Pics up

You did a lot! I think your dining set looks great, but some outdated elements in the room should be reconsidered. If you want to upgrade the whole space to modernize it, here are some thoughts:

--Stain the table top the same as the hutch. Leave the hutch as it is for now. Maybe waaay down the road, paint it an accent color, but I like it the way it is. Do streamline/curate what's on the shelves. Leave some spaces around objects.

--What to remove: wire shelves, Eat sign, and silvery object on wall, all stuff on top of kitchen cabinets. These clutter the visual space,

--Get a long, low, under-the-window-white bench with colorful trays for many plants since you seem to love real plants.

--Remove the rug entirely. For one thing, it's the wrong size. Under table rugs should have at least 3ft around the chairs so the chairs can be pushed back while on the rug. Live with no rug for awhile.

--Center a fantastic pendant light right over the table. Your lights are very old fashioned and are in odd places. This is going to cost you something to hardwire something, though you could swag an interesting fixture over the table as well.

--Replace the pinwheel silver thing with a very large food-related (or landscape) art work--something really beautiful that you love that includes some golds to echo your wood pieces, but with new colors. A large, gorgeous painting will add so much to your room. You can find art on Houzz, Art.com.

--Replace big swag curtains with ceiling to floor drapes in white linen. Ditto the window. This will lighten the dining area so much--nice long smooth lines.

When you come up for air, tweak some things in the kitchen to streamline it.

--Remove all stuff on top of cabinets. This may mean decluttering elsewhere, but you'll add visual height and lightness to balance out the dark cabinets.

--Replace the cabinet hardware with light, modern nickel hardware.

--Remove the swags and replace with bamboo roman shades or fabric ones with the colors of your lighting over the peninsula.

--Get in indoor-outdoor red and yellow runner rug to create a "pathway" to the kitchen.

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Wow, that’s very creative of you housegal200. A lot to take in and process, thank you for your suggestions.

Hmmm. I might go in a bit of a different direction. It's very hard sometimes to tell colors from photos, but it almost seems like the hutch is a bit to red-toned for the flooring. So I'm not sure I would stain the tabletop to match it. I might go more Special Walnut (but probably not a deep espresso - I think that ship has kind of sailed, in terms of styling and it doesn't go with anything else you have).

You DO need some sort of rug.

I like this one, but I think it might not work with that floor:

I really like braided rugs for country settings, and these are nice:

Or you could really embrace the country theme with plaid:

It's not just for Christmas! (Caveat - with kids, I'd never have anything with this much white under my table. But YMMV)

I agree that the lights are in odd places and need replacing. Although I'd probably go a little less.. mod. If you can hang one directly over the dining table (and I cringe to do this because Fixer Upper is totally not my thing BUT), I think this might look nice:

And you might also consider replacing the pendants over your peninsula with something less... orange. A simpler pendant maybe plain glass shades.

This-ish?

I agree, too, that some art might be nice. And I'd take down the "EAT" sign, as well. (Sorry. Word art is sort of not my bag). OTOH, I'm not much of a "I bought it because the colors matched my curtains" art shopper, either. Try surfing Etsy.

The hutch COULD use a nice collection. What speaks to you? A little milk glass? Some Jewel ware?

(Mom has some, so my head went there)

Anywho, maybe there were some ideas there you can use?

I would go black with the hutch for contrast and a natural finish on the tabletop so it stays light like it is now. Replace all of the wannabe Tuscan-style lights (dining, and pendant lights), they are dating the kitchen. Replace the curtains with a neutral linen or oatmeal, or maybe a ticking stripe Roman shade and no swags.

Yes, thank you! I am kinda leaning toward a modern farmhouse look. My house isn’t modern in any area. I would love to only have one light in there but previous owners didn’t take my thoughts into consideration. Not sure if hubby is into rewiring and patching ceiling holes but I can get him to replace the lights. Thinking a type of Edison light tighter to ceiling for both of them and also for the pendants your lights you pictured would be perfect. So I will be replacing those lamp shades.

I will look into Walmut I think a warm darker but not black stain maybe the thing it needs for the top of table.

i have never been into China or stone wear but maybe that would help.

I have thought about taking the top off buffet all together and putting boards down for top of buffet and staining it like the table top but a bit rustic with the wood... idk

The rugs are nice but trying to get away from red, that was color of the kitchen/ dining for years and I really want light and airy now. Northern Indiana brings on my S.A.D in fall and winter need more light and bright. I think I will look into a picture for in there.

Oops! I made the assumption that the window dressing and other elements were staying. Sorry!

A question, then: How trendy/not trendy do you want to go? Grey for a house like this that wasn't built with that in mind is probably going to not work out all that well. The flooring is too pinkish, I think. Blue might be a bit challenging too, but a nice green might work? What were you thinking of?

You could go more sagey, or more blue. Color trends seem to be warming up right now, but it looks like you've got a nice greige on the walls. Maybe a nice bluey-green rug:

And some jadeite for the hutch. Real or repro, if you're not a purist.

What direction are you leaning?

Table/hutch

Sleeping on this, and how you might be able to go more farmhouse/country without being sort of the last to adopt the Fixer Upper look before it dies...

Maybe a color palette like this?

Consider a green on the hutch? And work small pops of the yellow in here and there? Definitely do some test boards and see how it would work with your existing cabs and floor.

You did say farmhouse, but your place has no features whatsoever in that direction except for your oak set. If you're thinking about a modern version of farmhouse that will work with the bones of your house, then some simple things might get you there--swap the swags for bamboo shades and plain white curtains. Lose the wall messages, odd lighting, metal shelving unit and top of your hutch but keep it the wood color. Rethink the industrial fixture your considering. Basically, simplify and don't add a lot of stylist doodads to a house that isn't farmhouse. While you don't want these chairs, the photos below show wood table, white chairs, very simple lighting, etc. no odd decorative pieces. It's all very clearn with simple lines.

Rehome the rug because the size is off. In other words, don't add new items that add to an old-fashioned look you seem to want to get rid of.

Going to the other extreme, that industrial light fixture, for example, is too far the other way. Think about a simple fixture that suggests farmhouse but isn't industrial and coordinates with your red pendants over the peninsula. Try to avoid adding things that don't complement what you're keeping. These coordinate with your existing pendants but have a modern farmhouse vibe.

Ok makes sense housegal200, but I guess I see a farmhouse but you don’t in style. What style are you seeing for my house with the low pitched roof and square lower windows. Maybe that’s my problem I can’t find a “ style” to emulate. And going the wrong route. I do love the fixer upper and modern farmhouse (hobby lobby) style though. But maybe it’s the wrong direction I am taking need another opinion. I will try adding house pics

This is entry to living room left hall office and bedroom en-suite and mud room to garage down hall right. Basement downstairs, kitchen eye level and on up another set of stairs to two bedrooms and a loft area. Weird set up, very quirky.

Some random pics 2 upstairs bedroom one an office/ daybed. Other teen daughter both slant ceiling. Along with bathroom off kitchen which is main/ daughters bathroom.

Living room has no slant ceilings along with my master bedroom( ignore mess) my catch all and summer/ winter clothes transitioning currently

muddroom pic to garage

Hi, Tammy. I DO think you have some "farmhouse" style to work with. Though that is because in my area there are a lot of older homes on farms that resemble your exterior - 2 story, hipped roof ends, etc.

Your current decor and color scheme don't really reflect that. How much do you want to change?

Are you planning a room by room redo into a farmhouse cottage look? Or just the kitchen? I do agree that for longevity, I would avoid too much trite bric a brac. And over industrial themed light fixtures. Edison bulbs are cute but not very functional. They don't throw a lot of light, and it's a very orange color.

Thanks Holly, I started questioning If maybe it’s a bungalow or craftsman I am trying unsuccessfully to add farmhouse style to. And we do have some barns on property. You know at this point I guess I am just an eclectic type idk. Maybe I should toss the farmhouse feel and go more different. I am going to look for more modern curtains, possibly woven blinds ,a better dimensional rug for under table, maybe a bright runner like someone posted for the galley kitchen. Get rid of metal windmills and get a piece of neat artwork there. Some new dishes for hutch. I may paint hutch a white at first to tie into table but the green sounds neat may get bold and paint both the white table and hutch a green with dark wax eventually, each and every one of these post have got me thinking and given me some good ideas. Definitely changing out light fixtures , probably stay a bit away from farmhouse style now try for something else.

Me again, Tammy. Thanks for sharing all the photos of your cozy home. If you like it the way it is, just enjoy it. If you're wanting a more modern look, start two Ideabooks on Houzz, one "Transitional" and one "Modern Farmhouse." Save photos of houses you like that seem realistic with the style of your house--the "bones" of it, and what you already have.

Look up something called "negative space." Here's an article on it in Houzz. It's about the nice sense of space and flow you get when your eye can rest on empty space. Not every wall has to have some little object on it. More space means you focus on a few nice pieces, an art work, some photographs, plants, etc. so your eye doesn't get too overwhelmed at taking in too many small things. That's why I suggested removing your metal shelves in the dining room to focus on your lovely hutch, whether it has a top on it or not.

[https://www.houzz.com/magazine/the-power-of-negative-space-in-interior-design-stsetivw-vs~97343035 [(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/the-power-of-negative-space-in-interior-design-stsetivw-vs~97343035)

Consider removing nearly all of your "signs" -- not all of them -- and other objects from walls, cabinet tops, etc. Put the stuff in a box for a while and see if your rooms seem simpler and spacious.

Comments on your photos:

--The bathroom is really nice--great paint choice; not too many knick knacks; nice shower curtain.

--Sun porch: take off everything from the walls behind the corner wicker chair. If you want, add a little modern-ish reading light over the chair to suggest a cozy reading corner. One pillow--tops-per chair! How can you sit down otherwise?

--Daybed/office room. If budget allows, a simple blue tailored print or solid cover would work better than the ornate spread on there now. Get a nice horizontal painting for over the daybed and remove the other little painting entirely and take off the metal thing.

--Bedroom with brown tufted headboard. Hang the mirror and get yellow and blue curtains with coordinating yellow and blue shams and bedding.

--Den with big brown couches. Move the sofas about a a half foot from the wall to add some visual space to the room. Move the the horse art to the window wall with nothing else--zero. That way, they'll be the first thing you see when you enter the room. Get a ledge shelf for the other wall and arrange JUST A FEW PIECES YOU LIKE ON IT! Negative space is a positive! Get a round tray for the ottoman in an accent color and leave it empty for people to put down drinks, food, etc. No pillows would be better than the floppy oversized ones on the couch that just look kind of sloppy. Less is more.

--Fireplace room and everything that can be seen looks nice. If you have doodads hanging elsewhere in that room, take them down, so the focal point is that lovely fireplace.

--The big bedroom. Move the mirror elsewhere. Center the dresser. It'll have more impact by itself. Again, doodads off the walls. Remove the little chest from the window. It's just another piece of visual clutter. You want a sense of the windows and light uninterrupted by that piece. Get some great curtains for this room and bedding that goes with them. With all the bitty things removed, these full curtains, hung very high and right to the floor, will have an impact. So will your nice bedroom furniture.

Housegal200, you really must be an interior decorator on your day job! Thanks for all the great advice. I think I am liking this negative space concept. Simplicity!

Go, girl. A lot of everyone's suggestions--simplifying by removing outdated visual doodads that don't cut it anymore--don't cost a nickel. Put the old knick knacks away. If you change your mind, they're there. After a while, make a trip to Goodwill in one clean sweep.

You'll get a better sense of your own future style if your old style doesn't get in the way. IMO, looking for art on art.com, on Etsy, at local art shows and fairs, thrift shops, and your own photos, is a wonderful pasttime that adds such richness to life. Pick art works you love, then hang or display them without any distractions. If they're good and big enough, and you love them, then you don't need a lot of bitty things to fill them out. Take your color palette and style from there. (I think you picked some lovely colors--brown and blue; tan and blue, yellow and blue. You love blue so start there with your art.) Honestly, that's the way to get a home you love.

Agree that replacing all the “word art” with real art would be a great step.

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The hutch’s color looks nice. Maybe staining the top of the table a little darker might look nice with the rest of the set. Regarding the windows, you could just change the curtains you have and get some shades. I consider those would work better.