Have you given any thought into moving the family room rug into the dining room?? Seems like a more formal rug and it might look great with your furnishings.

Here are how various styles and colors look in your room.

I love the rug that everdebz posted. A rug that is mostly blue won't marry well with the floor color and doesn't "ground" the furniture. The first four carpets Beverly posted also look very pleasing. I have to admit my heart sank a bit when I saw the living room rug; the dark color seems to suck all the life out of the room. There's also a disconnect between the very formal dining room and the more casual feel of the LR. The shelves over the couch emphasize the disconnect and I would remove them. You'll have a better idea of how everything works together after you've chosen your wall colors.

Thank you everyone for all your comments! It’s so hard to decide on a rug and the pictures are so helpful.

I haven’t thought about moving the family room rug into the dining room. It would be too large and I feel like the medallion design would be covered up by the table.

I really like that multi colored rug as well! My only worry is that the chairs are so “busy” that when paired with the rug it becomes busy too?

Ingrid- there’s a third room across the dining room that is the living room. The pictures I posted were the family room (aka TV room) which is where the teenagers hang out to watch TV. That room isn’t yet complete in terms of throw cushions and the empty wall over the fireplace. The living room will have a more formal style- it is currently completely empty. I could always switch out the family room rug into that living room.

Would it be helpful at all to see that room? It’s a bit much, but it’s huge and all hardwood which is what makes the rug dilemma give me a headache. At least one of the three rooms should have a plain rug or there should be some coordination.

Some background: we are a blended family with 3 high schoolers, 1 away at college, a 5th grader and an almost 2 year old. Hence I’m always leaning towards calming and serene bc it’s usually a mess of backpacks and the kids often study in the dining room.

I really love all the comments- would be very interested in what the pros and seasoned homeowners think of the size of the mirror and the frame. I’ll lean it up tonight and take some pictures.

following

The living room...I don’t want to go there until the dining is complete bc my mind will explode! Right now housing college dorm futon.

Will any of these properly ground the table?

I would not place a coffee table over a medallion, but in a dining room it seems appropriate.

The fabric on your chairs is not busy. They are almost neutral in appearance.

IMO the rug in the family room is not too large for the dining room and the family room would look so much better without it.

I would stay away from most gold rugs for the dining room if you'd like to consider keeping the current wall color.

My next step should be to find the rug. Yes, even before deciding on a mirror, because the rug makes such a huge difference in the level of formality (could be more,could be less) and the mood in the space. So much so that you might want a mirror to enhance the new mood or to redirect it...much like shoes and jewelry when getting dressed.

Just remember that you need a rug large enough so that when a diner pushes back from the table,the chair legs stay on the rug. (usually that is about 4ft longer and wider than the table) Often my preference is to undercut the rigidity of a dining room by using rugs with minimal border but that is just me. And truth be told, when I fall in love with a rug, ain't no border gonna stop me.

You don't have a heavily details dining set and the gilded mirror you are looking at are heavily period pieces. I think you can do better.

Uttermost Junius Round Mirror · More Info

Andromeda Mirror, Round · More Info

You could always consider some other type of wall decor.

First step is to measure the width and length of your dining table's top. Then add 36-42" to all sides of that measurement. That is the size of rug you need to allow for chair scoot and sit space. You can tape that size out on the floor to see how it feels, but it shouldn't run into baseboards or any furniture against the walls. If it is the right size (or close) you can try the other rug there just too see how that feels to you overall. If you keep that rug where it is, place it all the way under the chaise portion and under the front 1/3 of the sofa seats. There should be at least a foot of the rug extending past the ends of the sofa. Place the leggy chairs entirely on it and the lounge chair entirely off it.

Beverly I love the painting in the last picture you posted- with the picture light. Where would I find a piece like that? Is it a canvas with a gold border/frame?

http://phoebehoward.net/projects/charlotte-house.aspx

It's Phoebe Howard's interiors. I don't know if she identifies her sources.

Your ideabook is below. if you like color this much - share which you'd enjoy on the walls... sunlight amount. Grounding is one thing -- and Beverly's spice-earth tones are to me that way.

This elegant green room here has other idea, and Bev's soft paint/art/rug was also elegant.

What element of DR do you want most [a single pretty color], or a fantastic rug.... ? [you already have the chandelier!]

hand painted wallpaper · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/hznb/photos/hand-painted-wallpaper-traditional-dining-room-phvw-vp~57003941

Sconces? idk.... your green photo has vase and the pagoda instead. Chandelier is center and quite focal.

I love that green room- to answer your question the great color is more important to me than the rug. I know the mirror is a period piece but that mirror can work with lots of decor. I don’t know how to define what I like but traditional with a modern twist?

For example that green room has traditional furniture but it’s so not “traditional”

Everdebz- thanks for asking by the way. Also wanted to mention that the gilded mirror is in there and I love the two rooms Kendrah posted...

Good morning Houzzers- unpacked the mirror. Thought about where I’d put pretty art and have decided I’d prefer a beautiful piece of art over the sideboard. This mirror will be going back. Please let me know your thoughts. The opposite side is also a large expanse...that bamboo mirror will be going to my bedroom.

So many walls to fill.

Would love your thoughts and to all who have posted I am forever thankful.

Absolutely agree that the art would be a better choice. Here is the art you mentioned over your sideboard with the brass picture light and buffet lamps. Could be wonderful!

Beverly- any suggestions on what could be added to the opposite wall? Would that wall with the art need anything additional?

Perhaps some smaller/round accent mirrors somewhere in the room, or plates on the wall in a small grouping of 3.

I also found this mirror for a steal at $159 for today! I was thinking that a mirror would reflect a grouping of art if placed on the opposite wall.

Not sure if this is relevant but I do use that sideboard to set up tea/coffee service. Might need to do that elsewhere.

If anyone knows where that art that Beverly posted is from, I’d love to know! The size is exactly what I’m looking for. Thanks!

The “great deal” mirror...way less than the Anthroplogie one. I’d rather spend $ on art.

Really like the plates, or the combination of small mirrors on both sides of the artwork.

If table goes on that wall, then Bev's buffet lamps could be great. Opposite wall a group of art.

You want color [green or other] - what about elegant color and mirror, no?

@everdebz I’d like to keep the buffet on the wall where one can see it when you walk into the room. I like the style of art that Beverly posted- muted abstracts (no idea what to call it). If it’s over the buffet I have to love it, and I’d like to love it bc it’ll be the first thing I see when I walk into the house. Here are the choices based on everyone’s suggestions:

1. Large art above sideboard with two small lamps. A grouping of mirrors or plates on opposite wall/sides of art.

2. Large mirror and sconces above sideboard reflecting a group of art on opposite wall.

3. Large mirror over sideboard, with two art pieces on each side (about 18 inch squares). This would be difficult for me to find 4 pieces I like. A variation is plates on the mirror wall and large art on opposite wall (at least two large pieces). The art will reflect into the mirror as well as the chandelier.

Question: why are gold/brass sconces priced so high??? It’s almost prohibitive...

I’m going to get long drapes as well, color determined last.

Bev's mock up of your buffet with the painting and lamps is stunning. My question for those kinds of staged surfaces, will you ever be using your buffet as an actual buffet? I started looking at investing in pieces for my buffet to make it more of an interesting focal point but realized that it would be a real pain to disassemble and store all of it when I actually need to use the buffet, which is whenever we have company over for dinner.

On the empty wall where the buffet used to live, I like the idea of having a grid of framed pictures. It seems like it can get expensive though. Maybe a grid of plates instead.

@Kendrah the honest answer to your question is YES, I will be using that surface very frequently. Flat surface 'real estate' is very valuable, and that's why I wanted sconces rather than buffet lamps. I'd prefer to keep it clear, and maybe keep a few decorative pieces hidden away to put out if there are guests in a small number and we don't need so much of the buffet.

But it IS pretty.

Can anyone suggest simple sconces that can be purchased through Houzz? I do feel like there needs to be something other than overhead lighting. The first poster suggested on the sides of the window.

I'll stop after this post - why don't you like the mirror with server table?

I do like a mirror with the server table. Seems like most of the houzzers do not, so I was second guessing myself...keeping an open mind.

And open is how you started - with green room! [neither wallpaper or green is required to keep mirror idea.] I am "disappointed" that you'd give it up...

Still mulling over everything. I’m going to sit down this weekend and draw everything out. I don’t think the mirror I got goes well, so that’s going back. On a hunt for one that fills the space that looks more like the one in the green room, or with clean/bold lines.

Please show it before buying clean/bold. I don't know how elegant with chandelier's style...

What is the price range you'd like to spend on sconces? Here is a search I did on Lamps Plus for antique traditional brass sconce. Maybe it will yield more options in your price range.

I really like the mirror you got and are returning. I think it goes well in the space, however, the frame is too thin. I think you want something where the gold will be more visible.

The Stein mirror from Pottery Barn has the brass thick frame I'm talking about. Unfortunately, it isn't wide enough. I wonder if there is something out there like this that is. Would it be crazy or interesting to get two of these and hang them side by side above the buffet? There are also some gilt brass mirrors at RH that would work well. But they are expensive.

I would put the sconces next to the mirror instead of by the windows as they will reflect more light off of the mirror and make the room brighter. Though, you could certainly do both by the buffet and by the sliding door if you have the budget.

I would describe your style as traditional bold/bright. You seem to like things that are traditional but with color and some heft to catch the light and catch your eye. Traditional that doesn't put you to sleep.

MIRROR CHOICES:

An important consideration is that the buffet is 62 across, and the space from the top of the buffet to the very top below the crown molding is 53.5 inches.

First one is RH 1860’s French Gilt Mirror which comes in 36x48 and 26x48

Choice 2:

RH Mirror but the only size that will fit is the 30x40...most of the 40 is the top so it looks more square.

“Flemish Court” mirror- 36x48. This one is more expensive I would only get it if it were far better..

This comes in 26x48 and 36x48. It’s called 1940’s French paneled mirror.

Finish on chandelier.

@Kendrah traditional bold is true, and the RH mirrors above are in the budget. I’d rather have my daughters paint abstracts and oils, as my whole family is very artistic.

If I had the chandelier, and added a mirror like the one you almost showed us ;)

… I might feel that I'd been invited to a 'ball'... !

@everdebz which mirror? Did you see the four I posted?

What are the measurements of the Anthropolgy mirror you are returning? I think it was a good size and would be inclined to get either the first or second choice RH mirror depending on your preference. They will both look great with your chandelier. The third is not worth whatever the additional expense and I don’t think the lines of the fourth mirror are hefty enough.

When you refer to the green room pic, do you want to look for a paint color that shade or are you just referring to the pic in general?

Also, do you love the fabric on your chairs or are you just going with what is there? I had the seats in my dining room chairs reupholstered a few years back and it was not expensive. I bought the fabric myself and gave it to my upholsterer, which also saved. He came to my house, unscrewed the seats and took them with him so he didn’t have to load up the chairs.

I think your fabric is absolutely fine, nothing wrong at all. It just seems like you are looking for a bit of bold in the space and that could be any easy place to get it. Remember if you are placing chairs on either side of the buffet, they are very visible and the seats can add a lot of look, or not to the room. No right or wrong.

By a dressed up feeling? I meant the mirror covered in plastic [to go in another room].

Hi all-
Kendrah the Anthropology mirror was 39 by 39. I’ll go with one of the two from RH they are having a Labor Day sale and I have scoured the Internet and they seem like the best deal.

As for the green room, I like the brightness of the space. It seems so cheerful. I wouldn’t do green but maybe a brighter blue or a bright colored fabric on the chairs. That fabric came with them and doesn’t show stains.

I think once the mirror is in, the rest will come together.

@everdebz my China is McKinley by Lenox which is a gray with gold dots. My moms China is a light blue and gold pattern on white. I’m likely going to get rid of the McKinley bc it’s from my first marriage so it seems odd to hold on to. Hey that’ll fund the sconces! Lol.

Besides a chandelier, your furniture doesn't resemble the strong/heavy look of a mirror, with straight lines... am I wrong? At least first buy a canvas piece!? like Beverly posted.

Great that they are having a sale today! Agreed that it will all come together and take shape with the mirror in place. Good luck and I hope you post pics after you are done.

Link to a nice blue dining room color.

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/why-i-love-farrow-and-ball-stone-blue-paint-color

Scroll down to the dining room pic near end of this article.

https://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/gallery/ben-pentreath-georgian-country-house

You have to scroll down quite far in this article and you will find about five stunning blue rooms just before the green rooms.

https://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/gallery/farrow-and-ball-colours

The Brits know how to do wall color well.