oneofeleven and cdrdesign, do you like the expresso colored ones? I agree about the rouching.

Hi there ckoeppel. I have followed the thread and hate to be a kill-joy, but I do not see drapery on the piano window at all. Any length will look awkward with this distinctly horizontal window. So, please consider the following: I usually hate accent walls, but honestly, the accent wall in your before shot really helped strengthen and define that end wall as the focal point that it is. So, instead of adding drapery panels. I would recommend covering the end wall in a textured wallcovering like grass cloth in a deep or mid-tone neutral. Even natural would look amazing and warm the space. Leave the window alone. Place the mirror beneath. Instead of buffet lamps, use a pair of torchieres flanking the buffet, leaving the entire surface available for serving or for a horizontal floral element. Also, from the photo, the room looks dark and could use more light. A long narrow tray of wheat grass or a series of repeated elements like 5 small florals in waterlook glass containers would look stunning on the buffet. On the now empty wall where the mirror started, add a single LARGE piece of modern art. LARGE = at least 60" long. Scale is everything and you have enormous unbroken expanses of wall, which really require similarly scaled artwork. The series on the right wall is just fine, but I would not do a series on the opposing wall. Too repetitive. Fantastic choice on the ceiling! BOOM. Perfect. The rug is also beautiful. Well done, so far. Can't wait to see the tweaks...

Yes, like the expresso ones.

So, now you have both Daniel and I suggesting trying the mirror over buffet (He has great insight---I would pay attention).......and you have 2 votes for an accent wall . (I am the same, I rarely recommend them as they are "chop-chop", but I think in this case it would work.

Those are expensive drapes and don't want you to waste your $ unnecessarily.

From what you had told me previously of the size of the mirror, I think it will fit well. How much does it weigh? You can just prop it up there or photoshop it. (You are good at that).

50 is the new 30!

Well Ms. Draper09 you will certainly have to put on your thinking cap. I like the Expresso myself. Have you had any comments from friends and family about the space? Sometimes another pair of actual eyes can be helpful.

When we purchased dining room furniture the designer at Thomasville suggested and pulled a platinum grass wall covering. It was beautiful, but we did that in the family room and two things (1) I am not in love with the seams and (2) it was extremely stiff and hard to install. I do think it would be gorgeous. Thomasville also said DO NOT add drapery. As far as art work, I have no idea what piece of modern art would blend or coordinate with the existing pieces I have. Also, I am not sure what you mean by small florals in waterlook glass containers. Do you have a pic?

P.S. My husband would shoot me if I asked to move the mirror!

The other thing is if you don't like the drapes they can be returned (lots of work I know). Grass cloth is nice and timely and won't date itself.

cdrdesign, let me see what I can do about the mirror. Do you think the platinum wall covering would look nice? If I did the wall covering, would I still need to paint the trim around the window?

oneofeleven, I have had comments from friends and family and they all say, "It is so beautiful!"...not what I really want to hear at this point!

Thanks cdrdesign. Ckoeppel, here a few suggestions for the large scaled art I recommended. They are all 60 x 40 and all have organic motifs (very desirable here, IMHO) and are all in your neutrals. I particularly like #'s 1 and 3 ( I do agree with many who have suggested a punch of color, but it could be as simple as florals on the table.) Best of all, these would all price out at around $600 or less, FRAMED. An unbelievable value for art in this scale. I certainly understand about the frustration of moving the heavy mirror, but here's the bottom line: It does not work where it is. Sorry. I keep on being the kill-joy here, but you deserve honest advice and feedback. Lastly, the key to grasscloth is installation. the seams need to be consciously placed to align with the architecture, ie: center one panel on the window and work outward in either direction so the seams are symmetrically balanced. With grasscloth, the seams are an integral part of the look and unavoidable. I highly recommend using a pro to install grasscloth. Small expanse means minimal expense. You could certainly also use a more conventional wallcovering or even just paint. Best of luck. It is already looking really good!

I agree with some of the other comments that a nice pop of color would do wonders to this room. I get that you were going for the whole black and white formal feel to the room but I think an accent color would really liven it up a bit. Also, changing the chandelier would be nice (try something unique)

marriage is all about compromise, therefore if you've had the major say in this room I say leave the mirror be and maybe paint the window wall in an accent colour , which will make the vase stand out and basically you're done.

oneofeleven, you hit the nail on the head! I am trying to do all of this so it is timeless. Even when we selected our furniture I kept that in the back of my mind. I am not going to rush on this, I need to be clear in my head before I do anything.

Daniel Dionne Designs, honest advice is definitely what I want. I like the prints a lot, but oddly enough, I like the second print. The reason is that I struggle with pulling together silver and bronze/patina colors. This print would make me feel comfortable doing that. For example, I love the starburst bowl above, but I have hashed it over a thousand times about the combination of the silver in the room and the color of bowl. I also like that the print is horizontal considering the two I already have are vertical prints.

So I am going to play around with these ideas in Photoshop.

Closet Classics of Andover, thank you for your suggestion. Honestly, I can't switch out the chandelier. It is brand new and we paid a little over $1500 for it. It is a Robert Abbey chandelier Rico Espinet Candelaria 12 Light Chandelier in Deep Patina Bronze. I have used the amber caged bulbs that are on a dimer.

oneofeleven, I have had the major say in this room and you're right...I have to meet in the middle somewhere.

In truth i have not read all the post but I thought I would post a couple of inspiration pics for ideas

Ckoeppel, I gave you my honest opinion early on----that the mirror is a focal point type piece and doesn't belong in that space, but might work over the buffet.

However,there are no wrongs, only opinions and it is your house and if you want it to stay there, for whatever reason, that is your choice. You have to live there.

The room is beautiful. You have done a great job, so don't fret over it.

I again suggest that you don't get ahead of yourself. Make the big decisions first.

Backwall: I would suggest an accent wall the color of your ceiling. It could be paint, paper. Of course something with texture is always a lot richer than just color. Whether to paint the window trim depends on what you do with the wall.

If you hang drapes, adding paper to the wall is not as important.

cdrdesign, the mirror weighs 81lbs.

You are such a good sport ckoeppel. Any of the art pieces would work well, including the second one. What I really like and commend you on is that you are being very thoughtful in your process. Have fun!

cdrdesign, thank you and I know you have been honest. I just have to make sure that my husband and I both like it. His taste is VERY different than mine and compromising is what makes it hard, but he has to live here, too, and love it. I can't thank you enough for all of your help and design wisdom. You are terrific!

81 lbs! Wow. That IS heavy. Good thing you have that big strong man. ;-) I am looking for an image to illustrate the repeated glass look vases I mentioned. Will post when I locate it. Also, do consider the idea of a pair of torchieres flanking the buffet versus lamps ON the buffet. You really could use more light. I will also try to find examples of these for you. As it relates to accessorizing, I feel like it is important to look upon that entire end of the room and not get too focused on the just the elements on the buffet. Include the entire end wall. I hope I have articulated this well, and that it makes sense...

Daniel Dionne Designs, yes the mirror IS heavy! You should have been while we were putting it up...a real circus act! Thank you for your help. You have articulated all of this well and it definitely makes sense to me.

Daniel has the best suggestions, I think. Your color composition if Great! As an option..... Lower the mirror in place. No grass cloth. Add artwork in the style Daniel suggested smaller versions above the sideboard under the window. Add lamp on the side board and use candles on the table when dining as Daniel suggested. The lamp and candles provide the layered lighting that gives the room added depth and interest it needs. It's beautiful! Enjoy it!

When I go back at look at the photos of your room I think it's lovely. If you did absolutely nothing else to it you'd be done. Why don't you just live with it, use it and make small changes along the way. Throw some flowers in there when entertaining and placemats with some colour.

this room reminded me of yours

oneofeleven, it is SO funny you sent me this! The salesperson at Thomasville sent me an email right before we made our purchase and said this exact same room was her inspiration room for helping us make our selections! It is so gorgeous! This room is where I got the idea to paint the ceiling a dark color. :)

oneofeleven, I see in this room where cdrdesign's idea of a long chandelier would have worked. Oh well, I love my chandelier and the room. I just need to tweak it over time. Thank you for all your help and comments!

oneofeleven.....that is gorgeous. It does remind me of ckoeppel's room. Notice that the mirrror is the focal point, placed above........yes, I won't say it again!

The mirror is a heavy piece both visually and literally! It requires a central spot as well as a piece underneath it to anchor it.

Note how the buffet lamps draw your eye to the ceiling (similar tones).

oneofeleven,duhhhh, I just noticed your name......guess what, I am one of twelve.

So if I move the mirror, leave the walls painted as is, get buffet lamps with shades in a similar tone to the ceiling, that might work?

Yep, I think it would look fantastic. It doesn't necessarily have to be buffet lamps....could be sconces.

The reason I say sconces is that, from the measurements you gave above for widths of mirror and buffet, I think you could place the sconces on the edge of the buffet, which will extend the visual. It will also help take care of the fact that the window above is wider than the buffet.

I find that it is best to embrace the architectural bones of a house, rather than fight them. You have embraced the window with your rug, table, artwork. The mirror placed there will fill the gap and make it look like it was all intended.

I took Daniel's ideas and did some poor photoshop work. The wall covering is a chocolate brown grass cloth. I didn't choose carefully when it came to the torchieres, I just wanted to see how it all looked together.

Sorry the picture was too large to load.

cdrdesign, are you referring to wall sconces? I don't think I have ever come across a table sconce to be placed on the edges of the buffet.

This is my actual chandelier.

What do you think?

.....I think you can alos do no grasscloth and dark tochieres.

Daniel's picture looks good there. Good work, ckoeppel!

You must be so confused with all these suggestions! I've mentioned this earlier.....I really don't think you should move the mirror - it's definitely too big and imposing to hang under the window. Albeit it might look better elsewhere but like you said it's really heavy and complicated to move and it really doesn't look bad where it is. Adding drapes will fill the window wall nicely and help ground the room. Adding another art piece in my opinion would be too much - the ones you have are enough. Your chandelier is perfect for your room and gives off enough light so no need for some more lamps unless you add an accent lamp on the buffet. As for wallpaper on the window wall, I think it would be wasted because there just isn't enough wall there. It would be hidden by the drapes (which you should get) and the buffet. Painting that wall the same colour as the ceiling is a good idea though. I'm repeating myself but your room already looks good - many people have told you this. You just need to add textures and shapes. I think it's time for you to take a breather and let all these things sink. Bottom line is that you already have your own distinct good taste and you should go with your gutt feeling.

In the attached photo I incorporated some of DMS Design Associates's ideas.

Lydia, you got that right! I already have my mind made up and I am happy with my decision. Thank you for your help!

The room looks so unbalanced with something on the wall under the window.....In french we say "les goûts ne se discutent pas" which basically means no point in discussing "good taste" cause everybody has a different opinion on what that should be! So the point is.....I'm so happy you made up your mind......go with what makes you feel good and have confidence in your choices. You've done great so far! Please post some after pics.....so everyone can give their opinions.....again! ;)

Agree with Lydia. I think you have very good taste and what you have done so far is great. When I looked at that photoshopped photo with the big mirror on an accent wall with no drapes, my eyes just focused on that window and that big mirror when neither could outdo each other. If you compare with the later photo with drapes, the window just doesn't take over the wall and the composition is more balanced. In a mid sized dining room like this with strong transitional vibes, I think too many art pieces or over decoration is just an overkill. Less is more and variation in sheen and texture and proper scale is more important to take your already great room to a semi-professional standard. This room is one of the few on Discussions that has huge potential to reach a designer standard purely on personal interior design effort. Can't wait to see the final results.

Hi, yes....what I meant was you could do wall sconces instead of buffet lamps, if you want.

Yes, your room looks fantastic and you have received a lot of feedback.....maybe more than you wanted! Go with your gut.

Bellesum, thank you very much! I have never really thought I could ever be a designer, but I have LOVED this whole discussion thoroughly. I have corresponded with some awesome people like yourself and I feel honored.

Believe it or not but I am just now getting around to buying drapery panels for my dining room. I found these two and would get them in the colors noted:

CHOCOLATE: http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Dupioni-Pure-Silk-lined-Pinch-Pleat-Curtain-Panel/8199496/product.html

ESPRESSO: http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Signature-Espresso-Faux-Taffeta-Silk-Curtain-Panel/5047700/product.html?refccid=JSJUOD66KSJYUAKPHALZZJRAYI&searchidx=8 (Got great reviews)

I know there were conversations about taffeta or shiny formal pleated drapery panels. Which panels do you think would work best in my space? Also, if I hang the panels from floor to ceiling what kind of rod to I use? A traverse rod? Are there rods that hang directly on the ceiling?

I would use the Chocolate Pinch=Pleat. There are rods that hang directly from the ceiling, or I would use a clear, acrylic rod.

http://www.curtain-tracks.com

Would a curtain rod like this work in my space. It can be ceiling mounted and they have a 24" 48" size which is what I need.

http://www.wayfair.com/Achim-Importing-Co-Metallo-Gloria-Curtain-Single-Rod-RDMGLBK-ACHM1155.html

Extend drape rod 1' on each side of window. 3 times the width of the window for total fabric width.....

It can be ceiling mounted. It won't be totally flush with ceiling, but will look good.

I have never hung drapes from the ceiling so I am not sure what to expect. Would just normal traverse rods work or be better?

Drapes from the ceiling sometimes refers to hanging the rod on the wall just below the ceiling line. The top of the curtains at the bottom of the crown or just below the ceiling line. You could use a traverse rod if you want to close them on a regular basis. A decorative medium wood rod would look great. Trust your instincts when it comes to the selection and chose what you like.

I too think they will look fine hung very close to the ceiling. You do have a small amount of space above the trim.

The rods I have selected above are .75 inches round. Will that be too small for my drapes? They are only 26 inch wide panels? I am putting one on each side of the window and hanging the drapery rods right at the ceiling.

http://www.wayfair.com/Achim-Importing-Co-Metallo-Gloria-Curtain-Single-Rod-RDMGLBK-ACHM1155.html

So, you mean .75 diameter, I assume? They should be fine. Since the window size is small, but you have full-length panels, you could have gone either way.

Yes, I mean .75 diameter. Thanks. I am ordering them today.