching out the rug with something more vibrant. I also think adding upholstered chairs would also add some contrast and texture. I have to take baby steps because my husband is not one for changes and thinks I’m obsessing a little too much over everything. I want to thank everyone for taking the time to comment and offer your advice!! I really appreciate it!

The depth of eggplant would suit columns and dining set? and has little raspberry type color too for centerpiece... if that's a liked color.

not big enough but the color?... oh, for console?

[https://www.houzz.com/products/mini-vanda-with-fluted-vase-silk-flower-arrangement-prvw-vr~42317491[(https://www.houzz.com/products/mini-vanda-with-fluted-vase-silk-flower-arrangement-prvw-vr~42317491)
[https://www.houzz.com/products/double-stem-phalaenopsis-silk-orchid-arrangement-prvw-vr~42317200[(https://www.houzz.com/products/double-stem-phalaenopsis-silk-orchid-arrangement-prvw-vr~42317200)

We crossed posts about a rug - yes.

Thank you everdebz!! You have some great ideas!

I just copied another houzzer's art for you to see.

I decided to look back and saw you painted [looks nice!] - for instance that houzzer's post shows some white and some creamy, fine.

DR or LR in pretty raisin color:

[https://www.houzz.com/products/traditional-wing-back-armchair-luxor-raisin-prvw-vr~97443355[(https://www.houzz.com/products/traditional-wing-back-armchair-luxor-raisin-prvw-vr~97443355)

Wow, that looks amazing Groveraxle!!! Thank you. I think the light fixture might be the one thing that pulls this room together. Do you think this chandelier would look better than the rectangular lantern chandelier?

grover's light is real nice with strong backs of chairs.....

Terra cotta 'lava' could add life to island, and in rug I think.

[https://www.houzz.com/products/morocco-stool-lava-bar-height-prvw-vr~34083033[(https://www.houzz.com/products/morocco-stool-lava-bar-height-prvw-vr~34083033)

AC LB,

Thank you for your well wishes.

I do LOVE the sideboard with the dough bowl and demi John best. Looks very nice.

When I was talking about chairs, I was speaking of lighter chairs for the island in the kitchen. Yet, understand you want to add chairs at the head of the table that are fabric.

I still personally favor a linear pendant as we talked about some time back. I personally love the Darlana or similar.

I'm not a huge fan of the red candlesticks.

Have a great holiday weekend all.

Some bolder rugs:

Which option do you think would look better on my dining room buffet table opposite the demijohn vase... the hurricane candle holders or gold lantern?

Neither. This low bowl is perfect with the green apples that echo the eucalyptus.

I was confused as I didn't see it again yet realized you have this post too about the beams and painting them :/

Before you head to the paint supply store, understand what you will be painting. Primed and painted drywall may need a different paint than wood; your damp basement may need a different type of paint then the bedroom. If you have your paint chips already selected, go ahead and write on the back the type of room (bedroom, bathroom, etc.), the type of surface (primed drywall, ceiling, wood, etc.), and any other needs (exterior, low VOC, easy to clean, etc.).

Website - https://bit.ly/2rTBg0d

Thank you. I purchased the hurricanes with my rewards points. Do you think they’d look good as a centerpiece for the dining table? I can put seasonal vase fillers under the candle, so they won’t look so blah. I can also switch the candle color.

Great pictures of the painted beams back at the end of the Feb 2018 posts.

If you paint the columns, you must paint the beam, too.
Yes, your room needs color (art, accessories) and maybe better lighting. There is nothing particularly wrong with the mirror, but it doesn't reflect anything special. Framed art will add color, and one piece won't be enough. Add art to several blank wall spaces in the public area of the house: paintings or prints of things you like to look at. Any subject matter will work...nature, landscape, formal or casual....buy what you like and hang it at eye level to a standing adult around the room. I have art in every room: entry, living room, dining room, den, kitchen, bedrooms, halls, and even in the bathrooms and laundry room.

Please read the thread, posts and beam are already painted. Pictures included.

How did you paint your columns? Sand? Primer? Spray or brush? Great job!

Paint the columns and beam to match the walls. Kick up the colour factor with art and an oriental rug.

Thank you Emily! My husband sanded the columns down and used a primer he swears by before painting them. I’ll ask him the name of the primer in the morning. I appreciate your feed back. We’re really happy with the outcome:).

I think the beams look much better. If you want to brighten the room a bit more, I think you should consider painting the walls a lighter colour. It's a fairly heavy colour.

I agree with you! I’d love to repaint the walls. Unfortunately I’ll have to live with it for 3-5 more years as we just painted a couple of years ago:(. I don’t hate the color... I just feel it’s a bit dated.

Were those columns part of an original exterior wall, and was the house extended? The columns and beam don't look like they belong in the house.
Mismatched wood tones are not important. Mismatched styles can be the problem.
Lack of color or failure to select a color scheme may be the problem.

Feliz... believe it or not this was a new build♀️. I had two kids under the age of two, was moving into a temporary rental, and teaching during the build. I didn’t have a cohesive plan, picked things out too quickly, and have regretted most of my decisions:(. However after living here for the past three years, I’m starting to like things I hated when we first moved in.

I agree that this style doesn’t go with my house, but I’m curious as to what style does go? Plain wood without the details? A more rustic look? In the future we may be able to replace them with something else.

I think the beams now help brighten the room. I’m voting with the colorful chairs at the island and a new rug for the dining room. The eggplant color and raspberry look like they’d give the room some punch.
However, if you’re still thinking of painting the island, you should think about what colors will go with that strong visual addition.
I agree with everyone who suggested painting the walls. The current color pulls down the room. But if it’s newly done, I think you’re getting good suggestions that’ll hold you over till you can make the walls a neutral white/creamy color.
The place is getting to where you wanted it. So many generous Houzz-helpers!

Thank you RedRyder!! Yes, thank goodness for this app and all the wonderful Houzzers!! I love this site!!!

I love them painted white!

So in an attempt to break up the look of the dark wood in my dining room and tie in the white/ivory colors in my dining room and kitchen area, I finally purchased pottery barn classic dining room chair cushions in ivory. I’m crossing my fingers that they’ll fit my chair and help brighten the space. Our plan is to repaint the kitchen to match the backsplash. I’ll keep you posted!

Love the beam painted. Have you thought about painting your chairs?

Paint that heavy woodwork to match the walls. While you’re at it, paint all the trim to match the walls: it’s currently giving a choppy look with the whit. Put up generously full, ceiling height, interesting drapes to give the space a much-needed boost.