Dining room help

8 years ago

The furniture set in our dining room is outdated but at this point I’m not prepared to replace.

In the break front/cabinet I had an assortment of dishes, glass pieces that didn’t look very good and want to change. Any recommendations on what might look good there? Table in the photo is missing an extension piece and normally there is an area rug. You can see the colors from the chairs and floral pieces.

Featured Answer

decoenthusiaste

8 years ago

British Colonial · More Info

Are you tired of the rug or is it out for cleaning? I would suggest that the rug colors might provide a new wall color for you. Try removing the upholstered chairs to another room and reupholstering the seats of your dining chairs. If you're in the market for a new rug, fully extend the table, then measure it and add 4 feet to the width and length for the minimum size rug you need. If that measurement is not a standard rug size, go up one size rather than down, unless the larger size would run the rug into the china or the baseboards. You might start a collection of vintage silver or colored glass for the china cabinet. First thing to do is to continue unloading it by clearing the top of it. How about a new chandelier for an update? Art and drapes would be a nice addition.

Private Residence in British Colonial style · More Info

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Comments (19)

User
8 years ago
I think that the suggestion to change out the light fixture would make a big difference for starters. You have a timeless dining set. It's beautiful!
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teamaltese
8 years ago
Remove the fake flowers from the top of the cabinet. You need art for color and interest.
felizlady
8 years ago
If you don't like seeing your china in the china cabinet, you can certainly store the china behind the lower doors and sparingly fill the upper shelves with decorative pieces of crystal, art glass, or a collection of similar things: salt and pepper shakers, pitchers, depression glass, etcetera.
Change the wall color to a slightly deeper tone which compliments your area rug or new patterned draperies.
Add more art or recover your chairs in a fabric which repeats the colors in your draperies.
felizlady
8 years ago
The chandelier might be refinished or replaced by a new chandelier in a lighter color, silver or gold, or relating to the colors in the new draperies or the rug.
cpaul1
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I would remove the faux greenery from the top of the cabinet. I would update the chandelier with something with some crystal. I would put down an area rug. I would hang corresponding art pieces on either side of the cabinet. And don't make the pieces too traditional .... break it up with more modern artwork (not colorful, just modern in style) because that space is TOO traditional to the point that it lacks any interest. So change it up with unexpected art work that still incorporates the neutral colors of the room. In terms of what to put in the cabinet, I would fill it with crystal pieces for some bling and elegance. And then put a more interesting center piece on the table, maybe one of those faux floral pieces. I can't see the other wall on the right side, but it looks like there is a window there that needs drapery panels. And if you want to add back in some greenery, then do two faux trees on either side of that window.
tqtqtbw
8 years ago
I love your classic dining set. Do you have any blue and white ceramic pieces?
PRO
Heather Bates Design
8 years ago
You can easily update your dining room by getting a new rug, replacing your chandelier, adding some colorful artwork, reupholstering the chairs, painting the walls, and getting some window treatments for the windows.
High-End Traditional Home: Dining Room · More Info
njmomma
8 years ago
Not a Pro.

I love your dining set!

Can the top of your breakfront come off?

If so, and the top is finished, you may be able to then give your dining a new look.

Put the breakfront away and add a mirror or art to the wall above the lower half with some other decor.

Traditional Dining Room · More Info
tqtqtbw
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
https://www.houzz.com/user/decoenthusiaste I realized why I like that first British Colonial room so much - I have those exact dining chairs and table, with the original cream seats. I didn't get the cabinet.

I have my blue and white decor stored right now and am working on a light transitional look overall, with gray, cream and metallics.
Tina Moore
8 years ago
You could also remove the top portion of the cabinet and just use the bottom. Put a large updated mirror over it with two lamps. One on each side. It would give you a different look.
tqtqtbw
8 years ago
Touches of black and a deeper wall color.
Montclair · More Info
Beth Pilcher
8 years ago
I agree with the suggestions you gave received;
New Chandelier.
Pitch the fake greenery.
Deeper wall color above the wainscoting.
De-clutter the Break front or remove the top if you can.
Add some blue and white chinoiserie.
I really think the table and chairs are timeless and classic. Keep them for sure!
tqtqtbw
8 years ago
What color is the small accent in the fabric pattern. Maybe you could add an unexpectedly updated rug and use those colors in the art.
Surya Harlequin Magenta 5'x8' Area Rug · More Info
njmomma
8 years ago
Not a Pro.

Saw this and thought of your room. Look at the lighting, the window treatment and the simplicity of the room.

Silhouette® Window Shadings · More Info
jbtanyderi
8 years ago
The furniture is NOT outdated: it’s classic (very good classic)!!!!!
Clear off the top of the china cabinet. Most importantly, put a large rug (large enough so that all chair legs are on it when people are seated) under the table and chairs. Orientals suit the furniture style, but you could always use something contemporary or North African (off-white with simple charcoal design elements).
jbtanyderi
8 years ago
Change out the chandelier for something with sparkle. Paint the ceiling recess Farrow and Ball’s BORROWED LIGHT.
jbtanyderi
8 years ago
You might even enliven the moulding with colour.
shivece
8 years ago
My sister had some similar chairs recovered in a modern, bright, happy fabric. Unexpected and not classic, not for everyone. I think it looks great and really gave her dining area pizazz. Check out Wild Chairy to get the idea.