Beautiful room! As soon as I saw the niche, I was thinking a buffet/sideboard would look awesome there! The china cabinet is pretty, but looks heavy to me - love the sideboard you posted and a mirror!! (Perhaps a round one?) Of course, the ”pros” are going to ask what the mirror reflects...then they will let you know if it works or not :) I would follow their suggestions.

I love your niche and would definitely put a China Cabinet in it. Not crazy about the one you photoshopped, but there are lots of them out there. I think they are beautiful, and the reason many people don't have one is because they kind of eat up the space in most dining rooms. But yours has the perfect spot. I'd go for it.

I entertain formally and believe doing so necessitates the right accoutrements. Get the china cabinet. Display china, store accessories and enjoy the piece. Trends should not dissuade you. Mine is hardly new and I don’t have the perfect spot like yours.

I think its the color of that CC that dates it, I would make it the color of your table or maybe paint. I would also take those dark heavy chairs out of your diningroom. The existing side chairs are ok but maybe think about tailored slip covered chairs in a light fabric. Is that tile on the floor? If so, Id go with a lighter rug maybe. Its a beautiful big diningroom so a china cabinet is fine in there. reread the post about the carpeting

lol got it

Why don't you just build out custom cabinets for that niche? Then you can do whatever you want.

Something custom and updated like this.

Longview Transitional · More Info

Something custom and updated like this.

Longview Transitional · More Info

I don’t feel either are complementary and would look for something that works with set (and room in general) and paint if needed.

Ladies? LOL! If you are keeping the Jacobean furniture and the wainscot I think I would continue the trend and find a china cabinet of similar style. Just throwing in a modern piece may not work so well. There have already been some good suggestions posted for pieces that are more transitional in look that would work well. Do love the painted pieces that have been posted. You can have a cabinet that is more traditional but painting IMO generally makes a piece more transitional and can compliment wood furniture pieces. Good luck!

If you can, repost a picture of the room without the area rug and without holiday decorations.

So people can see the room and actually what you will be keeping.

I think the correct china cabinet will be perfect for the spot.

I also think you should not be worried about being dated. Your table and chairs are what? 100 years old and look wonderfully current. Clearly you can make it work! :)

Thank you all for the great feedback, much appreciated!

Jamie Schroeder Thanks; I was also afraid that the china cabinet might be heavy; I think that's why I was drawn to this mirrored and glass top one with minimal detailing on it - felt lighter than most. As for the mirror reflection - it's the kitchen and family room, works nicely there. :)

fnmroberts: That's a beautiful piece, and I think it works so nicely in your space because the space is traditional.

M Riz: I did actually consider painting it, you're right, not crazy about the reddish tone of the wood. I played around in photoshop, still haven't settled on a look I love - but stay tuned! As for the dark/heavy chairs that are a part of the Jacobean set, those are staying - they're a meaningful part of hubby's family history and I'm okay with them adding their character to the room. I do see how they'd have to go to lighten up the room considerably and also make it feel much less traditional, though!

I do love drsaj's idea of something built-in. We'll want to finish the floors in that space before we go that route, but I think that'll probably be most seamless and have the cleanest look. Thanks for that thought!

This is where I'm concerned in mine... I don't know if I should just define my space as traditional and move on.

Norwood Architects... apologies and edited my original post; I'm so used to working with all women, I forget there are guys out there... ha! See, your point is exactly the thought I have... maybe I need to give up on mixing styles in my home altogether, because everything is so heavily traditional. Which I like! I love pieces with character and history, and I like the paneling on our walls.

This entire home decor journey has been such a mind trip for me... I think the problem is that I also like too many things that aren't necessarily traditional. I love quirky and fun things, I like dramatic rooms and contrast... but I also like simple and textural pieces. I don't know how well it all ends up working, maybe I do end up creating a mess in my creative process... lol!

Jinx: YES!! That room is EVERYTHING!! I love it and I love the decorating style that you describe. Thank you for putting it all into words the way you did and posting that photo - I saved it because I love it so much.

I think I have a hard time figuring out what works because a part of me wants to be safe and not make major mistakes - but when you like to mix and match styles, it's harder to find that rulebook that'll provide reliable guidelines.

Still undecided on the China cabinet, but may just get it for the time being - it's only $100 and would provide me with good storage until we can get some built ins in there. Plus, it may be fun to experiment with painting it. Keep you all posted if I end up with it!

In the meantime, I may start another thread for help finding some pieces for the living room... it's a little bare at the moment.

Thank you all again! :)

Here’s a related cabinet styling question…. I have 2 china cabinets flanking my fireplace. I like the style, except for the mirrored backs. The reflection captures the room — and with the small porcelain pieces— makes the view too busy. Any suggestions for backdrops (if I can’t remove the mirrors)?

@bethd12345

Please start your own thread and post pictures of your china cabinets. You will get some great advice.

Everything I see/hear china cabinets are for sure out of favor. I have to think they will make a come back. No telling how long it will take. I have one and will always love it. To each there own. If you have China to display--go for it. If not the other option is lovely too.

beth--it can't be too difficult to cover the mirrors with a thin plywood/wall board product, and wall paper or paint/wall paper to your liking.

I don’t think china cabinets in general will ever be out of style.

Agree.

I have two vintage traditional china cabinets

Gotcha beat! I have three, but one is small, and it's in the hallway.

Embrace the traditional, it is timeless and popular now. Traditional doesn’t have to mean staid and boring. Jacobean Revival was a Victorian style, and those folks embraced bright and fun colors. Bright blues, lime green, vivid corals were all popular wall colors back in the day.

I don't think the 40 year old oak fluted cabinet works w/your Jacobean style.

doing a more modern style could look nice, but one that comes waist high instead of all the way up. do some sconces/lamps and art or a mirror above it.

although, a custom built in would look very nice

or just get a jacobean vintage buffet and update it

@bethd12345

Look at static cling window films to cover your mirrors. A rice paper pattern would be neutral and classic. Cheap, easy, and surprisingly effective!

Select a sideboard that you can serve from instead of a china cabinet.

Something similar to this style buffet would look so beautiful! Simple lines to not compete with your gorgeous table.

Where is your china currently stored? How do you serve meals when you entertain? Would a buffet serve you well? Actually, I would prefer to put money into hardwood floors, but you can't do that for $100! Keep shopping, and consider removing the four chairs that are not Jacobean! New upholstery on the chair seats and a Jacobean buffet, plus art would be more my style.

What a great room to have fun with. Here are some concepts. Line and light China cabinet with bright wallpaper. Pick a theme. I chose a kind of “conservatory” feeling using palms and blue and white pottery. Then added slipcovers to end chairs. Recover seat of host chair(s) with subtle blue and white. Add new lighter rug like this. Add palm in fish pot and a pair of palm art on walls each side of niche. Here is mock up for inspiration.

China cabinets always work I hope. I kept mine but painted the dining room a dramatic color......and put the dining table on a diagonal for more room.....your room shape and size are so elegant. Play it up!

Susan- loved your dining room wall color! Super!

Angelique - any progress? Just curious.

Jjam hit the nose on the head, china cabinets are only hopelessly outdated if you don't have dishes to put in them and the space for them. But if you do, then get one you love. A sideboard would work too. The one you posted just doesn't seem to jibe with your dining set and style of your dining room, plenty of other options out there.

I like it! But I would put in a mix of stuff - books, art objects, vases, ceramics, liquor bottles, etc. and yes some china, rather than the traditional display of just plates and platters.

Your chairs, are they antique? If so, why not continue with the style, Jacobean, for the cabinet.

I loved that era of furniture. Put the arm chair at one end of the table. Look for more of the same for your other chairs.

If the look is too antique for you, search etsy, or like sites, for a painted piece.

However, I would think your niche is more for a sideboard and mirror.

Old can be made new again. I got this piece for free on social media. It's so functional.

Buffet · More Info

Buffet · More Info

lined w/nautical charts · More Info

BTW, your antique pieces are worth some money.

China cabinet only if you have a nice collection of dishes or knick-knacks to display. Otherwise, it's just a pointless bulk and you'd be better served by a buffet table. (With art over it -- nobody wants to have to watch themselves eat!!)