Not sure I can see from the floorplan what you are opening up?

Sorry, here's our current floorplan...

I know it's a little dark. Right now we only have the doorway to the garage.

You are asking about your dining room, right? I would get lighter colored drapes and put them above the arch of the window. Sheers also, if needed. I would paint the lower part of your walls, a lighter color..maybe even the same as your upper walls. I would put a mirror above your buffet in the niche...and two tallish lamps on the buffet...this will reflect light. That will lighten up your room.

I would add picture frame moulding to the area under the chair rail to make it look like expensive woodwork then paint it whatever your trim color is.

Here is my dining room moulding done that way: (sorry if the picture is big, I tried to shrink it in photobucket)

I love your kitchen choices. You could paint the upper walls a coordinating color to that fabric. Perhaps the navy or green? Then, add some lighter slipcovers to the upholstered chairs.

Yes, it's the dining room that I'm focusing on right now.

That window has definitely stumped me with the arch. I need the light for the kitchen, which is why we're taking out part of that wall, but the light that beats in that window has totally faded the wood floor that is in there now, so I can't leave it totally uncovered.

I was thinking of doing the hallway and foyer in a light cream color, very similar to the cabinet color. Unfortunately, I don't think that would work because of the cream colored serving area.

Maybe do the dining room and foyer in that cream and the hall in a lighter version of the kitchen?

I had thought about maybe some wainscoting as well.

I like the idea of the mirror, thanks!

I wouldn't do anything with the dining room until the kitchen renovation is completed.

dawnp - I think we were posting at the same time. I like your woodwork. Very possible.

Slipcovers - that's a great idea. I hadn't considered that.

I totally agree with you on the chandy. My DH loves it and the realtor that showed us the house was shocked when I said it wasn't my taste. It is pretty. It's just not ME. Maybe that will be my next shopping trip! :)

When I mentioned sheers, I meant WITH the drapes....Since you want to cut down on the light (glare) I would get new lighter colored drapes and get sheers (even semi-sheers)the same color or white and that will cut down the glare/light. I would still like to see longer drapes...above the arch..I think it will make your room look nicer...without the "chopped off" look on the windows.

graywings - I tend to agree with you but I'm thinking of it because we are replacing the floors in there and putting in beefier baseboards and door frames. It would be a lot easier to do the painting now and I thought if I knew what direction to go in, it would be good. But, maybe the DH and I might take that room on down the road.

I'm also worried about the new wood floors fading if we wait too long to do something with the window. I'm afraid that it's going to take replacing it with better glass in the end.

grandmaof3 - I like your idea. Would I hang them almost touching the ceiling? I'm TERRIBLE with window treatments and I appreciate the suggestions!

Because the dining room opens into the kitchen, I would treat both rooms very similarly in terms of color choices.

Your chosen colors for the kitchen are cream, green, black and natural cherry wood tones.

These are my thoughts ~

Paint the dining room's upper walls the same light green color of your kitchen subway tile with white wainscoting below the chair rail.

If you aren't into the current chandelier, use the same one that you chose for the kitchen in your dining room. And, definitely lower it like dawnp said. I would also slipcover the chairs in white.

Transform the alcove with built-ins to serve as a buffet and extra storage or as a display area. Install lower cabinets for the buffet with the same black soapstone cabinets as your kitchen. Hang glass-front cabinets above. Install lighting under these cabinets as well as inside them. I'm torn between 2 cabinet styles - the natural cherry like your island and banquette or painted white like the wainscoting.

Choose an area rug that pulls in all the colors, especially the green and another accent color.

As for the window, that's tricky. Your floor plan shows it as a bay window that takes up the whole dining room wall, with an arch over the middle window, correct? Because this is a focal point of the room and because arch windows are so pretty I would avoid covering the arch if at all possible and focus on the rest of the window. I am thinking of three options. 1-Hang floor to ceiling tabbed drapes in a soft cream (like the kitchen cabinets) or a white color with sheers the same color. Hang them on a rod so that you can open and close them easily as needed. It looks to me that you might only be able to pull them to the left corner of the window as the other side is next to a door. I can't tell how much room you have btw window & door from the floor plan. The problem I also see with this is it is more formal, and you indicated that you are into more casual decor. 2-Install decorative window toppers with sheers - leaving the arch uncovered so you can enjoy its beauty. 3-Hang roman shades or install wooden shutters. Either of these open and close easily and offer a casual simplicity that is also beautiful. You can also put a custom shade on your arch, if you don't mind covering it up, but as I said, if it were me, I'd try to leave that bare.

I agree with grandmaof3 about the drapes...although it might look more formal, the drapes would, imho, look better up higher...probably with the rod slightly higher than the top of the arch. You could get a double rod and put sheers or semi-sheers (or simply unlined, lighter colored drapes) that you could close when the light becomes too much. Maybe choose a less formal fabric/print for the decorative drapes.

And as dawnp said, I also think wainscotting would be lovely painted white with a fun color, as donna suggests, on top to coordinate with the kitchen.

Okay, I don't think I"ve added anything new to what anyone else has said...sorry!

But it is a lovely room! My mom has the same issue with her 3 windows with the arch on top...her flooring has also faded. To me, it gives a newer house character and a homey, lived in feel. Good luck with the upcoming kitchen remodel...hope it goes smoothly!

donna - thanks for all the ideas. I think my previous posts have been a little confusing. I posted the floorplan for my kitchen to show how the it will lead into the dining room, but the table in that floorplan is my eat-in area. If you look close, you'll see "To DR" on the right hand side.

Since we've been doing the planning for the reno, that's the only floorplan I have right now. Sorry!

I do like the idea of doing a green the same as the tile added with wainscoting (thanks dawnp and hlove!).

Would it be too matchy to do the drapes in the same paisley fabric that I'll be using to cover the cushions on the banquette?

Also - would it be crazy to ditch the idea of a rug altogether?

It will be pricey but you can have custom wood shutters made for the window, in three sections.

In the link below, go to 'Gallery.' About 4 pictures in, there is a large double door with an arch similar to your's. Notice how you can control the light with all three sections?

Shutters also control the direction of sunlight, pending on how you move the slats.

We did most of our rooms with shutters, one window is oval, and we have two arched windows. Best investment ever!

I can make the rooms sunny, partly sunny, or dark like a cave, depending on my mood. lol

Here is a link that might be useful: Arched Shutters

Hi,

It's been ages since I've posted here but I just checked in today for the first time in a few years and thought I'd throw out an easy, permanent solution; window film/UV protection. It's normally done by pros but certainly wouldn't be expensive for just that one window. It kills all the glare and protects from the damaging UV rays...the light remains though. I'm doing the exact same thing with our forthcoming kitchen/DR reno for the same reasons and am also considering the UV film.

If you're brave and handy? I think they even sell the film retail now. Here's a link to one product that gives some basic info. Yellow pages should give you some locals.

Here is a link that might be useful: window fllm

ayerg,

All I can add is that if you ever decide to sell that beautiful chandelier, I would LOVE to have it!! Just email me and you have a buyer!

Oh, I should mention I have several friends here in Denver that had the film installed on VERY blinding, west-facing windows. Worked beautifully...clear, sharp light with none of the glare. Didn't even need any WT's which was great since they had incredible views of the foothills.

I think this would solve all your probs for VERY little $$. You're then free to do whatever you'd like to do colorwise, floorwise since all will be protected.

I like your choices; I have that chandy and I had soapstone in my last house and might again...:)))

oakleyok - thanks for the idea. I'll look into those shutters. They are beautiful! I'm afraid of the sticker shock, though...

jant - I'm so glad that you mentioned the film. My GC suggested it and I know the look on my face must have been awful because he said "No, really, it doesn't look as bad as you're thinking! You can't really even see it!" :)

The window to replace it is just out of the budget right now considering the reno, so this is a very good option. Glad to hear that you know people that are happy with it!

anncarolyn - now, that is a tempting offer. Hmmm... Might have to chat with the DH tonight. Transport could be a bear. You wouldn't happen to be close-by would you? We are in KY.

LOL...no, you can't "see anything". It's rather like the diff between new windows with UV prot and the older windows.

Jant -

Thanks for posting that about the window film!

We live with woods behind us so we have several uncovered East facing windows that really make the house hot in the summer. I'm going to look into that film!

ayerg,

It must be meant to be! I live in Ky. also. Lexington, Ky. as a matter of fact. You can email me at acpeyton@aol.com. if your husband is willing!

all your postings, I repeat that I live in Ky. also. Lexington, Ky. My email is acpeyton@aol.com. Would love to hear from you and see the chandelier, even if your hubby won't part with it!

Carolyn