The curtains are way too delicate-looking for the gravity of the charcoal wall and the dark furniture. I think that creamy color would work though in a heavier linen or velvet drape. I would also replace the rod with a dark one, probably black, and raise it to just below the ceiling. And I wouldn't do a rod pocket; do rings or pleats or ripple folds instead.

If you don't need the bamboo blinds for privacy or light control, I'd eliminate them. Otherwise, I'd replace them with a wood or Roman shade the same color as your drapes.

Wow, that's great advice - thank you! Any suggestions on where I can get the curtains you described? And I would prefer to have roman blinds for privacy, any suggestions on where to get, as well?

Also, considered painting the bottom portion a white instead of cream...thoughts?

Velvets abound at West Elm and Pottery Barn, also at Restoration Hardware. Stick with the cream so your camel or buff drapery have another warm tone in the space.

JC Penney, Country Curtains can give you a start, and google will give you more online options, if there are no local drapery sources. I am also going to suggest you paint the chair rail the same color as the base of the wall, gather your pictures into two groups of three and center them w the table for added height, and add some shades to the chandelier- also centered above the dining table. You might also try Navy Blue drapery panels for added colour dimension that remains understated.

It might be tedious....BUT....I had a professional decorator suggest I paint the bamboo blinds white...Just a thought to try if you can not return them....

Thanks all! Is velvet too formal for the space? Love the idea is raising the curtain rod! Lastly, still love my bamboo shade so I'm moving it to the kitchen. Also, for the pics -- not sure what you were describing, but if you can show me a pix, I'd appreciate it. And will keep the color - is ivory the same as the base color? Thanks for all the shopping suggestions - am looking now!

I don't think velvet is too formal, and yes- ivory ( and cream reference) are both about the colour at base of the walls.

I think Maddie...that the velvet IS a bit too formal.. based on the style of your table and your funky fun art....I imagine something more funky like they have at West Elm. ....I see something with a gold or orange color to contrast with the grey and make the floor and art work pull together...I like the maize colored zig zag drapes...

Yes - paint! Either all cream or all white, the combination of the two doesn't feel right.
You can spray paint the bamboo blind - white or cream depending on the wall color, or darker brown to coordinate with you dr set. I would like to see a charcoal drape with textured pattern or tone on tone print. Yes to darker rod and hung close to ceiling.

Thanks, everyone -- lots to think about! One final question: what about a rug? Not into oriental or Persians, looking for something more geometric and modern. Would want the curtains to complement the rug, too.

i would remove the blinds, replace the white curtain rod with the heave iron one and use panels with wide vertical stripes in cream and gray/charcoal.

and as for the rug I do not think rug is needed here, i would leave the floors bare

Like your ideas as well Brenda....some neat charcoal drapes on West Elm as well...a striped one with grey and white and a flocked one with charcoal. OR if you want to go for a color....look at orange....I like the idea of painting the bottom white as well... Not trying to push any one store...just was looking at those so they are fresh in my mind. Look at IKEA as well...PB, JC Penny's new Happy Chic line is fun and fresh as well. Your furniture and artwork is more modern than traditional...so I think you MIGHT??? Be looking for something a bit more trendy??? Just a guess. Best of luck!!!!!

Personally, I would do a white or off white shade for your primary light blocking... and then add color with drapes. If velvet feels too heavy, try a silk or faux satin material for the curtains. JC Penney does have some decent drapery panels, and World Market is another possibility. I'd bring in a table runner or large glass centerpiece with some of the same color as you use for the drapes. The room could stand a flash of color to keep it from feeling too severe. Though don't get me wrong, I love Kendall Charcoal. Pick up a favorite color from an adjacent room and use it as your dining accent color. Yellow, magenta, turquoise, emerald, violet or red would all look fabulous against the dark gray.

Thanks again, everyone! Think I'm going to paint the bottom half Bistro white- Valspar which is the same white in my sitting room, swap out the curtain rod, raise it and get a fun colorful printed geometric curtain...maybe something in yellow or turquoise to pull in the other colors in my house. Lastly, should I get a white roman shade or white wide wood blinds for privacy?

White silk curtains would look very nice ... crisp and fresh.

I think that your problem can be solved by adding something to compliment the blinds ,I found these curtains that will give the room the finishing touch and pick up the colours tying them all together

I would use a double rod and use the cream sheers and add room darkening curtains on the other rod (to solve the privacy issues). Raise the rod. If you are looking for a more informal look make sure the curtains are a solid color.

Mini- hadn't thought about a double rod before...that maybe the best solution. If so, should I still re-paint the bottom half to white or keep the cream? And what color solid would you recommend?

Glad to hear the cream is being removed - the combo with the white was quite jarring. Maybe you need a real pop of color in this space.

Thanks! Am reprinting and will then reevaluate. And I love the color you suggested - it would tie in with the rest of my house

I like the cream, it would be really dark without it. I would however match the curtains to the grey walls. It will make the room look larger when closed. For an informal look I would get a micro suede curtain. See photos below. I would also tie the cream more by using art work that have a cream base or matting around it. I found these curtains at Tuesday Morning for a steal, but Bed Bath & Beyond usually has a good selection too.

Ok, so I repainted to white instead of cream. (See pics) Also removed the curtain rod but kept the bamboo shade temporarily. Makes the room much brighter! I'm trying to keep the room more modern and contemporary - thinking the double rod with white silk and white sheers - thoughts?? Is that still too formal?? Or go with a colorful print and a white roman shade??

I like what you have done to the room ,I think that the blind looks good too ,but just in case you would like to replace it perhaps you could consider one of these


I think that the picture collection hat you have is very nice too the only thing that i think could be changed would be how they are hung ,looking at them in a row gives them a severe feel

I think given the new colour that a a printed roman shade could be used alone. It would add pattern, tie colours from the rest of the house and keep the room feeling lighter than combining blinds and drapes. If you decide on curtains, a print is still a good idea.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SifTL4fQql0/TJT7nRTfRHI/AAAAAAAAGmE/D_zsMRGTvRo/s1600/100_0385.JPG

http://pinterio.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/dining-room.jpg

Any colour, but this shape shade for your chandy will keep a contemporary feel:
http://www.lights4living.com/prodzoomimg19718.jpg

Good job on unifying the whites. Now you have a really versatile base, onto which you can add most any color you want - assuming it works with the rest of the main living areas. To avoid any new panels blocking the light, be sure to use a very wide rod, with at least 18" of space on each side of the window for it to "stack" when open. White is simple and effortless. Color will make it more vibrant. Pattern + color will add the most energy of all. I'd position a rod, then bring home several different panels to test-drive.

No window to casual. Start over. I don't like the bottom color you used. Paint bottom same as top leave trim white. Did you use Swiss color on other walls?. I would change to gray light. Instead. On windows. Get woven light weight fabric panels for end. A brush nickel thicker rod. Make panels white, go floor to ceiling. Under get a bamboo shade in black. Leave 1/3 ways down. Add a big 45" sunburst mirror in silver to wall where pic are. Put those on another wall grouped together stacked not spread out along wall they are two small for that wall. Can you turn table to run other way? If so move get two end chairs in a high back fabric, gray and cream print. Side chairs in a gray fabric. Centerpiece a big crystal bowl fill with red apples.

Lower chandelier should be 36" above table. Area rug 8 x10. In a metallic silver shag.

Bamboo Home Depot. Panels Bed, Bath n Beyond. Painting will help a lot. You can get roman shades at lowes they are custom. Maybe Bed, Bath may sell.

Bamboo shade are cheap, don't try and paint won't work.

No sheers to dated. White panels against charcole walls will pop.

Just read your post. Glad you painted. Go white on windows either roman or bamboo in white with panels new rod of course take to ceiling. Good job.

I've bought some great drapes from West Elm...they have several lengths. I agree with one of the commenters who said take the curtain rod up to just below the ceiling. Here's an example of how I did it in my house.

Here is my dining room. I did off white custom drapes with a back tab. They are not linen but look it. I have a fringe on the inner lining. Same dark grey paint you have!! White on bottom. No privacy because if I really want it I just
Pull the drapes closed. I found the chandelier at a salvage yard. Not all the way done yet with this room. used to be all orange oak trim.

You might be able to see the fringe on the drapes better here.

Hi all - finally got the window treatments right for me!! Here's an updated pic :)

Your new curtains are a significant improvement. Some rug ideas: