Hi, Elaine! Hmmmm, I can see why you think the dining chairs are too country but I have to be bold here and say I really really don't like the aluminum chairs for your space. They're far too industrial looking. I think you should stick with wood chairs and will see if I can attach a pic of something more fitting for your space. Yes, I can see your breakfast bar stools are aluminum, but they're meant to be perched on. A dining table is meant to be inviting and comfortable, and those aluminum chairs have all the welcoming warmth of a dentist chair. (Did I mention I was going to be bold?)

Meanwhile, I like the idea of a rug, but if I remember correctly, the rug should cover the space that the table and chairs take up when the chairs are pulled out a bit so that you're never sitting on a chair that's half on the rug and half off. That would place the edge of your rug right in the walkway between the dining set and your bench. What size of rug were you thinking of? If you get rid of your "too country" chairs, are you dead set against replacing your bench as well? Would another bench be ok?

I like both light fixtures....but I'd choose the first for your room I think.

Here is a link that might be useful: Folk's chair suggestion

Hi Mom2Sethc.

I'm not a big fan of 'country' style--unless we're talking about the real thing, here, not modern department store versions of it--and I happen to really like the streamlined lines of the classic Emeco chair, but I gotta say, some things mix well together & some things don't, and a mashup of those chairs & your current table falls into the second category. Sorry.

Here's the key to the successful blending of disparate style: each thing has to be a really good example of its own style, and better yet, one of those things needs to be really simple. It dosn't matter which one is which.

Let's talk about clothes, which are easier for a lot of people to understand for the simple reason that, since we get dressed every day, we naturally have more experience doing the mix-&-match thing with our clothing than we do with our furniture. But the same principles apply, so stay with me, here.

Imagine a woman decked out in all designer duds. Maybe it's a hot pink fuzzy wool plaid Chanel suit. My grandmother had one of those. Maybe it's a suit by a trendy new designer, but since I don't really know who any of those people are, you need to come up with your own name for that. Whoever it is, let's imagine that the woman wearing this outfit is beautifully dressed head-to-toe in a single designer's glorious vision, down to the bag & shoes & whatever else. And that's the problem. She's too put together. The perfectly-coordinated look was great for my grandmother, but these days, most women don't want to look like a walking advertisemement for a single designer. So they mix things up.

But even so, some combinations work & some don't. So, while the same fuzzy pink plaid jacket up above might look good with a pair of tight black jeans & boots, or with some dressy black velvet trousers & glittery sandals, it won't look so hot paired with mom jeans & blue Reeboks.

Or let's imagine a yellow silk blazer with a simple black t-shirt and a sparkly pin. Fifty years ago, a t-shirt was still considered underwear, but today, that kind of high-&-low combination is a clasic. But switch the t-shirt to a gray athletic T-shirt with a Bears logo, or to styay dressed up, a ruffled polyester blouse & the whole look is messed up. But how can that be, if--as people are always declaring, these days, "There are no rules anymore"?

Here's the thing: as much as some people might like to think otherwise, there are always rules, whether or not you know them. And as enticing as that 'no rules' mantra bit may seem to be, it's a lot riskier living without rules than it is with them. If you don't know what I'm talking about, watch the accident rate go off the chart every time an electrical storm knocks out the traffic signals. Anyway, the same thing applies to our houses. Rules make it easier, not harder, to decorate.

So what's the [unspoken] rule here that would help you pull off this kind of mix? Having an adequate level of contrast. There isn't enough of it in what you've shown us. Your table occupies a stylistic no-man's land--neither authentically country, nor high-style glamorous, nor sleek & modern: it's just there--and there won't be enough contrast between its non-committal lines & the sleek the purity of the nw chairs' lines to make the combination work. Stylistically speaking, your table is the furniture equivalent of a pair of mom jeans.

Same with that second light fixture. The sleek, modern materials are fine, but that girly pattern diminishes the power of the staement, and in doing so, makes it less Modern, more middle-of-the road than a simpler fixture would be. Not that it's terrible, but, again, it's trying-to-cover-all-bases style means it doesn't relate at all to the table.

I think another factor is the background of your kitchen, with its traditional style cabinets & that six-panel door next to them. Because, as nice as any of the individual pieces that you put in front of them may be, they not only need to complement each other, they have to work--somehow--with that background, either through repetition (more geometric woods) or through contrast (more sleek metallics or curved shapes). Against that serious, heavy background, that heavy, no-particular-style table, sitting dead center, in the middle of everything, totally kills the contrasting vibe that you need to make the mash-up approach all work together. If that table were a person, he'd be Grampa Simpson, snoozing through dinner. Without a clearer contrast between the individual components in the mix, the different pieces will just become a hodge-podge of unrelated styles, so why not back up a little & think this through some more before you get out the checkbook? Remember the old proverb: Decorate in haste, repent at leisure. In the meantime, we're here for ya. Talks cheap. At least, here on the boards.

Regards,
Magnaverde.

Okay, I'm biased, since this is what I'm planning to do...but, have you thought about replacing the bench with a banquette. Something with upholstery, or even a small settee? That sounds extremely country, I know, but there are some modern, armless versions that are beautiful and very contemporary.

Then, you could pull the table over when you need more space. Eventually, you might want to look for a pedestal table with a leaf or two. Then, you could seat six easily and maybe even eight.

I like the metal stools, but the chairs look a little too industrial. I like the second light fixture and the metal filigree detail is a hint, perhaps, of your style. It looks like you enjoy a traditional look, with a contemporary flair. That would go with the wooden cabinets with stainless steel appliances and the red lights over the island, but still a classic design.

Have you ever seen the wooden dining chairs with the metal set into the back section? Sometimes it's a wrought iron look, sometimes more of a straight up and down, not so curvy. You often see it with french country design, but it's actually very classic, but still hints at a modern feel. In fact, with the pieces that you're keeping in the space, a classic french country theme, toned down a bit with only the best elements (you don't have to have chickens) would look really nice.

Just remember your elements. If you have wood, metal, green, gold, red, plaid and an overall classic style with contemporary accents...I think you'll be really happy with the results :)

Hello,

Thank you all so much for your honesty. I do appreciate it. I have been struggling to make what I like, work with what I have.

folkvictorian - I see what you are saying about a rug. I am thinking now that it would not work in my space. Thanks!
I am open to replacing the bench. I guess there is no point in getting rid of the country chairs, if I keep the country bench! I do like the idea of having something there to sit on though.

magnaverde - Thank you so much for the explanation that you have provided. I understand what you are saying. I do have to work with the table for now, as well as my cabinets etc. So, maybe a better question would be, what style of chair and light fixtures, would freshen up my room and provide a more modern spin? I get that you are telling me that I need a chair that is a strong style statement and also in high contrast to my blah table. I just don't know what that would be. I know that I do not want any more wood in the room. I have more than enough.

Lavender lass - yes...I would consider something like a settee. I will research that. My style was pretty much nothing, until the last couple of years. I do agree that I like some contempory/ modern flair, but yes, mixed with whatever else I happen to have in my home!

So...as far as chairs go.. something in fabric? something in leather? Parsons? rattan?

Thanks!

Elaine

Sorry if a double post:

Chairs: definitely not wood and definitely not brown. What about the dana from Pier1? Hard to tell if the colors would work with your paint and panels but it is a modern fabric with a traditional style. How much do you want to spend on this project? I think your pendants add a nice punch of color but agree that the dining fixture could stand to be changed. Have you checked out pendants at seascape lighting? The first thing to decide is how much you can/will spend and go from there.

Honestly, I kind of like your current light fixture, too. You mentioned you want a modern look and what you have looks modern to me.

I see you have gotten some contemporary going in your kitchen with the bar stools and pendants.

If the table must stay, have you thought about painting it? Maybe, black?

Try some type of upholstered chairs. Have you checked Home Goods lately? They usually have a nice selection of chairs. Just try to find ones that are comfortable.

If you have your heart on a drum shade, I think it can work. You just have to keep it plain and simple. The bench will remain country even with new pillows.

OK, here's what I'm talking about. Since the table has to stay, you want to stay avoid more wood-tone chairs--even great looking ones that happen to be on sale for an incredible price--because they'll just blend in & you'll be right back where you started. And while the Emeco chairs are cool, and their material is nice, their slatted backs are too similar to the bench and the material metal is too close to that of the stools. Again, not enough contrast. Upholholstered Parson's chairs, even though they'd provide a contrast of materials, are n't any help because they'd just be more squarish, solid shapes. So what kind of contrast is left? Only color.

You obviously don't want any more dark wood tones, and no matter hopw popular a finish it is at the moment, you also don't want to bring in anything black. Do that and your room will sink like a stone. So you need to go pale. Now, people who pay attention to such things--I don't--say that, after 15 years of muddy espresso & wenge finishes, light woods are poised for a big comeback. But you don't want them either, because they would just blend into the flooring, and that applies whether you stick with tile or go for a bigger seagrass rug. Either way, you'd still have no contrast. So that only leaves white.

But you not only need value contrast, you also need contrast in detail & texture. Right now, the bench & the table have turned details, the fixed items--cabinets & doors--have busy paneled designs & the flooring has another busy texture. That only leaves smooth.

So here's a rendering with smooth, white, bent-plywood chairs. Their simplicty is not only a good foil for all the other busyness in the room, they're also more comfortable tnan a stiff chair with no give to it. That's the best thing about molded plywood: there's give to it. And you can find this style of chair at several different price points. There's what's known as the Ant chair, a modern classic, which you can find at Design Within Reach. There's Kimball Office's Bingo chair, which has more supple lines than the Ant chair and a compound curve to the seat besides, which makes for a really comfortable chair. And at the low end, IKEA makes a knockoff of the idea, although I can't talk about its comfort, since I can't stand being in the place. And I'm sure there are others you can find online. I'll leave that part of the search up to you, since I'm not a shopping service, just an idea man.

At any rate, smooth white chairs would give your room a contemporary feel, and adding--or switching--the bench's & stools' seat cushions will allow you to tie everything together with color, the white of the new chairs & the red of your pendant lamps. Doing a little self-customization of that non-girly hanging fixture would reinforce the whole color story, say by replacing that crushed beige material with red parchment. I almost never buy anything new, but when I do, I seldom use it as-is, so never let the fact that something's brand new make you timid about tearing it all apart & redoing it.

Anyway, you have a ton of options, and so, now, your only task is to avoid those options that don't provide the right cost-to-benefit numbers, since 90% of what's out there will send your room backwards, not push you forward. Have fun!

Great ideas and lots to think about from everyone. My two cents:

I would paint the base of the table black, and leave the top in the wood tone. I think that would allow it to link to the cabinets, but make the detail in the legs less prominent.

On the bench I would paint the legs and everything but the top back piece and seat in black. Then get a really comfy, colorful cushion for the bench, something with touches of the red.

Next, chairs. I think this chair would be a nice compromise. The ladder back hints at the more traditional table and cabinets, but the cleaner lines say more modern. I also like how the curve of the ladders echoes the curves on your cabinets, and also the arched entry between the kitchen and family room space.

black ladderback

As for the light fixtures, I like the concept, but not the fussy style of the two you posted. How about this custom job from LampsPlus? I like the piece above the drum shade, as it picks up the curvy shapes on the legs of the table and bench, but the contemporary fabric (which I color changed for your room) is contemporary in feel and pulls in the wall color and reds in the spaces. This is a swagged light, but certainly you could hang it without swagging. My only concern is that this may be too small, or not enough light. In which case you could switch to another style in the same line, it just won’t have the curvy decorative piece on it.

CUSTOM DRUM SHADE LIGHT

I know you said you wanted to keep the mirror, but from the view we have, it seems much more traditional and perhaps a bit formal? If you want to keep it, maybe consider painting the frame to a silver finish, or a red lacquered look.

mom2sethc-

What about painting the table the bold, modern orange-red (not a dusty country red) that's in your glass pendants and using white or black chairs as has been suggested? And a chandelier with a drum shade in red or black might work. Good luck with melding styles, I try to do it all the time and it's fun and challenging but with a long learning curve.

magnaverde-

Your posts are spectacularly well done decorating PSAs; information packed, relevant, funny and thought provoking. Thank you.

sandyponder

Here's an example of the wood and wrought iron chair. A little darker than your stools, but I think more like your coffee table. The curves would go well with the second light fixture.

Here is a link that might be useful: Wrought iron and wood chairs

If you like more of the stainless steel look, these chairs are very nice.

Here is a link that might be useful: Metal chairs

Here's an example of an armless settee.

Here is a link that might be useful: Armless settee

One more example, but there are many on the Internet. Some are very simple, while others are quite elaborate :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Settee

mom2seth-

I saw a picture in the most recent BHG Storage magazine and thought of your post. There was an article highlighting the storage features in a large and white transitional kitchen. In the breakfast room was a heavy and dark rustic farmhouse table (Restoration Hardware, similar to the gun barrel table currently on their site) surrounded by your Emeco aluminum chairs. The whole grouping sat under a very large and ornate old world wrought iron chandelier with lampshades.

An unlikely combination, but it worked!

I found a pic!

Found this on the kitchen site. What about something like this poster's chairs in her redo?? Chairs would look fine with your current table until you could replace. She did a fantastic job with her redo!

Tuesday

Here is a link that might be useful: Magglepuss Kitchen Redo

Southernfrenchie, that's a great example of what I was talking about in my first post: how it doesn't matter which color or material is used as an accent, only that it be clearly different than most of the other pieces. Here, because the value of the background is the reverse of that in the original room, the sleek chairs blend into the overall look and it becomes the turn of the dark, heavy table to shine. A different application, but it's the exact same principle.

The value of effective contrast seems to be the hardest thing for a lot of people to understand, so I always end up explaining to clients that few items are 'good' or 'bad' in themselves, but only in relation to the other pieces around them. This picture could be like a textbook illustration of the idea. Thanks for tracking it down.

BTW, speaking of effective contrasts (or not) here's a 1920s ad where a clueless photgrapher is attempting to show a glamourous, all-glass table to its best advantage--and failing miserably. The elaborate antique chair is handsome, but its busy carvings distract the eye from the table that's supposed to be the main focus of the ad. Talk about not being clear on the concept. The model looks like she's wondering how to tell the photgrapher it's just not working.

Hello Everyone!

Thank you so much for your suggestions! Thank you all for taking the time to help me with this! I'm really excited!

Magnaverde - I LOVE how the smooth white chairs look in my room! White was the 1st color that I crossed off the list! Not surprisingly, black was the color I was thinking of! Thank you so much!!! It just "clicked" for me when I saw your rendering! I like how my table looks with the white chairs.

Lavender Lass - oohh!!! I LOVE the look of the settee!!! If I go with the white plywood chairs, what color should I consider for the settee?

The accent color in the room is actually orange. It must appear red on some screens.

So...if I go with the white chairs, change out the bench to a settee, what about the dining table light fixture? leave it as is, or go for a very simple drum (I really like the drum pendants). As for the settee..should it be curvy, square, what color?

THANKS!!!

Elaine

magna -

I was tickled to read your post. I am not a trained decorator by any means, but contrast is something that I find hugely important to me as I put my house together. Even my DH is sensitive to it. Something can have a great color and/or texture, but if doesn't have the right contrast we don't put it in the room.

mom2sethc, so glad you were able to find some great direction on the boards. I agree that the white chairs look great in your space. They give your eating area a feeling of lift. It will be nice to see how it all turns out : )

I love the look of the white plywood chairs that Mag photo shopped for you. I just purchased some about 2 weeks ago and they are comfortable.

If you are doing a drum chandy I would do a simple not like the ones that you had posted.

I agree with Magnaverde's suggestions. I really like the way the white chairs break up all that wood and give your room an instant update! Did you buy the chairs, and if so, where did you find them? Magnaverde, you really have a gift. I know when things look right, but I could never explain it. It will be fun to see your room when it is finished-but do we ever really finish?

Momtosethc, I'm sorry that I don't have anything great to contribute to your room, but it sounds like you've gotten great ideas, and are on the right track! Good luck, and please show us pics when you're done!

Magnaverde!!! Thank you for that wonderfully written explanation! I'm redoing our bedroom, and I'm not loving it, but couldn't put my finger on what exactly wasn't working. I took a break and pondered what you said, and it immediately dawned on me that almost every single thing in that room is a light colored rectangle. Good grief! The furniture, the bed, the art, the window, etc., etc.

I still have no idea about how I'm going to "fix" it, but you've given a lot of great examples, and now I have a place to start. Maybe I need dark and round things? LOL! Thanks again!!

Hi Friends.

I'm glad if what said--rather than what I showed--was useful to more people than just our original poster. That's the reason I don't comment on a lot of posts: I'm more interested in describing the thinking process that will help a lot of people find solutions to their own various problems, than I am in providing a narrow answer to a single poster's narrow problem. Like somebody said above, it's my version of a Public Service Announcement. Not that I don't do a give a lot of specific suggestions to specific problems, too, but the difference is that I charge for that kind of thing. Like I told somebody else on another thread, for me, decorating is a profession, not a hobby. Still, I like to help people when I can. Anyway, the broader & more theoretical an answer is, the more people it can help. And here's what I discovered a long time ago: if you treat a problem in decorating verbally, as a problem in logic, rather than treating it visually, as a problem in aesthetics, the solution often becomes clear. That's because in analyzing & decribing the problem in detail we use a different part of the brain than the one we use when we choose paint colors & fabrics. Trying to decorate a room using only one side of the brain is like trying to ride a bike with only one wheel.

BTW, my rendering of Mom@sethc's kitchen? That's not Photoshop cut-&-paste. That was done in the plain old MSPaint program that came free with my computer. I drew those chairs right out of my brain.

Hello!!

dd50 - where did you end up getting your chairs? I have just started my internet search. On the drum fixture, I think I understand..just a simple drum, would white or off-white work better?

magnaverde - I greatly appreciate the time you took to explain the issue that I have been having with my space. It does help me to understand why something will or won't work, even though i still don't have the vision to see it for myself!

I will post pics when I am done!! Off to search for a simple drum fixture, some white chairs and a new settee!!!

THANK YOU ALL!!!

Elaine

I like the white chairs, but the ones shown are a little too MCM for your space. The concept is good though.
A pair of white chairs with the second light fixture would work IMHO.

These would work if you painted the table black:
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Matty-Top-grain-White-Leather-Side-Chairs-Set-of-2/4270043/product.html

Here is a link that might be useful: or these

I like the white chair and orange shades on the chandelier idea. If it were me, I would get a bench, or a very tightly upholstered settee, you don't want it to look like a sofa in there.

I hit the floor when I saw Magnaverde's rendering of the plywood white chairs - could not be more perfect!

Magnaverde, your explanation of Mom jeans, etc. really hit home. I truly enjoy your explanations that are the bedrock of your expertise. I'm copying and pasting this thread because when I start to change my greatroom and my kitchen, I have to keep this in mind. I'm a serious amateur photographer, so contrast in my photos is always on my mind. That has helped my garden design significantly. Now to move that knowledge indoors.

Thanks!

Mom2- As for the settee, if you want to play it safe, go for a white (that you can clean) and use accent cushions.

A little bolder would be the gold on your family room walls. This would be warm and still look really good in your space.

If you want to be really daring, go for the orange!

As for what I would choose, I'd probably find a settee with a small print, mainly in the gold, with some green and orange (and a little white) in the print, to tie all the colors together. I don't know if that's out there, but that's what I'd be looking for :)

Magnaverde,

Out of curiosity, if she could have replaced the table and chairs together,at this time, what would have been your suggestion for a replacement?

Your post has been very enlightening! Thanks! I feel like I've learned something about my space. I may post a picture that may illustrate WHY I like something in my house and your explanation may illustrate the reason behind it. It deals with that whole contrast theme.

Thanks again,

Alicate

[Alicate, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to do any Monday morning quarterbacking while, decoratively speaking, the ball's still in play.

Mom2SethC made it clear what she wanted to keep--table, bench & curtains--and I gave my answer based on the those specific givens. If the givens had been different, I might have a different answer, but they weren't, so I don't. That's why I can't say anything now.

And for me to come up with another possible alternative--one that I never bothered to mention before--after the OP has gone shopping would be like my telling the bridesmaids that the bride just married the wrong man, and that I know know just the guy for her! Wrong place, wrong time.

Sometimes, my job is to help people make major changes to their decor, and other times, my job is to help people see what what they've already got with a fresh eye. Every client is different. A lot of the time, there's very little wrong with what people have, but the power of the advertising industry & the mass media to convince people--even intelligent people--that the very same things they loved & paid their hard-earned money for a few years ago are now hideous & dated is amazing. Sometimes, all it takes is an an objective viewpoint to help people appreciate what they already have. Well, anyway, that & turning off the decorating shows & canceling the catalog subscriptions.]

Oh my...this is way too much fun! I have been doing a lot of "window" shopping, but I haven't bought anything yet. I found a pic that I love. It has the chairs that I am considering based on magnaverde's suggestion. It has a nice simple drum pendant, and a simple very plain table. This table is a little darker than mine, and definitely plainer. I am hoping to have a similar look with my current table. Maybe this will give alicate an idea of what different table I could select.
Replacing the table has been discussed with my dh. We are willing to do that if I can't accomplish something similar with my existing table. We are willing to replace the bench as well, still looking at some options but not coming up with anything solid yet. Based on this pic, I would think that if I were to replace the bench, I'd probably want something in white.

{{gwi:1841730}}

mom2sethc-

What a great pic! I love the juxtaposition of the modern table and chairs with the tradional fireplace. Something like this will work well in your space : )

I would pick out the bench/settee last - kind of like an accessory, after you decide what you are going to with the table and chairs, and after you see how they look in your space since they are your most important items.

Oh, I'm sorry! I never meant my post to make the OP second guess herself or put Magnaverde in an awkward spot. I really never even thought of that because Momtosethc seemed so sure in not buying another table. I'm tempted to run and hide embarrassed because of my lack of thought but I'll be a big girl. :)

That last picture is stunning and also speaks to me. This is a great thread!

Hi!

No awkward situation for me alicate. I wouldn't mind seeing an example of a table that would work in my space better, becuase I may end up replacing the table. For right now, I am trying to work with it though. I love the dark wood of the table in my inspiration pic above, but not sure how it would go with my maple cabinets. Since this is an eat-in kitchen dining area, I have the entire kitchen that is open to the space that I have to consider.

Elaine

mom2sethc -

I know you've started another thread on this room. I think a dark wood table would go great with your cabinets - it would provide that contrast that magnaverde brought up : )

Southernfrenchie - Thanks! I think I will move ahead with the first few changes, and then when my pocketbook recovers, I'll switch out my current table with something plain, simple and dark!!

Elaine

This post helped me in my decision for my dinette set. Thanks Mag. You made some really good points. I couldn't decide for 4 years. I ended up picking something very similar to what you mocked up here. What you said about contrasts helped me conclude that I needed a shape very similar to what you drew.

I was going for Parsons, but they would have been yet another rectangle in my space. I was also able to convince DH that a plywood seat would have enough flex to be comfortable, so he was set up for a win when he sat in the chair to try it out. Because I have very dark floors I went with a honey color chaiir. My elements are very similar to the OP's. Metal bar stools, and amber /orange pendants. Dark cabinets and floors. This was a really helpful post. Check out this sexy chair I picked. My table will be an ellipse.

Here is a link that might be useful: My choice based on Mag's advice here

Hello chinchette,

Your chairs are awesome! I'll be posting my update soon, just got a couple more elements to finish up. My dh was a little leary about the bentwood chairs, however now that we have them, he is quite happy and surprised with them. We got ours from West Elm.

Elaine

Yes, I really like what you picked and the direction you are going. Looking forward to seeing the transition.