I would paint red along ceiling white, grass cloth above chair rail, recover chairs in a floral, remove valances on drapes and replace chandelier.

And replace mirror with art!

you have absolutely gorgeous furniture to use as a starting point in your new design. I think as a start you may want to consider starting an ideabook with all the dining rooms you are drawn to as there are so many different directions you could go, light and bright, moody, eclectic, etc etc. my first thought is that it should be lightened up so the furniture can be highlighted more. I would include some more modern touches to contrast with your very traditional furniture.

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I would change the carpet under the table.

The price for Persian carpets has really dropped, and you can get a gorgeous hand-knotted one in very good condition these days for not much money at all.

They come in many color ways.

You don't need one with a central medallion as it will be covered up by the table.

Get that first, then decide on the paint color afterwards. You might even be able to keep the paint color.

I would remove the swag on the curtains, it is a bit old-fashioned.

I would not keep the mirror you have now.

If you want a mirror there, I would get a round or starburst mirror.

I would also not keep the wine rack there.

The wine is not served at room temperature anyway, so it seems pointless.

If you don't want to buy a new chandelier altogether, you can greatly improve the appearance of this one by using clip on shades, either paper or linen.

The paper ones are two for $10. Don't get drum shape or curvy bell shape. Get the diagonal sides. They are sold at Lamps Plus and online.

I would paint the red BM Balboa Mist or Edgecomb Gray. Remove the valance part of the curtains. Change the mirror to art and recover the chair seats.

Thank you! I really like the second photo! I was thinking about painting the walls a light gray, no curtains, and a new light fixture. Thoughts? Would you put new fabric on chairs? We may be selling an a year or two. Any thoughts on chandelier?

Pictures of chandelier ideas would be great - I am struggling

If I go with gray paint - what finish on chandelier?

Not gray paint: greige.

Oh- if you are selling in a year or two, that changes things.

I would not invest a lot of money in changing things around.

I would definitely change the paint color to something more neutral, a light cream perhaps.

The red is very taste specific and may turn off certain buyers who would see dollar signs in re-painting.

I would still get rid of the swag, it seems old-fashioned.

No artificial flowers anywhere.

I would not get a new light fixture either.

Whatever you buy you would have to leave for the new owner.

may also consider a warm white color. something very very light. everything you change with the chair you can take with you, so I would say go for a new chair cover too. a few ideas for chandeliers, different ways to go for sure

I have looked at the bottom fixture many times! I like the shaded fixture too!

What would you do for seat covers? What type of fabric?

What do you think of these?

those are very nice classic chandelier choices. for seat covers, I might go with a pattern, a pretty chinoiserie or floral of some type to brighten the heaviness of the furniture

of the two chandeliers you show, I like the second one better as the first one feels heavy with the dark, kinda thick trim at the bottom, it takes away from the crystally part of it. I would like it if it didnt have that bottom part

Thank you! I will take pictures when I am done! If you have other suggestions just post! Very helpful!

also, want to make sure the chandelier is big enough for the table. heres some tips

https://www.wayfair.com/sca/ideas-and-advice/renovation/how-to-find-the-right-chandelier-size-and-where-to-place-it-T474?refid=GX434403191997.~b&position=&network=g&pcrid=434403191997&device=m&targetid=aud-859806033724:dsa-836899577746&channel=GoogleIntent&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6ar4BRDnARIsAITGzlDyUZODtx3nWlTk9LPa5pAvQlq0Ad1tqsXmZaMVscO4WZfmqoQ0STgaAmFzEALw_wcB

You ALWAYS start with selecting the rug first because rugs have the fewest choices for you to review. The rug will set the mood for your room.

Once that is decided upon then that will set the tone for your wall finish selection & chandelier

Well, as usual, I agree with Beverly, and I am definitely a rug person.

But since you are moving, do you really want to buy a rug for your current room's dimensions when you will be moving and who knows what the sizes of the rooms there will be where you will be moving to?

Or do you know your next destination?

If you're moving don't spend a penny on a rug. In fact take up your existing rug because it has the appearance of indoor/outdoor and leave your lovely dining room just the way it is currently. Have you seen some of the houses on the market these days? Yours is stellar.

Thank you, but I do want to do a few updates. Any ideas for center piece since silk flowers are out?

Live flowering plant such as an orchid.

Seasonal decorations in covered glass apothecary jars you can buy online or at Pottery Barn.

In fall, pine cones of different sizes, acorns, etc.

In winter, gold, silver, colored glass balls.

Spring- dyed eggs

With that multi-branched a chandelier, you can have nothing on the table, too, and just get an orchid when you show the house.

Another option is to use a beautifully crafted but clean-lined vase such as a Simon Pearce or William Yeoward or Baccarat and you can cut a few branches or stems of foliage from your yard.

These vases can be bought second-hand very inexpensively online. They may have minor scratches or etching at the base or in the lower portion, but no one will see that, because they will look at the entire piece. You can also fill the lower portion with clear marbles to hold the stems which will obscure the minor scratches or etching. (Do not use a table runner for the vase. Just a small coaster or a cork coaster cut to size.)

The funny thing about silk flowers, when I was young, I could spot them across the room.

Now that I am older, I am frequently fooled, even from fairly close.

And they have some very well made ones from Thailand. too.

But the rule is, no wire hangers, and no fake or dead flowers, so alas, it is what it is, despite our aging and easily fooled eyes:)

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