If you look at my other posts, I take constructive feedback seriously. I love all the advice possible. Please take a look at my two before and after posts. I hope to make this one the third. Thank you all for your help. Now, I need this dining room fixed! : )

So can you at least center the table and chairs under your fan in both directions? Hard to tell exactly how much room you have in the space when the furniture is not positioned correctly.

@ArchitecturalDetails .something so simple never occurred to me. It is pushed a little out of the way due to some wall patch up, but I will center tonight.

Pull the color from the fireplace wall into a rug to start, to make the rooms flow. Do you use the ceiling fan? A beautiful chandelier could do a lot for this room. New window treatments that others can suggest, and some artwork that you love!

@Vks248 we do use the ceiling fan. We live in Texas, and it gets hot!.

@BeverlyFLADeziner first of all, thank you for ALL you have done for my spouse and I! You have helped transform our home. What color draperies would you recommend? What about the rug underneath?

I LOVE the idea of painting the wall with fish tank that color. It may be a pain to paint around the fish tank, but with care and caution, it can be done.

since the fish tank is such an important piece of the look, I would play it up even more by either creating custom cabinetry around it or put it in the area between the dining and living room and create a double sided fish tank with cabinetry around it... now, clearly this may be an expensive undertaking, but could create an amazing focal area...heres two inspiration pics with the concepts.

Living Room/Master Bedroom in Wall Aquarium · More Info

HOUSE ON THE NAVESINK · More Info

@Theresa Janssen that would be my absolute dream, unfortunately, it's just out of my budget. I need to stay under $500 for this project.

The DR is set apart some; so different look for the room with custom curtains with thermal type lining would be worth a look. As tall as the next room's windows.

Tall, trumpeted opal glass, K9 glass orb accents and polished nickel finish create the distinctive silhouette. Wire Length: 180 inches. W 32" / H 32"

Elina 7-Light Pendant · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/elina-7-light-pendant-prvw-vr~77324494

If aquarium's area is all white, then all white chandelier maybe... or bit of blue watery? curtains too.

A better style to be found, than this, and more wattage?

Large: 37.4"W x 25.6"H.

Acrylic in red or white / Bulb: 1*75W R7 Halogen

Big Bang Chandelier, White, Small · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/big-bang-chandelier-white-small-prvw-vr~13434106

Made of metal with a polished white finish. It adds a touch of sophistication to your home. Bulbs are not included. W 40" / H 59"

Cotton.

120" Long Quatrefoil Embroidery Cotton Curtain Panel, Natural and Brown · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/120-long-quatrefoil-embroidery-cotton-curtain-panel-natural-and-brown-prvw-vr~143609847

@everdebz I'm so nervous about taking the ceiling fan out because of how HOT it gets in Texas. we have the two fans, one in living and dining, and we reverse circulate the air on hot days. BUT, having blackout curtains will help with the heat? I'm not sure here.

I would get serious about the fish tank and build in a room divider where your pony wall is. Then use the current tank wall for a buffet and art. Send the two ladder shelves off to college where they are ubiquitous.

Illuminated Expression · More Info

@decoenthusiaste sounds absolutely amazing! Just send me abut 10k through venmo or zelle, and we can get serious with this!

how about instead of true custom cabinetry, beef up the cabinetry on the wall with the fish tank with say two cabinets on each side of the tank? cabinets would go as high as the fish tank and then put a long board that connects the two cabinets and gives the look of a built in...

I'd like a money tree too! To me, the cabinets function [enough?] but possibly the aquarium could influence some aspect of that wall's items... I'd spend on curtains, etc...

Do you think you could slip peel and stick wallpaper behind the aquarium?

Or could you slide think peel and stick wood planks behind the aquarium?

Bit of elegant pattern - maybe introduce somewhat the accenting paint in next room - a bit watery blue --if it chops up the visual, or has walkers step on the edge, maybe no rug?

Machine Made Traditional Vintage Faded Lace Rug, 8'x10' · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/machine-made-traditional-vintage-faded-lace-rug-8-x10-prvw-vr~66979899

Nicer, more muted....

Safavieh Artisan Collection ATN330 Rug, Light Blue, 8'x10' · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/safavieh-artisan-collection-atn330-rug-light-blue-8-x10-prvw-vr~79627457

To work with what you have, I'd move the ladder shelves to sit right beside the fish tank so that it "reads" as one unit. Then remove everything from the shelves and let some of the clever folks here help you style them. For sure, nothing bright red or pink. Your colours need to complement the fish tank.

I can't tell from your photo but do you have a decorative background to the tank? I see a brick wall but can't tell if it is a reflection. Is the bright blue a requirement of the fish? To make it look really good, first settle on how you want the fish tank to look, then choose items and colours that complement it. If you have something that looks good but isn't the right colour, paint or spray paint are an option. Maybe even including the ladder shelves and/or the fish tank support.

I was trying to use the orangish color from your living room rug to select drapes for the dining room. It could be patterned if you find something nice. Consider an indoor outdoor area rug that simulates the appearance of a jute rug.

I love the first one and the last one. I actually just ordered this rug, thoughts? I LOVE art deco. It's big enough for the whole dining area to fit on the rug. What curtains would you recommend here?

good to know your style... heres a couple ideas...

https://www.ballarddesigns.com/embroidered-square-trellis-panels---set-of-2/rugs-drapery/drapery/indoor/461314?uniqueId=461314

https://www.ballarddesigns.com/aria-embroidered-drapery-panel/rugs-drapery/drapery/indoor/477353?uniqueId=477353

https://www.ballarddesigns.com/bowen-striped-panel/rugs-drapery/drapery/indoor/424379?uniqueId=424379

painted the wall the same as the fireplace and the kitchen island.

@Theresa Janssen for curtains, how long should they be. From the floor to the top they measure 82 inches.

Peter, I think you jumped ahead, especially if you might change items on that wall. Yes it's viewed as you walk in... another wall I wondered about - why didn't you want to paint the larger wall also [that the tv is on]? ... only asking.

https://www.houzz.com/products/crackle-glass-table-lamp-with-shade-mercury-base-prvw-vr~84343568

i would hang curtain rod how Beverly above shows, at the top of the two side windows....curtains should not quite hit the floor.

You could select charcoal or burlap colored drapery panels. Maybe a patterned fabric with black that works with your rug

Realistically ...with a budget of $500...painting will offer the most ambiance and noticeable enhancement of the space..if you choose one of the rug suggestions for the dining area and do accent walls around the fish tank and the windows this will create a little island of color and a more interesting space in general....removing the clutter around the fish tank will also make it look more like a focal point than an overwhelming amount of detail...in this case...in general .....i think ...less is more