Help me bring our dining room to life!

12 years ago

We recently started working on our dining room and I'm stuck! I know we need a new light, rug, and window treatments, but I'm having trouble deciding what comes first.

About the things already in the room-

The light - This has to go! We've been shopping around and are looking to spend under $400 on a new fixture. Any suggestions?

Table and chairs - we just bought these and love them. We have a couple of leaves, so we could extend the table if it appears to small. At some point, I'd like to get some different end chairs.

The picture - We recently found this at an estate sale and love it and would love the colors to inspire the rest of the room. But we really don't like the frame! Once we decide on some of the other things in the room, I'll either paint to frame or look at getting the art reframed.

The buffet - We'd like this to stay, but I'm open to altering the color because it seems really orange to me.

Shutters - I love the function of the shutters, but I feel like they make the room feel really small and would love to see them go.

Any suggestions on how to start? I'd love to get that light out of there ASAP, but am afraid that would be a mistake without some idea about where we're headed.

Thanks for your help!

Featured Answer

doctornancy

12 years ago

Nice chandelier - a bit more contemporary and coordinates well with a more contemporary rug and bolder wall color.

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Comments (259)

Ann
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I definitely think those "cool" colors could be fantastic in your room, either on the walls or two new chairs.
User
Original Author
11 years ago
I don't have anything bold. This one is a light blue with tan piping. It's hard to tell in the picture, but it actually looks nice with the rug.

I do like the idea of adding a little color. It does make the room feel cozier and more complete.
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User
Original Author
11 years ago
I have a thing for grasscloth, but I don't think that's in our budget. :(
PRO
CDR Design, LLC
11 years ago
on sale at Pier One. $200 each.

[houzz=
Hourglass Dining Chair - Smoke Blue Damask · More Info
]
abbyjean
11 years ago
Blue is nice with your rug. Any other blue in your home or would blue be isolated?
User
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for the dark plates against the light wall. Maybe it's the other elements int he room, but that feels more traditional to me. I definitely prefer the light plates on the darker wall.
PRO
CDR Design, LLC
11 years ago
I can't see the blue in the chair. A chair that large is too big for the end, unless you take out a leaf.
PRO
CDR Design, LLC
11 years ago
I see what you mean about the plates. I think it is the arrangement also that makes the dark plates look more traditional.
User
Original Author
11 years ago
Blue everywhere, Abbyjean! Our bedroom, my office that's right across the hall from the dining room, our basement family room/playroom.
Ann
11 years ago
I love grasscloth too. When I was a little girl, my mom hired a designer once to work on a few rooms in our house. The designer added grasscloth to our entry and hallway. It was fantastic! Boy, did my Mom love it!
User
Original Author
11 years ago
Oh, I know. I was just trying to see how the blue looked. I wouldn't use that chair there.
User
Original Author
11 years ago
I like the color on the front of that Pier 1 chair, but I don't like the damask on the back. I think I've seen something similar at World Market.
PRO
Vintage Estate Homes
11 years ago
Choosing a bold paint color will definitely transform the dining area.
Ann
11 years ago
I think there is no doubt blue would work. Or maybe green. Can you take a closeup pic of the colors in the rug? By the way, I like that rug quite a bit in the room.
User
Original Author
11 years ago
I love the texture the grasscloth adds to those rooms. There are a load of tutorials about how to do a faux grasscloth finish on your walls. I wonder if I could tackle that without it looking totally cheap?
Ann
11 years ago
Laura, I'm a big chicken about paint colors. As an example, I just painted my whole upstairs in boring neutral accessible beige. BUT, I did recently buy an upholstered headboard in beige for the master bedroom and it was just lost against beige paint. So, I painted an accent wall in a deep chocolate brown. I kind of freaked out as we started painting, but you know what, I love that accent wall and the headboard is stunning now! I don't know if you want to do it, but I agree that a bold paint color or even one bold accent wall would transform the room. On the other hand, it's an attractive room as is and a bold color certainly isn't necessary (unless you choose to do a plate arrangement - lol).
User thanked Ann
User
Original Author
11 years ago
Here's a close up of the rug...lots of red, orange, teal, and green.
User
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for the pep talk, Ann! You're making me feel brave about paint. :)
Ann
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I especially like the gray blues and the blue greens in the rug. Before seeing a close up, the blues were what was really standing out to me as a great accent color choice. With the close up, I feel the same way, but I also love the blue green color that is shown often in the long slender leaves.
User
Original Author
11 years ago
I agree, Ann. I think blues would look great. I'm going to make a trip to Kirkland's and see about art. I think the next step is to figure out art vs. plates and how brave I'm feeling about color. ;)
User
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks so much for all the help!!
PRO
CDR Design, LLC
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
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PRO
CDR Design, LLC
11 years ago
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Ann
11 years ago
Nice CDR! I especially love flora or kennebunkport green!!
PRO
CDR Design, LLC
11 years ago
I agree that the greens work better with the rug.
User
Original Author
11 years ago
I like the greens, too. Flora, especially. I also like beach glass. So pretty. Green makes me a little nervous only because it seems like it can be hard to get right…I picked a green paint once that I thought was going to be sage and my room ended up looking like a putting green.
User
Original Author
11 years ago
Of course, I've also have the same problem with blues. I've painted colors that I thought were going to be gray-blue and they ended up looking like baby blue, so maybe the problem is me. ;)
PRO
CDR Design, LLC
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Your steps are correct......first a trip to Kirklands to see if you can find a piece of art that will really make an impact.

Sea at Sunrise is almost 70" wide (too wide for your buffet). But Ulswater is 55", a perfect width for your buffet.

[houzz=
Ullswater Framed Print | Kirkland's · More Info
] [houzz=
flora AF-470 Paint - Benjamin Moore flora Paint Color Details · More Info
]
Ann
11 years ago
Oh my, the Ullswater colors are absolutely perfect with your rug!
Ann
11 years ago
Also, it's a fantastic price and has great reviews. I think it's very pretty!
Ann
11 years ago
Laura, please excuse the very quick interruption. CDR, my little Restoration Hardware side table for my fireplace chair arrives tomorrow and all my daughter's new living room furniture arrives Wed. - Woohoo!
User
Original Author
11 years ago
The ulswater is pretty. How about this as an option?

http://m.kirklands.com/product/Mirrors-Wall-Decor/Art/Framed-Art/Aspens-by-the-Lake-Framed-Art-Print/pc/2283/c/2293/sc/2669/181965.uts
PRO
CDR Design, LLC
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Laura, it is under glass. I would stay away from that. Glare.

It feels traditional to me, even though it is not listed that way. Looks like a pastel.

Also, the rug has a very busy pattern. So, with the art, you need a contrast in pattern size. I would go with something like Ulswater that is basically 3 horizontal bands of color.

I would go to Kirklands and pick out any you like an bring them home and try them. They are very good about returns.
User
Original Author
11 years ago
Sounds like a plan! Thanks for the tips!
User
Original Author
11 years ago
No problem, Ann! Do you have dilemma's for your living room and daughter's room? I'd love to check them out!
PRO
CDR Design, LLC
11 years ago
For some reason, I think the little girl in your photo will be the one to choose. She just looks like she will pick out the right art.
User
Original Author
11 years ago
She is the boss, for sure! And she knows it. ;)
User
Original Author
11 years ago
I forgot I had these, but they could work with the rug. Too small for over the buffet, but maybe between the windows or on the back wall?
PRO
CDR Design, LLC
11 years ago
The 2 pieces of framed art are a possibility....depending on what you choose for the main art, of course.
Ann
11 years ago
Here's a link to my dilemma for my daughter's living room. It will get activated again this week with new pics when HOPEFULLY her new furniture looks fantistic in the room.
https://www.houzz.com/discussions/will-these-choices-work-dsvw-vd~1090614
User
Original Author
11 years ago
Ann, I LOVE the brown accent wall in your bedroom! You have a beautiful home. I was quietly following along with your guest room update. :) I bookmarked your daughters dilemma - I can't wait to see how it turns out. Thanks for sharing!
Ann
11 years ago
Thanks Laura and pics deleted:) I painted the brown accent wall before my whole upstairs was recently painted and I told to painters to leave that accent wall as is - I really, really like it, but it was a big bold move for me:) As far as my daughter's living room - it better turn out - I'll cry (seriously) if the furniture choice doesn't look good.
This is the first dilemma I've seen of yours, but CDR mentioned your living room and I found that dilemma. You remind me of me, moving around your house with the help of Houzz. It's great isn't it. My house doesn't look at all like the fancy Houzz pics, but it has sure improved. Your house is looking great and I bet, like me, you feel like you've learned a ton about decorating!
Ann
11 years ago
Laura, lol, I just meant you remind me of me in our Houzz experiences. Obviously, you're a young mom with young kids and I'm a whole generation or more older at nearly 60 years old with grandchildren. But, we're both traveling through our houses with Houzz;)
User
Original Author
11 years ago
Ann, Houzz really is a great learning experience (and fun, too!)! I've moved around a ton. This is the first time in the twenty years since I graduated college that I'll live somewhere for longer than two years. Our house is nothing special - pretty typical late 70's colonial - but we have wonderful neighbors and great schools. We love it! And I love that we're finally putting down some roots, so I'm having fun thinking about how to make it a functional and beautiful place to live our lives and raise our family. And I'm always amazed at how generous people are with their time and ideas...such a great community!

I'm sure your daughter's furniture will be great!!
Ann
11 years ago
Like you, we all like to think/chat about decorating all the time. I imagine many of us are highly addicted to Houzz. I know I am:) Plus, you make Houzz friends along the way!
Ann
11 years ago
Just saw this Houzz pic when I logged in. Is this the Crate and Barrel bowl?
[houzz=
Miller's Meadow Farm Living Room · More Info
]
User
Original Author
11 years ago
It is. Looks nice!
PRO
CDR Design, LLC
11 years ago
Starburst bowl from crate and barrel. I think z gallerie has a similar one.
sheilaskb
11 years ago
In the second photo, the chandelier seems to be off-center according to the windows in the background, so I would recommend correcting this when you change the lighting. For another thing, when the chandelier is centered in front of the picture, the picture cannot be seen very well. So, I would suggest two light fixtures with the picture across from the center point between the two fixtures. Since you have so many light colors in the room, rubbed bronze fixtures would be a nice, dark contrast. Regarding a rug, I would recommend a medium blue-grey that will give warmth to the room and tone down the redness of the buffet. I believe the buffet is beautiful the way it is, and I certainly would keep it.
User thanked sheilaskb
Nepal Rent Car
8 years ago
Starburst bowl from crate and barrel. I think z gallerie has a similar one.