That's a great dining room with classic elements but it lacks texture and warmth to me. I'd start with a large colorful rich-looking rug with shades of burgundy, gold, etc. and go from there. I might also ditch the red walls for something lighter--it feels "top heave" to me as it is.

Here's a photo of my dining room. It is similar to yours in its classic style, our tables are alike, and I also don't use curtains because privacy is not an issue. I found that painting the ceiling the same color as the walls (a Laura Ashley gold) really makes the large crown molding pop.

Good luck!
{{!gwi}}

WOW talk about a totally different opinion, than mine. Julie, your dining room reads very warm and welcoming to me. A perfect place for Thanksgiving!! Removing the wall paper would make the most dramatic difference,but that would make the space less formal. What feeling are you going for? I can imagine fall embellishments for Thanksgiving and I think your space is wonderful. If you got a rug you could remove it to the garage with the settee when necessary. When I look at your total space as it is now, I expect to see floor to ceiling curtain panels.

marirta and arcy,
Thanks for the feedback.

I really don't want to have the space feel too casual, and I like traditional type of decor. I just want it to seem fresh and up to date.

Getting a rug for every day, and moving it out for the full table sounds like a great idea.

Sounds like both of you like the idea of adding a rug, and are OK with the windows as they are. It would be less work and probably the same money to add a rug vs adding drapery and hardware.

Marita, I really like the size of your rug in relation to the table. This picture really helps a lot.

Anyone else? Any rug ideas?
Thank you

Hi juliekcmo. I'm procrastinating right now, so here I am, on GW. I'm sure I'll get motivated to find the painting supplies that are packed away in the basement soon...

So, that room is really nice. The one thing that immediately hits me is the need for curtain panels. If the color is a keeper (you know how hard it is to actually convey the true color in a photo) I might play with the idea of curtains that are closet to the wall color, so they add texture but yet not add another color. That's where I'd start.

I think a rug would really be nice in there too. And since you have to move the table anyway when Thanksgiving comes It would be easy to roll it up (take it to the carpet place nearby and have it cleaned during that time) and then put it back after the holidays all nice and fresh. Sort of like a little spa time for the rug. ;)

Then, maybe a new chandy. It can act as a piece of art in the room. You can also add one of those faux plaster thingamajigs on the ceiling where the chandy goes. Medallion, that's it. Faux plaster medallion. That really would give your ceiling more interest.

Well, I guess I better go find the blue painters tape and get my project moving....

Since you want to keep the lovely traditional feeling you have, I think you could leave the walls alone, add a rug as suggested (make sure it's big enough so that you can pull the chairs out without falling off it...), and then fixed drapery panels, floor to ceiling, out to the sides of your windows, in a fresh simple pattern with a white background.

Something like a thin, unfussy French ticking stripe in khaki or charcoal, or a widely-spaced bamboo lattice pattern in pale gold or olive green. I'd look for a good-quality glazed cotton, or a tightly woven linen, to keep it fresh but not countrified.

The room looks very nice to me, and it sounds like you are pretty content with it, too. I'm thinking a piece of wall art would give you the feeling of depth of change for little installation cost. Are you in love with the piece you have now? I might also toy with flipping the mirror the other way.

Try painting the room in fresh white for a complete change -- and then add an oriental-style rug. The area rug could be in pale colors (again -- a change!)

Then add a chandelier with some crystals.

Add tall glass or crystal buffet lamps on each side of the mirror (love the tall look of the mirror!)

Add a standing lamp by the sofa ...

Leave the windows bare -- with the roman blinds ....

Add botanical artworks around the room ... with softer pale colors ....

Thanks for all of the ideas.

Sounds like most everyone votes for a rug.

Bee-I like the idea of drapes with not much contrast. You hit it on the head about being reluctant to add to much busy-ness to the space.

I asked a friend at dinner who has seen the room IRL, and she suggested keeping the walls as-is, getting a new chandy, and a rug. So I think I will start there, and see how it goes.

So, anyone have rug suggestions to go with the wallpaper?

Since you are wanting formal I would go with a rug much like in Marita's picture. I totally agree with the floor to ceiling curtain panels being needed. With new curtains and a crystal chandy your room will be very elegant.