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kellis1977

Dining Disfunction

12 years ago
I have a 10' x 14' dining room that I am trying to decorate. It is easily viewed from my foyer and living area, so the rooms must coordinate. I'm stuck with this table for now (58 inch square and 3 ft tall) and am looking for options to make it work. Reupholstery chairs? What about wall art, replacement chairs? Pics views are from foyer.

Comments (202)

  • 12 years ago
    CDR, the color gray for the fireplace above is dove gray.....
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Kitchen art: Just keep in mind you could use it somewhere else, if you don't really need it in the kitchen.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Built-ins:

    Could you tell us the amount of space on the right and the amount of space on the left of the fireplace? I was unclear what your measurements meant before.

    I don't see not having a ton of space as an issue in built-ins. As a matter of fact, you could do some slimline, tall ones which are only about 2 feet wide. Then, you could still have the left-most drape on the window.

    Like the ones in "melrose" above, but half the size of those.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Did you look at this discussion? He started out with no paint at all. Then he paint all, except the trim. Then encouraged him to paint the trim also. The reason was because he had white trim on the bottom that stuck out like a sore thumb. So, he then painted the bottom trim and loved that.

    He decided not to paint the top trim. I thought he should, but it didn't bother me as much as the bottom.

    Okay, so in your case, it looks like you have some white tile at the bottom. You have a few choices. I would definitely paint the brick and the drywall above the mantle shelf. It would be nice to change out the tile also to a gray.

    Do a search on Houzz for photos of "gray painted fireplaces" and you will see a lot of different options of what was done. Let us know what you like.

    https://www.houzz.com/discussions/help-with-fireplace-wall-dsvw-vd~763828
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Thank you CDR for taking a stand on the "TV issue". People with beautiful homes are de-classing them every day by making the TV the focal point after spending fortunes on art and furniture...
  • 12 years ago
    I finally got a moment to read through Chris's dilemma (thanks, CDR). In reference to the fireplace...the budget is extra tight. I don't believe that I will be able to purchase built-ins right now. The space to the left of the fireplace is 5' 5" and the space to the right is 4' 0". I do like that idea of placing a chair in that area....but I wasn't sure if it was too tight.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Hi, Kellis. Since your budget is tight, you might consider things in sort of a phase1, phase 2, situation. So, you can keep built-ins in mind for phase 2.

    For now, I think you might feel better if you get something set. I think we can do most of this with little or no $. Let's get started!

    Living room:

    -Try a chair to the right of the fireplace, angled. I think it would make the area a nice conversational space. Do you have a chair that you can use as mock up or that you are not using?
    -Move the console that is currently on the right side of fp to the left side. Add a couple of pillows to it, just to see how it looks.
    -Place a table where you want to put the mirror. Try using the one that is one the left side of the fp currently. How about putting 2 dining room chairs there. Or are they too high?

    Dining room:

    -Biggest impact right now would be to buy a chandelier. How much can you spend? I would suggest a large, round one. I would suggest something around 25-30" in diameter. Your table could take something larger, but the room size tells me you need to stay under the 30".

    -art: Do you need those 3 art objects in the kitchen? Would you consider them in the dining room? Otherwise, do you have any other art having around?

    -centerpiece: I would buy one large impactful centerpiece. Or maybe you have something?

    -chairs: I don't see anything wrong with them . But, if you want to change the seats, find some fabric on sale. You don't need that much. Maybe once you buy the chandelier and centerpiece, you won't feel the need to change the chairs.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    True, that sometimes tv's are out of place with the furniture. It certainly is a continual point of debate: "tv over the fireplace or not".

    As far as the TV, I don't think of myself as taking a stand. I try to give clients the positives and negatives of placing the tv in a certain location.

    TV's can be acceptable in more formal situations, as they become less "ugly" and less obvious and our lives are more casual. Framed tv's can be disguised as pictures. Still, they don't replace an original work of art.

    TV's over fireplaces can be tiring on the eyes (light from fireplace) and neck (looking up to see). But, if that is what the client wants and those things don't bother them and they think that is the best location, so be it.

    In this case, Kellis has already though the different locations through and feels it is the best fit for her. That is what matters.
    kellis1977 thanked CDR Design, LLC
  • 12 years ago
    Thank you all. I apologize for being MIA (went back to work).

    Current chandelier is about 20 inches wide. Budget is about $300.

    I have not moved the console because it would require a lot of unhooking, but the width of the chair I placed here is 21 inches wide.

    I've mocked up a console with pillows on the left side of the fp.

    Dining chairs are too high to put in living room, but I did a "mock up" for that area as well. The chairs will be recovered because they look pinky/gold against my beige wall.

    Don't have a centerpiece for the table just yet.

    Pictures in kitchen used to be in dining, but I wanted something more in the dining area.
  • 12 years ago
    Mock ups
  • 12 years ago
    FYI, picture would be replaced with a mirror and there would be two lamps
  • 12 years ago
    View from kitchen
  • 12 years ago
    CDR, what about these 2 prints behind the couch? If yes, matted (maybe I can purchase the prints and get it matted on my own)? Or, could I go with one and just make it a triptych?
  • 12 years ago
  • 12 years ago
    I also wonder if Sepia would look good....
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    chandeliers:

    try overstock.com or way fair.com. Can you post a few you like, so we know what direction. You might want to try a round one and I think it is going to have to be at least 30".
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Either side of fireplace. I really like the idea of a console on both sides with pillows. What to you think of that? It would be great if you could use those 2 consoles you have there right now.

    Can you try pillows on both sides and see how you like it? Please take down the $8 picture, so you can envision better.

    Is the console currently on the right side moved all the way toward the fireplace to avoid the drapes or is it centered?
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Dining chairs in living room: why do you say they are too high? Are you using that specific table there? If not, the dining room chairs would work with a higher table.

    I think you need chairs there. To me, when areas don't have a function, they don't work.
    You need to place your dining chairs somewhere, so why not there?

    You could consider something even more interesting like a small bar. What do you think of that. We could set it up using what you have. The only thing you would have to buy would be the table itself.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Prints behind couch. The ones from you posted, in my opinion, are too black. I think you want something more charcoal and taupe. Sepia would work.

    You want three/not 2. The eye likes three in a series. 2 makes your eye stop. 3 creates movement (like a triangle).

    How long is that wall?

    Also, to help you envision, can you place the 3 from the kitchen along that wall. They can be propped up on the dining room chairs. They will not be wide enough, but it will give you and idea.
  • 12 years ago
    I like the Caboche chandelier above and anything similar. I need to be mindful that I also need a complementary light fixture in the adjacent foyer area. Ceiling is only 8 feet high in those rooms, but 9 feet high in the living area.

    The total entire wall space behind the couch is 13' 10 inches (166 inches). The couch is 120 inches long.

    I'll keep hunting for a triptych. :-)

    I would need to purchase a console (the mock is just two nightstands placed side by side) and it would definitely be taller. I guess I just had hopes of getting real living chairs in the room.

    Fireplace -- This one is really a doozy. I know that every wall in the room shouldn't require art/decor....but I can't envision leaving the space on each side of the fireplace empty (see photo). The console on the right....I think it is too dark for the room and its only 1 inch around of space...which is why the curtain hangs out.

    Bar would be interesting and cute...but I think I'd get more use and enjoyment out of 2 lamps and a mirror there.
  • 12 years ago
    Mock pillows/media and chandelier proximity to foyer
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    What is caboche chandelier?

    fireplace: I would buy 2 lighter colored consoles for each side/matching. Then add pillows to them (if you want). For art, I would add something like the ones in your kitchen. So, not pictures, but something to fill in the space.

    console table with lamps: yes, 2 occasional chairs would work/just trying to save you $. So, you will have to buy a table that fits the height of whatever chairs you want to buy.
    kellis1977 thanked CDR Design, LLC
  • 12 years ago
    Halo Chandelier, Clear · More Info
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Oh, that's the one I was thinking…..I haven't been able to find one large enough in your price range…..have you found anything you like?
  • 12 years ago
    Not in the price range, but I'm still looking! I've mostly been looking for and console tables for the living area today.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Wait….this one is listed at $299./25.5"

    The one you have is 20"?

    I think this caboche could work. It has more presence than the current one.

    What is the distance between the bottom of your chandelier and the top of the table?
  • 12 years ago
    Well, I wasn't sure if this one was 25.5 or 28? If you read down further on the specs page, it says width is 28.........

    Distance from ceiling to the top of the table is exactly 60 inches. Bottom of the existing chandelier to table is 28.5 inches. You are correct, it is 20 inches round.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Okay, so current chandelier is 20" in diameter?

    Then, I really think the caboche would work at 28", It has such a greater presence. Do you see what I mean? Plus, you are adding 4" to each side. That is a lot.

    You love it! What do you think? I don't think you'd have trouble finding a front hall one to coordinate.
    kellis1977 thanked CDR Design, LLC
  • 12 years ago
    I actually love it. I can't tell what the official size of it is (I will confirm)...but I really do like this chandelier. I am grateful to you for your suggestions and willingness to hang in there with me! This is the only one in my budget to which I am drawn. With that chandelier, I would assume the table centerpiece and artwork should be "muted"?
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Right. Because the room is small and the chandelier a showpiece, you probably won't' need much else.
  • PRO
  • 12 years ago
    Great. I'm looking at various fabrics for the chairs and actually brought home a few samples yesterday. In the meantime (while my NEW chandelier ships...smile), I think the focus should probably switch to the wall decor behind the couch and the console table/chair area in the living room.
  • 12 years ago
    Was about to hit purchase....let me look at these others! Laugh
  • 12 years ago
    I believe the width is truly 25.5". Think that's enough? Adding 2.25" inches all the way around, I would suppose.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    I think you are fine. One way to measure for a chandelier is to add width and length of room. Your case: 10' plus 14' equals 24. Then you make that inches. So, 24 " chandelier.

    Originally, I added more because your table is large, but I think because the chandelier is so dominant, you will be fine.
  • 12 years ago
    Okay. Great! :-)
  • 12 years ago
    Don't know if you did your dining room already but I might consider new chairs, something black and minimal. Also maybe some small artworks and possibly replace chandelier with something more compact, dark colored and modern, Here is chair example:

    http://www.frashii.com/singapore-two-storey-western-model-bungalow/white-modern-minimalist-kitchen-with-black-wood-dining-table-and-chairs/consider

    http://www.frashii.com/singapore-two-storey-western-model-bungalow/white-modern-minimalist-kitchen-with-black-wood-dining-table-and-chairs/
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Is this how you picture the console table in the living room?

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  • 12 years ago
    Yes. That is the setup. Still trying to figure out the table finish because the coffee table will be glass. I found these lamps though if I go with them. Also, I wouldn't mind doing a round mirror in place of the art.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    A mirror would be better, reflecting the windows.

    I think if you have chrome legs on both coffee and console, that would look good.

    If you paint the fireplace a dark charcoal or black, tv and firebox will not stand out so much and you can add dark ottomans or low consoles to each side.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
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  • 12 years ago
    http://www.franklinarts.com/ Great site for triptych. Will customize anything.
  • 12 years ago
    The idea of paint is growing on me...but I don't think I would go up the wall with it if I did. If I did so, I would be more open to consoles by the fp (in black). Thank you both for the wall art suggestions! I'm still looking through various sites as nothing has me ready to purchase.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    sanjack0, I like the franklinarts website. I hadn't seen it before. I notice that most the the triptychs are only 24" tall? The other option is to "customize", right?
  • 12 years ago
    Yes. They have lots of options, customizing size, color, number of panels etc. Good prices and they do free mock-ups.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    thanks, sanjack0
  • 12 years ago
    Dclostboy, where did you find the blue fabrics at the beginning of this dilemma?