It looks absolutely beautiful, and your DH did a fantastic job!

The only thing I would change is to remove the plates and the square things (are those plates, too?) and just let the sconces and the mirror be the stars on that wall. That would also let the other artwork "breathe".

Dee

It wasn't bad before, but sort of "vanilla". I LOVE the re do. Thumbs up!

It went from pretty to WOW! It's really great. Agree with taking down all the plates on the mirrow wall.

Love that ceiling and the colors... great job!

I love the stripe you found for the draperies and the coffered ceiling is gorgeous! Kudos to you and your husband! I would remove all of the plates from the wall, both large and small, and the corner plants. I think both take away from the elegance of the design. Remember that not every surface and square foot needs to be adorned.

Ceiling looks great!!!!! Ditto what forhgtv's sentiments. Have you ever considered removing the shades from EITHER the chandelier or the sconces to make them a bit more distinct from each other?

Both are fabulous! Lucky you! :)

Lovely decor, gorgeous coffers. Did DH have to alter the original height of the ceiling?

I couldn't imagine you wanting to change it when I looked at the "before" picture, but once I saw the "after", I got it. I really like the round plates on the right if you had two more like that to put on the left. I don't like the combination of squares and circles for some reason. I like the white plates better than the colored ones.

Your husband did a fabulous job, and I love that blue you chose for the ceiling. It's a gorgeous room. I agree about removing the plates and giving it a try and removing the shades from either the sconces or the chandelier just to see what it looks like.

So beautiful! Were you able to keep your original rug or was that replaced as well? The ceiling is FANTASTIC.

Agree that all plants and plates need to leave the lovely dining room. Perhaps they could be repurposed in other areas of your home.

A wonderful, wonderful job that you and your husband completed.

Gorgeous!! Your DH has serious skills!! Wow! Great job all around!

Yes -- another vote to remove the corner plants, all of the plates on the end wall -- and hang the mirror a bit higher, and let the mirror-and-sconces combination stand alone. Yes -- do try removing the shades from the sconces ....

For a change of centerpiece -- perhaps try a white soup tureen-on-a-platter -- filled with greenery?

I would take down all the plates on that wall. There isn't room for enough of them ( and they should all be white) to make the kind of statement that dark wall needs unless you plan to remove the sconces. I would leave the sconces and mirror and get rid of the plates. You should at least remove the colored ones over the mirror as they are out of place in style, color and size.

Wow, everything looks great. LOVE the ceiling; kudos to DH! I also don't care for the plates, but that's the only thing I would address.

what most everyone else said...remove the plates and plants and you're golden : ) I like the shades maybe you could do white ones if they aren't already, it's hard to tell online. Beautiful job! Your DH did an amazing job! Wow! Really a fabulous carpenter. You also did a great job in putting it all together, that great paint color is fab.

That's the other 5% I was looking for! I didn't think the plates worked either but just wanted to see if ya'll agreed.

I'll post a photo without them tomorrow.

I'd also like ideas for a tablescape for the buffet. Does it need one? I was thinking maybe start a collection of mercury glass or white ironstone? Or is simpler better?

Thanks for all the compliments!

You had great vision when you decided you wanted the coffered ceiling and your husband did it brilliantly. It's just a gorgeous room, kudos to both of you.

I agree with getting rid of the plates off the mirror wall as well. However, I do like the plates that are above the mirror - just not there. I like the colours that they bring into your room. IF, anyone else agrees, suggestions on how or where they can be worked into the room? Maybe as part of a buffet dishplay.

Gorgeous! I love the design of the coffered ceiling!

I agree with removing the plates on top of the mirror. I like the round plates on the left but think it would look better with similar round plates to the right of the mirror - but I'm very into symmetry!

Love it!!!

Great architectural details. New paint takes it from 4* to 5*****!

Great ceiling. The room looks great.

Gorgeous and dramatic! Love, love, love the coffered ceiling. The draperies are so pretty. I agree with the other suggestions, I would remove all the plates and the plants. I also like Jen9's idea to remove the shades. I would remove them from the chandelier to make it look even more elegant, or maybe even remove them from both the chandelier and the sconces. I also like the idea of raising the buffet mirror a bit. I wouldn't really add a tablescape to the buffet. I think simpler is better. The only thing I might consider is a larger object centered on the buffet, like a soup tureen or silver coffee and tea service on a tray. Please post the follow-up photos!

Really elegant. Bold paint color choice, but it looks stunning. (I considered charcoal/black but chickened out!!) And that ceiling is to die for. Can I come over for dinner please? :)

When I saw the first photo I thought it was the after :)
Great job. Love the ceiling! Agree with others re the plates. In general I love plants and I wouldn't necessarily remove the plants as others have suggested; but, I would rework the arrangement to give more balance in the planter. If you removed the plates etc. You could do 2 planters on that side of the room

Sorry all. I just got around to taking more photos following some of your suggestions.

Let me answer a few questions...

I switched the old dining room rug with the one in my family room. The new rug is a dark brown background with ivory, gold, sage and pumpkin.

The ceiling height was 9 ft. We determined the size we wanted the center rectangle to be, drew the dimensions on the ceiling and attached 2x4's along this line. He then attached 1x6's vertically to the sides of the 2x4's and then that was covered by the same crown that the dining room had previously. He then used a sheet of thin veneer and cut the pieces for the bottom of the beam which resulted in a slight reveal.

Pipdog, you can come for dinner anytime. Just bring lots of photos of your beautiful family room.

First I switched the plates thinking they might work better on opposites sides. Then I removed them completely, along with the hydrangea. I removed the shades from the sconces but they just aren't attractive (to me) without them so I put them back on. I didn't try it with the chandy but I will soon.

I'll need to look for something new for the center of the table and the buffet.

The mirror is just leaning on the buffet for now. It is meant to be hung horizontally so will need new hangers on the back before I can raise it.

with the plates reversed...

But here it is now....

Wow you can really tell the difference between a sunny day and a cloudy day in these photos!!

Very elegant and chic!!

Love the simpler look of the mirror and sconces without the plates!

Time for a Party! :)

Glad to see the plates gone over the mirror, but I honestly liked the scalloped plates that were on the right of the mirror. If you had a matching set for the left side I think it would've been perfect. The plates added dimension & another texture & shape.

~ Jeana Joseph