Dining Room Light Fixture

[icedcoffee]

Help me update my dining room. We need a new light fixture for sure. New curtains and artwork for the wall are possibilities too (the wall not pictured is big and empty).

Rug is possible in the future too, but would prefer to not right now.

I don’t love our furniture, but it’s not going. It’s definitely less modern than I’d like, but we will work around it. We bought it used off Craigslist 6 years ago and it’s solid furniture. Not worth the hassle or expense of replacing.

So how do we do a modern light mixture with traditional furniture?

Picture in next post.

[icedcoffee]

PDQ picture 

[icedcoffee]

Ignore the white chair. That’s in there while my kid uses a high chair. Also I feel the need to add that there’s a table protector on the table. It’s not that dull and ugly underneath it. LOL

[Deleted]

Are you going to be painting the space or keeping that color? I'd probably look in to having the seats on your dining chairs recovered with a more modern fabric and if keeping the current paint color look for a fabric that brings in a second accent color. For the light fixture, I'd look into something that is either oblong or rectangular. Are you opposed to painting the hutch?

[orval]

I think a new chandelier will make a huge difference. Look at Overstock at transitional chandeliers. There are a bunch that would look good. Here are a few

www.overstock.com/Lighting-Ceiling-Fans/Madison-Park-Signature-Presidio-White-Gold-Chandelier-with-White-Taper-Shaped-Shade-24-L-x-24-W-x-56.25-H/18828241/product.html?kwds=&refccid=NOZ4NRVMH3D33V2IMMKMODFK2E&rfmt=style%3ATransitional&searchidx=10

www.overstock.com/Lighting-Ceiling-Fans/Greyson-5-light-Chandelier/30757169/product.html?kwds=&refccid=NOZ4NRVMH3D33V2IMMKMODFK2E&rfmt=style%3ATransitional&searchidx=24

www.overstock.com/Lighting-Ceiling-Fans/Harry-Chandelier/29474011/product.html?refccid=NOZ4NRVMH3D33V2IMMKMODFK2E&searchidx=66&kwds=&rfmt=style%3ATransitional

[gerberdaisy]

We have this one from pottery barn that would fit your space.

www.potterybarn.com/products/graham-chandelier/?pkey=cchandeliers&isx=0.0.3787&cm_sp=2824-inbs

[icedcoffee]

Sept 9, 2020 7:47:22 GMT -5 @sameoldstory said:

Are you going to be painting the space or keeping that color? I'd probably look in to having the seats on your dining chairs recovered with a more modern fabric and if keeping the current paint color look for a fabric that brings in a second accent color. For the light fixture, I'd look into something that is either oblong or rectangular. Are you opposed to painting the hutch?

The paint is not that old so probably keeping it. We can definitely look for the new fabric for the chairs. I agree a second color would be helpful.

I don’t think we’d pain the hutch. It matches as a set and is in good shape. My experience with painted furniture is that it chips (we’ve done a few pieces in the house).

[wildrice]

What do you have in the cabinet? I don't hate the table (and can understand keeping it - we have a nice 2nd hand dining table that is not really my style, but is in good condition so it seems silly to replace). But I think the big cabinet with the dark wood is overwhelming the room. Would you consider painting it if you keep it - something like white to brighten it up? IDK.

I recently bought a living room light fixture and figured out that I hate every single option, so I am no help there.

[icedcoffee]

Sept 9, 2020 7:59:26 GMT -5 wildrice said:

What do you have in the cabinet? I don't hate the table (and can understand keeping it - we have a nice 2nd hand dining table that is not really my style, but is in good condition so it seems silly to replace). But I think the big cabinet with the dark wood is overwhelming the room. Would you consider painting it if you keep it - something like white to brighten it up? IDK.

I recently bought a living room light fixture and figured out that I hate every single option, so I am no help there.

We store our fine china in there. Also some knickknack type family heirlooms. I’d be really hesitant to paint it because it’s a matching set and we’ve painted a few things before that have all eventually chipped. Seems to be a popular rec though so I will consider it.

[redheadk]

I really like the first 2 orval posted for your space! I think you need to not fight how traditional the furniture is too much and these are traditional enough without feeling dated or heavy.

You may want to take a look on top of the hutch and see if the top piece is removable. Sometimes you can just remove the screws and it will come right off. That would give you cleaner lines, IMO, and the rest of the china cabinet has very nice lines.

[icedcoffee]

I always assumed black chandelier, but those gold could work too. Hmm...

[icedcoffee]

I like the idea to take the hutch off. Not sure it comes off but it totally might. We be nice to have that flat surface too.

[icedcoffee]

I also feel like I should add that this picture makes the room look small but it’s actually quite big. The table is huge and has 2 leaves in it. We used to take them out but we got lazy and they started getting scratched going in and out all the time so now we just leave them in all the time. The room looks better without them though obviously.

[circa1978]

The cornice on top should be removable. That will make it look less fussy and you'd still have the hutch. Another super easy fix would be to swap out the hardware for something more transitional.

If you were open to new chairs, you can probably easily sell the six you have on Craigslist. I'd get parsons chairs for a more transitional look. Those things + a new chandelier and it will look like you have a new dining room with hardly any effort and not much cost.

[cosmowife]

Switch out the two end chairs with big upholstered chairs.

[Roc A Bee]

I would get rid of the hutch and get a buffet table that was more modern. I also would replace the head chairs with upholstered chairs and change out there fabric on the remaining chairs.

I liked a few of the gold light fixtures posted above.

[icedcoffee]

Sept 9, 2020 8:15:58 GMT -5 circa1978 said:

The cornice on top should be removable. That will make it look less fussy and you'd still have the hutch. Another super easy fix would be to swap out the hardware for something more transitional.

If you were open to new chairs, you can probably easily sell the six you have on Craigslist. I'd get parsons chairs for a more transitional look. Those things + a new chandelier and it will look like you have a new dining room with hardly any effort and not much cost.

Oh these are excellent suggestions.  I peeked at the cornice (had no idea that's what it was called--lol) and I think it is removable.  I hate that thing and agree it will look better without.  Going to have H grab me a ladder later so I can try to remove it.

I hadn't thought of new chairs, but I think you might be on to something.  I'd love to get rid of the chairs with arms.  I hate those damn arms.  Parsons chairs look pretty inexpensive.  I bet I could sell them and buy for not much extra out of pocket.  Might even be cheaper than reupholstering as those fabrics can get pricey.  We could also just do what cosmowife suggested and just do the end chairs. but I'm kind of liking the idea of swapping them all out.  Hmmm.....

[icedcoffee]

You guys are so smart! I'm glad I asked!

[macmars45]

A ceiling fan with a light is my favorite dining room light fixture.

[circa1978]

FWIW, I wouldn't paint it if you are new to refinishing things. Wood tones are coming back and genZ loves to mock us for our painted furniture.

[circa1978]

Sept 9, 2020 9:20:29 GMT -5 macmars45 said:

A ceiling fan with a light is my favorite dining room light fixture.

No.

[Susie]

I'm in a similar situation.  My DR furniture is really well made cherry, but more traditional than I would've picked out.  The mirror & sideboard were hand me downs from my parents.  I like the table style though (shaker); my dad made it for me to match the stain of the other pieces.  I am not entertaining painting any of it because it would hurt my heart to paint cherry, plus I have done some painted pieces and have had the same experience as you -- some chipping.  Some pieces more than others, but never chip-free.  

I am currently shopping for a light fixture because the one that is there, is 35 year old builder basic that I spray painted when we bought the house.  I've been considering something like this:

[noodleoo]

I've wanted to change our dining room light fixture since we moved in 10 years ago. LOL! I want something rectangular like this.



www.lampsplus.com/products/ribera-40-inch-wide-silver-gray-kitchen-island-light-chandelier__9h807.html

[icedcoffee]

Sept 9, 2020 9:20:41 GMT -5 circa1978 said:

FWIW, I wouldn't paint it if you are new to refinishing things. Wood tones are coming back and genZ loves to mock us for our painted furniture.

Yeah---I like painting furniture if something is actually in bad shape or really outdated, but this is good quality and still in good shape.  I think I'd regret painting it.  I'm just going to wait for it to come back into fashion. 

I refinished our nursery furniture (it was mine as a baby) and it looks good, but it has chipped.  And we followed all the steps.  I'm still happy we painted it because it was ugly and we have now gotten another life out of it, but I wouldn't paint nice wood.

[msmerymac]

You can probably switch out the pulls on the hutch for more modern ones with minimal cost/effort.

[TR]

I would reupholster the chairs (probably a solid? That rug is pretty, but a lot of pattern to compete with), take the cornice off the hutch, swap out the hardware, and new fixture in a tone (brass, silver, ORB, whatever) that matches the hardware.

[TR]

Sept 9, 2020 9:21:19 GMT -5 circa1978 said:

Sept 9, 2020 9:20:29 GMT -5 macmars45 said:

A ceiling fan with a light is my favorite dining room light fixture.

No.

Thank you, lol.

[shopgirl07]

I really like the table, and, yes, you can totally mix in a more modern light fixture.

As others have said, I’d reupholster the seats, and maybe get new end chairs if it’s in the budget. Something like this:

www.potterybarn.com/products/pb-classic-square-long-slipcovered-dining-chair/?pkey=cdining-chairs&isx=0.0.6444&cm_sp=2824-inbs

Also, if you can spring for custom draperies, I think they make a huge difference. Regardless, get a different style curtain, the pole pocket ones you have are really dated.

[noodleoo]

Sept 9, 2020 9:53:35 GMT -5 shopgirl07 said:

I really like the table, and, yes, you can totally mix in a more modern light fixture.

As others have said, I’d reupholster the seats, and maybe get new end chairs if it’s in the budget. Something like this:

www.potterybarn.com/products/pb-classic-square-long-slipcovered-dining-chair/?pkey=cdining-chairs&isx=0.0.6444&cm_sp=2824-inbs

Also, if you can spring for custom draperies, I think they make a huge difference. Regardless, get a different style curtain, the pole pocket ones you have are really dated.

Grommet top curtains are dated? I didn't know that. Can you post a picture of what is considered in style now?

[redheadk]

Sept 9, 2020 8:10:04 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

I like the idea to take the hutch off. Not sure it comes off but it totally might. We be nice to have that flat surface too.

I actually meant the cornice but we have a buffet that we removed the top from (and discarded). I needed the flat surface more than I needed display space.