Also, the chairs are not cherry either. You have 3 distinct styles going on. I would probably do the china piece dark to match the chairs. Then the china piece becomes more nondescript.

Thanks Barbara and Margo. You're right I'm trying to mix-and-match too many things. I seem to always tell family members I will take the old furniture so it will stay in the family and this is what happens! Attached are two other pieces..... Family pieces... Do you think they go with the black chairs?

Here is the buffet

You should replace the hutch with something longer and with no top on it, something black would work well. A large piece of artwork on top would be amazing and fill the space well. The rug looks too small, it looks as if the back legs of the chairs would sit off the rug if anyone was sitting there, Ideally all legs should remain on the rug. Is there a chandelier? If there is it is way too high, if not you should have one that is between 30 "- 36" off the table assuming that your ceilings are 8' high.

Much better..Try this buffet and table..I think you will like the look. Put a very large mirror over the buffet (round if possible) and add large, colorful, artwork to the room, and a tall green plant.

-- Well, I am going to throw out a different solution. tori4, you must be the "family furniture rescurer"? The table and chairs are wonderful on their own and work together just fine so don't give that part another thought.

Matching the table or chairs exactly by staining is diffidult to do, and you might end up in the same boat as before. By painting the piece, you will circumvent that predicament all together. This piece is in great condition, would be a focal point in the room, and would be terrific painted.

You could install mirrors inside behind the shelves and replace the hardware with something less traditional in a metal that is used in the chandelier. What you display in the hutch is important too - do you have any collections for it? China, sculpture, even antique books, etc.

The other two pieces you sent pictures of above are neat too but I think they are too small for that wall. You need the height and bulk of the china cabinet in the room. Using a table-height chest just is not as interesting because there is no change in the levels of furniture.

Use the opposite wall for artwork or place some art, a pair of mirrors or sconces, etc. on each side of the hutch - Or some larger black and white prints/photos in black frames would be great in your dinigroom and this would take you out of the traditional look into transitional. You can decide that after deciding on painting or staining the hutch/chest or just the chest . ..

Is the wall color staying?

Sandy, thanks for offering another option. I appreciate it. Were you suggesting to paint the chest/ hutch black? I did plan on leaving the wall the same color for now. And Yes I seem to be the family furniture rescuer .

-- No - not black. That would make the piece too heavy-looking, I think. My first thought was to paint it the color of red that is in your rug - but then, in some of your photos, the wall color looked almost rusty and I had second thoughts about a red unit in there. So, I found this cream colored china, that is not right for your room either because a color this light owuld ake your rug look dingy. I included it just to give you a vague idea of a lighter color for the piece. Maybe the wheat/ warm gray color in your rug? If you like the wall color with the rug, and as long as you use your rug as a color guide, you will be fine choosing a paint color for the china cabinet.

Your room will not look like so many other diningrooms that are on the "common" side because everything matches within inches of their lives. Try something that pushes on into the exciting side of that story! Whoever owned this china cabinet before will be very pleased and impressed by the makeover - might even want it back!

While shopping for paint, go to an upscale paint store, where there is someone there to help you who is familiar with color thoery - she/he can walk you through different combinations. If nothing else, you will learn some new information that will serve you well in future projects.

Take pictures of your rug & wall color to the paint store to work from. Get samples, either swatches or paint, and try them in your room for a few days in different lighting. Maybe post a few photos here of the rug, wall color and possible china paint colors?

Swatches: I find it hard to pick a paint color from the small swatches so I take a few and either tape them together to make a larger swatch, or I tape some up here, over there, down there to see how they look with the floor, the drapes, etc.