I like the new chair arrangement much better - now the bench looks great instead of too narrow! The new centerpiece is nice but so is the original. I do love the jjhy runner and like leelee, I think either ivory or blue smoke will work underneath. I thought of the blue smoke because of both the living room and the bench. I think the blue would be a bit different than the blue of the bench (which looks to be a little bit of a blue/green), but I think they would work well together and tie in very nicely with the living room. Do you have a Pottery Barn near you for returns so you could try and return if it isn't great? BTW, how's the living room pillow search going?

The large centerpeice is just exactly what I had in mind when I made my comment. Good job. I would, however, remove those crystal candlesticks from the tray. The tray worked much better as a bar. The problem most people have is they aren't bold enough with their accessories. You have a very nice contemporay home. Crystal glass objects, unless they are art glass, don't fit the scheme. I have a feeling the candle holders may be wedding gifts that you feel guilty of getting ride of. Use them in another space (maybe the bed or bathroom), IF you really love them; otherwise say goodbye and move on.

The lower, weightier centerpiece looks better! You'll have to play around with it after you get your runner. I agree with moving the bar bottles back to the butler's tray. If you want to display crystal candle holders then remove the candles and add clear crystal balls or ornaments. I saw this done at a decorator show house and it looked great.

There is also this runner from PB. I still like the original one we talked about, but wonder if the colours and pattern are an alternative?

I saw that one too...love it but not so much with the bench.

For me, the colors and style doesn't mix as well. If it's a pattern you desire, how about this one? If going with it in beige why not go back to the low ivory flowers (thicker bunch) along with some of the green artichokes from above (leelee post) and a midsized silver round shape vase?

Sorry runner above also from Pottery Barn!

Hi everyone. I ordered the nubby runner from PB today as well as the blue smoke linen underlay. I'm excited to see it in my room! The stripes in my bench are more sage green and turquoise, but I'm hoping it will blend well enough. I have a lot of blue in the living room so I'm hoping the runner will help tie the two rooms together. I still think the tall vase and green leaves might work as a centrepiece. We'll see when the runner arrives. I'm not ready to move on drapes yet. I need to consider all the windows and rooms since the space is so open. What do you think about upholstered armchairs at either end of the dining room table? Any other suggestions? Also.. I agree about retiring the crystal candle stick holders, and I think reverting the butler table to a bar is a good idea. My boyfriend misses it anyway!

Hi wickedwhite.
Just found your post today. Wanted to tell you that I love your l.r. & dining area. It's somewhat like what I have- a bench with the table & chairs different colors. ( Except that mine is the reverse of yours, table dark & chairs light.. Also, my bench is wooden- it used to be a small church pew. When it's being used, I put comfy seat cushions on it.
But I'm getting off the subject here. I think things with an organic look work great in your space, I love the P.B. runner & also the artichokes in wooden bowl that leelee posted above. I also want to suggest that burlap is a fabric that could be successfully used in your space. Depending on the color of it, it may be an option for an inexpensive table runner. You can make a runner yourself or you can look thru Etsy to find one. It also be used to make drapery fabric. It has a super organic look & feel.

Hi Ann. Yes! I have finally ordered some pillow covers for the living room. I chose this one:
https://www.google.ca/search?q=camaraderie+frost&client=safari&hl=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=VH54UePnAceT0QHK4YGoBQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=768&bih=928#biv=i|0;d|DedtQkh4cppbRM:

Not sure that worked. Let me try again!
http://beaconhilldesign.com/trade/fabric_detail.aspx?product=203306

Thanks donnads! I must agree I love the bench. It's everyone's favourite place to sit during dinner parties. People always linger after the meal too. I do like the artichokes and wooden bowl a lot. Leelee.. Where did you find it?

You have a great room, but ditch that table runner. Between the striped chair, brick building and AZTEC motif runner - something has to go. I think it would look better if you had a longer table runner in a less bold pattern ( if any) and a bold color , even a terra cotta or burnt orange. Yep, I said orange. It will pull in the colors in the chair and that brick building :)

Hi Kelleen,
I gave up on that runner some time ago. It was nice, but everyone was quick to point out it didn't go with my room. I love the advice on this site! What do you think of the pottery barn runner I just ordered?

Hi there! I like the runner from Pottery Barn someone posted on your link... it is like a straw color and has a light green place setting - that would look sharp! Is that the one or is there another one I am missing?

I see it....I just didn't scroll up too far. I guess I am not a "pattern" girl. I still think a shade of orange / brown/ terra cotta in a silk material (even with beaded trim in a dark wood) would look FAB as a longer table runner( hanging off table) ... I really like your idea with the artichokes! Thrown them in a big wooden bowl and throw on a plain orange hue runner - try it, you might like it! If not return the runner and just eat the artichokes ;)

wickedwhite - I think both the table runner and the living room pillows will look fantastic! I can't wait to see pictures!

What do you people think of this as a centrepiece?

Hi wickedwhite, I googled artichokes but now I can't find it anywhere. Found some others....Finally found it

http://www.displayfakefoods.com/store/pc/showsearchresults.asp?keyword=artichokes&pageStyle=P&resultCnt=30&x=11&y=14

The wooden bowl is Willow & Shea but I've seen similar at Tuesday Morning or TJMaxx for cheap

No , you have stripes going on already so I would find a plain runner that pick up one of the colours from the striped fabric


On second toughs ...take the runner off and if you like this look go for it :)

[houzz=]

I like the moroccan lamps with the terrarium a lot. It's unusual in a good way. I'm so hungy for artichokes...

Thanks leelee. I'm hungry for artichokes too! Do you think the terrarium is too big? It also came in two smaller sizes.

The picture is kind of a view from above so it's hard to see the height differences. Can you take a picture from table level so we can better see the heights of the 3 objects? I wouldn't go two sizes smaller, but possibly one.

How's this?

Or this

I think it's nice. If the next smaller size were just a little rather than quite a bit smaller, I think that would work also - either one. You do such a nice job with your home! I bet your boyfriend (I think I remember a boyfriend being previously mentioned) appreciates his beautiful home!

I think one step down in size would look best and l like how the metal on the lamps picks up the metal on the glass.

Hi Ann. He appreciates it, but he's glad I've stopped asking his input all the time. I've got you guys for that now! I think I'll try the smaller terrarium. It feels just a little chunky to me. I took out a few rocks too...

I agree leelee. The metals compliment each other. Wish I could take credit for that.. :)

That's great about your boyfriend. I'm pretty old and have been married forever and my husband will put up with very little "decorating" talk. But I've recently realized that my husband has gained a good decorating sense of what works and not. I'll make a bunch of changes, point them out, and he'll say a quick (sometimes not very nice) comment about each. Almost always, my gut was already telling me exactly what he says. I've started to really listen to his quick comments.

haven't read all the comments......love the white sofa in living room and would consider adding white upholstered chairs to dining room....similiar to those in pottery barn....will make a huge difference and will pull the two rooms together...then the black and white geometric runner will look great.!!

I really like the photos you added above with the terrarium; the pop of color the artichoke brings is perfect!

My husband also can only stand so much decorating talk. I am always being told this and I am going to tell it to you too... "trust your instincts". You have great taste and your place looks great!

I also have a question for you. Where did you purchase your counter stools? I am looking to purchase stools that have a small footprint (14"-16" wide). I recently ordered some from PB in seagrass and they are not very comfortable. Yours look like they would fit the bill, are they comfortable? Sorry to change the subject here.

Thanks jjhy. The problem with trusting my instincts is that they often pull me in two directions: playing it safe, or being too bold! It's difficult to find the middle ground sometimes. For example, I saw two great upholstered chairs in turquoise on the wknd. I was wondering if they'd work with my table. Bold and daring, but risky. :-) Brody1313 - are you suggesting white slipcovered chairs the dining room? Like in the PB photo above?

Hi jjhy. I got my kitchen stools about 8 years ago. I think I bought them at Homesense. They're comfortable, but I wish they were a little more sturdy.

I got my new runners in the mail yesterday. What do you think?

Here's another angle.

I like the runner, but it's too long. The people sitting at the ends of your table are going to have it in their laps. Can you get it in a shorter size ? Like the centerpeice arrangement and that you made the tray table back into a bar.

I agree that it's too long. It only comes in this size, but I might be able to shorten it. How many inches should it hang over the table? I was a little worried the nubby runner was too blond in contrast to the table. What do you think?

Here's another angle. Too blond?

Here it is with just the linen background. I haven't ironed it yet so excuse the creases!

I'd say it shouldn't hang more than 4 or 5 inches over the ends of the table. It should clear ones legs when you sit. I like the nubby side on top of the white linen....it adds more contrast & interest. No, it's not too blond. WOW! Did you ever think you'd get so many comments over a table runner ?

I think it looks great! The added texture is wonderful just as the person that suggested it said. It looks like you are trying the blue and the cream (the one that's all alone?). I like the blue underneath and the textured one on top. The blue is really good - better than I thought it would be. Centerpiece and bar area look very nice too!

Looks fantastic but it's too long. I think you'll want it to spill about 8" over the side of the table. Any less will look chintzy and much more will interfere with the end diners. Are the ends frayed? You could just have the ends cut off and re-frayed???

Thanks! It was jjhy's suggestion. I think it likes great too. Was just worried the nubby runner was too pale, but I see now that its not. And no... I never imagined this post would generate so many responses! You guys are the best.
I think the runners are too long, but I can shorten them. I just tried pinning them for now. What do you think? Btw... I did go with the blue linen.

Could I go an inch or two longer?

NO....just do it at the length you have and get onto something else.....like Is this bathroom rug too small. Sorry, but I think we've solved this topic to a fault.

I think you could shorten it (an inch or two longer than it is pinned) but I searched Houzz for "table runner" recently (looking for arrangements for two horizontally placed runners for my very long table) and saw many runners were left quite long. Some were all the way to the floor, so you could just leave it long as judygilpin said. It does look very nice in your space!

That looks about right...just don't cut them too short.

I love it!!