It's lovely and traditional. To me, what dates it are the occasional tables with the Frenchy legs. I'd look into something else, and not match the three tables. You might also be able to improve the lamps with something a little more special. Is that the same rug in both rooms? I'd go complimentary instead and maybe turn the lr rug the other way? I think the only thing your pretty DR might need is a chandelier.

Can you reupholster the blue chairs to a color that's closer to the lovely drapes? Consider a new coffee table and new lamps. What's going on with the slipcover on the sofa - removing it?

You could add additional wall decor on either side of the mirror to make the wall more important.

Also I think you should consider turning the area rug. I could find your exact rug, but I hope these examples will demonstrate what turning the rug does for the room.

The white of the slipcovered sofa stands out maybe a bit too much. Toning down the color could halp.

Thank you for your comments the rug is actually square in the LR i guess the photo takes it off perspective the chairs axtually match the blue in the yellow and blue buffalo check of the drapes i agree the end tables are a problem . what would younall think about stripping them to natural and lime washing? too stark with the dark floors?

Hire a decorator or designer for help at hourly wage. Will save you $. They can take you from boring to stunning keeping in mind the dark floors and beige walls. Replace, DO NOT paint end tables, coffee table, lamps.Buy new. Nix mirror, etc for one nice piece of art. New slipcover. New simple rug. New furniture placement. New pillows. No fake plants
You will need to update connecting areas. I would not play up the light blue. Compliment it!

Ask family members if they would like your dad’s pieces before stripping etc. Expensive to do if you don’t have equipment and experience yourself and costly to do professionally unless it is super quality.

Is the living room right at the front door?

Is the sofa slipcover hiding something? Might look better without it.

I'd try the sofa in place of the sideboard. with the blue chairs opposite,

leaving the windows open. Spin the rug center on the front windows and in front of indent.

I would not paint the tables, but I would edit the things on display.

the flower vase on the dining table is too tall.

changing out the fabric on the back of the chairs would be interesting.

Can you see what the problem is. The room is over whelmed with squares and rectangles.

I eould change out the end tables to round ones NOT WOOD

The coffee table is a bit drab also. The room could use some 'sparkle'

I never thought about all the rectangles! Good point. I like the idea of moving the sofa to the other wall with the chairs facing - only issue is the back of the sofa is my dogs favorite perch to keep an eye on the neighborhood lol. Maybe a square coffee table and round end tables would help and new lamps. New pillows sounds nice. I made the slipcover for the sofa so could do another one in a print? I struggle as well with the rug. I was thinking about a sisal that would be very neutral but lighter with the floors. If I nix the mirror not sure what to do above the sideboard. how about an upholstered coffee table?

in the spirit of beautiful design, what is more important this face enjoying the view or a well balanced room? :-)

Also, I can't figure out how to comment on each post - is that not possible?

I think new rugs for both rooms (not identical ones) would make a big difference. Get rugs that complement each other. Also add more interesting throw pillows.

Also, I can't figure out how to comment on each post - is that not possible?

You can say @shirlpp, @chispa, @BeverlyFLADeziner. Or....don't use the "@", we will figure out to whom you're responding to.

The window goes down to the ground so I think your dog will still have a view ;)

I would use wall art , sconces or candle holders on sides of mirror for better balance. may be blue curtain to refresh look.

or may be with feature wall

Two new rugs would be an easy start. Did you see how different the room looked with Beverly’s rug suggestion? It makes the colors in the room more peaceful and soft.
If you change the end tables, buy new ones and offer these to someone who wants/needs them. Please don’t paint them.
And add an oval or round table in the seating area. Again, Beverly gave you a drawing with all your squares and rectangles dominating the space.

For some great, large artwork, try greatbigcanvas.com or art.com. I would remove the mirror and place a stunning painting on that wall. A soft landscape is what I’m envisioning.

Replace the dark can light liners with white ones. When I look at your photos that is all I see. A stunning chandelier in dining room, maybe some wall sconces.

I think that if you lightened up your room, it would look updated and very pretty:

It appears that your end tables + coffee table are important to you since your dad built them.

You'd be surprised at how much you can change a coffee table/side tables by doing a few things.

Here is an "after" photo of side tables that were basically the same look as yours - this is just a big of sanding + some paint:

Many people change out the legs + will remove (straighten) the skirt (not sure if that's the correct term) at the bottom - it can make a big difference on how a piece of furniture looks:

For example, you can change the legs out to a different style. That would make a big difference. Quite a bit of furniture will have the legs screwed in - all you have to do is unscrew them + purchase new legs in a style that you like. There are also pieces where the "skirt" can be removed without using a saw to simply straighten the curved parts - the whole piece is able to be removed.

If your dad made the three pieces from a kit - I imagine it will be fairly easy to remove different parts in order to update the pieces.

Here are some examples where furniture has been changed (updated):

Before:

After:

Here are some thrift store end tables:

Here are the same tables after the legs have been changed + handles removed + more trim added to the front +painted:

While the below piece is a nightstand - it still is a good example of how much you can update (DIY) a piece of wood furniture:

Same as with this next old wood dresser. The changes make it look much more contemporary. She added fluting + new hardware + replaced the old carved wood feet with simple gold metal ones. You could do similar type of things to your pieces.

The next one was a hope chest type of piece of furniture. Replacing your curved legs with something simple + paint would make a big difference.

Again - not the same type of furniture - but this high boy cabinet looks completely different after the top portion was taken off of the bottom part of the high boy + the curved wood at the top was removed + simple legs added + rattan + some trim added in place of the glass + matte paint. Using simple legs + adding some type of texture + updated hardware will change your pieces (especially if a black matte finish is used - or other appropriate color of matte paint):

There are many places that sell replacement legs - traditional ones or more contemporary ones. These below are sold on Etsy - and can be customized re: height + other options. They were not very expensive:

All of the example shown in the next few photos are also from Etsy (and can be customized):

The seller of these makes them in whatever size you need - depending on the piece of furniture you are using them for (table/night stand/ dresser/coffee table/side tables/etc.):

I believe that the legs below + the ones in the following photo are offered by the same seller on Etsy (again, you can customize them):

The legs above were used on a coffee table + she turned the coffee table into bench/ottoman:

Many people have updated an old coffee table into an ottoman or a bench that they can use at the end of their bed or in a foyer. Here is one that was purchased for $15:

She made the tufted cushion - there are many tutorials on how to do this:

I believe that this was free - it originally was a small coffee table - that was turned into a bench:

The woman who did this - painted the wood + added new foam + fabric. You could do something like this to your coffee table and use it in your foyer or bedroom (or wherever):

Another coffee table that was turned into a tufted ottoman:

This next one was a table - she cut of a pretty large portion of the legs:

You can make (or have someone make) a slip cover that can go over your end tables + add some foam - in order to turn into an ottoman/foot stool:

If you removed the square top of your end tables, you could turn it into a round ottoman/foot stool (this one uses faux distressed leather from Hobby Lobby):

You can also remove the top + replace it with a cheap round pine top (these are sold every where) + add foam around it in order to make it circular instead of square:

You could also remove the square tops of the end tables and replace them with a round top made out of nice material (they have marble/quartz/porcelain/etc. table tops on Etsy that could be made to the size needed in order to fit your end tables. You could then strip/stain/paint them if you want.

In the next example below, instead of going out and buying some battan for her stool/ottoman - she used an old comforter that had some type of filling in it (not down obviously) and draped it over her end table + then cut part of the fabric off + used a staple gun to secure the comforter:

She then added some mud cloth to cover it up:

You can also replace the top of your coffee table with a piece of custom cut glass (not expensive) to open up the space more).

You could reuse the updated/upcycled coffee table/end tables in the living room OR you could move them to other spaces in your home. You'd be able to keep the pieces that hold sentimental value to you + update your room at the same time.

I love this room. It looks timeless, classic, and nicely laid out. The rug feels dated to me. I'd invest in either jute or a more traditional patterned rug.

Yes to pictures flanking the mirror. But, you have so many groupings of photos elsewhere it may feel like too much.

The white slip cover does stand out a bit. Maybe you can dye it a more natural off white?

The color of the side tables does not bother me. They are a bit big, but I love the family significance.

The dining room feels more problematic. None of the pieces of furniture appear to match in stain tone. I'm not wild about the mirrored back of the breakfront. It is hard to see the contents. Yes to more solid colored upholstered chairs.

Great advice already - if it were me, I’d get larger scale lamps that were less fussy (my go to is the Serena lamp from room & board) and I would get a large square ottoman with some texture and pattern (Annie Selke has some great ones) add a round rattan tray etc.. it is such a pretty room, but I would want to make it a touch less precious

Thank you everyone so manyngood ideas and perspectives i think what i need first is have an inspiration piece that i can work from..i like the idea of putting a larger piece of artwork above the side board i went thru my old pinterest saved art and i found these two the first is more bold and second more subdued.

A sisal rug and new art and then reassess the end tables. while my Dad made them theynwere a kit so not something in an artisan way.Dani’s idead of changing out the legs might be a good solution, but i also like the idea of round endtables and a new coffee table.

in regards to the dining room i think the biggest issue is the furniture. i will explore covering the mirrors in the china cabinet will wallpaper. The story behind this set was i had this dining table from when i got married and had purchased it used with 4 upholstered parsons chairs. the table is solid wood and very well made. just an odd color and i did have it professionally refinished but the wood has a yellow tint. i bought the chairs and china cabinet in 1998 when this style was all the rage. my kids were in elementary school and the dining table was the go to spot for all projects and indecided rather than worrying about my new table being glued and painted and scratched - id buy a new table when the boys were a little older. we only actually used it 2-3 times a year and i put a tablecloth over it so all good. fast forward life and my sons are 35 and 32 and i have the same table lol.

I love the artwork you chose

TURN ON THE LIGHTS when you take pictures. Apparently the drapes are yellow and blue check, but they look tan in the pics due to lack of light. OP, you can store your Dad’s pieces if you are hesitant to replace them.