I'm finally ready to re-do my dining room and desperately need some help. I haven't found an inspiration pic so I'm winging it this time around. I know I want color but everything else is up in the air.

The table must stay. I don't care for the chairs but they are sturdy and in good condition. I'm open to replacing them. The black cabinet and the chandelier also stay put. I just made the curtains too. They are a shimmery apple green color.

I need ideas for a rug (if I should even use one), wall color, artwork, table centerpiece, and if I should paint the tall cabinet.

thanks!

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I like everything I see in your room.

Am I losing my mind or is the light fixture painted brown/bronze in the other picture?

I just think you need accents or fabric to tie all the pieces together. If you are keeping the window panels, how about chair pads with the green in them?

I also wanted to add that I like the mix of painted wood peices. If you look thru rate my space in the dining room area you can find inspiration there too.

What color is your rug?

always- the chandelier is a dark bronze color, not sure why it doesn't come out in pics that way. I've looked through RMS and have saved a bunch of pics. I like the mix of different woods too, maybe I'll think about painting the chairs black instead of replacing them and then adding chair cushions. The rug has dark browns, greens, reds, and black but it's only a 5 x 8 and so it's too small.

Am I crazy? I REALLY like your room the way it is. If it were me I'd add some more substantial colorful curtains and a new rug and call it a day. I think the room is calm and simple and I LOVE the furniture, floors and wall color!

I could see some Kim Parker art in your room--

http://www.kimparker.tv/gallery.html

orangelover- the room as is seems so lifeless to me. It feels like it's lacking something. I just made those curtains, so they are staying but I do agree that I need a rug. I might actually have enough fabric to make some faux roman shades to inset into the windows. Maybe that will help to beef it up a bit?

always- I have a Kim Parker print in my kitchen and I LOVE it. Maybe I'll look for another one to put in the DR to add some color.

Haven't had much time to ponder, but I love what you did with all of your recent fabric purchases for your table! It looks great!

The only thing I can think of offhand is that the wall to the left of the table (across from the doorway to your kitchen I think) needs something. A big framed mirror? I think a larger rug, some pieces for the walls and pads for the chairs, made with coordinating fabric will really add to the space. I like the idea of making faux roman shades with some of your leftover coordinating fabric.

Can you come to my house next? I was inspired by your kitchen/hearth room makeover a while back and immediately went to town on my kitchen. However, I stopped dead in my tracks. The only thing I've done is rip out all the border and prime my beadboard wainscoting! It looks like crap in there! My friend is coming next week to help me paint, so I'm going to be looking for some paint color advice in the next couple of days!

I immediately thought of one of my favs...from RMS. It's been posted here alot. A bit fancier than yours, but a lot of the same elements....painted and stained furniture. Maybe it will at least give you some ideas.

Hi Georgy, are you going to paint the walls? I love the curtains! I think the plain wood corner cupboard should be painted. You need a bigger rug (if you are going to use one) Also the arrangement over the black cabinet is too informal (IMHO) the peg rack esp. The print there while very nice is too small to stand on its own. You need some prints/paintings/mirrors for this space. Check out yard sales you can pick up framed stuff for a song often, then you don't have to feel married to it either. Very nice so far!

You have a great start on an "upscale cottage" or "modern country" DR with just a few changes.

Here are some possibilities:
-paint the tall cabinet white, leave the chairs wood-tone
-paint peg shelf black, change the accessories in that corner - need larger, fewer
-use a larger area rug - at least 8'x10, preferably 9'x12'

Just for now try placing the quilted square on an angle on the table. If you like the colors in it you could use a pale yellow for the walls and there's your color scheme!

I think the apple green will look really fresh and summery with the pale yellow walls, white furniture, and red accents. A seagrass rug would work with that style/scheme/ Some large art such as framed posters could work well as there are lots of color and subject choices available.

Hate to suggest this but could you paint the chandy white?

merella- I've been sewing up a storm here. I made 3 sets of curtain panels for the kitchen, LR, and DR, the table square, and a bazillion pillows. I just love the fabrics I chose! The large blank wall definitely needs something but a mirror would reflect the other blank wall so maybe some artwork instead? I'm going to work on the roman shades this weekend and look for a larger rug and chair pads. You need to get moving on your kitchen so I can see some pics!

melk- I have that pic saved as well. I love that room but I think it's a bit too formal since we actually use our DR for every meal. Love the colors in there.

ladyofshallot- a new coat of paint is definitely in order. I'm going to head over to the paint store this weekend in search of a buttery yellow color. The peg shelf will go and I'll look for a larger piece of artwork for that space. I actually ordered a print from allposters.com, I just have to frame it. Maybe I'll use that?

joy-The chandelier was actually free. And I really do like it the color it is. I'm going to replace the shades though.

thanks for your help everyone! keep the ideas coming!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Georgyct,

I really like your room!

I personally don't think the peg shelf works in the space (or at least as is, if you want to keep it, I'd suggest painting everything black, except for the actual shelf, which would look nice in wood tone).

I think it'd look great in there to switch out the rug, go larger & incorporate something with a little touch of green in it. I think you should either paint the tall cabinet black OR the chairs, but not both. Love the idea of seat cushions done in 2 different patterns, like in the pic Melk posted. Also think a nice floral arrangement similiar to Melk's pic (love that room!) would look nice on your black cabinet in place of the plate stand.

This may sound corny and goofy, but if you leave the tall wooden cabinet as it, it would look so good to add green glass knobs! I saw those posted on here the other day somewhere...

navywife- I never thought about changing the knobs on the tall cabinet. That's a great idea! I'm going to the paint store this weekend and I'll keep a look out for some green glass ones. Should the cabinet go black or white though?

I don't know what to do with that tall cabinet! Could you paint it white, and replace the panels in the doors with glass to mimic the other cabinet?

Here's a link to a post about some green (and purple) glass knobs that was posted here the other day:

http://boards.hgtv.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1634079532/m/4311036563

I think the green curtains are fun. I would go for it with the walls and do something like the pictures and link I added here.

http://www.reallifedecorating.com/walldecor/makeover_intro.html

I like the wall treatment here, not necessarily all the modern stuff.