Jamaica Pond Transitional Dining Room, Boston

Know Your Material OptionsWallpaper. Wallpaper is typically paper printed with a pattern and coated with vinyl or another finish for durability. Vinyl-coated wallpaper is easily wiped clean, making it a good choice for heavy-traffic areas, as well as humid spaces like the kitchen and bath.Hand-painted wallpaper. A specialty of companies like de Gournay, hand-painted wallpaper is custom-made to fit the space. This premium wall treatment is an investment akin to original artwork and is best for low-traffic spaces like a formal dining room or master suite.Grass cloth wallcovering. Natural grasses and plants, such as jute, bamboo, sisal and silk, are woven together with thread and attached to a backing, often of rice paper. This heavy covering requires a strong adhesive. Grass cloth can stain, making it best for low-traffic areas.Silk wallpaper. Hand-painted or solid colored silk is attached to a wallpaper backing, combining vibrant color with a luxurious texture. Delicate silk wallcoverings should be used in low-traffic areas.Other wallcoverings. What with flocked wallpaper and textured wallcoverings that have the look and feel of leather, wood and more, the possibilities are just about limitless.Wallcovering: Juicy Jute Grasscloth in Tantalizing Teal, Phillip Jeffries

Solution: Wider openings. A completely open floor plan is not the only way to achieve a clear line of sight — and in an older home with lots of small rooms, it may not be practical to completely transform the layout. One thing that is often possible is to widen the openings between rooms, as shown here: Instead of a small doorway, a double-width opening allows for better flow and a clearer line of sight through the house.

Upholstered dining seats, don't like the armchair end seats, and generally clean looking decoration