8 ft table in progress

Just had a thought, did you order a large enough rug? The legs of the chairs should still be on it when people sit down. And your table will be larger when you make the new top for it.
If you measure the new top and add 24-30 inches to each side, that's about the size of rug you'll need.
Also, when you do put in a dresser or console table, the rug shouldn't go under that.

Yeah I measured and can't go more than 7 ft on the sides without it going alllll the way to the wall. I decided on a rug that was 6'7 X 9'6. I know I'll be a little short (6 inches total) on the ends since my table is 8 ft but felt it was better to do that than it be flush against the wall on the sides and I wasn't willing to sacrifice length of th table and I got the rug for cheap- $200. If it looks awkward with the host chairs, I thought I could stage them on the corners since we won't be using them everyday...

I thought about putting a small table against the window because i dont think I'm going to have room on the sides... Would that work?

Ohhhh I was only measuring that 24 inches from one side of the table.... Oh no.....

Hmm... on a positive note, I too had been thinking about placing a sideboard or table in front of the window. Let's see what the table looks like when it's in your room and go from there.
Look... rules are there to be broken. So perhaps the area rug is fine (we'll see) and if not, go rugless in the dining room and enjoy the full beauty of the floor And if you can't return it, use the rug in the foyer or somewhere else. You're right about wanting to leave floor space open between rug and walls.
(I always have to convert inches and feet to meters (I'm in Europe). I just can't get to grips with inches.)

Coming along. Yeah we'll see about the rug... Not sure I am going to want to add host chairs. I definitely want some contrast between the floors and the table and chair legs. Which way should I go on the top with a wood stain--dark or light?

The table re-do looks GREAT!!! As for the color for the table top - how about waiting til the new green rug is placed. That is blue painter's tape on the wall squares, correct? If I understood you correctly you are painting the squares the same color as the wall but leaving all the white trim work? Also if you remove those striped curtains, your room will look totally different...better, imho. :) It looks like there are white shades of some sort over the window but under the drapes, therefore I think the white sideboard/table in front of that will not add the pizzaz you will want. Perhaps put some inexpensive colored sheers over the blinds and then put the side table against that for some contrast. That way you haven't spent much money and can re-do it later. If you like the green rug you might look for green curtains. Having said all that, I might leave the table top til you decide about the rug and drapes. Short term you could use it by covering it with a vinyl tablecloth for protection.

Also - I like the light fixture and if it matches everything else in the house I would change out the curtains and rug first, place your white table/sideboard and then see what you think about the light. I go slow so I don't have to re-do as often. Cough cough! ;)

Yeah it's painters tape- painting it back to the original color. The previous homeowners painted them darker... Agreed on the curtains just haven't had time to pull them down yet. Good idea on waiting til the rug comes in to see. I think it'll do that.

That looks like faux wainscoting and you should be able to just pop the trim off the wall instead of trying to fuss with it and make it look nice or fit with your design. It's much too thin for the size of the crown molding and doesn't go with the fancy farmhouse style that I think you are after.

Question....are those curtain stripes black or brown and white or cream?

Those curtains are white and brown. Theyre coming down. Im thinking about going with a sheer (not sure on the color yet), up to the ceiling.

Seems like everyone agrees to remove the railing.. I'll talk to hubby about it tomorrow and see if he's okay with that...

I don't mind the railing - and I don't like the effort of removing it and filling in all the little holes and sanding the wall. If it bothers you, just paint the whole wall the same color top to bottom, but leave the floor and ceiling trim white. Either way you have to repaint. I'm thinking minimal effort and cost now to get the room close to what you want and then go on to other rooms (is that even going to be necessary?). You can always tweek it later - or if you are like me, your taste will change and it still needs redone in a totally different way.

Each of these has the green in it, so it just depends on which colorway you'd like to head in.

Thanks, I like these curtains we have 10 ft ceilings so ill have to see if they come longer.. Or just not go all the way to the ceiling.

you could buy the same fabric at joannfabrics.com and have them made to go to the ceiling, although with that height, I would not go to the ceiling, I would go 8 feet (the 95" curtains would fit then). If you go to the ceiling, then there will be a dark space above the curtains where the wall is.

Your floors look very nice. I think I would getbridbof the curtains and update. I also think you could turn the table around horizontally & place your rug in that direction

The table is being enlarged to 8 feet long, it would be wall-to-wall that way.

~~~~UPDATE (color advice please!!) ~~~
Thanks so much for y'all's help so far. Rug just came in today! I'll get hubby to help me center it between the left and right walls, no worries. Now that the rug is in, what about the table top color? Should I stain it light or dark? Would striped curtains be too busy with the rug?

I'm thinking of not doing end chairs.. Don't feel like I have space end the room for them. I am looking to do a painted rosette wall (plates were my inspiration but hubby doesn't want anything that breakable on walls.) I attached a pic but not sure which way to go with color yet. Thinking white.. Would that be too boring?

Thanks everyone :)

I would definitely do a nutmeg stain on the top of your table. It appears that you've used pine boards, and pine tends to lean yellow...so don't use any stain that has the word "golden" in it. Something medium in tone with a hint of red undertone will be perfect. The chandelier definitely needs to change to fit the style of the room. The right stripe would be fine for curtains--got any options to show us that you're looking at?

I love the idea of the rosettes on the wall. The ones in your inspiration photo remind me of the styrene ceiling medallions that can be purchased in the lighting departments of places like Lowes or Home Depot. They could be painted in shades of the green in your rug and hung with no worry about breakage. The stencil would work, but the depth of a medallion will add richness.

Rug is great. Phew! ;-) Love the ceiling medallions on the wall idea. Your wall isn't white is it? (I'm out on the patio, in the sun, so can't see much of any colour at all now). So white medallions will be nice and understated. You could also do a couple of different colours. White, green from the rug and perhaps another colour?
Striped curtains could work very well.
Table looks terrific.

I don't have any curtains I'm looking at yet but will post when I do. Here's where I am on the table right now. Just got it stained today and will finish it up tomorrow. Happy with how it turned out :)

Table looks even more terrific now :-)

light blue and white would look great with the beige on the wall

The Curtains look nice however the rod should be mounted about 6'''above the window.

http://www.blindsdirectcanada.com/

Judit, she just painted the apple green accent squares.

I still think any of those curtains I posted from Country Curtains would be the best best. Sort of Country French.

Your dining room and table is a lot like the style I'm trying to achieve. Since you and hubby are DIYers you may want to make your curtains. Here's a link to give you inspiration. http://ourlifeisblessedbeyondmeasure.blogspot.com/2011/09/knock-off-ballard-designs-burlap-crewel.html
And I think they would look fab with your new rug and medallions. I'm actually in the process of making my own as well. Good luck

Donna Dixon, those curtains would be fab in this dining room. What do you think a2themanda? It's the perfect mix between to tie the traditional trim on the walls in with the more farmhouse style of the table. Love the idea!

The first thing I think is a pop of art on the wall to give the room your own touch and style. If money is limited (and you have an iPad handy) try the ARTtwo50 app...all art is original and 250$. You can see the art hanging on your wall, compare pieces, get feedback, and purchase if you find one you like. You can find it on arttwo50.com to download and see some awesome art.

Oh and about your chair rail, don't take it off!! Too much hassle! Just paint everything below white to make it disappear

I do like those burlap painted curtains... A LOT. hitting up Hobby Lobby tomorrow!! Thanks for the idea :)

Yes, I debated painting the bottom of the wall white but feel its too formal for the feel of our house. I'm keeping the railing white but painting the walls (center squares) back to neutral.

A-w-w-w, I kind of liked the little splash of fun color...

You could even paint the chair rail in the colour of your wall. That looks really modern.

Gosh y'all have so many great ideas for the railing... And everyone who comes into our home suggests something different, too! I have it taped off but still haven't painted because I just cannot decide yet! I thought after I had the rug in the space I'd decide..... But nope! Maybe after the curtains are done... I am playing off the Ballard Designs idea and doing it with IKEA curtains like here: http://uglyducklingtransformations.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/ballard-designs-inspired-curtains/ but I want to find (or make) a bigger stencil than what is shown in that post.

I also found this rug for the living room: http://uglyducklingtransformations.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/ballard-designs-inspired-curtains/ and bought an 8x10 in the sand color this morning to tie the two rooms (open concept between my dining room/kitchen/living) and I've been so torn on which way to go without being to matchy-matchy.

Y'all are fabulous, keep up the great work!

Oh! i forgot.. I also found these last night... http://www.curtainworks.com/index/page/product/product_id/1280/category_id/398/product_name/Traditional+Damask+Lace+Pole+Top+Curtain+Panel

Still like the burlap ones batter? These are cheap and I like them... but not sure they'd achieve the same effect.

I'm so glad you like those too. I bought my stencil from EBay because I could find one proportioned big enough to suite the ones from Ballard's. It's a 16'' sort of damask- Ikat pattern and instead of burlap I went to Home Depot and bought a 9x12 canvas drop cloth but using the same technique. I know that sounds weird but it's the perfect texture and color that matches the slipcovers( Home Decorators) I bought for some old parsons chairs to use as end chairs. And since I don't sew much I'm using fusible web tape. If you Google drop cloth curtains there's all kinds of info:)

Here's the link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/150672282079?hlp=false&var=

Drop cloths are an awesome idea! I actually live about 5 mins from the Dallas IKEA and I only need one pair http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00221539/#/20225249 and its $10 for the pair and they're already hemmed (getting them in beige).

Thanks for the stencil link... That's a MUCH better price!

Perfect! I really think they will go with your new rug. I haven't actually made mine yet, my dining room has been a work in progress with things like structural issues drywall flooring and having to shell out $ for a new central AC unit things like curtain budget go on the wayside.

Donna and a2themanda, I used drop cloths from Home Depot (one panel each window) for my den. LOVE them!
Also, I just read on a blog last night that if your stencil is not large enough you can also flip it arund end to end and have a mirror effect. Wish I could figure out how to descibe with keyboard strokes maybe like this:
>< The bottom becomes the top on the lower portion of the stencil.

Can't wait to see how the room turns out.

PS....paint the chair rail :-) Doing same to mine right now.

Bamamom II DO know what your talking about and have seen that site!
And I've painted my chair rail white to the bottom. I LOVE it! I think it grounds the room

Why would you need "Black-out" curtains in a dinning room? Aren't they primarily to keep a room dark for sleeping. We have the Eastern morning sun coming into our dinning room as well as the kitchen and bay window kitchen table area and it's a beautiful look.. And there are no curtains on any of our windows. Perhaps add a lining to make it more finished or formal if you want the look you're going for.

Janet,

Not sure where you live but It is not uncommon for us Texans to have black-out curtains everywhere in the house to cut down our electricity costs. It's HOT here! Everyday! Summer days under 98 degrees are happy days :)

However, we are in a 1 story and have 3600 sq ft 2-story homes to both the east and west of us. And we have 10 inches of insulation in our attic. So we don't have it nearly as bad as others do. There are many horror stories of $400/ month electric bills in modest size homes here.

Updated room. Still a work in progress. Went with coral curtains and want something else for the centerpiece

Lovely. Your table is beautiful. I would remove the runner and put some beautiful ceramic vases or a large bowl on top.
Just did a quick search for pottery in Texas and found this one:
http://pine-mills-pottery.smugmug.com/

The room looks really nice. I love the table too! Awesome job all around. I think changing the chandelier like you originally planned to do will really make the room pop just a little bit more.