I like the idea of a banquette but I think the one you chose is too formal with all that tufting. It conflicts with the plain simple lines of the table and chairs. A more casual banquette, like those momo5fx selected, would be a much better fit.

I wonder how the mirror would look vertically where the cola box is now.

It seems like the arms on the banquette make it impossible to get in and out of the seats without constantly pushing the table and other chairs back and forth. Personally, I find banquettes and benches at large tables incredibly awkward for daily use, and I am an average-sized person. I suppose it would work for little kids.

Thanks so much, everyone. I agree with all of your comments: the arms do make it awkward, and replacing the bench with chairs, moving the mirror, and buying a more casual banquette are all great ideas. I was just hoping to bring in some fabric/softness/texture to the space. Perhaps I just need a rug or the upholstered chair pads?? Here are some more pics taken during the day...

Settee is all wrong for your furniture and casual Coke style. For the softness you're looking for try a rug. Must be 4' wider and longer than the table top. You can also make cushions for the benches and chairs to add fabric. Don't forget the windows. Mock romans or valances work well over shutters and could also go at the slider.
https://www.houzz.com/photos/177-white-pine-new-build-rustic-entry-salt-lake-city-phvw-vp~1821050

I think an area rug would help more than anything to soften the space. Upholstered chair seats would also help, as would putting up artwork or a textile wall hanging instead of the mirror. The banquette, particularly with the throw pillows, looks like it belongs in a living room.

I would use a couple chairs where the sofa is , replace the mirror with some art .

eelyram7, you took the words right out of my mouth! While I find the idea of a settee appealing, I do wonder how the person sitting there gets out. And everyone else has to move as well. Attached banquettes around corners, etc. seem easier but again I suppose the problem is the same to some extent. The Vintage Bean, your dilemma title is cute!! :))

Thanks so much, everyone! :) Would you agree that the chandelier is too small for the table?

I love the banquette.

I feel chandy is just the right size. An area rug would soften things a bit.

Chandy should be 1/2 the width of the table.

I am so sorry, that settee looks abominable with that common wood set. The mirror looks odd. I'm trying to help here... You can change the light, add art in place of the mirror, add a rug, and add some attractive cushions on the chairs and benches. I think Coca-Cola decor belongs in a child's play area... you can do so much better with that nice space.

Thanks for your honesty and suggestions! I really do appreciate it!

I might have a so,union to your banquette dilemma, although personally I like the sette you have and like how the soft tufted cushions play off the rustic wood of the table. Below is an armless settee - you can get them at ?Crate and Barrel, Grandin Road, etc. perhaps the simpler lines will please more people, not to mention being armless!

I have a settee with arms at my DR table and, honestly, it's the most coveted spot at family dinners. My (adult) kids call dibs in it! It feels intimate and grand all at once, and to slide it in closer to the table, the two people sitting in it just scoot forward after they're seated. I have felt pads under the legs, so my floor is fine. Which brings me to the idea of having a rug under the table - you won't be able to have the settee and the rug because it will be impossible to slide in and out at the table.

I love karemore55s armless settee! That's the solution and add color with some cola art on the wall.

I like the banquette but I find it busy having the bench and the chairs. Consider removing the dude chairs if you don't need the extra seating.

I like the settee! Your idea of bringing in some dimension and texture with the tufting is excellent. I also like the mix of styles but to have a better flow I do suggest replacing the bench with some upholstered chairs. This would balance out the settee. Also, if you're going to hang a mirror as decor then choose one that is more decorative than actual mirror. The size of your chandelier is fine but it's too high. These upholstered chairs have a vintage print to tie in with your vintage wall items. All these mirrors have texture and are visually appealling. Everything is from Pier I Imports.

Thanks so much, ladies! I love it! I am feeling so inspired. :) Here's another settee I found from Williams-Sonoma.

Also, consider getting a rug that ties in some of the colours. This would also make the wooden dining set stand out from the floor. These are very different styles but they could both work. All from Pier I Imports.

Ooo, I like them!

Can anyone share any more thoughts about some ideas for art that could replace the mirror?

Art is very personal but here are some suggestions to inspire you. You could go totally abstract or hang three framed vintage magazine covers to go with your other vintage items.

If you're really into the Coke thing...

Thanks so much, Lydia and decoenthusiaste! I love your ideas!

You're welcome! Please post the final outcome for us to see!

The banquette looks good but how is it going to function? You can't scoot it back as you would a chair so you'll have to move the table to let diners in and out. Not very convenient if one diner wants to get up and the other is still seated.

Go with some colorful vintage posters. Travel theme or food or liquor?

Just thought of this for you: try exchanging the location of settee with the location of the bench. Then hang a cushion on the wall and matching ones on the bench and chairs.

Here's a photo of what I was thinking of.

I think the settee looks great! I think you could do the formal + rustic thing, but to balance the more formal settee, I would bring a few other more sophisticated art/accessories into the room. Alternatively, I think karemore55's settee suggestion is fantastic as well and would go perfectly with your more rustic set! I think the chandelier is a great size, definitely not too small. I also agree that a rug would do a lot to bring some softness to balance things out.

yes definitely a banquette, but it should be higher than this one. I would paint the wall behind it a warm color and hang artwork, dishes, sculpture, something other than a mirror. It would also look nice to tie in the chairs and bench with a cushion that goes with the settee.

looks are fine, but ask your rear. Go sit on ten of these in a restaurant or friends' homes. Some are soooooo uncomfortable. How much time will you spend there, really? Measure to fit the length of your thigh, etc.

Someone on fb suggested you use an antique window above your banquette. My niece did this with a similar rustic table and it looks amazing. I agree with those who say your banquette selection is too formal, and I think the arms make it nearly impossible for guests to get in and out. A banquette with a slipcover would also work well, as you can wash it. The fabric on your Williams-Sonoma would look great--more in line with your casual rustic furniture.

I prefer the bench over the banquette, just because of the limited space. The bench makes it look less crowded. Love the furniture!

That table will drive you nuts with the banquette. You need a table with a pedestal, just can't get by those legs on the outside of the table. I do prefer the banquette though.

Banquette to formal for table. Doesn't work.

Instead put bench on that wall. Put chairs together on other side. And add two end chairs in a wing back in a print. Cream with a yellow and gray print. Replace mirror with 2, 24" art in reds place low and 2-3" between them. You have a country antique look going stay in that theme . Like old sign etc.

Add a woven shade in brown to window. Home Depot carries.

Use other bench in another room.

I like the sette idea just not that setts-- one w/o arms would be better suited for that space

also i think a banquette works better w/ a round table with a pedestal- see the knoll saarinen.

The banquette you have is lovely, but I don't think it needs to be where you have it against the wall. You'd need to slip it back and forth for people to get in and out unless you want them crawling over the arms. Can you move it away from the wall? If you can't, the settee that karemore55 recommended (which is AWESOME) is a better bet. Also, settee and bench are too much. Pick one of the other. Either choice is great!

I really like the settee! I noticed most people have been commenting that the settee is awkward for seating but from what I can see this table is for six people so only two people would fit comfortably on the settee. In that case, no need to be disturbing each other when wanting to get up. I do agree that the table needs to be pushed away from the settee.

I think the table an chairs are more in. Reason most of us eat in the family room. Chairs would make for more formal dinning.

How about running the table in the other direction. Just move all the furniture the other way round and let's see how that looks.

THe banquet isn't the right scale...back should be taller, and fabric should be more significant!

I like the banquet idea, but it shouldn't have arms. You need to be able to scoot in.

October 2013 post