I am a sucker for aged ironstone platters so I would do a collection of patina'd platters & plates in a horizontal grouping (some brown transferware would be fabulous with the wall color) - I also think having some older pieces helps create a more layered/curated look

I'd put something light and bright on the table that gives nice contrast with the wood, a large white ceramic bowl, soup tureen etc..

none of these are exactly right but give the idea

To me the room looks unfinished without crown molding. Usually where there's wainscot, there's crown. Is there room on that wall for a buffet?

It's typical to do the board and batten at 36' high. Installing the higher wainscotting, makes your ceiling height appear low.

Now you have to create something interesting in that narrow space. Maybe a series of prints or plates as suggested above.

Wallpaper!

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Wallpaper, for sure. I am planning high wainscoting in a powder room. Here are some dining rooms with wainscoting and wallpaper.

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One dramatic powder room.

I agree. It needs wallpaper.

Wow thanks for all the great ideas everyone. I guess wallpaper has really came back. We couldn’t do crown moulding bc our headers came up too high. Would you also add a window treatment to this window?

Inspiration

Personally I think a print wallpaper with the tall wainscoting and the height of your ceiling begins to recall the border wallpapers of the 80s. If you do wallpaper, I'd do something that adds texture rather than a pattern. Then look at some prints or plates. Your chandelier is a star, maybe a grasscloth type wallpaper will add enough without anything else.

Dining room remodel · More Info

Looks like there is blue in your rug and suggest blue/or whatever suits - grasscloth wallpaper and consider imitation which is less expensive and easier to install. If you don’t have a console or sideboard and have room, suggest one (and see how to accessorize below to achieve height/interest). Suggest curtains and decide on a centrepiece last.

Wallpaper, definitely. An the pictures on the right...try to move them a bit closer together so that they relate to each other a bit better.

High wainscoting doesn’t require a plain wallpaper. But simpler, smaller patterns will look better than large ones.

Hi Ida!

Gorgeous Silver, please do not paper over! Large beading is an elegant, clean look, and French Blue Silver lol! Fantastic! Hunting inspiration pics…

And p.s. not the drape color, in keeping with walls! Ruched Pull drapes might be lovely, but large beading on wood might call for white shutters! You might even go beach-house with framed natural life on the walls, starish, sea glass—make use of that beautiful hanging light fixture, go golden or brass in your centerpiece! hunting…..

If you want your DR to have a formal appearance then drapery panels would be a good solution for the windows. Frankly, the room could use some additional texture, not to mention acoustical help.

If you install a plain texture wallpaper you'll be back here asking what to install on top of the wallpaper to add interest. Either select a patterned wallpaper or select wall decor that fits with the space allowed.

Here’s an idea from a Christmas coastal centerpiece. And while i love wallpaper, unless it’s stripes or textures, not a fan of papered dining rooms—just my preference! There must be at least ONE room in every house not covered in flowers or patterns! And in true English style, paper with wainscoting is found in sitting rooms, bedrooms, etc.! I really, really want you to keep that silver, does it show? Bone colored plate collection would look gorgeous as well! Enjoy yourcreative adventure, post pics! ❤️

I'd paint the trim around the window the same color as the walls.