The new flooring is beautiful!!

If that were my dining room, I'd move the china cabinet to the adjacent wall, since it seems a bit small for the wall it's on. Then I'd get a long buffet for that wall and place 2 buffet lamps on it, and some framed prints or a mirror above the buffet.

I'd paint the chairs black, and depending on the length of the buffet, I'd place a chair on either end. Then I'd add a 6-8 light chandelier over the table, hanging 30" above the table.

I'd also replace the dark curtains with lighter panels, maybe linen, in either an off-white or a pattern.

I know you said you didn't want a rug, but a low-pile rug would add warmth and muffle sound. It will also protect your new floors. You have a lot of hard surfaces which can make a room feel cold.

Finally I'd repaint the room to coordinate with the new curtains and rug.

Before you do anything, however, have a plan in place. Collect some fabric samples and photos of items you may want to purchase. This will help you avoid a mish-mash of styles, colors, and patterns, and give the room a cohesive look.

A new chandelier is a great idea. i'd also add an art piece to the wall opposite your sliding glass doors. Good luck!

Quoizel Kyle 6-Light 23" Transitional Chandelier in Imperial Bronze · More Info

I like Diana Bier Interiors ideas. I would add that the window panels could stand a beefing up. What you currently have don't appear sufficient to cover the sliders when drawn. In addition to Seldens Furniture's idea for a chandelier, this one might also appeal to you. (Love your store and customer service, btw.)

I understand not wanting a rug: The light will create an outline over time. You can soften/warm-up the room in other ways. For example consider fabric shades on a similarly styled chandelier as below.

Rather than shifting the table, perhaps you can slide the hutch to the right?

PS, we decided against adding more large furniture to this room because we are trying to minimize now that the kids are gone. I'm in 'less is more' mode.

Hi, judymn. If the arrangement wasn't working for you, you were right to move it back to what fit the space and pleased you best.

There are some professional designers on here who chime in when they can. I suspect many of them are working with clients and don't always have the time to follow all of the treads that interest them. The rest of us just have a real strong interest in design, but don't have all the answers. Many of us have full-time jobs, children and other commitments that prevent us from chiming in as much as we'd like.

So, try not to get discouraged by the lack of rapid fire responses. I don't know about your shopping cart, but there are several professionally designed dining rooms here on Houzz that share the "less is more" aesthetic that appeals to you (note that almost all of them feature art):

Sailboats · More Info

Interior of dining room · More Info

Herring Creek Farmhouse · More Info

Eat in Kitchen with Fire Place · More Info

You've gotten some good feed back and tried some of the suggestions, but they weren't right for you or your space. It's like that sometimes. I think the changes you made to your window coverings look great! They look much more substantial. Since you don't want to add another piece of furniture or a rug, that leaves you with selecting a chandelier and some artwork. Maybe take a look at some of your local galleries or art school sales to see what appeals to you. Art has an amazing way of changing the look of a room for the better.

You have dark leather chair and ottoman tucked in the corner. What's your idea for that corner? If it's a spot for a quick read and cup of tea, consider adding a small table.

Add some big beautiful bold prints in your favorite colors on each side of the hutch. Or if you prefer, possibly a large framed mirror.

Maybe hanging a quilt or textile piece would look nice.

I understand. Having dedicated your life to others, maybe now is the time to focus on you - your interests and ideas - not your dining room. Give yourself some space to "do YOU" for a while. You're dining room is fine as is. After you've given yourself some well deserved personal time, you will likely find that inspiration seeps into your home in a way that reflects the woman you are and are becoming. All things in life are a process - including dining rooms!

Tangential musings from random inter-webber over. (Although, I do hope you return to art). Best wishes to you, judymn!