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Need help decorating house (starting with dining room)

5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago

Hi all,


I am closing on my first house, and am looking for decor ideas. After browsing through tons of interior design resources over the past few weeks, I think I like a mixture of modern with antique-style pieces (I've been most drawn towards eclectic homes). It's a bit overwhelming trying to fill an entire house, so I was planning to start with the dining room (since I might buy a consigned table soon), but I'm definitely happy to get ideas for anything!


Before I get to the dining table, I want to give an idea of the room first. I'd love to just post pictures of the empty space, but I don't have any photos without the seller's personal belongings, so I'll try to describe it instead. It's a bit of a read, but please bear with me...


Edit: I tried to block out their decor, but here's a general idea of the view from the kitchen (my apologies for the poor quality photo):


The dining room measures approx. 154"x214" and is connected to the kitchen, separated by a half-wall and a step-down. The opposite wall has a beige stone fireplace, with white built-in cabinets and shelving on each side. The length of the room has vertical beige shiplap on one wall, and an open doorway along the other wall, which connects to the living room. All walls throughout the house are the same beige color as the shiplap.


Since the dining room joins two other rooms, I'll briefly explain those as well:

  • Kitchen: Beige stone-looking tile floor (similar to the fireplace), beige walls, white cabinets, and beige tile countertops/backsplash. There are big cutouts in the wall which allow you to see into the family room, so the kitchen gets a lot of light.
  • Family Room: ~550 sqft of open space, with tall glass windows/doors throughout. There is a bit of wall space between each window/door, which is that same beige color again.

As you can tell, lots of beige! The kitchen/fireplace stone seem a bit on the greyer side, while the walls and kitchen counter are a lighter shade (depending on the lighting, they pull yellowy or pinky in pictures). Also, I intend to remodel the kitchen eventually, and am open to repainting the walls, but one step at a time... :-)


As for flooring, after researching for weeks and reading everyone's experience here, I'm planning to install Indusparquet Brazilian Teak throughout, only leaving the kitchen tile (due to remodel plans). The floor would look like this (I think it's a bit darker and has a glossier finish in person):

Indusparquet Exotic Hardwood Floors, NJ New Jersey, NYC New York City · More Info


Now, finally to the table and decor! I am looking at this table:


But I have no idea how to decorate to make it a bit more "modern". I'm thinking of putting an area rug (cream with subtle pattern? colorful with loud pattern? Idk!) and some taller plants, but am otherwise at a loss. I don't know what type of rug would go with the floor/table/wall colors, if a buffet should match the table, and if the table even matches the house at all. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.


If you'd like to get a feeling for the rest of the house, please do let me know.


Thanks!

Comments (10)

  • 5 years ago

    Sigh.. I have no idea what I'm doing wrong, but every time I try to reply, I lose the response. Hopefully 3rd time's the charm! Let me summarize even further now that it's my 3rd attempt -


    Thank you @Patricia Colwell Consulting!! I appreciate your response. I agree it is definitely a very formal set, and I'm not sure if I could fit it with the rest of the house, given I intend to have a more "casual" or "relaxed" feel in the adjoining rooms. I love the look of formal sets, but the rest of the house would be very informal.


    I'm not sure eclectic is the exact match, but I said that because I've been going through interior design photos the past few weeks, and all the ones I'm drawn towards have all been labeled "eclectic". I have 0 eye for design, though, so I would not go down the eclectic route, as I would definitely hit "tacky and bold" as you mention. Maybe my style is more transitional, but with a bolder color palette and a few older-style pieces, like antique-looking armchairs? I haven't pinpointed the common theme in what I like yet, but the "eclectic" (or whatever they really are) homes feel more "homey" to me, whereas modern just feels too staged for me personally.


    Looking through more pictures, I really like the legs in this set and the comfiness of the chairs, but I don't like the drapes, painting, or chair fabric/pattern -

    French Farmhouse Kitchen/Dining · More Info


    And I think the tables in these look really interesting, but I'm not a huge fan of anything else in the rooms -

    Dining Room · More Info


    Aqualane Shore Spec Home · More Info


  • 5 years ago


    Dining Rooms · More Info


    Shinnwood Rd. · More Info


    AJ thanked njmomma
  • 5 years ago
  • 5 years ago

    And of course you can add more color to transitional style, I would :)

  • 5 years ago

    Thank you for the ideas, @njmomma and @Carolae!


    I think you're right, probably more on the transitional side. I suspect Google's idea of "eclectic" is more like Houzz's idea of transitional. For example, this comes up as eclectic (I have no idea if it really is or not):


    I wouldn't do the artwork or all the plants because (1) I'm lazy and (2) don't have anything yet, but I do like the furniture and rugs (different textures, and couch seems to be a bolder color than what I've seen in "transitional" styles).

  • 5 years ago

    AJ I just commented on your other post.

    What do you think of this dining room? I saw it in a magazine in a dr office and it stunned me enough to take a photo of it and use it as a model of sorts. The pieces are all old and traditional and could be stodgy but they are put together in such a way that it makes me feel artsy, creative, young fun and casual. Eclectic in my eye. The family painted the cabinet teal and used a rug nice but not valuable so they could spill on it. Sorry it’s lumpy I couldn’t get the magazine flatter. What are your thoughts about this look? Yours would be bigger and more spacious.

    AJ thanked mrykbee
  • 5 years ago

    PS zoom in on the description

    AJ thanked mrykbee
  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Thanks so much @mrykbee, that is a fun dining room! I love the idea, really appreciate you sharing!


    Regarding your other comment, I can definitely separate the chairs. I liked the fabric and the print, though, so wasn't planning on recovering them until they got worn out.

  • 5 years ago

    Got a better picture of the set, if it helps: