That’s a pretty light Seajay!

Yoo-hoo, pennydesign, if you’re still out there ... I just re-read your post from way back about the Driftwood Weathering Wax. It looks very cool, and I’m going to order a tin to try out on the underside of the table. Not sure if I thanked you, so thank you!

You're welcome, cat. Will you hang the doors or leave them leaning?

Ultimately will probably mount doors flat to wall, but will just anchor them at top for now so we don’t have to mess with baseboard & chair rail yet.

You can do this with what you have pretty much. You could create your own art on long wall. Some picture framing and wallpaper inside two large panels would be fairly economical if hubby has a miter box? You could find pretty Chinoiserie style wallpaper for big look but not large art cost.

Cat, you could still mount them to the wall using blocks a fraction deeper than the chair rail...just an fyi in case you change your mind..

Two great ideas above!

We bought some really pretty salvaged trim pieces with egg&dart-type plaster detailing a few years ago, and never found a place to use. They might be great for the wallpaper panel idea.

And mounting blocks for the doors will make DH much happier than cutting sections out of the baseboard!

Egg& dart & mounting blocks can tend to look a bit fussy and Victorian! Be careful when using this type of trim if it isn’t compatible with the style of your house. If it isn’t of the period it tends to stick out like a sore thumb!

Lyn can you explain thi:s
"Egg& dart & mounting blocks can tend to look a bit fussy and Victorian" ? I'm not understanding it and my idea may not have translated well...

It’s not that I don’t like over the top molding but I think it needs to be used judiciously! Egg&dart, dentil , corner blocks, hand carved molding used in all sorts of ways just because they can be ordered and bought probably shouldn’t. Put in proper historical buildings they are beautiful; put in inappropriate buildings they look strange . So before using overly fancy trim make sure your home is of the right era.

I won't mess with the crown molding in our room - I promise! I was just thinking about using the vintage trim pieces we picked up at an antique store instead of new picture frame molding if we decided to try the framed wallpaper panels that Flo suggested. The pieces are about 2" wide and dark green paint with a hint of gold underneath, if I remember right, but the green might be wrong and I wouldn't want to paint over them, so it might not work out.

can we see?

I did wallpaper panels in my dining room, but plain because budget :(

I think I misunderstood the mounting blocks that pennydesign was talking about. My apologies if that isn’t the same thing! I immediately think of corner blocks! I have seen them used so often in homes that are all wrong and it drives me nuts!

I’m sure they look lovely pennydesign!

...

Here are some examples of how you could do this on your dining room walls. Smaller and not using $700 a roll wallpaper.

One more. This is great DIY project. It could look great too and add some further interest.

This light fixture is soon to be homeless, once we start our kitchen project. It's probably on the small side, and perhaps not the right vibe, but it could be another temporary option if the current fixture still feels ponderous after the crackle paint makeover.

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Not at all an option. Sorry :/ Just not right in any way.

No, i thought not, but the general outcry might be useful in negotiations for a new one :)

Hey, whatever it takes, color me "screaming NOOOO!" haha!

Only if y'all want to explain cause idk: is current chandelier is dressy? the door vibe - is it a French country vibe --- or a village shop look? drink coffee or browse around... so in general what kind of light?

A more probing question --- what vibe do you seek, and do you like with the 2 doors in the room? :)

You can put me in the SCREAMING NO camp too! Would it work in the master closet behind closed doors? Just asking. ;)))

catliesl, they say: "everyone's a comedian."

YIKES:((!!!!

We could throw some sawdust and peanut shells on the floor......

Haven't seen everything you're planning in the room - maybe when you hang elegant window treatment idk....

Chatrie Large Rectangular Distressed Gray Chandelier, 45" · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/chatrie-large-rectangular-gray-chandelier-45-prvw-vr~123263372

everdebz - Although I haven't seen the two doors in person yet, I think they're a "yes." A single door alone was hard for me to place. If centered on a wall, it looked funny and too narrow. Off to one side, the balance always seemed off.

In terms of desired vibe of the room, it's tough to say. The country french/french country rooms and items posted here are appealing. In general, I tend to be more on the minimal end of the "frou-frou" scale, and more on the casual end of the formality scale. I like to incorporate vintage items when I can. In general, I prefer a light palette to dark. I love empty walls and nearly-empty shelves. Windows are usually my favorite feature in any room, and mirrors are my favorite thing to put on non-window walls and because they almost never seem "busy."

I like these kinds of fixtures a lot ...

Studio Country 6-Light Chandelier · More Info

...

but I also loved this photo from Seajay ...

... so I think we'll probably delay purchase of a new light fixture for now. If we focus on the decluttering, painting, etc., then we might get a better sense of what we want.

Nicely put Cat.

Key phrase was "I like empty walls" … here's minimal, viewed from the hall: L to Right: door, then chandelier above, then other door/ and the 3 items about the length of the dining table -- does that make sense? -- the doors would 'be it' and little else: your chandelier of course.

We tried out a few of the suggestions in the dining room today, and things are looking better. We moved the dark antique hutch and all but one banquette bench out of the room. We painted the chandelier (skipped the crackle effort since we've decided to buy a new fixture) and dropped it down a few inches. We flipped the hardware on one of the mirror doors. We borrowed some sheers from another room just to see how they'd look at the windows (good). And finally, we moved a large floral painting from another room as a "try-out." The picture isn't centered because we used an existing molly, but it's close enough for now.

This will probably be our last progress report for a while because the next few steps will take more time: choosing new light fixture, replacing the mirror in the door, repainting, window treatments, etc. But thought I'd post an updated photo just to share.

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One more view ... getting a little dark out.

Dining room · More Info

The definition of less is more. I think it looks great for the effort you put in. Good luck going forward with the upcoming projects. P.S. it would be nice if you could find another place for the chandelier. It looks so cute painted white. You could paint the arms different colors and hang brightly colored crystals on it. Endless possibilities.

Wow, looks much better. Editing always works wonders. And I actually think your chandelier looks nice... get the rest of the room set first and then see if you still want a new fixture. I love buying new stuff, so no judgement from me if you want something new ;)!

This room looks just charming!!! The fixture can come down a bit more but it looks so lovely, especially with the sheer drapes!! You did such a great job!

Now just paint the ceiling;)!

Love your efforts especially with the doors, which you know I LOVE! The chandelier is a great improvement, but it is too heavy for the room, so when shopping look for lighter "weight" in the arms and more graceful sweeps. But everything looks really nice and you can be very proud of your room now and it will only get better. Pat on the back to hubby!! He has been a great sport and huge asset!! Well done. I think two large pictures on the long wall would be best, but that is a nice "place holder". I do like the blue flowers. There are some really pretty ones out there. It is going to be quite stunning! Congratulations!

Uttermost Summer Birds, 2-Piece Set · More Info

These are neat if you like cranes.

The doors look great. I love the cranes Flo suggested. Not sure of the size, but here's how they might look:

If you keep them doors I think having one large painting would look better than two . Two looks a bit redundant to me.

I think you can do a triptych or three different prints or just one large piece of art. The mirrored doors at a large presence though and I think you need to keep that in mind.

I like purples and greens. If doors have tinge of green it's great art there. Nice chandelier! They say that there's charm when a room has a 'collected over time' look. I like how yours looks individual - don't touch anything if not needed!!! Thanks for showing the progress.

I would not move the light fixture if it is centered now. Which way were you planning on moving it? Towards the wall, away from the entrance to the room? I for sure would not move it that way. If you ever put a buffet or piece of furniture on the solid wall that will make your table very close to it.

As stated up thread, make husband walk the other way to get thru the house or learn to keep arms close to his body!

RNmomof2 - pleased to report we have plenty of space in walkway, even for Mr. Swingey-Arms, so the fixture can stay in center of the ceiling.

To all - thanks again for helpful suggestions & encouragement. We enjoyed breakfast in our pretty room today.

The room looks so good with the changes you made! Love the doors on that wall. The chandelier looks REALLY good painted. I would lower it a bit more and consider keeping it, but if you do replace it, that one you posted with the wider arm sweep looks perfect! I like the idea of a trio of botanicals on that wall like Lynartist posted. It's going to be a very serene and lovely room to dine in. It's nice that you're enjoying it already!

I love your rug. Would you be willing to share where you purchased it from?

Hi AC LB - We bought the rug from an oriental rug shop in the St. Louis area in 2011. Our receipt has no useful info, but there's a battered tag still partially intact on the back, so I'm uploading a picture of it.

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Thank you!

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