I love the direction you want to go. for big impact I would suggest board and batten to go 3/4 up the wall like one of your inspiration pics and paint it all white, including the walls above. I might keep the chandelier for now and see how it looks once other changes are made. I would change all the chairs to parsons chairs with white slipcovers and then a sisal rug.

For the wainscoting- we were just planning to keep the chair rail and add 1/4” thick boards below it and paint it all white. I’d like it taller, but I don’t want to start from scratch. We did something similar in our kids bath (except we didn’t start With a chair rail)

I like the look of slipcovered parsons chairs, but maybe having them just on the ends would be more practical? I would hate to be washing slipcovers weekly. Maybe like these?

I also think I may like this light fixture better.

Also, for some reason we have 2 recessed lights on one side of the dining room and the two sconces on the opposite side. If I get rid of the sconces will that make the lighting seem unbalanced?

idea of slipcovers for ends is great and love the beaded chandelier too. maybe do a very soft, almost white, color above the chair rail if you keep the chair rail. a light feeling wallpaper would look great too.

Yes, I definitely want a lighter (and maybe slightly warmer) color on the walls. The whole house was painted repose gray before It was listed. It’s not a bad color, but I think it’s too dark and doesn’t go very well with our floors which we can’t change just yet. The dining room faces north and it probably looks the worst in that room.

We repainted the trim and blue and pink chairs this weekend (we haven’t added any new trim below the chair rail yet). We moved the painted chairs to the breakfast area. I still haven‘t found chairs for that I like for the dining room.

looking great!

Thanks! I still don’t love the gray in there, but I think the next step needs to be chairs and lighting. I just can’t find chairs that I like that are also kid friendly. I think a padded seat might be ok because I could cover the seat, but definitely not a fully upholstered chair.

so are you thinking slipcovered chairs for the ends and then something different for the others?

Yes.

here are a few ideas... thoughts on what you like, don't like?

I like the first two best. The bottom 3 I would like in the breakfast area. I think after having the ugly uncomfortable chairs In there for a year and a half I just really want something more comfortable and formal for the dining room. Having To keep it kid friendly is making it really hard To find something.

also, my table is 87” long. maybe I should have 8 total chairs?

that helps... was thinking a bit less casual too, since you have a kitchen table as well. do you use your dining table every day? I ask because if you dont, maybe all slipcovers can work if you dont think kids will be spilling everytime you use it?

We do use it most days since we have 5 people and the breakfast table only seats 4. The breakfast area is just too small for a bigger table.

a few more thoughts.

https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Sophie-Rattan-Dining-Chair-Set-of-2/27589589/product.html

https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Safavieh-Rural-Woven-Dining-Odette-White-Washed-Wicker-Dining-Chairs-Set-of-2/10856993/product.html

https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Safavieh-Parsons-Dining-Durham-Taupe-Slipcover-Dining-Chairs-Set-of-2/6128563/product.html?option=8277800

i like these, but i’d Really like to spend under 150 each.

This style is pretty, but not kid friendly:

got it, i'll look for something similar at a better price:)

some others with fabric...

https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/The-Gray-Barn-Elve-Hill-Dining-Chair/27617446/product.html?kwds=&option=47465935&refccid=AXXBYU3LXPBY7WKGTZBPRZBBR4&rfmt=chair%20type%3ASide%20Chairs%7Cmaterial%3AUpholstered&searchidx=61

https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Phinnaeus-Fabric-Dining-Chair-by-Christopher-Knight-Home-Set-of-2/14141520/product.html?recalg=954%2C925&recidx=3&recset=96ff6ce3-1cf5-4ce0-a860-6b23e4607448&refccid=E2AXSJQDCWPZX7CMTVLFGN4BG4

https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Benchwright-Linen-look-Side-Chair-with-Nailhead-Trim-Set-of-2-by-iNSPIRE-Q-Artisan/29062534/product.html?kwds=&option=51560146&refccid=SSPH3POKNAKIMTSCGYPOJFNCBI&rfmt=chair%20type%3ASide%20Chairs%7Cmaterial%3AUpholstered%7Cstyle%3ATraditional&searchidx=41

those parsons chairs are exactly what I had in mind. I definitely like the second chair more than the first.

would these work? Or are they too casual again? They aren’t exactly what I had in mind either.

I dont think it is the color that makes your room look cold. You have a pretty blue rug in there, but, you have nothing else that draws the eye. The room almost looks sterile. Some nice artwork, and a couple of big floor plants, and maybe even a side table with something on top of it. How about side drapes by the windows that are a color and a pattern. It is just lacking personality and interest. From what I see of the foyer, that could use a bit of color and personality in it too.

i think the constance chair is too casual too, especially based on the style you are drawn to, the constance is not quite it, IMO. sorry, which parsons chair do you like? i think i posted too many to know when you say the second one more than the first, LOL.

I like these for the ends (and really everywhere, but I think the kids would ruin them)

I just read your thread. Why not stick with the current chairs in the dining room that match the table and just look for end chairs to coordinate. Once you change out the chandelier, sconces, and add some artwork and centerpiece, I think it will look nice. Then you can find a paint color you love.

I would keep the paint color the same both above and below the chair rail.

I liked both of these that you linked as well.

Yes. The room has zero personality (same for the foyer). I haven’t bought the first decoration since moving here and it’s driving me crazy. We’ve been focused on the updating the house and Have put off decorating. I’d love to make the foyer and dining room more welcoming.

Here is a picture in the living room for context. This is adjacent to the foyer and dining room. All of our floors need to be replaced and the living room couch/end tables aren’t my favorite any more, but we can’t do everything at once.

love your console table in the living room. looks like you have a transom window, love that too.

Thank you!

I love your transom window as well. There's something so refined and elegant about them! I think artwork instead of a mirror in the dining room will really up the personality in there!

What do you think of these? I think they would work well with your current chairs and the natural color would be great with the chandelier you're thinking of getting.

https://www.worldmarket.com/product/natural+harlou+upholstered+dining+chair.do?sortby=ourPicks&from=fn

Bayes fabric protector will help keep them easy to clean, even if you only have them for end chairs.

These wall sconces could work well with the chandelier.

https://www.wayfair.com/lighting/pdp/bay-isle-home-laverne-2-light-wallchiere-w002023045.html?piid=

Those chairs are nice. I definitely prefer simple & classic in most instances. They would be fine for the ends, but Idon’t think they would hold up to daily use with kids. We had upholstered chairs when my oldest was small and they were a disaster. My current chairs did not come with the table but they are a close enough match. It seems so dark with all of the dark chair and table legs though. Maybe its partially the rug? I’d really like to brighten everything up. It feels so old, dark, and dated.

The mirror can definitely go. I just had nowhere else to put it. I think I might like to put a buffet there?

Im not sure what to do about sconces. I think it will be hard to find some that work with the chandelier that I’m leaning towards and aren’t too busy for me. Although anything would be better than these...

So far I’ve changed most of our light fixtures and door hardware to dark ORB or almost black. The bathroom and kitchen hardware/fixtures are chrome. And I did use gold pendants in the kitchen. I’m afraid my lighting isn’t going to end up going together? Is the chandelier a mistake?

foyer light:

Beware chairs with very splayed legs as they can be a stumble hazard ... not so much in a large room with plenty of walk space.

Are your sconces mostly for decor or do you need them for light? If there is another light in that space and the sconces are only for decor, consider just removing them and/or hanging something different in their place.

Is the pattern in the glass oval of your door black or silver or brass? You might want to consider that color if/when you consider changing your sconces or adding other metal pieces in the same room or visible from the foyer.

Would focus on function rather than decor and when you choose useful pieces you like, you'll find you've actually decorated the room to fit your own taste.

The dining room chandelier is "busy". Have you considered changing it rather than coordinating with it?

What's your vision for the room? Formal, casual or something in between? Do you have a budget that you're working with? Why don't you try your hallway console table in the dining room to see how you feel about the idea of adding a buffet? Do you have use for one? Dishes, glasses or linens you need to store?

We have a chandelier and 2 recessed lights (on the opposite side of the room from the sconces). The Sconces do not seem necessary, but they balance the can lights.

The metal on the door is black

The chandelier will definitely be changed. I was leaning toward this one, but I am not 100% sure that it works with my other lighting:

The vision for the room would be between formal and casual. We have a casual breakfast area so I want this space to feel more comfortable and just more like a dining room. It is visible as soon as you come in the house as well as from front of the house. However, we do use it daily so it can’t be just for show. I really like classic, clean lines, uncluttered, neutral, light, and airy.

Our budget is 2k-2500

The buffet isn’t necessary, but would be helpful for school items for the kids. They are currently using the dining room for school. overall we are pretty good on storage so if it looks better without a buffet that is ok too.

Here are the kitchen pendants. The fan over the breakfast table needs to be replaced.

Breakfast area:

IMO i think the beaded chandelier you love can work with the lighting in your entry... take a look at this pic below and see the chandlier in the kitchen, idea is very similar to what you want to do... i think it can work.

Five Points Renovation · More Info

Thanks for finding that! nothing in this house matched anything else when we bought it. We have been trying really hard to tone it down and get some consistency and flow.

love what you have been doing with your lighting...

Thanks!

we Have spent the most time on the kitchen (which still needs more).

This is my first older house and it’s so hard to picture the end result that you want when pretty much nothing is the way you want it.

before:

Now:

totally understand what you are saying. its looking great! I think its almost harder when you have existing stuff as you have it as part of a visual.

I thought this was a pretty and simple style sconce...

I love those sconces. Would they be ok with the foyer light?

I have a black curtain rod in there as well.

I went with black lights + door hardware because of the front door and because we have visible wrought iron on the porches.

I think so. I love black and gold together. all simple styles so I think it can work.

Don't be afraid to mix metals. You can use coordinating accessories to bring everything together.

We’ve made a little progress finally.

I‘d still need to get art for the long wall, a mirror between the sconces, something for the vase, a bench to replace the 3 chairs, and curtains and/or blinds. It is getting much closer though!

its looking great, love the slipcovered chairs and the chandelier.