Are you also thinking about painting them? I would say stick to reupholstering or the slip covers you have seen and liked...they are very specific in style, but that would lighten them up.

Lovely furniture! I would want to know more about the room before advising on a re-do of the dining furniture. Flooring, windows, openings, ceiling height, paint, etc. The "mostly neutrals" makes me immediately wonder about the potential for an accent color that will allow the neutrals to dominate? Congrats on the new home!

Not sure you can get the Darryl Carter 'look' by using that dining set. He wouldn't use a set and would combine stained pieces with painted pieces. His selections seem to be more minimal.

N

As someone who is in the process of "deTuscanizing" myself, I can totally relate to your dilemma. I think,at the very minimum, you would have to replace the chairs. Depressing I know.

Maybe try replacing the rug with a cow hide and reupholstering the chairs to a nice off-white.