For me it's the way they fold (sticking out, esp in the middle, and kind of lumpy). They could be less orange and a bit darker and more neutral, like as they photograph on the French doors. The more orange coloring feels too similar to your table and chairs, I think. A little variation there would be nice for depth of color and space.

You need to inside mount the one on the window (and get a smaller size).

I agree with the inside mount on the larger window. You need to be able to see the trim around the blind. Also, they are all pulled up so high they're bunchy because where else is all that blind going to go?

I'd lower them about 6-8", you'll still have alot of window and light, but they'll look better - more of a window treatment.

I think it would look better if the shades stacked into flat folds. Also agree that the window needs an inside mount. I don't think you need drapes/curtains too.

Love your idea to incorporate more black into the room via the buffalo check on the benches and painting the wood chairs. I'd be inclined to look for another option on the club chairs.

Scooby - I can't see the first photo. ? Did you post of your kitchen? I can't wait to see it.

Agree about the inside mount. A different/darker color shades would look better I think. I don't know how you could add panels because of the fireplace.

I'm buying your fabric and you want to get rid of it. :( I like the idea of incorporating black but I can't picture the buffalo check.

I think the lights work together. I like that they're different. What if you put darker shades on the lamps? I also really have a thing for burlap lately.

I like the idea of painting the chairs black.

Like Shee mentioned, if you posted more than 2 photos they're not viewable.

Didn't notice the inside mount, yes, be consistent with that. Just noticed the new cabinet in your kitchen! Looks great -- as does the splash and I guess that's the final wallcolor, too. Very pretty! Really like that chalkboard, too : )

I like the idea of some soft panels in the dr area. I don't think you need them on the doors, even if possible, and it might seem a bit much.

Didn't you just do the pheasant print on your chairs and benches???

I can't see the kitchen pics either. I think inside mounts for the window is a very good suggestion. I'd paint the chairs black and keep the fabric you have on the benches and chairs. I like the fan and chandelier, but the buffet lamps don't do anything for me. They look like end table lamps, not buffet lanps. I think taller, slimmer lamps with dark lampshades would be better.

Tell me about the round table in front of the FP. Is that where it generally stays?

Beautiful floors.

I'd love to see a large rug under the table. I agree that the shades on the window should be inside-mounted and I also think the lamp and clock beside the fireplace are out of place. I love clocks but it feels that one is too low for the nearby mantle and too heavy for the chair below it. The floor lamp is also fighting with the height of the mantle. I'd rather see a small table with a table lamp beside the chair.

Do you ever lower the shades on the french doors? If not, consider cutting them shorter so that they have less bulk.

I think that style of blinds just doesn't look great when they are pulled all the way up. They probably look good when they're down. So hard to choose when you don't really know what they'll look like till they're up.
I think the buffalo check would be a great choice. Or maybe a black/white or green/white toile? Matching shades, or black shades, on your chandelier would tie in nicely.
I just painted my own kitchen chairs, so I would have to agree with that idea too!
Jen

Rough, but here's an idea of the buffalo check:

{{!gwi}}

I agree with the comments about the inside mount and the bulkiness of the shades when they are raised. Do you ever lower them, or are they used in the position we see most of the time?

The reason I am asking is that if you rarely lower them, I would rather see a roman shade styled valance(not a full shade that would again be bulky if it were up all the time), inside mounted, on all the windows, done in a patterned fabric to bring some extra oomph to the space. Right now almost everything is a solid and without a lot of texture.

I love black, I have lots of it in my house and it is 80% of my wardrobe. But I think too much black in this space will take away from the warm and casually elegant feel, and turn it into another pottery barn space.

Instead of painting the table and chairs, ,I would look for a great rug for underneath it that brings in some of the black. You can use fabric on the benches, and cushions for the chairs, to also bring in the black. I could see this plaid on the tops of the benches and the seats of the chairs, and then a companion stripe for the skirts of the benches:

ballroom plaid, onyx

For the chairs by the fireplace, I would love to see a rich chenille or velvet, perhaps a stripe like this:

ricardo raven

Shades would be great on the chandelier, maybe done in a cork or cork-look fabric trimmed out in black to pick up on the wine theme.

I would also love to see a smaller, oval or round rug by the fireplace seating.

But whatever you do, the room is already lovely, and would be great just as it is.

I'd love to see a little more black in your room-- I love the idea of painting the chairs black. I could also see a buffalo check but it could quickly overpower your room. How do you feel about pairing the buffalo check with a toile? or weren't you the one who suggested stenciling linen a few days ago? I think you need a bit of a soft pattern to balance the buffalo check.

I could also see both the table and chairs painted black but then I would use a fabric with some more color.

Love the puppies.. and love the vibe in your room. I *know* you need switch things up in your rooms but I am with Les, it looks lovely as it is and I have no doubt your changes will be lovely as well.

The first pic has been removed, so I can't se the final kitchen! Boo! I've been looking forward to it! Honestly, don't do the buffalo check. Looking at the mockup squirrel did makes the room look blah because you've taken all the color away. All that's left is the black and green. Leave the pheasant fabric. It brings that warmth to your room. If you really wanted another bolder fabric in the room, how about a big square piece on the round table or a runner on the big table? Love the mirror over the buffet. Love it even more than the pic that was there. If you still have that pic, put it over your club chair instead of the clock. Getting back to your original question about the blinds, I would switch them out for these:
{{!gwi}}

Ohhhhhhhhhh, I just love you all!! How great to be able to bounce this off of you all and get such great advice and a virtual!! Thanks:)

I'm thinking the woven blinds might not be for me.....I have toyed with plantation shutters - just keep it clean & simple?

So here are some updates.....

I have these shades already....red/creme check on the chandelier.
{{!gwi}}

I loved the idea about moving the pheasant back into the room but was thinking it didn't really fit there. So I switched.....and added a rug that I had. If this rug works - what do I get for under the table? I had a seagrass rug until the puppy (now potty trained) thought it was really grass!
{{!gwi}}
{{!gwi}}
I also have an ottoman that goes with the 2 chairs - I brought out that big table when I was having a dinner for a bunch of people. (total junk collector = large flat surface!)

And here are the cabinets....it really lightened up the kitchen alot. I also took your advice and had under cab lights added. We removed the tile & added the beadboard as a cheap fix. If I happen to find a tile I love it can easily be removed - removing the tile was a pia!!
{{!gwi}}

I guess I got to thinking about changing the fabrics bc I seem to bringing in more black & there is no black in the fabric. Does it matter? I also fell in love with a pic I saw of club chairs done in brown/creme buffalo check.

ughhhh - I am just ready to be done with this room! Everything else has fallen into place (with occasional tweaks) but this room drives me bonkers!

Smiles:)

Wow. Yes to the pheasant fabric on the club chairs; yes to the rug; yes to the chandy shades; yes to the stacked pictures over the club chair; yes to doing something to the blinds along the lines suggested above (fabric 1st choice, then shutters or wood blinds, inside mount).

You were looking at cab finishes, too, weren't you? The antiqued cream looks great! and I'm sure it brightens up the entire area with some relief from all the stained wood that was throughout.

hi scoobyruby, this has nothing to do with your post and maybe you have answered this before, but what color is your room? I absolutely love it. Thanks

Your rooms are lovely! I wonder what the purpose of the blinds are in the first place. Do you drop them often, do you need to keep the sun out, or are they for privacy? The blinds take away from the beauty of the windows and doors in my opinion and should be taken off. Anything that replaces them should be inside the frame of each window or door and of lighter natural material.

Your house is gorgeous. I think I would get shutters, at some point, the same color as the woodwork around the windows so you are not breaking up another color/space. It's like layering since you have green walls, white trim and natural wood-like blinds. I would prefer you have cream or white to blend/match your windows and cabinets. Remember shutters can always be stacked back if you get the right kind and the fact that you have a corner thingie will not matter. They can be stack sticking out on that side if need be. I have the same situation in my great room. All my shutters tack back except on the wide window on the wall going to the hall that goes to the mud room where, I have to let it stick out when I stack back but that does not bother me one whit.

I love your new arrangement! I actually think the blinds look fine in the room; you did a good job coordinating them with both tables, the slate surround and the fan. The chair and bench fabric also looks great. I would add panels to either side of the window. Depending on the blinds/window and how they are used, I'd consider hanging them closer to the ceiling with a rod and panels of your choice:

Or lower!

I may be the minority, I think the blinds look great. The large window should be an OM, if the shade will not fit inside the window due to window depth and style.

I agre with the blind suggestions and think the stacked art behind the chair looks better than the large bird pic--but it looks good where you've moved it (to me).

Your home is lovely. You'll get it all figured out soon--we promise! :~)

Would you mind sharing the name of the hood you used over your stove?

Thanks!

Such a beautiful home...
I like the stacked art - with the large print in the hall. I love your kitchen, too!

You didn't ask about furniture placement, but the table is blocking the lovely FP.

Would you consider having the chairs face the FP with a smaller table between them? Wouldn't you then be able to watch TV while sitting in the chairs?

The new art arrangement and the area rug look wonderful by the way. And your kitchen cabinets are beautiful.

Scooby you can do no wrong! I like the first photo of your blinds and fireplace and chairs and think the buffalo check would be great. And then you put the pheasant back with that rug and I think that is lovely too!
And the issue with the blinds is very subtle.
Perhaps slipcovers for the chairs so you can have seasonal looks? or change as you will?

Your kitchen cabs turned out beautifully I know you must be very happy! That view from the kitchen to the buffet is outstanding. Lovely home and I love to see your projects!

I am so sorry not getting back to this post sooner. We lost my big black lab & my heart is so broken.

I appreciate all your comments!!
Cooper - your kitchen was an inspiration for mine!!
Mona, your right about that big old table - I will pull out the ottoman. I also have a little side table that fits there.
Catkin - the hood is made by Broan - it is recirculating:( We are still waiting to see if we can run a line for an outside vent.

Patricia!! - how are you? I hope you are doing well:)
Caroscbran - the paint is Duron Ardmore green. Sherwin williams can mix old duron colors for ya.

I love the pics of the drapes with the blinds - you don't think it would look weird to have drapes just on the windows and not the doors? Squirrel, I think you mentioned that before - think it would be okay?

I haven't even thought about this room lately but didn't want to seem like I was looking for advice & ran off!! I appreciate all your comments soooooo much!

Smiles:)

Scooby,

I finally got to see your cabinets and other new things. For some reason they didn't show up for me before. WOW!!!

What a great change. Your rooms are really coming together. You were right about the cabinets. They are perfect.

Love everything. As for the blinds, they look fine, but I do love plantation shutters. They are quite $$$$ so if it were me I'd keep the blinds for now. Just get used to your wonderful space.

So sorry about your Lab.

Scooby,

I'm sorry to hear about your dog.

Thank you for letting me know the color.

I LOVE the mirror over your buffet. Where did you get it?

I'm so sorry about your dog, Scoobyruby. I noticed him lying in front of the doors on one of your first pics above and thought it was so cute. Again, I'm sorry.

BTW, I love your space!

Oh Scooby, I am so sorry about your lab! We just got a yellow lab in Feb. so I can just imagine your heartbreak!
Your kitchen looks gorgeous! OMG, you had a vision and carried it out with great success! Wowzers!! Love the stacked pics over the chair. Love the pheasant in its new location! Have ALWAYS dug your chandelier shades, and I like the addition of the rug! I wanna come over and relax, it looks so cozy!

Oh my, I didn't even notice Sam Dog in my previous picture. Bless his heart. He was our first ~child~ and is so missed by my entire family. Family & friends came over & we had a party for him the nite before he went down - steak, baked potato and choc. cake!! Now my son wants his room decorated with black labs:) Thanks.

K9arlene - (have a german shepard?) I got the mirror from Ballard Designs. They put it on sale & I also used a 15% off coupon. Link below......If you create an account on their website, they will send you specials that they offer.

Kmcg - awwwwww - you'll have to post a pic of your puppy!! Have you watched/read Marley & Me? Lab pups are notoriously naughty!! Bring your pup when you come:)

I guess I'll just -chill- with the room for a bit. I do need something in the summer when the western sun comes in. When the sun shifts in the fall it is much better in here.

Smiles:)

Here is a link that might be useful: mirror at Ballards....

Naughty? Not my lab!!!
Here she is making her own doggy door in my screen! There was a tiny hole and she just popped her head right in and...voila!

Love your cabinets! Please post info on maker and finish. It's exactly what I'm looking for!!! Your house is very charming, warm, and inviting. Good job on your color schemes. I also love plaid, go for it!

Was doing a search on this forum and came across your posting. Love your room! I was just wondering where you got your buffet? I have been looking for a two tone one like this with the wine storage. Do you mind sharing?

Thanks~
Alexis

I was shocked to see this thread today!! I logged on to get some Christmas inspiration and to ask questions about colors for the tree!!

Kmcg - how in the world did I miss that gorgeous gal!! Nah, she doesn't look a bit naughty or a bit like Marley.

Well, I haven't done a THING to my house - not even pulled out decorations.

To answer the last 2 ? ......
The cabs were here when we built the house in a cherry finish. I had a painted come in and tape everything off & he sprayed the cabs & then glazed them. People really thought I was crazy for even thinking about painting new cabs ! - but I lived with them for 3 years and was still unhappy with them.

The buffet, I had made very reasonably from a cabinet maker. It would be an easy fix for an existing buffet with 3 doors on the bottom. Just take off middle door & install the wine racks. It was originally painted a sage green & I painted it black after painting my walls green.

Thanks everyone for your comments and compliments. I really appreciate it.

Smiles:)