I think you actually have some nice choices going on in this room. I love the mix of chairs, the look of the prints on the walls, and the vintage/carved piece. Given that the rug is very neutral, however, it would be hard to work in some color. I'd say start with figuring out what color you'd like in here on the walls and then accessorize with that color. Add a nice chandelier and then I'd be pretty happy.

A sparkly chandelier that reflects a lot of light would look nice.

What a beautiful space! You have wonderful taste. I would either get a more colorful rug or more colorful art.... depending on which you love. A large interesting chandelier would go far in making a statement.

Here is a shotty mock up.

All previous answers are right on. A great chandelier would be wonderful in this room. Think about a great floral print for linen or chintz drapes on your windows. Keep looking for artwork that you love...any and all colors will look good in this currently neutral room. Look for some great old soup tureen or old silver pieces for the top your cabinet...something "historical". Take the four prints now hung as pairs and hang them together on any other wall in the room. Good luck!

Very museum-like, IMO. A nice big artifact on that spotlighted wall would look great. Is that a butler's pantry through the doors? How about a pretty floral arrangement there? Maybe something tribal for color and pattern under the table? There are some nice ones here on Houzz if you know your size. There are too many littles on that nice cabinet. Clear that off and look for another amazing large artifact to lay on top. You could brighten the upholstered chairs with textile lumbar cushions - they don't necessarily have to match. Here are some wonderful ones -museum quality silk fabrics - reproductions of artist's paintings.

It's a beautiful start. I think I would move the art, which looks like a rigid extension of the straight back chair (all lined up vertically) and put the 4 pieces in a grid on the wall to the right of the carved piece. Then look for some art for above the chairs against the wall that fills those spaces differently, and maybe with a little color. I think a larger square would look good, hung a little bit above the back of the chair, but not too high.

What about a horizontal antique mirror, like a mantel mirror, above the carved piece? I know some don't like mirrors in dining rooms, but no one would be looking at themselves in it and if you get a nice chandelier, it could reflect back some sparkle and balance out all the wood.

I know these aren't likely the right scale or style for your carved piece, but just to give you an idea what I was picturing...something interesting but that wouldn't compete with the furniture piece below. A couple of these are ridiculously expensive from 1st dibs but a couple were on ebay.

I think you have a nice start. I actually don’t mind the neutral palette; it just needs a bit of sparkle. The chair placement seems a bit off too. I’m not sure the two wood chairs are working as placed were they are now. If they were at the actual head of the table it may be ok but this seems off! I think all the small items on the table look too busy. You need a beautiful chandelier, a mirror for some more sparkle and perhaps side panels at the windows for softness. Your almost there! Art will add color.

Oops Anon! As I look back on your photos I see those wooden chairs are at the ends of the table! I think it may be the upholstered chairs that are at an odd angle!

How about brighter colors as slipcovers for the beige chairs? A stripe or print with a tough of beige but mostly colors. then being in those colors in artwork and accessories.

You can test it by tucking the fabric around the chairs and pinning it ...

Try facing your side chairs even to the table and closer together as seen in these photos!

OP is very modest - even in choice of name - anon anon! That is a lovely, curated room - just not completed as of yet. I agree that a chandelier (probably traditional brass) would add some sparkle, and some more live plants would add life. For the personality, it depends on the OP. Based on anon's comments, maybe portraits from the 1700s-1800s, or outsider art, or quilt, or contemporary art - but definitely original, not prints. It's going to look great.

Example of historical artifacts for someone whose interest is Americana:

Agreed, I would never suggest art as that is a personal choice and inserted those for visual only. These were the other items although I would look for an antique mirror myself.

Anon Anon here. Everyone has amazing suggestions. I will rearrange my chairs right now and remove excess items from the cabinet. I love the ideas of adding lumbar cushions, waiting for that perfect art, and adding a chandelier to add sparkle. Thinking of an overmantel mirror too. Agreed, the four samplers are unsuccessful as presently displayed.

Many, many thanks for such amazing ideas and thoughts. This truly is a wonderful community, so supportive and knowledgeable. Thank you all again.

You have a lot of options with this space, I wold definitely add a pop of color with some artwork and even the splash of vases and fresh flowers

Not plain..........understated. Don't screw it up with all the cr--p that has been suggested you add to the room.

What seems obvious is that the historical documents, (the decor in the room) should be highlighted by your lighting and yet you have not placed them where the light can focus on them.

You don't necessarily require a chandelier because the can lights are focused on your dining table surface. I would upgrade a floral arrangement and only bring out the candlesticks when you are dining.

Can your can lights be adjusted to focus on the wall like the one in your other photo?

I would only add something to make a statement on top of your stunning chest. I have inserted a framed canvas and two ceramic accessories for contrast.

A bit more contrast is needed but lovely home....I think every room needs a bit of black it will add contrast....black frames or black woven shades on the windows with black trim on neutral linen drapes..a large oversized black framed floor mirror to reflect light....add a oversized chandelier with color crystals...Zgallerys crystal chandelier in amethyst would look amazing!

No longer offered:( at Zgallery oh well something completely unexpected for chandelier over table...

I am not sure if this was mentioned, but the wood chairs seem off in the room, or at least at the table....also what does the fourth wall look like? Can you show the wall that faces the living room?

Move the wood chairs to where the extra upholstered chairs are now and pull all the upholstered chairs around the table; (or wood chairs could even on sides of chest, they just seem a bit forced or even as an afterthought) squared to to the table; sides parallel to each other, and one on each end parallel to each other....find a chandelier that is length plus width of the room in feet, then translate to inches and that will give you width of chandelier, I think? Help me here houzzers! so you room is 13 plus 17 or 30 feet so chandelier minimum of 30 inches wide....then hang bottom of chandelier 30-36 inches from top of table......

Not sure of fourth wall but curtains would help, sparkly chandelier for brightness, mirror over the high chest with a set of 8 medium related art work evenly spaced around the room, to fill it but not stuff it!....but love the chandelier as unexpected with with a traditional twist in your room....

you need color , a historic wallpaper will be nice

There is nothing wrong with your taste,you just need to keep going. Adding texture to the walls via a linen or refined grasscloth in a neutral shade,would definitely pull things together and delineate the space in a way that works well in dining rooms that are open on several walls. I would add a new chandy and a larger piece of art above that wonderful chest. Minimal accessories needed.

Anon Anon, back again, to express my continuing thanks for even more wonderful comments and suggestions. Adding other room angles.

I do think your rug is too modern. I would buy an Oriental rug with red as the main color. Go to e-bay Antique Chinese porcelain and buy a centerpiece of 18th or 19th century export China to give a really classy and authentic look to your room. Mine is mid 19th century, and you can also find many blue and white export China pieces there, 18th or 19th century. You can also find reproduction oil paintings from that era made for you in China and Europe that will be copies but still original oils, but for a much smaller price. Look under Oil Paintings, Reproductions. I just recently received on from China that will give you an idea of what I mean.

All the pieces here are 18th and 19th century antique porcelain from China.Reproduction oil painting from China from e-bay

I think your rug is gorgeous and looks great!

I think this chandelier for the price $399 and size 26” would make an amazing impact in the room...gorgeous! Peeking into your kitchen you have a bit of a modern touch..would love to see a modern touch brought into the dining room...

Are you familiar with the artist TARKAY....a framed print would be amazing in Your neutral space...

What would you think of using all upholstered chairs at the table and the wooden ones against the wall where the others are now? I think the beauty of the backs of the chairs would show up against the wall so wonderfully. The one closest to the chest kind of blends in with it and the back is lost against the wood.

I agree that your rug looks wonderful.

eta: oops, just saw that Susan Davis above suggested the same thing.

Your framed art would have a much bigger impact if grouped together...also what type of Artifacts do you like..so many different types!

Anon, Anon, the chair placement looks so much better ! Your home is lovely and very serene. You have obviously taken great care in choosing just the items that you love! Such a beautiful mirror and Demi lune in the other room. I collect Japanese woodblock prints and can see something like that in this space as they have such beautiful color, and infinite subject matter and although are old seem to look contemporary at the same time. You seem to have a keen eye though so take your time; I’m sure whatever you eventually choose will be in keeping with your style.

Love the chandelier! maybe that should be your next piece in the room to help define the design you are going for.....? and I still prefer all the chairs around the table to be upholstered with the wood chairs on the wall on either side of the living room entry. Just sayin' try it you might like it?

I would have all upholstered chairs at the table remove arm chairs....they are wonderful and should be used as a accent chair in other parts of your home..maybe use one in a guest room or one in the family room so the entire chair can be seen...what are your thoughts on Ming horses? Would look great on top of your beautiful carved wood piece.

With respect, that is actually a Han horse (assuming it's genuine), over 1000 years old and a bit pricey. It does look genuine but difficult to tell from just one picture.

Ingrid it is just Tang horse ( type o) from Ethan Allen:)) the name doesn’t really matter just a reproduction...to funny almost had you fooled!

As mentioned above --- move the two wood chairs and bring the upholstered chairs back to the table. Find two prints to hang over the wood chairs.

Try the chairs on this wall instead of the window walls.

Add a small colorful pillow to the chairs.

Your room is lovely and just needs a few finishing touches.

Your room is lovely, What a beautiful table. I agree with others who recommend moving the wooden chairs from the table and putting the upholstered chairs back in their place. The wooden chairs would show well against the walls. I like the idea of a mantel mirror over your chest. If you installed a chandelier, it would be reflected in the mirror. That would be lovely.l

Now that you have repositioned the chairs I quite like the wood chairs at the head of the table. I’m not sure how often you use this room but I’m sure when you do it’s nice for the host and hostess to have an arm chair;)! I know my husband certainly prefers it!

I do love Tang horses; whether they be these lovely reproductions from John Richard...

Or the real deal costing many $$$$$ !!!!

I can see what you are unhappy with.....the elements are wonderful and reflect who you are....they just need a prettier background to bring them to life......by this I mean a drop dead wall color....without knowing your favorite colors it is hard to be specific....perhaps just the right shade of lavender or even aqua....a very interesting shade of yellow green?...I also like the wallpaper suggestions with the one caveat that they are more expected..sedate....an unexpected color would be more modern and crisp.....while not competing with your timeless furnishings and art

To stress....the colors do not need to be dark ..or bright....but enough to create a sort of distinctive glow in this sort of centrally located room that is viewed from several surrounding rooms?

I do like the idea of a textured wallpaper such as grass cloth for a bit of interest as long as it isn’t too dark. The serene look of this space is so appealing. Here are some ideas for light fixtures.

Another option for art could be American primitive or folk art. I love the color palette and simple shapes, the naive look and simplistic nature of so much of this style art. Modern and traditional at the same time!