And onto the dining room

[namasteak]

This is adjacent to the kitchen, separated by a pass through/breakfast bar and is the only place we have to eat. It is semi open to the kitchen and living room and the windows look over the patio and back yard.

The room seems a little empty but I'm not sure what else to put there. The table extends to accommodate 3 chairs on one side and 2 at either end which would take up more space. Should I get a buffet (to go on the back wall) even though we don't need the storage?

What do I do for window treatments?
WDYT about painting below the chair rail a different color?
Maybe a series of frames above the chair rail on the back wall?
Bar stools at the breakfast bar/pass through?

I am on the lookout for place mats or a table runner too. 

Attachments:

[namasteak]

It is this set from World Market
www.worldmarket.com/product/mahogany-verona-trestle-table.do?&from=fn

[TBM]

I think the chair rail seems a little out of place, but maybe that's just me. I wouldn't paint the lower part a different color, but maybe a deeper version of the wall color would work.

With all of the windows and partial walls, there is already a lot going on. It would depend on the particular art, but a series might just add visual clutter rather than grounding the space. I think a big rug, a big piece of art as a focal point, and maybe a plant and some curtains flanking the window would be nice.

[Deleted]

Oh I think you need pendant lights but that's just me.  You can convert the recessed light with these kits:

www.hgtv.com/design/rooms/bathrooms/convert-a-recessed-light-into-a-pendant-fixture

And find some art you like so I know what style you're going for.

I can't really tell what is going on with the floor - is that tile?  I would pick an area rug out to pull the room together.

Buffet not needed.  I don't really like them.

[namasteak]

Apr 27, 2015 13:05:19 GMT -5 TBM said:

I think the chair rail seems a little out of place, but maybe that's just me. I wouldn't paint the lower part a different color, but maybe a deeper version of the wall color would work.

It was there when we bought and removing it/fixing the wall seems like too much work right now.

With all of the windows and partial walls, there is already a lot going on. It would depend on the particular art, but a series might just add visual clutter rather than grounding the space. I think a big rug, a big piece of art as a focal point, and maybe a plant and some curtains flanking the window would be nice.

So one bigger piece for the back wall? I'd love a rug but I worry about it holding up in our main eating space when we have little kids.

[namasteak]

Apr 27, 2015 13:07:41 GMT -5 @notquiteblushing said:

Oh I think you need pendant lights but that's just me.  You can convert the recessed light with these kits:

www.hgtv.com/design/rooms/bathrooms/convert-a-recessed-light-into-a-pendant-fixture
I'm glad you posted this! I am dying to replace the recessed lights.


And find some art you like so I know what style you're going for.

I can't really tell what is going on with the floor - is that tile?  I would pick an area rug out to pull the room together.
It is tile.

Buffet not needed.  I don't really like them.

[downtoearth]

I think I'd get these types of stools:



www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Sumatra-24-inch-Counter-Height-Saddle-Stool/5968805/product.html

They match your set, but don't stick up, so you can see into the room from the kitchen well and can tuck them away when needed.

I like this wooden shade look with curtains, but I'm debating if that could work for the lower windows only there or if it will seem odd.


or


How do you feel about just doing sheers in white for the rectangular part of the windows like this?



I might even buy cute tie-backs from Anthropology if possible.


or


www.anthropologie.com/anthro/category/curtains/home-curtains-hardware.jsp#/

Then I would just do art. I love one big art piece in the dining room that dominates a wall. Something that brings in color, but that you and DH really love.


Ikea


Ikea


Society6


Society6

[redheadk]

I would do some sort of buffet or console table just because it's nice to have somewhere to put things in the dining room like dessert and dessert plates, drinks, etc. Then you could also do some buffet lamps flanking a large piece of art above the console table, paint the room, and add curtains. I like NQB's idea of adding pendants. Depending on attic access, it might be relatively easy/cheap to add a chandelier above the table which would be my first choice.

Our dining room has chair rail but the entire room, including the chair rail is painting one color. Sounds weird but it actually looks pretty cool and makes it more casual.

[TBM]

Apr 27, 2015 13:11:55 GMT -5 namasteak said:

Apr 27, 2015 13:05:19 GMT -5 TBM said:

So one bigger piece for the back wall? I'd love a rug but I worry about it holding up in our main eating space when we have little kids.

I think one large piece of art.  It doesn't need to be a painting/print/whatever.   Maybe a wall hanging.....could be anything like a rug or a quilt, a panel of fabric on stretcher bars, or anything that speaks to you.


A rug is easier to clean or replace than carpet, and things are less likely to break if they fall on a rug rather than on tile.

[magdala]

You could put an indoor-outdoor rug there that is designed to take abuse. That would give you a pop of color but be durable when the kids drop stuff on it. The table and windows both have nice lines. Because the windows have such nice lines, curtains are not really necessary for decoration. Do you need the functionality of curtains to keep drafts out or prevent people looking in? I would add a just colorful runner and a large bowl of fruit. The long wall looks big enough to handle a picture gallery, a large piece of art or a triptych depending on your tastes.

[namasteak]

Apr 27, 2015 13:31:49 GMT -5 downtoearth said:

I think I'd get these types of stools:



www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Sumatra-24-inch-Counter-Height-Saddle-Stool/5968805/product.html

They match your set, but don't stick up, so you can see into the room from the kitchen well and can tuck them away when needed.

I like these.
I like this wooden shade look with curtains, but I'm debating if that could work for the lower windows only there or if it will seem odd. I really like these (matchstick blinds?) with lightweight white curtains.


or


ooo these would bring some of the green from the living room into the dining room! Where are they from?
How do you feel about just doing sheers in white for the rectangular part of the windows like this?



I might even buy cute tie-backs from Anthropology if possible.
I know this is weird but 1 of the few decor things DH requested was curtain tie backs in several rooms with big windows. LOL


or


www.anthropologie.com/anthro/category/curtains/home-curtains-hardware.jsp#/

Then I would just do art. I love one big art piece in the dining room that dominates a wall. Something that brings in color, but that you and DH really love.


Ikea


Ikea


Society6


Society6

[namasteak]

Apr 27, 2015 14:04:13 GMT -5 redheadk said:

I would do some sort of buffet or console table just because it's nice to have somewhere to put things in the dining room like dessert and dessert plates, drinks, etc.
Even though we have the huge pass through/breakfast bar? Then you could also do some buffet lamps flanking a large piece of art above the console table, paint the room, and add curtains.
I think I would like how this looks! 
I like NQB's idea of adding pendants. Depending on attic access, it might be relatively easy/cheap to add a chandelier above the table which would be my first choice. 
No attic access to this room =(

Our dining room has chair rail but the entire room, including the chair rail is painting one color. Sounds weird but it actually looks pretty cool and makes it more casual.

[namasteak]

Apr 27, 2015 14:40:20 GMT -5 @callmefia said:

That room is begging for color.

I don't think you need a buffet if you don't want. I might consider a console though. You can add plants or picture frames, and decorate kind of like a mantle.

Artwork. Table runner.

I have a plant stand table in a corner of my dining room with two plants (succulents since I suck at maintaining!) I picked plant stands up at hobby lobby (the devil) really cheap a few years ago. Good idea! 

you definitely need some curtains just for color I would say. Not sure if you are concerned about privacy? We are not concerned about privacy since the patio is on the other side of the windows and then the backyard which backs up to a nature preserve. 

[namasteak]

Apr 27, 2015 14:43:07 GMT -5 magdala said:

You could put an indoor-outdoor rug there that is designed to take abuse. That would give you a pop of color but be durable when the kids drop stuff on it. T

Smart! 

I like this one. It reminds me of one someone (I think Dr.Girlfriend) recommended to me for our living room but a little less bold. 


www.target.com/p/crystal-indoor-outdoor-rug/-/A-14502206#prodSlot=medium_1_75

[magdala]

Great colors...I have used a similar green in my kitchen and a pale blue in my dining room. The graphic print of the rug would look very modern against the trestle table without competing with it.

[bunnymendelbaum]

Indoor outdoor rug. One large piece of art. All colorful. I completely agree w PP who suggested a chandelier.

[namasteak]

I originally planned on doing this in the living room but you guys talked me into doing a bolder curtain (still TBD) instead. WDYT about this in the dining room instead? 

[hbomdiggity]

I agree with a rug to anchor the table.

I would also spin the table 90 degrees. The length should go with the longer dimension of the room.

[namasteak]

Apr 27, 2015 19:01:32 GMT -5 hbomdiggity said:

I agree with a rug to anchor the table.

I would also spin the table 90 degrees. The length should go with the longer dimension of the room.

I know it doesn't look like it in the picture but the table is going a long with the longer length of the room. It is a pretty square room but the wall with teh windows is a little bit longer than the width. 

[magdala]

I can't see the picture of the curtains clearly on this antique monitor. I think it is bamboo blinds with semi-sheer linen panels. I like that idea.

[namasteak]

Apr 27, 2015 19:52:57 GMT -5 magdala said:

I can't see the picture of the curtains clearly on this antique monitor. I think it is bamboo blinds with semi-sheer linen panels. I like that idea.

You got it - the panels are a semi sheer white.

I hear what everyone else is saying about adding color though. I like the idea of a rug, art on the wall, table runner or placemats and the neutral window treatments. Does that sound like a good plan?

[TBM]

Apr 27, 2015 20:18:12 GMT -5 namasteak said:

Apr 27, 2015 19:52:57 GMT -5 magdala said:

I can't see the picture of the curtains clearly on this antique monitor. I think it is bamboo blinds with semi-sheer linen panels. I like that idea.

You got it - the panels are a semi sheer white.

I hear what everyone else is saying about adding color though. I like the idea of a rug, art on the wall, table runner or placemats and the neutral window treatments. Does that sound like a good plan?

I think it sounds like a good plan.   

[LadySusan]

I agree with a lot of the ideas already suggested by everyone.

I would do interesting curtains and maybe a rug first. (I personally dislike rugs under tables. My kids drop so much goo in a 24 hour period. I need to be able to wipe that up.) Also concur on one big piece of art. I agree that you could paint the area below the chair rail one shade darker on the paint swatch. I don't think that would make a big impact.  You could also do a stencil to look like wallpaper, but that would be really time consuming.

The room looks pretty large. If you add the curtains, rug and art and it still looks empty, you should stick a big plant in a corner or two. Quick and easy.  Palm, ficus and snake plant are big. You could go with a glazed ceramic blue or green pot to bring in color or a woven basket with a plastic pot inside to keep it more textural and tie in to the living room.

[downtoearth]

Apr 27, 2015 15:29:08 GMT -5 namasteak said:

Apr 27, 2015 13:31:49 GMT -5 downtoearth said:

ooo these would bring some of the green from the living room into the dining room! Where are they from?

Curtains were made by someone, but they source the fabric here. www.ourlakelife.com/2012/01/25/the-curtains-make-the-room/

[magdala]

Apr 27, 2015 20:30:10 GMT -5 TBM said:

Apr 27, 2015 20:18:12 GMT -5 namasteak said:

You got it - the panels are a semi sheer white.

I hear what everyone else is saying about adding color though. I like the idea of a rug, art on the wall, table runner or placemats and the neutral window treatments. Does that sound like a good plan?

I think it sounds like a good plan.   

Me too.

[emoflamingo]

I had a chair rail like that in our old house and it helped painting the bottom part a different color. I could see a really bold navy working in there underneath the chair rail.

I mostly skimmed everyone's posts, but definitely a light fixture above the table, I like buffets when you have space because it makes a good place to sit things when entertaining. If you go bold on the wall, you can definitely do the curtain pictures you posted.

[namasteak]

Too much?
www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/world-market-reg-ornothology-lined-rod-pocket-window-curtain-panel/3264149?categoryId=12198

[dr.girlfriend]

Apr 28, 2015 10:03:47 GMT -5 namasteak said:

Too much?
www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/world-market-reg-ornothology-lined-rod-pocket-window-curtain-panel/3264149?categoryId=12198

Hmmm...a little "old lady" for me, and I think not in keeping wtih the adjoining room.  If you want something bright and eclectic how about this:


www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/home-curtains-embroidered/26860908.jsp#/

As for the rest, I agree with a shallow console or buffet.  I think there's honestly no such thing as "not needing storage" -- you'll definitely want storage eventually.  In the meantime, though, a bright table with art and stuff sounds good, and can always be repurposed elsewhere in the house later.

[TBM]

Apr 28, 2015 10:03:47 GMT -5 namasteak said:

Too much?
www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/world-market-reg-ornothology-lined-rod-pocket-window-curtain-panel/3264149?categoryId=12198

I would rather see bold rug and art (and table linens, than bold curtains.  In your space, with all of the sight lines to other spaces, super patterned curtains might just add visual clutter.


Since you don't feel like you need a buffet for storage and since you have the pass through from the kitchen and the other opening, I think I would start with everything else and wait on a buffet or console until you have lived there long enough to see if you do need it.