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lydia_atkinson37

Help decorating formal dining room

5 years ago

Something is wrong with this room, but I’m not sure if it’s the plates, how high the curtains are hung, or too many geometrical designs? Room is on the smaller side, square, and does not have doors.

Advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

Comments (43)

  • 5 years ago

    HI -- Photos would be appreciated ! Thanks !

  • 5 years ago

    Sorry! Here are some pictures.



  • PRO
    5 years ago

    The space seems very dark and very brown. Open the curtains. I also think your table is too large and perhaps not the correct shape. A rectangular table would give you more room for a small sideboard or something else in the space. You need some color.

    Lydia Atkinson thanked Design Girl
  • 5 years ago

    Agree with Design Girl. The room is very dark and desperately in need of color.

    Lydia Atkinson thanked kathiebartel
  • PRO
    5 years ago

    I have increased the light in the photo so it's easier to see.


    No one wants to see the seam on the drum shade so swing that around to the back of the fixture.


    I readjusted the plates and lowered them on the wall. They shouldn't be higher than the drapery panels.


    Are those 4 white framed mirrors on the wall reflecting the drapery panels? It's just my personal opinion, but I would have either installed an art canvas or one large mirror


    I would have suggested drapery panels to the ceiling for this room, but the immediate problem with these type of panels is that the pattern doesn't line up from package to package, and that looks terrible on such a great window, so I think those have to be replaced with something else.


    I thought this mirror would reinforce the shape of your table and the light fixture and add some sparkle to the room. If you want color then select a canvas.


    Nothing wrong with the size of your table and chairs. I think a charger that was not copper would be a better choice for the room.


    Lydia Atkinson thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
  • PRO
    5 years ago

    I wonder if you removed the center two panels of the drapery and replace with sheers if this would enhance light in the space and separate the mismatch of design pattern. The table is too big for the room. Is that staying? If so, I would remove two chairs from the table and put them in bedrooms or beside some console in an entry or living area? Just too much furniture in the space. Then large art on the wall. I don't see a mirror in this room.

    "Rosy Plumes" Painting · More Info

    Something exciting! Then add some of that red into a couple of decorative pieces on the table in the center.

    Lydia Atkinson thanked Flo Mangan
  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Rough mock up. A round lighter rug would help brighten room up. Art is very personal so pick something you love. Plates on wall too traditional for look of room. Possible starburst mirror on that wall.

    Lydia Atkinson thanked Flo Mangan
  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Opps.

    Lydia Atkinson thanked Flo Mangan
  • 5 years ago

    Thanks for the tips. I would need to buy new curtains in order to raise them. Should I go with a solid? And if so, what color?

  • 5 years ago

    Posting pics of the rest of the house. Let me know if you see art work I should move in there.

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  • 5 years ago


    Here is a picture with more light

  • 5 years ago



  • PRO
    5 years ago

    This canvas is perfect for your living room area, but it could be lowered and it could use a picture light to enhance its beauty. I also moved the lamp over because the illumination was interferring with seeing the canvas


    This canvas works great in your hallway but I lowered it also.

    If you find that the height of the vignette is now not correct, you can always add something at the top to visually raise it.



    Consider black and white drapery panels like this for your dining room. Sometimes I have had to order twice as many panels as I need and then find the ones that match at the top and then send the balance back. These below are from Wayfair.




  • 5 years ago

    Are you and your fellow diners very slim? Can you comfortably walk around the table when people are seated? Photos make it difficult to fully appreciate a space, but it appears if you had beefy guests on either side of the table it could be hard to serve someone seated near the window. That could be solved with fewer or less bulky chairs or a different table.


    Can you return the curtains? If not, and if you can sew, maybe you could adjust them so the pattern falls at the same place, them add a wide band of say, cream-colored linen to the bottom. You might also paint the room a warm off-white color.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    First the plates do not suit the style of the room , the drapes look cheap and not nearly full enough. You need art on the walls the whole room needs to be lightened up. You do not leave charger plates on the table in between meals. I find the mirrors very heavy looking Replace the plates with a nice large pieceof art with lighter colors. On a daily basis I would have only 4 chairs at the table I think you can squeeze in the other 2 but it will be a squeeze . If those are real flowers on the table great, if fake find something else .Do not store the extra chairs in that space

    Lydia Atkinson thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
  • 5 years ago

    Beverly, where do you like to buy picture lights? I was looking at them they other day And they were $1,000 plus for large picture lights?

  • 5 years ago

    I can’t sew and the table is 61 inches in diameter. the size looks good. Just the curtains and all their shapes, plus the mirrors and plates need help. Chairs are a dark gray Fabric.

  • 5 years ago

    Worried the dark gray chairs would clash with black and white curtains because the chairs come off looking like a greenish gray?

  • 5 years ago

    I can’t push the chairs in all the way because the legs of the table get in the way! The chairs don’t actually hit each other, I just should have bought an actual pedestal table.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    I would not use black and white drapes in that room. It already reads dark because of the table and chairs. I'd try to find some white/off white linen panels to lighten the space. I've seen some great lined linen panels at HomeGoods, and they had them online at TJ Maxx (both of which are closed now due to the virus. I've also seen some linen panels at Ikea. I would not get grommet tops as I feel they are a bit casual for a formal dining room. If you removed 2 of the chairs could the other 4 be pushed in?

    Lydia Atkinson thanked Design Girl
  • 5 years ago

    The bulbs in your chandelier look very yellow. I feel like a lot of your home is very dark- maybe it's the pics but perhaps 3K bulbs would help.. Have you considered moving the leaves pics into the dining room and creating a British Colonial-ish look with the dark wood table. Maybe some lighter linen drapes?

    Lydia Atkinson thanked Gcubed
  • 5 years ago

    Yes, our house is pretty dark. The lighter linen drape ideas are great. I went cheap before at pier 1 so next time I’ll go to pottery barn and make sure they’re 96”.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    I think all the ideas are good. I would try this art on long wall in dining room. If you remove all but 4 chairs from table for everyday place those four at 11, o’clock, 2 o’clock, 4 o’clock and 7 o’clock. That will open space. Then do a starburst mirror on other wall. That will help bring reflected light into the dining room.

    Lydia Atkinson thanked Flo Mangan
  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Hang art so center of art is about 58-64” above floor on walls.

    Lydia Atkinson thanked Flo Mangan
  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Here are a couple starburst mirrors. Again, not too high.

    Lydia Atkinson thanked Flo Mangan
  • 5 years ago

    Thank you!!! I have this mirror right outside the room. I could put it there So there’s not too many mirrors around?



  • 5 years ago

    Thank you! That is very helpful.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Yes, that mirror would actually work great in the dining room and it is actually too large where you have it now, so win/win!

    Lydia Atkinson thanked Flo Mangan
  • 5 years ago

    So...should I put another mirror above the bookcase that’s smaller? Or replace with art?

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    I would put a interesting piece. A wide white matte, black frame with small special photo in center. I will get you ideas. Bbl

    Lydia Atkinson thanked Flo Mangan
  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Find a photo that has sentimental meaning and get it reproduced in black and white and framed with wide white matte and thin black frame. So interesting and draws people to it.

    Lydia Atkinson thanked Flo Mangan
  • 5 years ago

    That’s a lot easier than finding new art work that I like. Thank you!

  • 5 years ago

    following

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Make the width about 2/3 size of table. Make it as square as you can given the photo you select. Photo needs to be small, like 3" x 3". No bigger than 5" square. If photo is too big it looses it's impact.

    Lydia Atkinson thanked Flo Mangan
  • 5 years ago

    Flo Mangan, that will look nice! Thanks.