Can you remove the arch between the 2 rooms? That would allow more light from the kitchen to come in.

I would paint everything white, including those two chairs, whitewash your ceiling and use white & cream fabrics. Let the table and wicker settee stand out.

Cutting back a few branches outside will also do wonders.

Start by extending your curtain rod a bit wider to allow the curtain to sit on either side of the window, rather than covering part of the window. I would add something on the wall opposite the table, such as a cabinet with a decorative mirror above, or art with two lamps on the cabinet. Try cutting back the ivy a little. Painting the room white would help but may involve more than just this one room.

Thanks Barbara--the room sort of is white; do you mean the wooden ceiling?

Following...

Just keep the lights on. We have an interior hallway that we light during much of the day.

You are going to have to create light. I don't see any lamps at all, just the overhead. Overhead can be shadowy and harsh, you need to mix it up with some floor lamps too.

That chadeleir I can’t imagine even giving light at night so the first thing I would do is get some proper lighting in there and sometimes in this situation the only thing you can do is turn on the lights . Get a fixture with LED bulbs in daylight 3500-500 K and add a dimmer for the evening. If it was mine I might paint the ceilings but they really are quite nice as is.

The problem is that any light fixture in the dining area will be competing unsuccessfully with the huge amount of sunlight from the skylight in the kitchen. You could add a large flat panel of daylight LEDs in the same shape as the skylight if you want to emulate its light. It would replace one of the two ceiling fixtures you have.

Yes I agree with the suggestions but biggest thing imo is PAINT THE CEILING. By the way, lovely room.

Cut the ivy from the bottom and pull it off the window -- we have done this many times on our home. Secondly, if those are bushes in front of the window, they should be removed or cut back. They appear to be overgrown and obstructing any natural light that could come in.

Take down the ivy and paint the outside wall white

If that window faces north you won't get much light even if you cut away the greenery.

The window faces west. Thanks all! I too am torn on the ceiling. The wood grain is so beautiful but it's also dark.

a question re MIRRORS. I've now put three mirrors into rooms along the decor principle that they add light. Folks who have viewed the rooms have all said--get rid of them! How am I misunderstanding or misusing this principle?

My other limitation is I want to respect certain things that have meaning to my partner (he lived here before me). He nested in the house after his mom tragically died and it is sacred to him. These can be arbitrary. Sadly, the ceiling is not one of those, but that damned mirror is.

Can you replace the window by just a big one? All these rods block sunlight

I understand your not wanting to paint the nice wood ceiling, but I think that is going to be your best way to lighten up the space. You also have that ceiling in the kitchen. Can you all enjoy the wood look in there and paint the dining room ceiling white? Another good suggestion by many is the replacement of the light fixture. One with 4-6 bulbs (LED natural light) will make a big difference. Like partim, I also have an interior hallway that I light throughout the day. I use LED bulbs, so I am not using much electricity...it makes such a difference to have that space light.

Perhaps reconsider the skylights or add sun tubes.

My neighbours added sun tubes and are deLIGHTed with them! I think they actually only used a large one and it completely transformed their living room into a lighter space.

Also, what do you use the space for daily? Do you ever use it for dining? I only say this because many people have a dining room that is actually used as an office.

Agree with the theme of "get more lights and leave them on"! You have a chandelier and also some spotlights in the ceiling. Could you go with something like a flat iron chandelier with many lights? Hang a light in the corner in front of the mirror? Add a bookcase or narrow hutch with lights opposite the window?

I have a very old cabin with a kitchen that has one north and one west window, very dark. Put in under-cabinet lights, a very large overhead light in the vaulted ceiling, and a table lamp on the kitchen table. Feels fine now, and I actually like all the greenery that is blocking the north-facing window - cozy now rather than dark and gloomy.

Agree with your reluctance to paint the ceiling. Don't think cutting the vines on the fence would help much, unless there is nice brickwork underneath that you could paint white. (And then you would have to wash the fence all the time to keep it clean.)

I wouldn't paint that beautiful wood ceiling. The big mirror is important to your partner so it needs to stay. Could you install LED wall sconces that open up on the wall with the shelf and little mirror? You would want a "daylight" bulb. I would replace the shelf and things on it with a large painting.

Trim back foliage so there's some light that can enter through the window.

Lighten any and all the surfaces in the interior. Whitewash the ceiling if necessary.

Trimming back the foliage hard will cost you nothing. I know that mirror may have sentimental value but it doesn’t do much for the room, perhaps you and your partner can shop for an antique mirror together and create a new memory. You can add recessed lighting on dimmers also and not to sound like a broken record you need a new chandelier;)! We can’t see all the walls in this room but sconces may even be an option.

Oh, and if privacy isn’t a problem, loose the drapes! That’s such a pretty window!!!

Oh my gosh--I can't tell you what a difference just cutting back the ivy made!!! Next step--whitewashing and losing the mirror ;)

What a difference indeed. It is looking so much better already. I would replace the mirror with another one, similar to the one Lynartist suggested.

brighter cushions on your settee, too.

All very good suggestions. I think if you neaten up some of the clutter and minimized things in the space it would look a lot freer and that would help it look lighter.

If you want to keep the curtains, then they need a wider curtain rod. Or maybe your existing rod can be extended. When they are open, the curtains should cover the wall beside the window, not cover the glass. As it is, the open curtains are covering about a quarter of your window.

Depending on the direction of the sun, the mirror may be reflecting light into your room. I'd leave it. And I would never paint that lovely ceiling. Add more lighting.

Oh Eve! Lovely!!! Let the sun shine in!!!

If it faces West, it should be much brighter around :3:00 p.m.

no need to cover the window let nature in , paint the walls light but use with pastel colours leave the ceiling alone to keep the natural look add some floral fabric to this room making it conservatory like . perhaps by getting some different furniture too will create the oasis that you wish.

I wouldn't paint over that lovely ceiling. Unless you actually use the drapes, you can get rid of those too. Brighter fabric on the pillows.. different hanging lighting. Add a couple torchiere lamps to throw light upward onto the ceiling.