Beverly--thanks for the input. What do you mean by "Kind of brutal in its details," concerning the light I was considering for the entry? I like the center left light you have shown, but I don't believe it would work in our entry as the ceiling is two stories tall. Need something that will hang from a chain. The RH pendant I choice for over the island would be the smallest at 7" diameter, 11 3/4" high. Our island is approximately 103"x50" with 8' ceilings. I would go with 2 pendants. The next size up is 13" x 21". Thinking that would be too large. Not feeling the RH pendant for the dining room. DH and I went to light store this afternoon. We were told that for a 10' ceiling, the fixture should be at least 30" tall. Width depends on the width of the table. Ours is 42" wide, so they said fixture should be around 24". We went through catalogs and ended up fining one in the showroom that appealed to both of us, was at the right price, height was correct, but width was too wide. They suggested hanging at 35" above table rather than 30". What do you think of this one? It's from Artcraft. Think I will continue to look...

Thanks for the feedback, yayagal and walnut creek. I was beginning to get nervous about the black. I don't know if you looked at the Thomas armchair, but that is quite simple. When not in use, I was going to place them in front of the window where the low red/goldish chairs are now. I was getting them in a pretty seafoamish-sage green because all my furniture in the adjoining family room is cream. To go with them, I was thinking of these aimple mission style side chairs, in black, but maybe now to match the table, with the same green upholstery seats. Thoughts, photos? Here is a link that might be useful: Mission chairs

It looks ok to me from the pic, but that is a weird perspective. I like that the new light more closely matches the size of the mailbox. In general, I look for a grid for alignment. The top of the light looks like it almost aligns with the top of the trim. It's ok if it aligns with the bottom of the trim. It is probably ok wherever it is. The top of the mailbox I originally thought should be lower. If it's easy to temporarily remove the mailbox, I'd try it top aligned with the top of the trim, or the bottom of the trim. Or 2/3 overlap could be ok. Then you have the flag. So I would just play with the mailbox position so you have the right amount of space for the 3 items.

Your rug works with the couch, and it also works with the color of the dining room. The dining room color would work very well in your living room. It is the beige that is throwing everything off. Its the living room that needs painting, not the dining room. In the dining room, I would paint that white table and chairs black, or a much darker color. Then add color to both rooms for accent colors in pillows, etc. Black coffee and end tables would add a lot to the living room too. It may be easier to paint the dining room, but, it wont solve your problems in the living room. Its still beige, and it still doesnt work. I love your couch, and your rug. Good choices.