And the attached living room. Not looking to make any big changes here.

I agree that it may look even more country painted, I think that's why I haven't addressed it for so long. It's a real dilemma! I'm hoping shipping it out will be a last resort.

I like the buffet and table, but the red/tan walls, and the dining chairs don't seem right for what you want. The window coverings are a bit too much too. A more modern traditional one would look nice. [houzz=] good luck!

This is a long shot but... What if you filled in the grooves on the table top (that's what gives it the country look) with wood filler and then sanded the table and stained it a rich dark brown? The shape of the table is nice, just the grooves need to go for the look you're going for.

Erica- Love the set you posted, wish I had the budget! I think I will paint over the red.

Meghanalissa- Filling the grooves would definitely help, that's a good idea. I'm just not confident that I can sand and stain the table with good results. I'd much rather paint.

Maybe a semi gloss mocha color for the table, chairs and buffet? Would a strong neutral with a bit of shine downplay the country shapes? The size/shape/weight of the chairs leans away from the elegant look I'm after. I don't need perfect, I just want the dining room to blend better with the rest of the house.

What about elegant slipcovers for your chairs, and leave the wood the way it is. IDK how pricey that is though. Maybe white? And a lighter brighter color to replace the red? Do you have white on the chair seats? They might be tricky to stain around. But staining would be nice instead of slipcovers. I just sanded and stained my honey oak bathroom cabinets. I used General Finishes Java. But it is very dark, like an espresso. They have lighter colors too. They turned out great. You would need handheld sander, and a regular size sander, painters tape and paper to protect the floors and seats (unless you can remove them for staining. Also, a very small paintbrush for corners and grooves. Also gloves and a couple socks to stain with. There are tutorials online! We had most of the stuff so I just bought the stain and topcoat. The used items can go in your empty paint after you paint, with a bit of water, because they are flammable.Keep that in mind if you paint and stain!

Erica- Slipcovers may do the job, I'll have to research the options and cost. Would love to see a before and after of your bathroom cabinets. I'm sure it was a lot of work!

I've primed the red lower walls and will paint a nice cream. Just priming over the red has made the room seem so much more open. Still unsure of the furniture though! I'm starting to think that there isn't going to be an easy fix for it.

Don't be silly! Just get some good looking texture in table linens or quilts! Then, put some articles of interest, and be done with it!! It is not as though you are going to be featured in
"Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous".

How about a table pad with a great table cloth and dramatic fabric for the seat cushions with all of your colors? The table needs some bling to keep up with your elegant curtains and living room furniture.

Your table and chairs do not look bad to me in your space. How about just giving it a little elegant spunk with a gold mesh table runner?

I really like the style of table and chairs but I see your point about it not being as formal as the rest of your furnishing. The planked table top seems to be the real problem. The easy fix is to buy a gorgeous tablecloth to cover it - brocade, cut work, lace with an accent color underneath, check antique stores and see if any of those fabrics appeal. Otherwise you could go to a fabric store and look for the big upholstery bolts and see if that works. Of course there is always the china section of an expensive department store.

The candlesticks you currently have on the table will look great with a new tablecloth. Just work around the white padded seats - try to match the white of the new tablecloth (if indeed it has any white) with the white of the seats or at least don't let them clash.

I would not even attempt to restain, paint or fill in the grooves on the table for fear I would mess it up - so much easier to put on a tablecloth.

I would just reupholster the seat cushions in a red and gold fabric and upgrade your centerpiece/tablescape, and call it a day.

I have the same exact red and tan colors of paint on my walls right down to the chair rail in my dining room. Would love to see your after pic of the new paint scheme!

So I made a little progress...finished painting the lower wall in cream, this is such a huge difference from the red it totally changed the feel of the room, in a good way.
I painted the chest, intended it to be dark brown but it ended up a deep olive, I love it. Never realized how much green is in my living room, so it works for me.
Painted one chair the same as chest, ran out of steam so at least three more to go! I think the chairs look more country painted, but can't be undone at this point so that's what I got.
I replaced the armchairs with moss green velvet parsons chairs I had leftover from another project.
I'm considering ways to update the drapes, they were so expensive it seems a waste to take them down. They're about 7 years old. But I don't think I ever really loved them, maybe there is a way I can rework the valance. Suggestions? I don't have mouldings around my window frame so I prefer to have a topper to cover the bland window.
I bought a fluffy olive/gray throw to replace the red one on the living room ottoman.
That's it so far! Any suggestions or ideas on how to improve?

The furniture painted looks very nice and I don't think it looks more country, less in my opinion. Perhaps adding casings around your windows, removing the valances, and just keep the drape panels would finish it off. The green chairs also look good.

Re valances: since you already have pillow covers for your sofa from the same material, perhaps a table runner or cover a stool/ottoman.

Wow nice job! Room instantly looks more updated after painting over the red. I had originally thought you meant white when you suggested painting the dining set. White would have been really country but black (or dark brown) is a different matter. It looks almost chic. I say, go black with the chairs.

Oh, I like it! Now you've given me ideas on how to update my red and tan dining room!

Thank you so much everyone for all the kind advice and comments. Now I just need to get motivated to finish the chairs. Still thinking about the drapes.

Love the black furniture! I recently updated our dinning set painting it black also and we love it!
However, I think having a table cloth on the table ages the room. If you really want a sophisticated look, I'd remove the table cloth.

love your buff lamps! I agree that table cloth takes away from the look more than the style of the table. It was a good thing to try,but I do not think it works in your space. Love the black on the buffet. It looks great!

Could you tell me the name of the cream color? Paint can be so difficult! Thank you!

Paint your table and chairs with a high gloss black paint. The shininess will make it sophisticated rather than country--like high gloss lacquer. Make sure you either spray paint it or use the right brushes so that you get a smooth finish. Then cover the table with a bright white damask runner, or table cloth...something that creates a clean and sophisticated look while covering some of the lines in the table. Put up some art or maybe black and white photos framed in high gloss black frames to repeat the black and tie it all in.

Kksmom - the paint is from Lowes, I believe it was Olympic, the color is Glazed Pears. I used a primer meant to cover deep color first. One coat of primer and 2 coats of paint. So easy since it was all down low. It wasn't the nicest paint I've ever used but it worked fine. Please post pics of your room if you change it! I'd love to see what you do it!

The paint looks great! Big improvement.

So much nicer!

Thank you so much for everyone's kind words. I will spend a few minutes in there later today to see what I can come up with regarding the tablecloth. I agree that it cheapens the look, maybe it's my cheap tablecloth! I'll rummage around for something else to try...

I think you've made a great start! Have you considered removing the valance, loosening the tie backs and raising the panels so they just kiss the floor. This would work in both living and dining rooms I think. Maybe the striped fabric will be enough to cover the chair seats.

athomeeileen, I won't get to it for a bit, just started thinking about changing my decor, it's been 10 years, I have more projects than time!

Decoenthusiaste- thanks! If I did panels, would one really long rod be good or two separate rods?Decorative? I don't think at this point I would bother with trying to use the valance fabric, I've never loved it. What's your thoughts on a cornice box and panels? Just the panels feels a little naked to my curtain loving heart.
The LR drapes are hung inside the bay, they're as high as they can go. I really love them, I wouldn't change them.

wow! Good improvement ..

Really like Darzy's idea of a gold mesh tablerunner ... would look so neat and clean on your table. Not liking the runner ontop of the tablecloth.

Agree with others... take down the valance and just leave the drapes.

Single rod would be my choice - in a finish to match your chandy. Cornice/valance are a bit formal and by today's trends a little dated. I'd try living with the two panels for a while. Often it just takes getting used to something new.

Love the glossy black for the chairs, table and sidebar...if you reupholstered the chair seats in a Bargello upholstery fabric it would make the set look art deco rather than country. You might also look for some other shades for your chandelier ...the little white ones look odd with so much "stick" showing.

I painted my old set and I love the after results.