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birdkkk

Dated Dining Room

12 years ago
I have a transitional home however my dining room feels dated. I hope I can get by with just accessorizing. I am including the family room picture to show the color scheme and style I wish to convey.

Comments (321)

  • 12 years ago
    The candles that were on the TV are now in the dining room. The yellow vase is on the mantle. It would look cool since the picture in the dining room is the girl with the vase.
  • 12 years ago
    Oh! You are soooo right! She is holding a yellow vase! Your art is amazing!
  • 12 years ago
    I hate to disrupt what we created in the family room. I will shop for some kind of vase or bowl. I will log back in Monday if not before and resume where we left off if you are still interested. Ann, Abbyjean and all the other who are helping me, you rock!!!
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    PLEASE do not disrupt the family room. I was thinking it remained on the mantle. It BELONGS there!!!

    Something will jump out at you and you will just know!!! Or you will wake up one morning and walk right to it. A picture in a magazine will inspire you.
  • 12 years ago
    That grouping of candles isn't bad. The color of the big candles might be a bit strong, but the grouping isn't bad!
  • 12 years ago
    Sooooooo it will be just fine for the weekend gathering. Yippee!!!
    birdkkk thanked abbyjean
  • 12 years ago
    Yep, perfect for the weekend gathering!
    birdkkk thanked Ann
  • 12 years ago
    Thought about this in the middle of the night! Abbyjean and Ann, aren't you proud of me!!! The color is more bronze than the picture shows. I love it!
  • 12 years ago
    TA DA! Those middle of the night revelations are theeee best! Pat yourself on the back!!!
  • 12 years ago
    The tablecloth is old fashioned. If you must have one use white.
    Tie backs on curtains need to go.
  • 12 years ago
    wickedxx....those changes happened right away........
  • 12 years ago
    That is pretty birdkkk! Nice job!
  • 12 years ago
    So how was the weekend gathering? Or still happening? People who knew the before? Comments on the after?
  • 12 years ago
    It's a completely different room with the changes. Painting the walls a lighter color and reupholstering the chairs would finish it off beautifully.
  • 12 years ago
    I have enjoyed the transformation of this room, BUT if I don't say something I might explode! You have an elegant footed China bowl that is gorgeous! I think the blues in it will tie in those beautiful chairs in the bay window. The floral design of the bowl will nod to the beautiful garden. Ok...done.
    birdkkk thanked Gini Roberts
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Hi. I will do your seats on white leather.
    birdkkk thanked Murals and Fine Art
  • 12 years ago
    I love what you've done. The arm chairs in the bay look super. If you could find a small round table for between the chairs you would have a perfect spot for dinner for two or breakfast or afternoon tea. When you sit there you'll be able to look out at the garden AND look back at your lovely "new" dining room.
    Great job!
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    The valance, tie-backs, tablecloth, and the centerpiece are what mainly dates this space.
    I would get a transitional area rug, and some curtains that have the same feel as the new rug.

    You might want to find a brighter chandelier for over the table as well. It's a little dark (starts looking Victorian and cluttered).
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    By Placing a transitional area rug and or changing the cloth color to something lighter can make the difference!
    -Fratantoni Lifestyles
  • 12 years ago
    Sorry abbyjean, couldn't resist this purchase! What do you think?
  • 12 years ago
    It stands on its own - no cloth needed.
  • 12 years ago
    Very pretty! With the new purchase, I agree, no cloth. With the candles, I like the cloth.
  • 12 years ago
    I think you deserved this pretty new piece. Nice job with choosing it, too, to totally work in this room. No lectures from me this time.
  • 12 years ago
    Wondering if some height works better. Any thoughts?
  • 12 years ago
    Either way (height or not), as long as the size (diameter) of the new glass item is sufficient, which it looks to be.
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Stack it high with pears or lemons and see what you think. Not really a fruit bowl but it might work. Also consider setting it upright on a platter stand on the sideboard/buffet.
  • 12 years ago
    Very cool option although....I plan to take that direction in the kitchen...soon to come! Hope you stay around!
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Tomorrow I will post the final Dated Dining Room view of the 4 walls...3 walls since one is a mirror! Tell me what you think. Then I am moving onto the kitchen and I hope all you experts follow!
  • 12 years ago
    Nice purchase. decoenthusiaste's suggestion to try pears or lemons is interesting. I'd like to see what that would look like. I agree with others that no cloth is needed. It's a strong piece that can stand on its own. Looking forward to seeing the final solution. :)
  • 12 years ago
    Wow! you did a great job on updating the room. are you planning on painting?
    birdkkk thanked decorgirly
  • 12 years ago
    Yes Decorgirly, we do plan on painting below and above the chair rail a soft yellow.
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Still looking for suggestions on fabric to cover the chairs. My other option is to use the fabric I already have. See above chair pic. Still kind of Burgundy which is less "fresh"!
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    How did you feel about the suggestion to use a vinyl/leather for the cushion? Cream??? Easy to wipe off and clean. No pattern to compete with the art in the room.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Add some COLOR TO THE WALLS! :-)

    Hello,

    I'm Julian, an Artist / Photographer that works for Round Pocket (www.RoundPocket.com), an Art Distribution Firm in NYC.

    They provide Custom and General sizes for Various Canvases with a Fine Art Finish.

    If you interested, you can request a quote with Mr. Will Sofrin (help@roundpocket.com).

    You can also visit my website:
    http://julianscorpio.houzz.com

    Thanks!
    -Julian
  • 12 years ago
    Julian, your art is beautiful. I am not sure where I would put it but will keep it in mind for perhaps another room.
  • 12 years ago
    Final pics are in. Plan to recover chair cushions and paint soon. Still wonder if the window is kind of bare.
  • 12 years ago
    Head to a plant store. If you are good with plants (water regularly) buy a couple of extra large hibiscus in bright colors, yellow or red. They will do well on stands in the bay. Or try a large boston fern on the table. Or a couple of large hanging plants. Grape ivy or asparagus fern.

    If you need to shade the windows for cooling in the summer get cordless accordion shades in a color to match the window trim. Set them inside the casing. I've had great success with ordering online through American Window and Blind. Get on their email list and watch for sales. Their own brand works fine.

    If you want texture or pattern at the window get flat fold Roman shades mounted so you can still see the window trim. Get cordless for a clean look.

    For your chair cushions, wait until you find fabric that you are crazy about. If you "settle" for what's on hand you won't be happy. My personal favorite is one with embroidered gold French Bees on a dark background.

    Have fun. Everything looks grand.
    birdkkk thanked The big house
  • 12 years ago
    @birdkkk....Superb!!!

    LOVE... the newly created table centerpiece ( it really picks up on the colors in the "lady with the vase picture")
    ...overall has a very fresh & formal look
    ...when the walls are painted all one color the look will be complete
    ...wondering if you could "up light " your shrubbery in the garden which will give a very cozy feel for nighttime at any season
    ...only other suggestion would be that the chandelier looks like it could be lowered ( bottom being 30 - 36 inches above the table top)
    ... and NO your windows do not seem bare, well they do compared to your before picture but this bare is a good thing!
    ...bet you can't wait to show off your new look at the next dinner party

    Congratulations on a job WELL DONE & a lot of hard work on your part!!!
    Looking forward to you "next room".
    birdkkk thanked Lainie D'Eon
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    I have to agree with Leona on a job well done! And it was fun, too!!! The window area is just right....the whole room is! Still post back when you do the last touches AND to link the next rooms.
  • 12 years ago
    Very nice room. Huge improvement! Regarding the windows, I think they look just fine as they are but wondered earlier how they'd look with just your white drapes, hung higher (but still touching the floor), no valances and tie backs! It might just soften the windows a tad but it might mess up the nice look it has now:) You'd have to have someone hold one up to see what you think.
  • 12 years ago
    Follow me over to my kitchen...I would love all your expert advice! https://www.houzz.com/discussions/accessorizing-my-kitchenforgive-the-ugly-cabinets-dsvw-vd~1012297
  • 12 years ago
    Ann, I wonder what kind of rods I would use. It is a bay window. Maybe just a short little decorative above the outside two windows?
  • 12 years ago
    I made have missed a comment or two......I don't know your age, but I do know that starting on a budget can dictate the direction one goes. First, do consider your budget, then your life style. As time passes you will get there. I personally have the 'old lady' dining room, however I am 63! I would rid myself from the outdated items, tablecolth, valance, chair fabric. Put a few inexpensive items to move you into a more current feel. Maybe two upholstered chairs on each end. Suggestions given by others above are great. Smaller table, fewer chairs, use a bolder fabric, but be adventurous, you can blend in the fabric with a transitional coloring, but a more traditional pattern. Try only putting a few items in the hutch ( not like mine). This can help with the fear of losing a few precious items! Remember less is more! Plus as the years go by, we change our taste, look and needs. Have fun!
  • 12 years ago
    mcholt, this made me laugh b/c I am the older lady!!! I have accumulated beautiful pieces but don't want to have the cluttered look that is so easy to do. Your suggestions are great.
  • 12 years ago
    I agree, I'm the older lady too and all that stuff we've accumulated is problematic at times. Makes it kind of hard to declutter:)
    birdkkk, I like that short little rod (only on the two sides) look. If you do it, you might want to hang the little rods wide of the windows, so the drapes would only cover about an inch of the outsides of those two side windows.
  • 12 years ago
    Calling all older ladies!.. I'm in the group also, 63, but in my mind I'm only 43. Sometimes my body does give me a little reminder though.
    The best part is that we have a lot of "stuff" to change our decor with.
  • 12 years ago
    I agree... we do have a lot of "stuff" my 27 year old daughter, keeps reminding me it is JUST STUFF. Like my girl friend at 70 said, our kids don't want it any way so use what you like and get rid of the rest. Because they will. Leona i was going to say in my mind I am 40. My body tells me otherwise. Happy decorating
  • 12 years ago
    Well I have been so impressed by the talent you ladies offer. Contemporary and fresh. You had me all fooled! Good taste is good taste, you either have it or you don't!!!!
  • 12 years ago
    Hi Houzzers, I got sidetracked with a sick family member. I have moved over to another project. Any takers? Abbyjean? I am at our lake house, excited to maybe switch things up a bit. First project, update the dock. Take a look! https://www.houzz.com/discussions/dock-needs-color-update-dsvw-vd~1031678
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    The last pic of room is much better without curtains an table cloth . Paint chairs white, put buffet on mirror wall hang a framed mirror over it on mirror you use the glue they use to glue rear view mirror on Winschell in car are two wires from crown molding this will give lots of depth to room.