a mirror would be my last option, unless it's a pretty fabulous frame.

you could use a lamp for the inside corner. Will you be adding a light fixture over the dining table? or will you always have the room fully lit? Have you considered hanging a large piece in the stairwell? What are the plans for the window coverings?

get two buffet lamps. mirrors are kind of fun and not expensive...I see them all over resale /vintage shops etc. Art is more of an investment .

you can find a mirror and place things tall, or otherwise , in front.....but I would definitely add the bit of height w two lamps....and they can help w atmospheric lighting.

lamps of various sorts w mirror that you find inexpensively and it can be swapped later if you find art. No I would have something different from the mirror located in the bath. The rattan piece below would be my pick, given the lighter floor and nice against the green walls

Ah, I hadn't thought of two lamps. I definitely wanted one lamp but now that I see some pics, two might be better. It might depend on the lamp, though.

"a mirror would be my last option, unless it's a pretty fabulous frame."

Yea, I agree but it just looks so....empty. Couple good juried art shows coming up over the summer, maybe I'll find something then. Or not. I did see some artists whose work I liked at some of the galleries I went to, so I'm going to poke around on-line to see if they have a 'net presence with other pieces available.

"Will you be adding a light fixture over the dining table?"

Nope. I hate hanging light fixtures.

"Have you considered hanging a large piece in the stairwell?"

I had a big 3-foot diameter round clock there but it had to go when I started re-decorating/re-painting the house -- that particular clock no longer fit aesthetically. I really miss the clock, but here again it's a matter of finding the "right" one.

That stairwell design looks like a big armchair, doesn't it. LOL!

"What are the plans for the window coverings?"

None. No need -- there isn't anyone behind me.

A plain mirror is not the right direction for this room. If the mirror is obscured, by the design or by using antique glass that would be much better.

BTW horizontal over a sideboard in this location is the wrong way to go. It accentuates the horizontal elements in this room and they are too reinforced visually.

Select a square format and then add sconces or buffet lamps over the sideboard.

Love the color of the walls. You've gotten some great ideas already. If you found fabulous art that was big enough, as in Beverly's example, I think it would add a lot more interest than a plain mirror. The green plants also add a lot. This is a bit of an aside, but could the dog bowls be tucked in next to the shelving in the bay? They wouldn't be quite so front and center there.

I'm addicted to mirrors, but it is important to think about what it will reflect. What is across from this mirror? Will people see themselves eating? Will you get any view of the window? I'd get a mirror and plant to tide you over until you find artwork that you love, which could take a year or two. It's easy to pick artwork that one would use to stage a house, that has the right colors and vibe for the room, but it has to speak to you, be something that you actually appreciate.

Great advice already - your pretty green walls remind me of the fox paper tapestry i have from Anthro (huge and cheap)

Repeating what Kendrah said. Nobody wants to see themselves eating . Position your stopgap mirror so that this won’t happen.

Thank you, Beverly -- I never thought of a square piece of artwork but your mock-up shows that shape would look better. I saw a couple square pieces I really liked, too. Won't be able to get back to those galleries for a while, though. Dang! If I do one big square piece, max length would be 1/2 the size of the sideboard, correct?

Seems the like the consensus so far is no to the mirror unless its just to tide me over.

"Why just one painting? Easier to find several smaller ones you like, than just one giant one!"

Indeed true.

"This is a bit of an aside, but could the dog bowls be tucked in next to the shelving in the bay?"

Probably. I already moved the dog cage to the other room, don't want to mess with her mind too much all at once LOL! (she keeps going to that corner when I say "time for bed" -- she goes into her crate and gets a bedtime cookie for the night).

Check out thrift/consignment stores and estate sales for good original art that's not too pricey. estatesales.net is a good source for finding sales. A pair of vintage German school art prints could look cool there too. https://www.etsy.com/market/vintage_german_school_chart 

The sideboard looks great.

I like everyone’s ideas, especially a unique round mirror or using two or more pieces of art for interest.

If you know of any local woodworkers, something custom like these mirrors would be pretty cool:

Reclaimed barn or other wood —

Driftwood —

Large wood beads (I think this one is Uttermost) —

Iron —

Anyway, just a few ideas. Lots of directions you could go, even if not rustic. I think a mirror in that spot would reflect natural light nicely, and a round shape would look good in there.

I agree with Beverly about not using a large horizontal shape with art or a mirror. Go taller:

Please update us! I always enjoy seeing your house.

Maybe a 40”x40” or 48” x 48” canvas depending on how much space is above the sideboard..