You have a beautiful dining room and lovely furniture, but I think the furniture placement can be tweaked. The tall cabinet throws the balance off that wall. I would try moving it to where the sideboard is and move the sideboard underneath the mirror. It would be okay for it to stand in front of the drapes. Not sure where the art currently above the sideboard would go. Update the lamps on the sideboard. Maybe you don't need 2 lamps. What are the colors in the drapes? Pull one of the lighter colors out of the drapes to use on the walls. I agree that a rug would be a nice addition--just make sure that it's not too small. It should be at least 2 1/2 feet larger all the way around so that the chairs don't fall off the rug when they're pushed away from the table.

Thanks for all of these great suggestions. I will try moving some things around today. I'm planning on replacing the art with something a little more colorful. Especially if I'm going to paint the walls. I was thinking the mirror would be nice to reflect the new light fixture I plan on getting.

I was thinking about replacing the buffet. Not sure yet. It's not at the top of my list.

If you keep the buffet (which I would), I would definetely put a mirror over it;)

I think maybe a silver blue wall color might be pretty;)

Here's what I suggest:
1. Since you're creating an elegant DR around the table, go around the room and for every item ask yourself: does this enhance the room? Most people have difficulty as they get attached to their stuff. You have too many non-DR accessories. The items on the buffet look like FR items. (Who wants to eat looking at a horse head?)
2. Remove the tall cabinet-- it's not elegant and distracts from the table and look you're going after.
3. Paint the buffet black or a very dark chocolate and put different knobs on it.
4. Move the buffet between the two windows if it fits
5. Elegance = Less is More, make everything count. It should be spectacular on its own
6. Creamy white- paint; glaze with a subtle sparkle for reflecting light; or a silvery blue
7. Great chandelier suggestion from an earlier comment
8. Find a dreamy rug
9. Remove the lamps / photos from the top of the buffet and put a pretty silver tray or such on it.
Good luck! You have a great start!

I would like to keep these two pieces. Maybe change the accessories.

And move the tree out.

OK walka- now that we have got to see the whole room- the tall cabinet should really go. You have way to much furniture lined up all around the room, the tree too;)

If my ceilings are ten feet tall what size light fixture should I buy?

Much better! Looks great. The tree could still be taller to accentuate the height of the room, but it definitely helps to balance the large armoire on the left. Great job!

I think with lighter walls it's great! I personally would find different accessories and lamp for the two tables. I agree with the horse's head ( I do like it) just seems like it would be in an entry or LR.

Personally...I really like that color. I'm tired of seeing all the "clean white" rooms. I love a bold color. In a few weeks I'm painting mine a Chrysanthemum!! Probably have the same size room too.

I added a new light fixture today. Now I just need to do some painting.

ooh la la- I like it;)

Looking good! Nice choice on the light fixture

I like your current wall color as is. The changes you've made look great already. Good job!

I agree that with the changes, the current wall color works.

It's beautiful.

Definitely paint it white ,take down the curtains and remove clutter it wii instantly update your home ,nice table

Looks fantastic, can't wait to see it painted your new colour!

Brandi Nash if I take anything else out of the room there will be nothing left. I just had the curtains custom made there is no way there coming down.

I finished painting and the room feels so much bigger. Now I'm on the hunt for some new art work and accessories.

Great home deco design

Looks awesome! Who makes the chandelier? It's beautiful and enhances your room. I like the drapes too

I'm sorry. Maybe the new color is just not coming across well which is why I rarely comment on colors I don't see in person, but I feel like the room has lost some personality. I don't even notice the beautiful crown moulding anymore.

Yes I can agree chun Wong. The picture really doesn't do it justice but I kind of felt the same way after I painted it. I'm hoping to get some new art work and accessories to add some color back in.

If you repaint, Revere Pewter would still be fairly light, but give you contrast with the crown molding. It looks like it will enhance the drapes too
http://houzz.com/photos/1291372

Hey. I haven't posted anything in a while but I'm still working in this dining room. I just purchased the peacock print yesterday. Do y'all like this here better than the mirror. I was thinking of putting a piece of furniture under the mirror on the other wall. I can't make a decision on what to do with the tall piece. Leave it in or take it out?

I also feel like I need some art above the two chairs on the wall.

Can't wait to see what others have to say!

Really like the peacock instead of the mirror. I've just followed the transformation above and your room has turned out so nice, so pretty! Perhaps a set of four matching botanical or bird prints with two stacked over each chair could work well.

I like what you're doing! A longer (narrow) buffet would look great under the mirror. You could also put sconces on each side of the mirror. I'd definitely remove the tall hutch. Above the chairs, I like the suggestion of the bird or botanical prints.

If you like the functionality of the hutch, painting it in a neutral color would clean up the aesthetic a bit. I like the new peacock print!

I definitely like it better with the cabinet out of that corner. Thanks for all if the advice

Which location is best for the buffet?

What a beautiful room

Thanks

Hi Walkao1, check out our site for possible lighting we would suggest our Scudo with or without decorative metal Rim in either Silk or Murano Glass in Gold decoration. Check out our site for many options, Contact us for current pricing.

Thanks but I just updated the light fixture.

okay sorry I just caught that... enjoy your new space, its coming nicely! www.luminosodesign.com

What do y'all think of this pop of color?

I miss your tree! The space is coming along beautifully. Love your wing back chairs. Only two suggestions - 1. Look for a fabulous buffet, don't settle for anything less. 2. Darken the wall color. Is there a color in the chairs and drapes that you can pick up? Say a darker warm beige. On the computer, the wall color looks cold.

Thanks ashtonchic. The tree us outside for the summer. I will bring it back in for the fall and winter. I miss it too.

Pop of color is good, but I agree with ashtonchic, this room deserves a fabulous buffet and the red piece gives me a feel of a bookcase, rather than a dining room piece. What do you think of a mirrored accent piece? And, I love the peacock art on the wall!

Thanks Rhonda. The buffet was a gift that I painted that I was hoping to use until I could afford something better. I'm thinking a mirror over it would help.

The new bookcase looks fun and whimsical but you've created such a formal room that the bookcase looks out of place.

Oh, absolutely, walka01! I have repurposed many pieces of furniture over time and waited for the right moment to place a piece. That's really the fun of decorating your home, and the fun of reading all these crazy ideas, so take much enjoyment in rearranging and dreaming a bit. Here's a mirrored piece just for fun. This may not be your style at all, but never hurts to look, right?

Oh, and I just read your comment about art. Here's what I did when I first moved into our house for dining room art. I went to a used book store and found a fabulous art history book of Michelangelo's work, cost ~ 4.00. Then I removed the gorgeous art plates and took them to an excellent framer and had them framed all alike to create a full wall collection.