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rebeccamomof123

Help with drab dining room

7 years ago
We moved in just about two months ago, and I’m ready to tackle the dining room. The only thing thing that stays is the table and paint color. What would you do for drapes? Rug? I got these 3 window-pane mirrors to put on the non-window wall, thoughts on that? The doorway on the non window wall leads to the kitchen, and the french doors lead to a sitting room (which also needs help, next on the list).

The space is not wide enough for a hutch or console and a side wall, but I could do some shallow shelving on either side of the back window or some wall shelving on the side wall (Instead of the mirrored window panels)

Ideas?

Comments (44)

  • 7 years ago
    One other perspective
  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    So far, it is all very neutral. What color do you want to add or will you stay with neutrals? Do you have a particular style that you like? The one inspiration picture you have saved in your ideabook is do-able in this space if you want to go that direction.

    I would add long cream colored drapes on the black rods you have. More sheer if you don't need the privacy. I would look for a large piece of art for the non-window wall.

  • 7 years ago
    Yes, I agree. My taste is modern farmhouse, and I’m always afraid to use any real color, but I know the space needs something. Even if I just do one really colorful piece of artwork and keep the rest all neutral and let that be the hero. I hate the new design of this site, I can’t even find my idea book so I’ll have to dig around to see what I posted, LOL.

    I like the cream drape idea, I was thinking of a a large scale black-and-white print, but going with something basic is probably a better idea!
  • 7 years ago

    Pick the art first if you can,. Drapes and rugs are easier to find.

  • 7 years ago

    Art is neutral IMHO. There's no way art can clash with anything in your space. So go with art that appeals to you. In my former home I had a calendar with copies of famous Japanese prints illustrating each month. I loved the calendar art so when the year was over, I got some plain black frames at a home store and created a six image picture display for my wall, much like the one in your inspiration photo. That's one approach for creating something like that. The photos can be of anything that catches your eye, even arty photos of your family if they're not full on faces staring directly at the diners! My current dining room has some huge framed watercolors of the beach that I got for a pretty low price at a local art gallery. The framing was what was expensive. I like those because they bring my favorite outdoor scenes indoors. That's another approach to art, using landscapes or nature scenes or botanical prints to bring the outdoors in. But if you're a music lover, you could also decorate with album covers or concert posters. Or if you love physics, pictures of the planets. Or maybe you miss color and just want some non-representational art that has beautiful color combinations. Or maybe you have some heirloom china that you would maybe never use but would look great hung on the wall. The point is to find something that you are going to enjoy in the room. At this point you have a blank slate. Once you know what appeals to you, then you can begin to collect pieces that go together.

  • 7 years ago

    See how easy. :-)


  • 7 years ago
    Here are my other inspiration pics... I guess I’m drawn to the collage art style. I do love gardening and botanicals. I’ve always been drawn to the artwork found on seed packets, would love to find some reproductions like that. I’m also noticing those inspiration pics both have a similar light fixture style, that could be an easy swap out too?
  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    I also love the neatly spaced botanical or architectural prints or b/w family photos.


  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    The great thing about using relatively cheap prints in a picture montage is you can easily swap them out if you find something you like more. You can always get something more expensive, but all of the things you like for a montage would be easy to do. Just google any of them and also maybe look on Etsy. You'll probably find so many it will be hard to pick from! For inexpensive prints, you can't beat wall calendars! For example: https://www.amazon.com/Calendar-Fruits-Garden-Vintage-Pocket/dp/B071J31YLT/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?keywords=seed+packet+calendar&qid=1550942305&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmr0

    Wanna send my your chandelier?! ;) (Joking but I have been looking for a similar one to replace my current one, came with the house and is brass with glass tulip shaped globes and fake brass leaves and looks a bit like "Audrey" from Little Shop of Horrors.) Your chandelier is classic and looks really nice, I wouldn't replace it. I'd spend my time and money getting the other elements of the look you want. Like rug, curtains, art, maybe some fake or real foliage, table linens and centerpiece.

    Edited to add that I have a mirror on the wall in our dining room and we don't like it. Diners don't like to sit and see their reflections, AT ALL. YMMV as far as how you would place the mirrors. I am currently contemplating removing a console that makes it tight in there and replacing it with shelves, so I think that would be a great idea, but I would be sure they have lips or bars or something to keep things from being accidentally knocked off. Again, YMMV, we are clumsy. Google "shelves in dining room" and you will find some awesome inspirations. The style in this link would look great with the seed prints, if that's your vibe. You might want something more sophisticated. Depends on whether you want to steer in the "modern" or "farmhouse" direction. https://www.thewoodgraincottage.com/2017/02/17/moody-dining-room-shelves/

  • 7 years ago

    I just realized that this pretty room is part of the “3-butt” sectional home. I just love your home and the finishes. What other unused decor do you have that might be used in this room?

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Some inspiration from Ballard Designs



  • 7 years ago

    Have you considered wainscoting? I think extending it down from the white line across the room would look really nice and brighten up the room

  • 7 years ago
    Tqtqtqw, lol, Yes, I’m trying to tackle one room at a time but eventually they do all connect ;) I have plenty of farmhouse decor that I could repurpose, but I’m trying to select pieces very intentionally. Also, as my Jewish mother would say, “don’t shmaltz it up”. I tend to be attracted to whatever style is “on trend” but then I have a bad habit of overdoing it, so I’m trying to keep it classic... But it’s hard!

    Here is an idea of placement, for the window mirrors that I got... Of course it’s dark out, so the lighting in here is lousy right now but during the daytime the dining room gets beautiful direct sunlight so I feel like the natural light would bounce nicely off of the mirrors. And, if I’m standing in the doorway of the dining room, this is the perspective into the kitchen...
  • 7 years ago
    I pinkmountain, the chandelier is growing on me, so I am not ready to trade it just yet. As much as I love those iron lantern styles, I know the one that came with the house is classic, good quality, and will stand the test of time. I guess I felt like I needed to change it so that it felt more “me” but I guess some things should be left well enough alone.
  • 7 years ago

    Don't love the windowpane mirrors. The chandelier is cool as heck. You could inject a little character into the room with chandelier bulb shades. Maybe that's where you go for the b&w check you like. Why don't you wainscot the wall up to the chair rail? Panelled wainscotting, not bead board. I do think you need to add some color and texture. It's all a little chilly.

  • 7 years ago
    no to window pane things. go to a paperie type of shop and you will find plenty of paper to frame. or order samples of botanical wallpaper and frame those. or paint something simple yourself!
  • 7 years ago
    Ooh, Lisa G, yes to the chandelier mini bulb shade idea! I think I saw some on Ballard designs, I’ll have to check them out. Great idea to add some texture to the space.

    Okay, so that’s a fat no to the window panes? I like the idea of framed wallpaper prints in complementary patterns. That could be a fun project.

    The dining table has a matching bench seat, which we swapped out for chairs because now that my kids are a little older no one likes to share a bench. So for now, I have the bench against the wall under the window. I could potentially have a large cushion made for it to add some fabric and texture to the space, thoughts?

    What about some shelves hung identically on either side of the back window? I could use them to display decorative plates, plants, and art. Or, on the windowless empty wall, because on the back wall, drapes might interfere with the shelving.
  • 7 years ago
    loving the darker wall. I would go for a gigantic piece of art on that wall. and yes to reupholstering the bench in a darker velvety fabric. I think you might want to create an illusion of a bigger window by putting in a longer drapery rod and having the drapes fall on the side of the windows more.
  • 7 years ago

    large print. a gallery wall is very hard to get right but if you think you can, go for it!

  • 7 years ago
    Per project
  • 7 years ago
    Sorry, previous comment posted prematurely.

    Purple project, Is it hard to get right because of all the measuring and requirements for everything to hang just so? Or, is it because it’s hard to find the right prints that work together well? I’m pretty sure our floors are not perfectly level so you’re probably right. And we are novice diy-ers at best.
  • 7 years ago
    combination of all those...finding the right mix of art, the right frames and hanging them up right. Framebridge does make it easier though, look at their gallery walls. Instead of generic art, maybe find some photos from as far back as you can go to present that tell the story of your family, interspersed with some art.
  • 7 years ago

    Finally found the dining room shelves picture I saved for inspiration. Reminded me of your style.


  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    ^^That's really really cute...

    Did you know you can buy paintable beadboard wallpaper? So simple to diy...

    Agree about the mirrors not working--they would compete with the windows...

  • 7 years ago
    Here are cream colored drapes with grey stitched edging. Thoughts?
  • 7 years ago

    those are beautiful! Love them in your space

  • 7 years ago

    As for the chandelier, with something that classic, there are ways to bling it up with beads or fake foliage, or put shades or decorate the sconces on the bulbs, to change the look without totally changing out the fixture. That's what I love about that style.

  • 7 years ago

    I would go curtains like this and bright colored art, similar to this

  • 7 years ago
    Kat
  • 7 years ago
    Katmiller, Those are the exact curtains I want! I’ve looked forever for black and white buffalo check curtains like that without grommet top because I don’t care for the grommet top style, and I’ve only found them at Ballard designs for over $100 per panel. The ones I have now are from target ($24 per panel), but agree while pretty, they’re a little bland for the space. I suppose I should bite the bullet and spend the big bucks.
  • 7 years ago

    Did you look in wayfair? They have them

  • 7 years ago
    Thanks Katmiller0, I did see those on wayfair, and appreciate the link. I passed on those because I didn’t want blackout curtains. I bit the bullet and purchased the $$ ones from Ballard Designs, and was able to dig up a 20% off coupon that I received as part of a new homeowner welcome kit. They should arrive next week, I’ll post more pics once I hang them.

    I like your idea of bright and colorful patterns/art to balance off the black and white, like in your inspiration pic. Maybe I will search for a planter that has a colorful pattern, that I can set on a plant stand in the corner of the room. Lots of natural sunlight so I might even be able to get away with a real plant instead of fake.
  • 7 years ago
    OK, here are the drapes from Ballard Designs. I love them in the space, what do you all think?

    Also, I found a very slender console from Home Goods with a piece of art to hang above it. It’s lots of monochromatic gray and cream, so I’m not sure if it works. Thoughts? I would center the art above the console and add some colorful pops of pottery on top of the console to add some oomph. That way, I can change out the color scheme by season without it being a permanent fixture in the room.
  • 7 years ago
    One last pic...

    Yay? Nay?
  • 7 years ago

    Don't you mean yay or neigh! ;) I like the picture.

  • 7 years ago

    BWAAAAA HAAAA HAAAA!!!!

  • 7 years ago

    I like the picture too...but don't you want a bit of color?

  • 7 years ago

    I love the curtains! The picture I like but I’d rather see brighter colors

  • 7 years ago

    Like this (world market)


  • 7 years ago
    Pennydesign - Yes, I agree, It’s begging for some pops of color. But I love to change out colors by season.

    For spring, I was thinking I could swap out the table runner (It might be too matchy/matchy with the drapes). And replace it with a pastel yellow, then add some pastel yellow touches of pottery on the console as well as on a planter with a plant in the corner. Maybe even add a bunch of fresh daffodils on the table?
  • 7 years ago
    Ohh, could this be fun on the table?