Can you post a layout? I'm not sure where the solarium fits into the floorplan. Without knowing more, I'd try your dining table near the corner of the windows, and make the rest of your space into the main sitting room.

I like the dining set but it looks like it’s squinched up too tight against the bookcases. Maybe it’s the angle of the photo?

I also like the rug and the color of the couch. I’m not in love with sectionals but that’s just my personal preference. Yours looks ok.

The red chair and lamp look like they’ve been dropped in from outer space. (Sorry. You said to be honest.). Maybe if they were integrated into the seating space (a little closer) it would help.

The plants/pots look too small in the space. I’ve got a couple of plants over 4’. I think you need something like mine.

The chairs are nice but with bookcase as backdrop, it is too busy. Too much together. I would do a solid colored chair.

Hi there!

Here is the best I could do for a layout. The solarium would be in the area labelled "Eating area" on the plan (sorry - you may have to zoom in).

Thank you for your honesty! I'm glad you pointed out the strangeness of the red chair and lamp and I can totally see what you mean. As for plants, I am definitely going to purchase taller ones. We've only been in the home (and the city!) now for a week so everything is very new.

Please keep the advice coming - I appreciate it so much!

I think the red chair is elegant. I just noticed that picture. With solid light colored or dark colored chairs in front of bookcase it could work.

Do you think then that the damask dining chairs paired with the glass dining table in front of the bookcase is a bit much? Also, where would you consider placing the red armchair? We tried placing it closer to the couches but it cuts off the view of the window.

I think the placement of the light fixture over the dining table is limiting your options. I'd think about a rectangular table instead that can be extended. Then I'd look for a linear fixture where one end can connect to the J-box and the other end can attach to the ceiling. Like this, for example:

And yes, I think the chairs are too busy. I think you can do better. :-)

That's a wonderful suggestion - thank you, Sabrina! Thank you for your honesty regarding the chairs as well. The busy-ness of the chairs is also a worry for me.

What would you suggest then for the solarium room? Do you think I could perhaps move the glass round table to the solarium and place two small chairs there and have like a little coffee corner area amongst the plants? Thank you!

The glass table might be too large for that space. Looks to me to be 48" in diameter, and I probably wouldn't go any bigger than 36" there.

Yes, the glass table is 39" so it would be much. I may have to really think about the solarium space. I think your suggestion for a rectangular table is great! Thank you, Sabrina!

I like your dining table and chairs but there is too much unrelated stuff on the bookcase. Can the bookcase go somewhere else? I would prefer a small buffet there. I would also add a few pieces of blue and white china, either lamps or ginger jars to tie in with the blue.

Thank you so much, ashtonchic. I am unable to move the bookcases (it is a rental property). I like your suggestion for adding blue and white pieces. I do have lots of beautiful display books but they can be placed elsewhere to coordinate with the colour theme perhaps.

You could get some blue removable wallpaper and put in the back of the bookcases. Then you could style the bookcases with some items that would tie in with chair colors. I would get slipcovers for the additional chairs and a little table for your "solarium". Is it possible to replace light over dining table?

What a great idea! I never even thought of wallpaper and slipcovers. I could do like two white slipcovers for two of the chairs with the dining table, too perhaps? Maybe that would dilute all the patterns. I love the idea for a little table as well - should it be white or should I find a glass table you think?

I am going to check with the property manager to see if I can switch the lighting fixture as well. Hopefully, that can be changed!

l love ashtochic's idea of wallpaper on the backs of the bookshelves. I've done this in a rental with fabric stretched over foam board. It was very renter friendly and looked great. I love your chairs. If the wallpaper had a simpler blue pattern and a dash of red it could tie your red chair and living room rug together. I'd try moving the red lamp. There's a lot of red clustered together. Beautiful apartment and nice and simple.

(no mirror on adjoining wall, just art)

Thank you so much! What wonderful advice! 🥰