I agree with cdr about stacking the mirrors. I like grommeted panels a lot but don't see them here. I actually think panels on poles and rings would be a nice reference to the metal of the chandelier. Simple finials though. Nothing too fussy. This can be done very inexpensively. You need them on both windows and the poles should extend beyond the larger window to allow for fabric stack without blocking light. Use opaque fabric, not sheer, so when you close them on the smaller window, they will really cover the window unit. The pitcher and plate would look nice on the commode beneath the mirrors, with nothing else. Maybe flowers in the pitcher... Agree with cdr on the visual presence needed for the dining table. Perhaps a series of some kind. Touch of color?.... Since the room is fairly small, fewer, more significant elements will avoid a cluttered or "ditzy" effect in the accessorization. Clean and simple will keep it fresh and updated. And functional. Nice job so far.

Love love your table, so glad you did not paint it. Only thing I could see was the beautiful table. Many happy meals at it.

I like the stacking of the mirrors idea. Not a grommet person. Will definitely find a new centerpiece for the table and move that Vera Wang pitcher and plate to the commode. I must move slowly with the window treatments however. How many panels for the double window - 4? And I will hang the new rod high and wide! Decorating is not for the weak.

Oh, and bubblyjock - I had to search for the Old English Dark scratch cover. They did not have it at Lowes or the Depot. Try your local hardware store or order it online!

What a nice find!

Kelly, you should need only two panels per window, unless you need those on the large window to be functioning (be able to close). In that case you will need 2 for the small and 4 for the large window. Check out IKEA, Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn. They all have multiple ready-made options. IKEA's are better than inexpensive, they are cheap! and some are surprisingly good looking. The key to cheap is that it not LOOK cheap. Go subtle to maximize space impression. Tone on tone, large scale open, airy pattern would be nice, or texture. If you use color: again, light field, open, airy large scale pattern. Crown Molding to Floor. Hem to just above the base board heater at the small window. Bent return poles could be very cool. Pic. attached. Go girl!

Oh, I love those. The rod especially. This is what I will get. If you can bare it, I will post one more picture of the dining room with new window treatments and accessories. Thank you again. You have been a huge help Daniel.

Bear it? I am excited to see them! Glad the guidance has been helpful.

Kelly, leave the current rods up there for temporary staging of new drapes. Hang new drapes on old rods, take pics and we will give our opinions (like it or not--haha!)

Well I ripped down the old rods and threw them in the trash (hated them). MUST have new rods. :)

Kelly, how do you like something like this for the center of your table? You could leave it on its own or fill with something interesting---maybe amber and silver balls.

http://www.zgallerie.com/p-12609-plexus-plate-champagne.aspx


http://www.zgallerie.com/p-10208-ceramic-abalone-bowl.aspx

Oh, I love the first one. Hey, I am making progress today. I found the bent return poles on eBay in a dark bronze and some drapes and clip rings at Pottery Barn! WDYT about these drapes in Ivory?

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/cameron-cotton-drape/?cm_src=E%3AAutoCatRel&lineid=1&catalogId=60

Kelly - found a bottle of Old English at my cheery local Home Hardware this afternoon: thanks!

Kelly, the PB panels look a bit TOO casual to my eye. They look like cotton duck. Something with a bit more elegance would help to support the direction you are headed. Think: jacquard or something of that character. Or a lovely woven. Herringbone, monochrome houndstooth, etc. Perhaps linen or linen look. Pleats would also help. Flat panels read really casual. Just my two-bits... :-) You're getting there. The Z gallery bowls don't seem right to me, somehow. (sorry cdr) I will poke around and see if I can come up with some thoughts with pics to show you. I am on a big project, with a new project consult on Saturday so forgive me if it takes a minute. I am swooping in and out when I come up for air.

I would be afraid the 100% cotton might look wrinkly. I thing something like the below would hold the shape better and look more elegant.

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/Sure-Fit-reg-Logan-84-Inch-Single-Panel-Rod-Pocket-Drape/3242817?Keyword=drapes

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/Westport-Geo-Rod-Pocket-Window-Curtain-Panels-and-Valance/209914?categoryId=10551

Ah, no worries. I am working now too and am about to leave the office. Thanks. Any drapery suggestions would be appreciated though. I simply cannot afford to get custom drapes and cannot sew. Surely something suitable must be out there! :) This is the best forum ever I think. So useful!

cdr - I LOVE the second pair with the slight trellis pattern. I might go for it and return if I do not like ... Thank you!!!

Kelly, first measure what length you need. Did you do that?

At BBB, they carry only 84" length. But, you can order online the length you need. They will send directly to your home. If you don't like them, you can return to the store.

JC Penney, same policy.

So, you can go there and bring home a 84" length and see how you like them in your room.

I kind of like cdr's second drapery recommendation. I am not sure about rod pocket though... If you are going to use the bent return poles, use rings, so you will get visual credit for the pole. IMHO.

Yes, I love how they are linen-look, but polyester (so will hang well).

Yes, I agree. The pole is special.

Better to pick out your drapes first...unless you are dead set on a certain rod.

You will figure it out.....looking online is great, but you might be able to cut to the chase faster in person in a store.

If you don't need curtains long enough to puddle wistfully (aka dead cluster fly catchingly) on the floor, you can find some awesome stylin' shower curtains (Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Ross) that are already hemmed and ready to hang at what might be just the right length, judging by your photos....maybe don't use shower rods though, as they're a dead giveaway....

Haven't read all comments but seeing the stair runner is a bit fun, I'd suggest bringing some of that into the dining room otherwise the room and the stairs will look odd IMO. That table cleaned up beautifully and I love the new drapes! (Maybe a cheetah fabric as a band on the bottom?) However with the chair fabric you chose, it may not work. I'm no professional though so feel free to ignore my ideas LOL!

To go from the first picture of your dining room to the last is such an amazing transformation. Proof positive that by shopping smart (buying used especially) and moving what you already have around a little you can change a room from "nothing special" to "WOW" on a shoestring. Very well played, my lady.
I hope you don't mind, but I copied both pictures to put them back up side by side. Stupendous!

Love what you did with your dining room! The dining table and chairs are just perfect and I can't believe you got them for $100 :) The curtains you have now work perfectly too. Love it

Mirrors look great stacked. You did great!

Looks like the drapes maybe just need to be ironed and you are good to go.

I'm so glad you didn't paint it.. you did an amazing job and had amazing help from all your Houzz friends....

I really like th drapes, good job. Once you press them, they'll look fab.

I love the table it has detail. Painting it black I don't recommend! And that's experience with a painted Black piece of furniture I had every day u see dust layer! Refresh with a stain. The piece has such detail itself.
Lucky find!

Love everything you did here.
Silk drapes need to be eased to pleat nicely. This might be a lost art, but it makes a big difference in making ready-made look custom.
Gather a bunch of cloth strips (I use handkerchieves) to use as gentle ties.
If you are going to iron the drapes, iron from the back and go slow rather than use higher heat to go faster. Check the label to see if yours can tolerate steam, as some silk will shrink if steam is used.
Pleat the drapes as you want them to hang, and then tie them near the top and every foot or 18" to the floor. Hang them from your rods this way for awhile. (when it is humid, a few days is enough, when less humid a week or more is good. Just hang them and forget them for awhile is what I do.)
Tie the pleats gently. You want to encourage the fabric to pleat where you want the pleats, but if too tight, you'll have marks where each tie was. Just tight enough to keep the pleats in, no more than that. Here is how mine turned out. Not perfect, but nicer than simply ironed when I got them.

Another trick is to iron them and then use hair clips----you know, clips you use to hold back hair when styling. Keep the hair clip on for a few days and pleat stays in.

Love your new dining set- it looks great. Everything came together so nicely.

Gannt is very professional and spot on with window treatments! Give us more!

Very nice room that you must love glancing at every chance you get. Hope you have a holiday gathering there, too.

It's a beaut would look gorgeous painted grey and then distressed with a light varnish on top

stain, I would NEVER paint a beautiful wood table and chairs such as that. My Mom painted one that was given to her way back in the 1950's and I just remember it being nicked a lot and always had to retouch. A lot easier to fix stained furniture scratches than it is painted when it comes to chairs and tables that get a lot more use than say cabinets.

Kelly, just saw you mentioned you kept the finish :) thank goodness. The new pictures look great

What a great buy! I am so glad you kept the original finish of your table. You picked the perfect scale of pattern for your chair fabric. What a transformation. I am glad Jenny's treehouse posted the pictures side by side. I am glad you splurged on nice curtains which add just the right note of casual elegance. I need you to come shopping with me - you really know how to stretch a dollar!

Kelly, lovely room and you made terrific choices all around!

did you sand the table?

WELL DONE!...YES, WELL DONE.

So glad you decided not to paint your table. It looks really lovely now.

Hi Kelly. I have been MIA and happily VERY busy. Glad this thread came up again. Nice job here. In the pic, it looked like they needed pressing, but I agree that referencing the white sofa was a good call, providing continuity and flow. One last thing: I would consider hemming them so that they clear the floor by 1/2". Your local dry cleaners or alteration person can probably do it for you in nothing flat at minimal cost. The reason I suggest this is that the length isn't quite sufficient to look like an intentional "break" at the floor and ends up feeling like what I call a near miss. Sorry. Lastly: dress them to make the pleats even and crisp. Use your fingers and literally pinch them, drawing gently downward at each pleat as you adjust the spacing. Consider stacking the panels more tightly. This will also maximize the impression of fullness. Love slubby silks by the way. Mission accomplished. Lovely and subtle. What's next.... ?

Thank you. Since the pictures I did hem them, but I merely turned over the top where the clips are 1/2". I need to work on the pleats and a good ironing job. Thank you so much for your help. Next, is a dreadful basement reno I'm afraid. Meanwhile I bought a Mini Cooper Countryman, so my home budget is on hold. :) Good luck to you Daniel.

Oh, and to Yenni86, no I did not sand the table. It is veneer, so that would have been a big mistake. I used the superfine steel wool and hairdryer to take up any wax on the wood before I used the Old English stain.

Great idea to simply fold the top over. It also added thickness that is going to help you dress the pleats. Can't wait to start the reno conversation. Enjoy that cute little car. Sassy! Ciao bella

I have just come upon your photos, i am soooo glad you didn't paint the table . It would have been such a shame. I just think old things get better with age, whilst new things just get worse! That table has brought real character into your dining room. Well done. I perhaps would have painted the chairs black though! :)

bubblyjock, what is vay vay?