Pretty space, deserving of a piece of statement art in that location. What's your budget? If budget permits, I'd lean towards something artist-created, rather than mass-produced. Any galleries showcasing local artists in your area? A large original painting on canvas doesn't have to cost tens of thousands of dollars. I purchased some very large canvas paintings from young artists - two from a young man while he was still in college (he delivered them in the back of his pickup!) - for anywhere from $500-$2,500. You just have to get out there and start looking.

Hi Jennifer,

Looks great what you are doing. Kudos! I have used MD-canvas for clients. It's digital prints on canvas and they have large formats for a real good price. They look surprisingly nice in real life. I highly recommend them.

I think it's the perfect place for a large format canvas of people you love! With todays technology, you can take hundreds of photos and only print one!

You can get the picture wrapped around the canvas and not even have a frame if that's the look you like. Sepia might be a color you could have it printed in. Or take yourself to a local garden and get real close, snap lots of shots.

Have fun with it. Always remember. When you think you're close enough, take another step or 2 closer!

Here are a few of our designs that might give you some ideas of what could go above your built-in buffet. Note the big statement piece, artwork, sconces, and gallery pieces.

Bartlett Street · More Info

Florence Avenue · More Info

Gower Street: Dining Room · More Info

I guess I'm having a little trouble with this as at first I couldn't tell what style your house was, you've got this eclectic Joanna (Gaines) thing going on that doesn't work for me. So I guess I would do floating shelves there (not art work) and make it like a butlers pantry because that to me fits more into this rustic thing you've got going and works better with the open concept kitchen and dining room. But don't decorate them with teal dishes, stick with all white against the wood shelves. The biggest thing to me that doesn't match in your space is that area rug, that does not match the style and to me it's sticking out like a sore thumb. Your house is missing "style", it's missing the mark of whatever you're trying to do. Bring someone in with some decorating sense to help you "finish" this.

Art is personal, go pick something:) Nice @ about 60 wide and 40 high.

Spare me the floating shelves too if you can

What ever you put in that space should have either some curvilinear shapes, or be be round, or have some softness to it, because from what you have showed us, the rooms are are all rigid squares and rectangles with no softness.

You could choose an art piece with curvilinear shapes in it, a round mirror, or for something different, a textile piece.

The textile piece doesn't have to be round, or even necessarily have to have curved lines in it, but if it does, that's a plus.

There are so many different types of wall hangings, from modern ones to traditional ethnic ones, knotted, embroidered, woven, fabric, fiber, cloth, grass, tapestry, all sorts.

Start going to art galleries and craft shows and bring your wall dimensions and photos of your room with you, and be sure to ask the seller if the item is returnable or exchangeable if it doesn't look right in your room. If it is a big piece, they might even come to hang it in your room, because they would know the best way to install a large piece, what type of hardware to use, or they might sell it at the gallery.

It is more satisfying to buy locally, but spend some time online so you can educate your eye and learn what you like.

Whatever you select, you will have a problem as it's smack dab up against your refrigerator. Very bad plan...

^^ What? That's ridiculous (and completely devoid of any tact or helpfulness).

I thought some cool lamps would be good too, but I noticed OP has no outlets on that wall. I think those are just switches on the right side?

I think a big interesting oil painting would look great. IdaClaire maybe you can show OP one of your large paintings that look great in your house :-) . People tend to be afraid of large art.

Large piece of art or more than one. It doesn’t necessarily have to be original. There are many fine art prints & giclees available everywhere.

Man, Houzz just ate a long post from me including pics. :(

Try GreatBigCanvas.com, which has everything from abstracts to famous artists, and you can browse by shape (horizontal rectangle) and style or subject. Most of them can be bought really huge. Just spend an evening finding something that speaks to you..

Art is too personal for us to guess.

If you were to go with gallery walls I LOVE this company...prints come framed and collections are 'ready made'. Take a look (no affiliation BTW):

https://www.artfullywalls.com/

I actually love the suggestion of open shelving. Make it match the shelves already there. It does not need to be full, but have fun displaying serving pieces and trays and some greenery. Small pieces of art can be hung or propped, too.

allposter.com has a great selection of prints.

I just love some of the art pieces that people have put up as suggestions, the colors cheer me!

But of course, as acm says, the choice of art is personal, so you have to pick what works for you.

I think I remember reading something about certain colors working better in a dining room.

But do we follow those rules any more?

Jennifer K- I see you have some dishes on display on the shelves. It would be nice if you could pick up those colors a bit in your art work if you are not color averse.

Although some people like very little color (in their home, they find it more calming after a hectic day at work, or if they get headaches. You know yourself best.

Another thought would be a wonderful round mirror with any type frame that you like, it could be wood, or it could be a starburst or sunburst with a wood frame or gold or silver frame, plain or fancy. They come in different sizes and with the frame in a differing proportions to the mirror.

You could have off to one side a tall glass cylindrical vase. In the vase you can put a bunch of gladioli (huge impact for very little money) or whatever is in season, like forsythia or cherry blossoms. or cut stems with big leaves of whatever foliage looks nice.

Or in season you can fill it with pine cones or large sea stars or seashells or brightly colored metallic balls or other seasonal decorations.

One other thing I just thought of- I saw your light switches off to the left side of that upper shelf.

Depending upon how you entertain, you might think of putting in some outlets above that shelf somewhere. That way, you can set electric warming trays or chafing dishes up on that shelf for buffets if you like. It would be super easy for an electrician to do that for you, he just extends the electricity from the switches. You have the island, too, but nothing like extra serving space for a huge gathering!

I don't know about a sunburst mirror, as they're a bit overused. But after you pick a canvas, you'll probably have room for a slim vase or table lamp on one side, if desired.

I like things that are quirky and unusual...especially if you have a beautiful room (as you do) that looks like it's out of the pages of a magazine..

You might, however, want something more in line with the room..

Nobody can choose art for you.

Local college with art students? Art fair in your town or nearby? Art, IMO, should be chosen because you love it, not because it "goes" in the space. Do you have little kids? Do they art? Instant gallery that can change as they grow. I still display some of my grands preschool things, and they're close to college now.

So I have a different view of art. I do see art as 'decorative' to my space. It's part of the totality when I enter it. It does not sit alone. It supports how I feel when I enter a room. A different perspective...I'm sure I'm not alone.

5 x 8 painting

I think the space begs for shelving. China/crystal on display is OUT, I know, but that is what makes sense in a dining room in my world.

Because the space is adjacent to kitchen, I would do floating white shelves with a collection of pottery or dishes I use. Like this:

How about a wall mural? Or do some statement wallpaper on that wall and hang a mirror or floating shelves on top of it?

No matter your decision, I do think you could add a little more interest to the room, bring in some color and activity. It feels very "safe" and predictable to me. But I've got a mean streak of quirk, I'd be hanging a vintage ten-speed or a bunch of random clocks in that wall.

Hi Jennifer,

Here are a few selections for your consideration:

found here

found here

found here

If you'd like to see anything else from my site mocked up just let me know

Kind regards,

Derek