Dee, I would not use such a busy pattern with a zebra stripe carpet. You're going to have a dizzying effect, If you want to use green that's fine, it will look pretty with the black and white, but I would stick to a very simple fabric.And maybe doing a matching accent elsewhere in the room to kind of pull it all together. Good Luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: Decorating Products

I agree, I like your chairs already. I would add a green plant to the corner of the room for starters. You could add strong color in your accessories. I would try red shades on your chandelier and possibly the pottery (thinking asian) to hold your plant; maybe even change your curtains to that color as well.

I agree about the pattern on your inspiration fabric -- a bit too busy with the pattern on your rug -- plus the swirls on the ironwork of your chandelier and the fretwork on the doors of the china cabinet and chairs themselves.

Perhaps try a plain lime green linen fabric -- and add white piping around the cushion.

Then hang a couple of artworks (two small ones hung in a vertical row) over each chair beside the china cabinet. These artworks could have a dash of the lime green.

Or find three small vintage or antqiue plates with a bit of lime green -- and hang those over the chairs.

Plus then switch to a white bowl or pedestal on the table filled with fresh green apples or limes.

Another color choice might be a pale icy blue linen OR how about simple black linen with silver upholstery tacks or studs along the edge of the chair seat?

Just some thoughts!

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

Gee, that's a beautiful dining room, deeinohio. Maybe it's like my boring DR in that it photographs better than it looks in real life? Or maybe it doesn't get enough light to pull off all the neutrals, in your view? Or maybe you're just tired of it? I like it, even if you don't!

Anyway, from here, looks like just a small bit of color would help, but don't start adding too much or else your eye will start jumping around the small room, and you won't be happy with that either. Think subtle color addition as opposed to a pop or bang.

That green in your fabric is great. How about making small lumbar pillows for your chairs in that fabric with a plain quieter green on the seat? Subtle, easy to change out, a more furnished, layered look.

Maybe a colorful art pottery bowl for the centerpiece would help too.

The pattern looks too busy with that rug. Independently of each other they are great. (The fabric reminds me of my backsplash, which I still love.)

Either cover the chairs with a less busy pattern in the same color, or maybe even a dark gray and make small kidney pillows for each chair in the green (I wonder if the carpet could handle a little of that trellis pattern, if you put it on just one side of the pillow). OR just a bright green kidney pillow.

You can put something on top of that table to get you that pop of color too....I spraypainted some sticks, and attached little birds from the craft store. Seems to really bring in that color in a non-inyourface kind of way. Here are my sticks:
{{!gwi}}

Great ideas for you!!

Thanks for all the feedback.

alyssak: Thank you. I sensed the trellis was too much.

enailes : I do have red shades just like the cream colored ones I'll try for Christmas. Maybe red will be the color I'll love.

Teacats: Great ideas! I especially like the black linen idea. That might be just the thing! I currently have a fern on a stand outside the view of the camera, under a large audubon print, which may or may not stay.

awm03: Thanks for the compliment. The room was just recently painted SW Requisite Gray and the rug was purchased in July. I loved it before I posted here with a question about a starburst mirror, then I started looking at it with a more critical eye.

Loribee: Yes, they are great ideas.

Here's a picture which includes the starburst mirror, which still needs moved down. I wasn't sure what kind of other artwork to use with it over the chairs. I use mostly antique bird/egg prints in the rest of the house, along with black silhouettes of my kids and grandkids. Any suggestions?

Sorry, Beekeeper. I forgot you. Thanks for the ideas. Your dining room was the reason I thought my beloved green would work.:)
Dee

That is a really beautiful room - all the elements are lovely on their own. I can see why someone suggested staining the table base but can understand your hesitation - not sure I would either. I think you can get a bit more impact with the suggestions you've received here without changing the table. Love the lumbar pillow idea, and placing that lovely green here and there on the table, the wall - small doses.

Oh deeinohio -- that room is beautiful. I sure wouldn't start adding color pops here & there & all around the room. I'd think more about texture instead of color, maybe lumbar pillows in a nubby neutral (or silver or gray or some in-between color) for a more layered look. Replace the chair fabric with a plain neutral with sheen. Change the candles to a beeswax color, vary the whites in the room for subtlety. Some crystal drops for the chandy, perhaps black silk or silvery shades. And the niches in the china cabinet could use better, but I'm not sure what: shiny? strong shape? The glass bowl -- could that go by the mirror for extra sparkle? You could bring in some color & texture in a better centerpiece, something more sculptural.

The basics are there (great job!), it just needs subtle variations, to my eye: a little shine here, a little texture there, a wider range in the colors already used.

For a different look -- yes -- try the black linen with the silver/pewter/bronze studs running along the edge of the chair seat.

And how about adding simple plain cream china plates (maybe in a vertical row with different sizes: large plate; medium bread or side dish; small plate at the top)

Or perhaps take four of the family photos (maybe of your home's front door or a tree in your yard) and have it re-done in sepia tones. Mat the small photos in creamy white OVERSIZE mats -- and then frame in dark brown. Or frame them in the same gold as the mirror -- thin modern frames. Hang one or two (depending on the final size of finished work) above each chair.

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

Here is a link that might be useful: Example of artworks above chairs -- Phoebe Howard website

Here are some ideas for artworks

Here is a link that might be useful: art.com possible examples for artworks

Live green foliage plants in colorful containers might work.

Wow, your room is practically perfect already! OK, I guess it's just me, but I think the chandelier is "off". It's great but the chair backs, glass doors and chandelier are all "curly/curvy" and all those curves are bunched up in one spot. To my eye, the three together are too busy.

Can you change your window treatment to a straight rod at ceiling height with simple curtains on either side of the window, allowing the arch to show when they are open?

I agree--you're already well on your way to a stunning DR. I love all of teacat's suggestions--esp. for the black linen chair covers with pewter nailhead trim. One more item you may consider is to either swap out the glass bowl for your table centerpeice or add a fabric table runner--bringing in some of the lime accents. If you opt for a table runner, I'd look into some tone on tone colored fabrics to bring in some interest, but not draw attention away from the zebra rug. Perhaps in the bowl you could put in some very green pears. Little pops of color to draw the eye and keep repeating that color in your accessories. I recently did a similar color scheme in my DD's bedroom working with black, white and turquoise. I limited my palate to those three colors, but added one, and only one, pop of lime. I've noticed in decorating magazines where they do that sometimes--just bring in one item for another pop of color...like an orange cushion. I do also agree with redecor8's point about the curvy overload; though I do happen to love that chandelier.

Val and Redcor: My whole house is curvy overload! I love round things and curves, and as much as I try to incorporate squarer shapes, it doesn't feel right to my eye, which starts to twitch. I ALWAYS purchase items by shape. Also, Redcor, the tray ceiling is shaped around the half round window, which doesn't allow us to take the rod all the way up. (One of those didn't-think-when-building things)

awm03: Great analysis. Thank you for taking the time to do that. I'm going to think on your ideas A LOT.

Jan: I'm not much for having family photos around, but I love the idea of simple gold frames for above the chairs. Thanks for the links. I might look for some antique fern prints to go in the frames.

Deb: Thank you for the compliment. I'm going to try some of the suggestions.

Catkin: Thank you, too. I do have a fern in there, though it's not in the picture frame.

Thanks, all!

Dee

I just wanted to say that I love your rug! Where did you get it--do you think it would stand up to pets and kids--I am worried about the white portion.

Also, have you considered covering the seat cushions yourself? I did mine and it's not hard at all--just unscrew the seat cushions and use a staple gun once you pull the material tightly over the cushion.

IMHO, the candlesticks are off, too. Why not try some clear glass candlesticks, such as those shown below.

{{!gwi}}

Kristine: It's a Safavieh. I got it at Overstock, but they don't have the 8 by 10 any longer, but they do have the 9 by 12 and 10 by 14. You can also get it at other rug dealers, but it's several hundred more. It's a flatweave, and cleans great. (Ask me how I know....my 20 year old cat has had several regurgitating incidents...I now have baby gates on both doors into the room.)

Walnutcreek: Great idea! I have a collection of crystal candlesticks. I'm going to haul them out right now, and see how they look. That would help add some sparkle.

Dee

Here is a link that might be useful: Zebra Rug

Wow, Dee, did you notice the definite similarities in your hutch and the one Jan posted of the Phoebe Howard site? I thought for a minute she was photoshopping the pic. Very pretty room, but I am feeling that you are wanting something not quite so monochromatic.

I can see where you are going with wanting green in the room. You have a very vivid beautiful rug and everything else is subtle an earthy (but very pretty). I like the idea of black linen seats, then using a piece or two of a very bright lime green somewhere, not real sure where.

You have your traditional hutch, contemporary/funky rug, and table and chairs transitional I guess. What about a couple of pieces of modern art with bright greens in them. I don't do "modern or abstract" art, but I can visualize it in your room. Maybe a "blingy" bowl (silver or crystal) with some limes or a mixture of citrus (green, yellow and orange). The lumbar pillows on the side chairs are a good idea.

Whatever you do, I am sure it will be beautiful.

Tuesday

You're welcome, Dee. You have great taste!