Here is the rug :-)

I think I'd go with a chair that has more of a wingback style that has a taller back than the side chairs. See examples, below:

McLean Modern Farmhouse · More Info

Juno Beach-Family Friendly Waterfront · More Info

IMO those type of chairs are a dated formal look . I do not see formality in that space . IMO a nice piece of art is a much better choice than a mirror in a DR

How can a wingback chair be dated? It's one of the most classic styles there is. These are transitional versions, with cleaner lines. It would be like saying a klismos chair is dated. Ridiculous.

The rug you have chosen is very attractive!

I think you are dating the whole space.

The Blue looks dated, are you adding any furniture to the space?

you have plenty of room, do you really need the chair rail?

Drop the light fixture to closer to the table top... 30 to 36 inches above the table, maybe a different style?

the drapes need to be hung higher, and expand beyond the trim on each side of the windows.

No to the Host and Hostess chair. It's a dated look unless you live in a castle.

I have always disliked host and hostess chairs that are more comfortable than the rest of the chairs. It implies that the people at the heads of the table are more important than the others. Also, I think all chairs should have arms whenever possible because they are much more comfortable.

Agreed with many comments! and rest assured, when my new curtain rods come, i will hang them higher and wider. Also, yes I do need art and thats on the way. where would you put a lamp? any other recommendations on how to pull together and modernize? Also, light fuzture is 30” above the table. Pictures are always a but hard. this room is far from perfect and definitely a work in progress. thanks for all the great advice!

Is there a fourth wall not shown, or is it open to another room? If there is a wall for a buffet, it could hold lamps or sconces for additional light. If there is no wall, then you could add sconces to either side of large artwork.

Here are sconces flanking a window.

Love the sconce idea! thank you!! there is no 4th wall - it opens to this area. i am getting a rug and some new stools for this area, as well as some gallery art for the wall. its pretty bare right now, but this is what it opens to…

By the way, curious , how does the color blue date a room? i have no clue what I’m doing with decorating. I hired a decorator but its not a highly collaborative process. i am definitely looking for a modern/transitional look. My decorator says my house is more transitional and i cant go too modern. I am not ready to fully renovate my kitchen or house, but wanted a refresh on furniture. thanks for all the feedback!

I’d finish making all the changes and then decide on chairs and I’m not a fan of different head chairs. Decor and paint choice have more effect in an update.

Since the dining room is open to another space, you’ll have to continue the color/application right through. If wanting two colors, I’d suggest below (ignore molding) vs adding blue to the bottom and keeping uppers (what was plan for chair rail?). Now chair rail, baseboards and heating don’t break up the wall.

Feeling more contempory.

Another thought is just using one color (including chair rail); the flow into other room will be less busy and the rooms will be calmer with decor/accessories becoming the focus. Also don’t hang things too high.

I totally agree with Maureen’s thoughts about keeping the walls one color. Keep it calm.

Thanks! The chair rail was here when we purchased the house - and they just painted the house too (though I would not have chosen this color, I would have gone lighter, but since it’s new paint, I’m working with it.) Learning a lot through these ideas and this forum!

What about this chair? I feel like i am kind of committed to a head/foot chair per my decorator. I’ve never had separate head/foot chairs before, so no idea. Maybe i scrap the blue idea and try to get one that is more coordinated and as similar as I can get per Sabrina Alfin above.

Why are you committed?
I used to think I would want a pair of such chairs but now I feel the way previous poster did- it does not look like the hosts care about the guests, or are somehow pretentious, or are housemotger at boarding school! Unless of course you do use very comfortable chairs all around and there is just a small style tweak for head and foot.
So I ’ve decided to keep my wooden chairs until / unless I find super substitutes.
Also for empty nesters, like the idea of more comfy pair of kitchen table chairs for everyday.

The othef thing I’d watch out for is getting to actually SIT in any chair before you buy. My experience has been that there are a lot of upholstered dining chairs out there tgat are more for looks but don’t pass the sit test.

Here is the mirror and art my decorator selected just to round out the picture. I also have new bronze curtain rods and shes’s recommending blue paint below the chair rail. Duly noted above on one color…

I am going to discourage placing a mirror in your dining room. Unless the mirror reflects something interesting It will just be a dull spot on the wall. Artwork would be so much more interesting.

I also don’t like mirrors where guests see themselves eating at table, distracting to see random movements . I know they are common in dining rooms and I think that tends to be kind of knee- jerk “ room expanding”.
I think in a sort of static sense and “ staged” , a mirror can be envisioned as reflecting candlelight and crystal, but I think it does not give the right vibe for cozy dining.

This is likely a personal preference, but OTOH it is common for people to place mirrors in all the wrong places. So it depends on whether you’ve ever given much thought to mirror placement and want to develop your own ideas vs. go with decorator or discuss further.

I have seen great “gallery walls “ where smaller mirrors are used higher in the grouping to great effect, but that is more daunting to me.