Please supply measurements for the walls next to the doorway where the man is enterIng. And for the width of the secretary. It's unclear why mirror wall is the only place for the secretary. I agree that the mirror is a good way to reflect the light. Show us the wall that has the French poster. Is there room there for the secretery? Or where that white shelving is next to the doorway? (Say goodbye to that white shelving. If you don't want to take on the job of painting the secretary, put light wallpaper on foam board cut to size to lighten it. Store glass and light colored dishes there.

What's important is to decide on what to rehome then decide on layout first before deciding on color and style. What I see are multiple shelving units and etagers, which should all go. They grayish cabinet between the etageres will look much better without the etageres. The living room will look lighter and more open without the gray upholstered armchair.

Instead of painting the table, get modern ivory chairs, and include your current modern chairs in the mix.

Treat yourself to new modern art work in a palette of ivory, gold (echoing the floors) grays, kind of where you're going anyway.

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Add a lightly patterned rug that harmonizes with whatever new art you bring in.

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Get a great pendant for over the dining table.

It looks like a spacious condo in a good location with a view. A couple questions:

Have you already cleared everything out that you are not keeping?

Will this be a full time or part time residence for you?

What are your goals?

I'm thinking the opposite would better suit the space.

the shelf units flanking the buffet ...So you can see through them to the mirror.

Edit the shelves to highlight only the most impressive on each shelf.

a Rug on the floor to designate the conversation area.

I live in Florida and am a big fan of furniture in front of mirrored walls. Unless you live here you don't realize how much wall mirrors reflects the light inside the dark condos.

To effective utilize the mirrored wall, you must minimize what is placed in front. The etagere cannot stay, nor all the other stuff. You could place additional matching chairs on either side of the china cabinet and then I would mount art above each chair.

The art, if not overly heavy can be hung with some type of adhesive hooks.

You don't want an etagere in front of the mirror because the mirrors double the clutter on the shelves. Whatever you select should be minimal and not overdone.

I don't think I'd be able to live with the mirrored wall, but you'll have to decide for yourself about that. If you're going to keep the china cabinet, I would keep the table. They're both beautiful pieces of furniture. Here are a couple pictures of different chairs other people paired with more traditional pieces. I really like Parsons chairs with traditional dining tables. They're simple and classic. Since the dining area is open to the living area, try to achieve an eclectic mix in the living area as well or else the more traditional dining furniture will look out of place. To me, the white coffee and end table look out of place.

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Thanks for the quick replies. The dining "space" is 12' x 9'. 12 ' along the mirrored wall. The cabinet is 52 " (w) and 17" deep.. The wall to the right of the kitchen doorway is 52" but has the dining room light dimmer on it. The wall to the left of the kitchen entrance is 34". We have removed the kitchen cabinets which is why there is the grey etagere and lots of stuff on the gold glass shelves. The wall where the french poster is located is 62"; however, the front door is to the left so I can't have a piece of furniture there unless it is on wheels and can be quickly moved.

Oh and in response to timing...we plan to just be here just in the winter for 3 or four months, and we might very well sell it in a year or two. We want to try it out before deciding to keep or sell.

To any pros or readers reading this, this is an example of how NOT to post a Design Dilemma--so much missing information--measurements, fourth wall not showing, thinking the problem is secretary in front of the mirror, possibly moving. I'll let others take this on, though OP still hasn't shown the full poster wall. Over and out.

You have too much seating for this modest condo. Some of it has to go. I think the gray lounge chairs don't add much to the appearance of the room.

I would get rid of the painted white tables. They don't seem to fit the vibe. Maybe paint the square end tables but the coffee table to too small for the area and the hexagonal table doesn't work with the walnut chairs.

You might consider painting the china cabinet a hot color to go with the rest of the room.

You could salvage some chairs and paint them another hot color.

You might start with a bright rug for the area using the colors from the art you have selected.

I'd switch to either drapery panels or woven woods for the windows to carry the tropical theme.

I think your china cabinet may be crotch mahogany You may want to get it valued before you do any painting

This is what I would do...

- Install white mouldings over between each mirrors and top & bottom

- Instead of the china cabinet, place the gray sideboard in front of the mirror, you'll see more of your nice view

- Buy new chairs, I show a french style but can also be a simple upholstered parson style

- Paint the base of the table - keep the wood chest as is

- Update the chandelier and ceiling light at the entrance

- Paint the china cabinet ( you can also paper the back and place white decor inside)

- Install a rug (all front legs should sit on the rug) a jute one would be nice

- Place accent pillows on the sofa

- You can replace the lamps with ones with a wicker base

- Replace the wall art

On Craigslist in your area a table and 6 chairs they're asking $1k.

Here's your China Cabinet. Unless it's a famous make it's probably worth about $300.

Thank you so very much especially for taking the time to superimpose my space with your ideas. Very very helpful and i apologize to housegal200 for not following the design forum etiquette. I appreciate the others giving me their valuable insights.

Did Lyn Nielsen suggest trying the gray credenza and oval mirror on the mirror wall?

I’d thought the china cabinet quite pretty— really love that center drawer stack—- and then saw the photo of the hot magenta one— wowzers!

I’d try adding some modern/transitional elements like a different light fixture, artwork, rug and seat coverings first and see if those updates don’t do enough. The chairs/table/hutch are pretty and you already own them.

I think it’s time to empty the space of the decor items and play musical furniture! The secretary might look better in the space of the grey credenza, the shelving either side (etagees ?) might be better elsewhere or gone altogether. The grey credenza could work better on the mirror wall with the lamp or the hurricane candle holders placed to bounce their light off the mirror. Rethinking the chairs, you could try out Beverly’s suggestion using the wing back gray chairs either side of the credenza on the mirror wall, or use dining chairs. The table could work then in front of the credenza. Having inherited the property it is sometimes hard to re-envision the space, but have fun changing it to your space.

That wall is reflecting nothing by the time you load it up with stuff in front . Honestly what is your style ? This is now your home make it something you love and keep your Mom's memory alive by remembering her ,not stuff that you are trying to make work,I have to say your ruined pieces by apinting them and those painted pieces do not work with your new style at all.I see no plan and please those ugly white shelving has to go and all the stuff on them . Maybe you could just take the top off that huge cabinet and then use it like a buffet . so you at least get some of the view. The etegeres are IMO not doing the space any favors that little lamp on that cabinet looks like a little girls bedroom lamp. MY advice is remove all the stuff you inherited then start bring in the pieces YOU love . A good interior designer can help sinc ewe will have no emotional connection to the stuff. and can help you find your style I like the soafa and the 2 chairs but those painted pieces have to go and IMO the wing chairs look cheap

Can the china cabinet go in a bedroom? With fabric curtains inside you could use it to store clothes. What a piece is "worth" at a point in time due in part to changing tastes is not necessarily of interest. I have a Kindel mahogany DR table that would cost over $20,000 to replace; when I last moved a decade ago a dealer told me no one wants "brown wood." So what is it "worth?"

Love the chairs you have opposite the sofa.

Patricia is spot on. I feel for you trying to mesh sentiments and practical. Been there, done that. Realize the value of the dining table and china cabinet in current condition, especially painting would require a professional.service so it does not look like something you picked up on the side of the road. Are their other family members who would like these pieces? Are there bedroom and other pieces that would warrant an estate sale? Mirrors are great for bouncing light and reflecting views, but the unlimited scrutiny from a mirrored wall would drive me crazy and feel like I’m in a gym. Look into having it removed, refinish the wall in paint / wallpaper, smaller mirrors, etc.

Thanks for info. To sum up, the kitchen cabinets are gone so the kitchen contents are temporarily on the etageres, and you may sell in a year or two after living there 3-4 months a year.

In this situation, I suggest getting a bunch of colorful Post-Its, then sticking one color Post It on things you really love, and stick different colors on things that you like, things that are okay-ish and things you don't like. It will be much clearer what to keep for the next year or two. If you decide to keep the condo instead of selling, you can revisit your selections then.

Very clever organizing idea. Thank you

UPDATE: six weeks later after incorporating many of the suggestions on this post (painted walls, added wool cream/taupe rug, replaced art work, added accent pillows, placed buffet in front of mirror, added a pair of lamps to buffet, painted base of dining room table, added parson chairs) but now have the dilemma of the “wall”…..either use the brass etageres with a console in between them OR keep my mother’s secretary and possibly paint it and wallpaper the inside.

A few more. Big brown boxes are part of ongoing kitchen renovation

It looks welcoming. I suggest a new chandelier with pizzazz, once you have finished the kitchen.

Good job, looks very nice.

Looking great - love the sideboard and lamps in front of the mirror with the dining area. The seating area looks great too. I think your arrangement highlights that the brass and glass units are surplus to your needs. They are making that wall a little crowded. Can you use them elsewhere?

What a charming space! One thing I might try, if you want to keep the cabinet and the etageres, is to put the two shelves together, down closer to the windows and move the cabinet as far to the left as possible, so they are separated as much as possible. If you are up for painting the cabinet, blue would look wonderful, but a lighter color would reduce its visual bulk and maybe make it work better there.

Oh, and I would look for a white chain cover for the chandelier or paint the chain and canopy to match the ceiling.