I think the robin eggs blue for the legs OR the table top would look great. Do the rest in white. I'd do either the bench in the robin egg blue OR the two chairs. The other I'd do in white.
I'd leave the cabinet alone wouldn't paint it. Remember French Country is suppose to look like you got the pieces over a period of time so not everything is going to match. IF some of the black were to show thru on any of the pieces you paint I wouldn't worry over it it makes it look all the more old world.
I'd look for some fabrics that were French Country and use them to make pillows for the bench and either recover the chair bottoms or make cushions for those too. Maybe find something that covers not all the table but just the center in a French Country fabric. Maybe 48x48. A wooden bowl and some fruit or maybe a wooden bowl and some pine cones.
Under the cabinet I'd look for a long deep basket. Maybe put rolled linens in or magazines.
I'd like to see a large area rug under the table chairs area. I think the chandelier is the wrong one for that space. It's too high and the glass globes too big. Maybe try changing out the globes.
I like the print BUT the rest of what is on the mantle is too small in scale for that fire place. I fuss about that AFTER I got stuff painted.
I think for extra seating I'd look for two chairs that were done in fabric maybe a stripe, both with arms.
For both corners where the school supplies and the desk are I'd look for armoires that you could close up when not using them and I'd replace DH's computer chair with a oversized stuffed chair on wheels that you could move out of the way and off to the side when he's not working.
I also would consider putting up a rod and some fabric panels on the opening closest to hubby's work station.

Carol.. thanks SO much! I had forgotten all about the idea of an Armoire to store the homeschool stuff in. I actually Had considered that but then I have Totally forgot about that LOL. Plus I was in a panic to get organized for our next school quarter. I may have to revisit that idea. I mean then I could have Function and still have the FC look I want.

As far as hubby's workstation. You know it is not even HIS workstation. He has a whole other room with his desk/office in it. This one is an extra computer with printer. I do use it for our schooling but it could be moved.

If I put seating on one side of fireplace I could put the school armoire on the other. I was thinking shabby wood, with wood shelves. perhaps with the curtains showing behind the chicken wire. along those lines.

One concern I had about having a large tall armoire flanking the fireplace is that it would compete in size with the fireplace but eh.. gotta do what you gotta do.

I am thinking if I went that way put it on the Left side? the seating on the right?

I NEED an overstuffed chair big enough for Both my son and I to sit in side by side to Read. we read together a lot during the day. If I chose a chair that large, then there wouldn't be room for two.

However I could still go with 2 smaller chairs on one of the sides and put the Overstuffed chair in the Living room, Or a loveseat. The ones I have now (sofa , love) are what we read together on now, but they are SO Uncomfortable!

I love the idea of doing the legs in white. I LOVE white anyways.

I love the colors WHITE, Yellow, and Blue, Ochre, and Yellow (provence colors) and touch of Red LOL.

I also love white ruffles, white skirtings, thus the cottage shabby flair. But overall I want French Country, not shabby LOL.

My new countertops are white 4X4 tiles on the diagonal so the white will tie in.

The chandelier has to stay at least for a long while. I HAD to choose something ONLY from home depot because we were purchasing on my husbands home depot card that his boss opened that account for us. It's not my fault sigh. I don't know if I even have the leftover chain for it anymore. My handman said "It's too late it can't go any lower now" Okay not thinking about that now, I will get mad grr

So LITERALLY there was like One choice that had the dark finish (I wanted dark finish to match existing hardware) and that would remotely work. I measured exactly the height from the table when hanging that thing but I agree it could be lower. It *measures* what they say it should be in distance though. At least it has curvy lines LOL. It's possible I could investigate new globes but after everything else and after I have either

A. Liquored up my husband OR
B. Used my feminine wiles on him (i.e. Oldest Trick in the Book that makes him forget how many chandeliers have been bought)
C. Both of the above

I have some wonderful fabric I could sew for a tablecloth (I will take your suggestion and only cover Part of the table)

Hadn't thought of that. It wouldn't be enough fabric to make pads. But it doesn't have to match.

Maybe ticking stripe for the pads. Never mind on second thought. It would be a nightmare lining up the stripes.

I LOVE LOVE the idea of a long basket under the hutch. Ooooh
I could put linens or whatever! Any idea that gives function and storage I am all for! Even copper pots and pans (usually hung) but it could work! I have no real hanging space so that is one idea.

thanks again for taking the time to respond. You have set my creative juices flowing with the basket idea LOL

loretta

I think your hutch is really lovely, and you have a great inspiration with your blue plates. I think I would edit the number of items in your hutch so the prettiest pieces stand out. The table looks like a planked table (is it?) and could work stained and distressed. I don't know much about wood types, but it does have a nice grain. I also think your bench could work great, with some softening with cushions/pillows. Ebay is a great resource for fabric. Is the rooster on your table a planter? It could work with a nice, trailing plant on your hutch. It seems that your fireplace may be difficult to work around. Your wall color doesn't do much to enhance it. Are you planning on painting? Hope you get some more ideas from others.
Dee

Dee .. Yes, the table is planked. I worked on it a little more today with the sanding. I was worried for awhile that I wouldn't be able to get the black paint out of the cracks. But it did come out!
I keep thinking what surprise am in for under all this paint? Maybe they were trying to cover up some flaw underneath - because the wood grain is so pretty. Why paint it?

That wood has red tones with light blond steaks too. I could beat it up to distress it if I need to lol

I made a center arrangement out of the rooster terracotta planter. I am hoping it helps to make the chandelier look more correct in height.

I laid out some fabric for a tablecloth/runner. I have two fabrics to choose from. Or I can use both, layering them if it looks better.

I will take some more pics when I have finished sanding the tabletops.

I have a sewing machine and can sew straight seams LOL but not sure I can handle sewing in Zippers that would be required to make the chair pads removable for washing.

I probably will have to buy them!

The fireplace, uggh. It isn't that attractive LOL.

I Did already paint and I see what you mean, the fireplace blends instead of Pops. not that I want it to stand out LOL.

I like the wall color Especially in the kitchen area. I will post a pic what it looks like in the kitchen area. It has the same wall color in there, too.

You thinking something lighter, would contrast against the fireplace?

Thanks for all your comments, Loretta

Loretta, I saw your mantle thread, and thought I had seen this post, so I went back and found it. I'm not a decorator, just someone who is struggling to decorate my own home with the constraints of pets, budget, and compromise with my husband. I've made some mistakes, and wasted some time and money on things that didn't work, so I just wanted to share some things I've learned.

When I start on a room, the first thing I do is get a large notepad and pencil, and start making lists. The first topic is function. I find it helpful to write down every single thing I'm asking the room to do for me. Storage, work station, eating area, computer area, sitting area, etc. Be as specific as you can, and be realistic. Rate the functions in order of importance, so that you have some flexibility built into the plan.

Then I do another list of practical needs- washable slipcovers, sturdy table finish, more task lighting, kid-proof whatevers, etc.

Measure everything and write it down. Windows, walls, floor spaces, table lengths, counter height, the width and depth of the mantle, etc. You may also want to transfer that info to a 3x5 card to carry in your purse. I've found it VERY handy to have those measurements when I'm out shopping, at a thrift or garage sale, where the size of something makes the difference between perfect and wasted money.

Next, get creative and think outside the box to solve the problems. For example, you need a storage area to hold school supplies that needs to be XX size, but you want a French Country look, and don't want it to look like office furniture. Would a buffet work? Maybe a horizontal filing cabinet that looks like an antique chest? A low chest of drawers? Browse the web, furniture stores, magazines, etc. to get ideas. Start a folder with inspirational pictures, paint chips of the adjoining rooms, fabric samples you like, etc.

After all of that, you have a much clearer picture of what you need and how much it will cost. It makes it easier to prioritize, I think.

When all of that is done, THEN you can focus more on the details. Accessories, fabrics, color choices, etc. I wouldn't paint or stain or do any other changes to anything until you get to this point, because you may find that things work well as they are.

As far as your choices so far, I think the bench does have a FC feel to it, but it seems like impractical seating for a dining table. The chandelier doesn't bother me nearly as much as the office clutter does. I admire you for home schooling, and it seems like you're asking a lot for a room that doesn't look very big, but serves as the central area for your family. I hope you can find some solutions that work for you!