Dining room design help

5 years ago

We bought a house in March and have been renovating/redecorating room by room. But I’ve hit a wall with the dining room! And my pregnancy brain is preventing me from making decisions, so I’d love some outside opinions!

I have no idea how to describe my style aside from calling it relatively traditional, maybe with some rustic elements. My house is fairly neutral and I draw a lot of inspiration from Restoration Hardware pieces.

The walls will be painted the same color as the rest of the house (SW agreeable gray.) I need a light fixture, curtains, a buffet of some sort, and probably an area rug. The China cabinet (which I haven’t organized yet) is a very muted green tone and has to stay because it’s a family piece, but can be relocated to another wall. I also have these full length mirrors in storage that Id like to incorporate, maybe flanking China cabinet. I’d appreciate any input or advice. Thanks!

Featured Answer

Elle

5 years ago

I think it would work if you go for more of an open console look. That will keep the room from feeling so heavy with big furniture pieces.

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Comments (39)

PRO
Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID
5 years ago
The room needs some color added to it. You could do this with draperies and artwork, repeating the colors of the artwork in the draperies or vice versa. I would use 4 stationary drapery panels, 1 width wide each, hung from a rod (or 4 individual rods) placed just below the crown moulding.

Do you have a favorite color or a color that you've used in a nearby room that you want to continue using? If you could lean the mirrors on both sides of the china cabinet, that would give us an idea of what they would look like there. They may overwhelm things. It's possible that they could be used instead of artwork on the wall opposite the windows and would reflect the drapery color.

You could also add color with a table runner and/or a couple of bowls of faux fruit.
ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9
5 years ago
I wouldn't paint this Agreeable Gray or your furniture will sink right into the wall. Gray is on its way out so you might want to consider a color that has a warmer tone and is not so difficult to blend with other colors in furniture, rugs, drapes etc. I would put paintings rather than mirrors since this room needs more color.
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Hi all! I so appreciate this site and love reading the discussions. I’m hoping that you have some thoughts for me. I’ve been obsessed with the Restoration Hardware reclaimed Russian Oak baluster table for months. I finally took the plunge and now it’s in my room. It’s the only piece of furniture in my open living/dining and it feels quite traditional and heavy in my room. As a side note, I am thinking I will have two white PB York square arm sofas in the living room. I’d love thoughts on chairs if you could please. I’m including the pic of the table in my room and some of the chairs I’m looking at- https://www.crateandbarrel.com/marlow-ii-wood-dining-chair/s553697 https://www.amazon.com/Furniture-TOV-D6179-Beatrix-Modern-Upholstered/dp/B07N9KBFQR/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=tov+black+chair&qid=1606496595&sr=8-4 I’d love to do white fabric but I have kids that will destroy them. I am thinking that I could do two live this at the head- https://www.potterybarn.com/m/products/pb-comfort-square-arm-slipcovered-sc-dining-chairs/?cm_cat=Google&sku=3278660&region_id=669090&catalogId=84&cm_ite=3278660&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIys7Lj5uj7QIVGm-GCh1p8wtKEAQYCCABEgIHZfD_BwE&cm_ven=PLA&cm_pla=Furniture > Dining Chairs Would love your thoughts and opinions!!
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Julie G
Original Author
5 years ago
Open to a different wall color. Any ideas?
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PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
This is your room with Agreeable Gray. I don't think this is the paint color for this room, Also I'm wondering if the table is supposed to be placed closer to the windows. Can't tell from your photos. Maybe the china cabinet should be opposite the windows.

I don't think mirrors on either side of the china cabinet would work for the room.

I think gray or white linen sheers on your windows would be a good solution.
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Julie G
Original Author
5 years ago
Funny that you did a work up with that type of art because I actually have similar type of botanical prints in another room but I love them. I was thinking if I did a large buffet on the empty wall I could do a set of them above, but they look good flanking the China cabinet too.
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Julie G
Original Author
5 years ago
Table actually is centered, it just looks off in pictures. Excuse the mess, electrician was just here
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Elle
5 years ago
Wow I love your table and chairs! I actually like the soft white paint color as well. I think it's better for a dining room than gray.
Personally I love to decorate my dining room seasonally, so I keep it very neutral but with some bold black/white patterns. Then I add color with a runner, flowers, vases, etc.
I like the idea of flanking the china cabinet with mirrors. Remember most people don't like to watch themselves eat, so that's a good spot where most people will only see when they walk into the room.

I think a long rectangular chandlier like this would work great. There are more affordable versions on Wayfair.
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Julie G
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks! I actually had him paint it a soft white when we moved in just to cover the previous owners loud color but wasn’t sure if I’d keep t when it came down to actually finishing the room. I do like it’s airiness though and I tend to be super neutral. Looking around my first floor, I actually can’t find many pops of colors anywhere aside from some green (plant) and yellow from a bowl of lemons. I’m not a big “color” person. Maybe pale blues at most. But the rest of my house is creams, blacks, whites, and wood tones. I love that light fixture! And I’m a frequent flier of Wayfair so I’ll definitely look into it. Thanks for the idea!
Elle
5 years ago
I'm with you. I hear all the time about the importance of color, but I love the calm feel of my neutral house. Oh well, to each his own.
Another thought... if you want a rug under the dining table, maybe jute? Or if you want to find a place to add color, a soft pastel woven cotton rug would be great.
Julie G
Original Author
5 years ago
Love that idea, thanks!
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PRO
Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID
5 years ago
I'd like to see white or cream on the walls. If you have any colored or colorful plates, you could try those in the china cab.
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PRO
Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID
5 years ago
BTW, I totally agree that gray is on the way to the exit, and that taupe and white are taking over, with white in the lead! It's a definite change from gray, which is needed after 8 or 10 years of gray. But taupe is also strong as a transition from gray to white or taupe.
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Julie G
Original Author
5 years ago
Don’t have to tell me twice to paint a wall white! I’m trying to convince my husband to lug the heavy mirrors upstairs for a photo, let’s see.
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Julie G
Original Author
5 years ago
I don’t know if I’d call SW agreeable gray a true gray. I’d describe it more of a greige, at least in my houses lighting. Im drawn to warmer colors so I definitely didn’t want any grays with strong blue undertones. But I just painted one of the nurseries SW alabaster and my master will eventually go a creamy white as well, so I’m on board with white walls. I’ll definitely go with a creamy white for the dining room, great suggestion.

Here’s a pic of the mirrors, obviously not mounted, just propped temporarily for a pic, but I’m liking it. Thoughts? Also the lighting is awful right now because there’s just a yellow tinged bulb hanging from the ceiling. The room is south facing and gets great natural light.
Elle
5 years ago
Hmm now that I'm seeing the mirrors, I think a runner rug on either side of the table would be better than a normal rug. Your room is very large, obviously you also have a large table to match, but it still looks small given how much space you have on either side.
The other option would be a low buffet (not my favorite given you already have a china cabinet), or two chairs forming a kind of sitting area under the windows. Or turn the table 90° and give yourself a great spot for after dinner drinks.
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Julie G
Original Author
5 years ago
I don’t think the table would fit any other way than it does. The room IS big (17 x 13) but the table is bigger than it looks in pictures. I actually like the idea of a buffet on this long empty wall so that I could have a spot to put food. I’m toying with the idea of a long slightly distressed black buffet/sideboard. At first I thought I couldn’t add in another color of furniture but with a black rectangular light fixture, the China cabinets antique black hardware, and potentially black curtain rods, I think I might be able to get away with it?
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Julie G
Original Author
5 years ago
Something like this
decoenthusiaste
5 years ago
You need to take some measurements into consideration. There should be at least 36-43" of floor space all around the table for chair scoot and sit area. No one should have to get out of their chair to let someone pass behind them and access a buffet. A rug should be that large but not run into furniture against the walls or baseboards. I suggest you pull all the chairs out like you were having a dinner party and everyone was seated. Then see how spacious or crowded the room is.
Julie G
Original Author
5 years ago
Smart. I like that open piece
chispa
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Maybe something like this Asian-look console from Ballard to make the room a bit less matchy-matchy. If you have the budget, there are really beautiful antique/vintage Chinese altar tables.
https://www.ballarddesigns.com/ananda-console-table/furniture/dining-kitchen/buffets-sideboards/13922
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PRO
Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
The mirrors flanking the china cabinet look great! Good to know that you like a neutral look so that I can quit suggesting you add color. A console would fit on the wall opposite the windows if you have 54" of space between the table and the wall, 36" for traffic and 18" for the depth of the console.

Do you love the green color of the china cabinet? It could be painted a neutral such as dark taupe or black.
Julie G
Original Author
5 years ago
I wish I could upload a video because the pictures are deceiving. It’s a large empty space on that side. I just measured and it’s a little over 60 inches from the table to the wall- another piece of furniture could definitely fit there. I actually had the China cabinet refinished a few years ago. It was my husbands grandfathers and a cherry type wood, we both still like the green. It’s very muted/neutral. I do like the idea of branching from my usual restoration hardware type pieces and getting something different so it doesn’t look like I’m trying to be too matchy (and failing.)
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PRO
Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID
5 years ago
So, looking into my crystal ball, I see a console in your future. Your 60" gives you plenty of space. Now you just have to find the console! And, yes, different from your table. We houzzers are sure to give you a lot of choices!
Elle
5 years ago
I really like your green color as well. I've been trying to think of ways to incorporate it elsewhere, maybe in your curtains or rug? Or you could decorate the buffet with green milk glass pieces.
PRO
Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
A console I like for your dining room

Click on the green line above.
Julie G
Original Author
5 years ago
Would that wood tone clash with the gray table though?
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iheartsix
5 years ago
Beautiful space to work with, I have no suggestions but did want to say I love your mirrors, I have the exact mirror in my home. :)
PRO
Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID
5 years ago
I think the two would mix nicely. You already have a mix with your dark wood floor, green china cabinet and gray dining table and chairs. But if you’re uncomfortable with it, then keep looking.
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PRO
ACT ONE DESIGNS
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
You need something long and narrow, preferably light. I think anything heavier would clutter the space. This console in bronze with a limestone top would tie in with your mirrors.
suezbell
5 years ago
Nice space.

Hang the mirrors -- tops even with top of cabinet.

Skip the rug -- none needed.

If you are worried about your furnishings visually disappearing into your preferred choice of wall color, the colorful fabric runner on the table someone suggested should prevent that -- and do choose that runner compliment the art you choose for the wall opposite the exterior wall.
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Julie G
Original Author
5 years ago
That console is just like my coffee table in my den. I like it (obviously), do you think it’d be too repetitive to do the same idea in the dining room? And yes I was thinking no rug, I like how open and airy it looks without. Also I have little ones so one less rug to stain works for me
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Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID
5 years ago
Do not repeat the same style you have elsewhere.
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Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID
5 years ago
Restoration Hardware has a new collection with this beautiful console which comes in the brass finish as shown or in a black metal finish. https://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod14890128&categoryId=cat12710046
Julie G
Original Author
5 years ago
Love that
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PRO
Lune Art Gallery
5 years ago
I will recommend a nice painting according to that dining room and don t put more thing on the wall " the less is more"
or you can put those two
hope it help

Best
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PRO
Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID
5 years ago
With the two beautiful mirrors flanking the china cabinet, I agree that "less is more" and would love to see one large piece on the wall opposite the windows, above the console. Gallery Direct is a good source with great pricing.
amykath
5 years ago
I see various shades of green in your space. Plants and other items in green shades.

Your space is lovely! Can't wait to see what you do with it!
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PRO
Shoa Gallery
5 years ago
Check out our oversized artwork for that big wall by the table. Whether or not you use a black buffet table there, large artwork can bring a lot of interest into your space.

www.shoagallery.com

Some suggestions below. There are many colors/sizes available.