Too cute! Maybe the stems are a bit long? I'll defer to Grover on that!

The vases are great, if you ever get sick of them you can send them to me ;-)

I would cut the flowers a lot shorter and put the two taller objects (frame and large vase) on opposite sides, so one on the left and the other on the right.

Babophz and Kulrn, I was thinking the same thing about the flowers - I’ve cut them twice, just didnt want them too short. The vase is larger than I envisioned, so I wasn’t sure how short the flowers should be.

I would position as babophz suggests with the frame and black vase on opposite sides.

Maybe try fewer flowers so the bunch is looser before cutting.

Maybe a little bunched like this?

READY TO SHIP Billy Ball Pot summer arrangement fall · More Info

Try using only half the stems for a looser arrangement. If that doesn't work, try swapping the short owl vase with the bowl. Last resort, cut the stems shorter as kulrn shows above.

First or second, or another arrangement?

I like the looser arrangement.

yellow billy balls in vase - Google Search · More Info

yellow billy balls in vase - Google Search · More Info

yellow billy balls in vase - Google Search · More Info

Kulrn, do you still think the flowers should be shorter?

I like them better on bottom shelf, but what's throwing me is the height of the flowers is greater than the black vase. I'd hate for you to cut them and not like them, but I'm thinking try the bigger bunch and /or loose bunch cut shorter than the black vase may look the best. Anyone else?

I know, Kulrn, the two vases are too similar in height with the flowers.

Keep the vases together. I like the loose arrangement better than what you had in your first try.

I used half of the flowers and cut them shorter. I don’t like how similar the heights are but I’m going to live with it this way for awhile. I suppose I could just not use the flowers, but I do like them.

I have to laugh, djahlm. This is the kind of thing that I can spend a year rearranging and finally end up saying, "Good enough."

Leave it for now. Perhaps next year, inspiration will hit...or not. It looks good.

Grover, thanks for the different arrangements; I’ll try them and see what I think. Is it that darn wine rack that‘s the problem? Should I just get it out of there? I love the rest of the DR; simple, clean, uncluttered, and then this corner has a whole lot of action going on.

I think part of the issue for me is that I just want this room “done.” I’m at the age/stage of my life where waiting “until I find just the right thing” just doesn’t cut it for me. I’ve never enjoyed “the thrill of the hunt” as one of my friends said when she was filling out a collection she had.

Grover, as you know, you’ve been an immense help and inspiration to me in getting our house restyled. It’s sometimes hard for me to see when something is wrong, so if you have any other ideas for that space, like take it all down and get a piece of art, I am listening.

Love the vases. I think for me the (little) problem is the way the shelves line up with the wine rack. It would be better I think if the things(s) on the chest were off centre. But I doubt the wine rack would look great that way.

I didn't have enough time to do Grover-worthy photoshop, but you get the idea.

Maybe try this so things don't like up so much?

Edit: The white vase should be pushed a smidge to the left and the frame and bowl a bit to the right. Or just switch the frame and bowl. Not digging the strong diagonal in that image.

I like this arrangement the best!

my items | Olioboard · More Info

That looks good too Amoeba-meba!

Amoeba and drdeb, I think you might be on to something with everything being lined up too perfectly. I like your arrangement. Amoeba; I’m going to try that tomorrow. Thanks!

djahlm, I don't want to confuse you even more, but since you asked for "any other ideas for that space, like take it all down and get a piece of art ", I'm gonna give you mine. If it were up to me, I would take down both shelves and the wine rack, hang one piece of art and put just the two vases on the cabinet. Keep it nice and simple.

I think you should definitely try Bab’s idea.

But also, the more I think about it the more I think the wine rack may be the problem. Especially since it isn’t actually holding much wine. It’s attractive, but it’s perhaps adding too much busyness.

But don’t get discouraged! The room looks fab. This is all just tweaking!

Felizlady, did that a long time ago and love it:))

Thanks drdeb, I always appreciate your perspective. I think babophz’s idea of three simple pieces—art and the two vases—is probably what is going to appeal to me most.

Babophz and drdeb, here is a rough idea of the look if you can imagine it with no shelves and a different piece of art. Thoughts?

I also tried the bird vase on the table and really like how he looks there.

Those vases look great everywhere!

But I think the art might be too small in the new arrangement. (Which funnily, brings us back to the start of this dilemma!)

LOL, drdeb, you’re right! I agree the art is too small; I’d find a different piece for that wall.

Funny, deb! djahlm, it is what I had in mind, but of course with a larger piece of art - portrait sized - and with the vases probably a tad closer together and off-centre. I was hoping that grover or Amoeba could do a rendering... :)

Yep, there's the Matisse again. Who said something about going in circles? lol!

Seeing Grover’s rendering I think the wall looks better without the shelves. Maybe with just art on that wall the wine rack will work (or not). I’m debating between putting the Matisse there or leaving it in the FR and getting something new for above the blue chest. Thanks for your help!

Interesting similarity in squiggles :)

djahlm, you could certainly hang the Matisse here, but I think a piece with a portrait orientation instead of a square would look even better.

Thanks, babophz, for your candid thoughts and opinions; I always appreciate your advice! I like the idea of portrait art above the blue chest, also.

Always late to the party;)), I finally created and organized my Ideabooks and now have an art book. It’s a very random collection; not all are appropriate size or style for the DR, but if you want to take a look I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Well, I took a look at your art ideabook but frankly, I don't know what to say, because although I could advise you on things like scale and proportion, I strongly feel that one should pick art because one loves it, not because it goes with the furniture. If it doesn't go, most of the time there are other ways to make it work. Re the Matisse, it really does look good in grover's last rendering (sans the shelves). Actually, the more I look at it, the more I like how the blue connects with the chest, how the squiggles repeat, and even how the bird and the guitarist have their head tilted the same way. If you love it in the room, with your rug and the other art, put it there. If not, there are several portrait oriented works in your ideabook and they would work as long as they don't fight the rest of the space.

I think you shouldn't overthink this one (and I shouldn't even have mentioned the portrait orientation). If it feels right, it feels right :) You'll know.

Edit: I just came across this, maybe it'll be of some assistance: [https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/how-to-change-the-mood-of-your-room-with-artwork-stsetivw-vs~114013160[(https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/how-to-change-the-mood-of-your-room-with-artwork-stsetivw-vs~114013160)

Wow, babophz, you have a great eye for detail!

I am going to keep the Matisse in the FR and find something for the DR. I don’t have a problem finding art that I like; I just don’t want it to, as you say, ”fight with room.”

John is in the house, and my husband loves him! Really love how this room came together with the oodles of help that I got on this site. Thank you one and all!

Wow! He's perfect! Did the bird vases find a home?

Amoeba, one bird in the DR and the other in the FR:

That's a great looking portrait and it's perfect in that room.

Love, love, love it! Everything looks great!

Oh yes, love the portrait. The size is just right and I love it in your room. Which is looking great! Love the bird vase on the table as well. Funny thing, I'm suddenly seeing those Billy balls everywhere, also here in the Netherlands. I'm sure they've been around for quite a while, but you know how it goes, since we debated them for your room I probably got more aware of them.

Babophz, I love the simplicity of the Billy Balls. I first became aware of them when our youngest daughter got married and used them for her bouquet. Photo quality is terrible, but you get the idea.

Oh, what a great pick for a wedding bouquet! I really, really love that! So simple, so stylish...

Would love to see "final" pics of the dining room. Hint hint