Diningroom Dilemmas - Need Help!

5 years ago

I’m struggling with whether I like the height at which I hung the drapes.
Are they too high?
What about the color of the rod?

I’m thinking I need to add some color and maybe these drapes are not a good fit here. Maybe some drapes in a soft gray or navy would look better?

I was also thinking about adding some bamboo shades, but now I’m not sure if I would hang them individually inside each window, or make it one shade and hang it above?

Finally, I would LOVE some suggestions for light fixtures! What’s currently there is the previous owners and I removed all the glass slats. The table is roughly 101”x42”

I’m hoping you awesome Houzzers could help me!

Thank you :)

Featured Answer

User
Original Author

5 years ago

I like the idea of adding trim! I left some room to adjust the rod I might try and lower it and see what it looks like. I don't need drapes, lol. I just hung them last night and wanted to get a feel for how the space would look with them. Also the puddling is because I didn't want to cut and tailor them before I had an idea about where they would hang. I extended the rod out 10in past each side of the window, so you think I need to extend it further than 10in? The rod still has room to expand. I would not describe the material as flimsy, they are not sheers or light weight. I have plenty more panels if I need to add to the rod. I love my table and chairs and have added some inspo photos of farmhouse tables and wishbone chairs. I have had the table in both directions and have added photos. The ceiling in the dining room where the window is 8ft. The middle of the dining room has a tray ceiling. I did also ask for some suggestions on lighting. I just moved in this home and so it's a work in progress.

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Comments (25)

Saypoint zone 6 CT
5 years ago
I probably would have lowered them a bit to break up the expanse of wall above. How about adding a trim along the inside edge of each side? If you don’t sew, you could buy trim in a color (do you have a color in the area?) and glue or use iron on tape to add it.
jck910
5 years ago
Do you need drapes? The puddling on the floor is just a bit dated. Can the table go the other direction?
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cpaul1
5 years ago
You have several problems going on here. The first one is you need to decide on a style. What is the style of your house? That dining room has no direction it's going in. Those chairs do not match that table and are way too casual to be in a dining room. But to address the drapes which was your question. I don't have a problem with how high you hung them, the issue is (and the reason they look so bad is) because they are not substantial enough. They are too casual and too flimsy of a material to be in a dining room, and there is physically not enough fabric to make them even worth being there. Also the rod is not long enough. If you're going to hang drapery panels in that room, then the rod should be long enough to almost extend the length of that wall. And then the appropriate panels would hang OUTSIDE of the window covering up most the wall. That will give the illusion that the window is bigger than it is. You will be making a "wall" statement instead of just a small window statement. Then get yourself some actual dining room chairs, an area rug and a chandelier.
Judy Mishkin
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
how high is the wall the windows are on? i cant tell if its tall or the window is short/low... if its more than 8' for that area, lower the rod to split the difference. 8' or under, keep them to the 'ceiling' there.
PRO
ACT ONE DESIGNS
5 years ago
I like the look you have going there. Try fuller cream linen drapes and a cream candle style, carved chandelier.

https://www.jossandmain.com/lighting/pdp/creswell-8-light-candle-style-chandelier-cst23014.html

https://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod190091&categoryId=cat230052
olychick
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Your table and chairs look wonderful as shown in this last post (turned). Much better I think. Before you move the rod (although I’d widen and add another set of panels for more fullness) what would you think of adding a fake roman shade to cover the wall above the window? I’ll try and post an example.
Olychick
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Kind of like these, but only covering the wall and very tippy top of the window. They wouldn't have to be wood colored, they could be closer to
the color of the draperies. It would just make it look like the window
was taller. By fake I only mean it doesn't need to be functional
(actually lowered to cover the window).
jck910
5 years ago
I do prefer the table turned
User
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you Act One Designs. I am all over the place with light fixtures. Mainly cause I'm not sure about the color. Here are some of the ones I have been eyeing. Do you like any of them?
User
Original Author
5 years ago
Olychick - thank you for the visual. Exactly what I was thinking, but my only gripe is the stupid wall that breaks up the two windows. I wish I had photoshop skills, lol...so I could see what the blinds would look like and if it would look weird with the wall.
User
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I added one panel to compare. It does look so much better fuller! Should I extend the rod out further? I could also add rings and clips and that could help drop them down a bit.
PRO
ACT ONE DESIGNS
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I like all of your lighting choices. Make sure that whatever you choose, the lighting fixture fits into the ceiling square. It appears that the lighting pictured in #2 & #3 might not use just one socket. The fuller drapes look better.
Kathryn P
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I would go ahead and extend the rod out a bit further. Maybe another 6 inches or so. For lighting, I would stick to something that doesn't require the table go a specific direction (your #2 and #3 would). Then you'll have a bit more flexibility should you decide to switch its direction. I'd get something with some black/bronze to tie into your window trim and rod.

https://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/collections/berkshire-6-arm-chandelier-linen-shades/products/57bf3e15d55930c37a002366?source=ir&utm_source=ir&irgwc=1&utm_campaign=rewardStyle&utm_medium=&utm_source=Affiliate

https://www.mcgeeandco.com/products/go-lightly-medium-chandelier?variant=32571681476

https://www.crateandbarrel.com/clive-large-bronze-chandelier/s340907?a=0&source=igodigital&_=1521043547362&SID=.MTM0NjE5LTA.f30f2203-6764-11e8-8952-ed8a0a30273c&si=2975314&aff=cj
PRO
ACT ONE DESIGNS
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
You might like this lighting as well.

http://www.goinglighting.com/Product/Homeplace-by-Capital-Lighting-825751BN-5-Light-Island-in-Brushed-Nickel
iheartsix
5 years ago
Jeanette - I love your table and chairs together, beautiful. I also love your fiddle leaf fig :)
User
Original Author
5 years ago
Kathryn, thank you! I was thinking well I guess my husband would have to get up there and change the direction of the fixture if I ever change it back, lol...and this is the second time it is facing this direction. This is how I originally placed it and then got bored and switched it. I like that I can do that here. So that's 16ins of over hang on each side? I love all your suggestions! I'm thinking the one from Pottery Barn. Should I add shades?
olychick
5 years ago
I really like the first white fixture you posted. It’s unusual and would look terrific with your chairs.
User
Original Author
5 years ago
I do really love the white one and thought if I went that direction I could change the rod out to either white, brass, or nickel. If I kept the black rod then I could add a large black framed art or photography to the back wall and maybe a black floor lamp in the corner where the tree is to tie it all together.
katinparadise
5 years ago
This is not the right color shade but it's the only one I could find that would let you see it with the divider in your window.
I like the table facing this way ^^^. I think a table that size requires a linear fixture. The second and third one you posted are nice options. I wouldn't do all white. I think you need a bit of metal in the space.

A fabulous large piece of art work will really finish off the space!
User
Original Author
5 years ago
katinparadise, thank you so much! Kinda curious what you think about the blinds?! Should I do 1 on each window or 1 large one across? I’ve attached a photo of what the space looks like from my entryway. I think linear or something with arms that is multidimensional would look best. Nothing round (sphere) or dome shaped. Don’t mind my dog, she insists on being in all my pics, lol.
clsarah
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I think since they’d be hanging above the window you should treat it as one and just do one large blind. It will look strange in my opinion to have two separate blinds in that space. If it were me I think I’d just lower the curtain rod a few inches and add at least one more panel to each side. The curve of the upper windows is pretty and it seems a shame to cover it with a blind.
User
Original Author
5 years ago
clsarah, thank you. I’ll definitely be adding another panel to each side!
katinparadise
5 years ago
You're welcome Jeannette. Happy to help. I would treat it as one window with the blind hung high-even with the curtain rod. It will make the window appear larger and taller. Another panel to each side will definitely help.
User
5 years ago
I don't care for the blind...it covers up the prettiest part of the window...

Stay far away from "ordinary" chandeliers in this space...go for unique.