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Home Decorating Lighting Design Dilemma

Dark dining room (what to do??)

3 years ago

Hi all, so I have a dilemma, I have a semi-open concept area in my weird condo and the dining room is in a sort of alcove, I am trying to figure out what color to go in here, but also how do I bring in my ambient light? The chandelier is pretty bright (luckily dimmable) but its also too sharp and the sconces are new but they barely give any light, only downward facing. What are your thoughts on this room on how to brighten and liven it up??

P.s. dont mind the construction garbage ...

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Comments (4)

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Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago
IMO a chandelier should light the table not the ceiling and should have all LED bulbs in 4000K the wall sconces are pretty much useless the style they are Is there a window in the space ? IMO the darkness comes from that very dark color why not change the bulbs then paint then see what you need I think DRs are nice with the table and buffet lit it gives a nice ambiance
Elaine Doremus Resumes Written
3 years ago
There are a lot of ways to brighten up a room. Number one is get a giant mirror on the wall in back of the ceiling light - that way, you double the power of the light! Bonus when you have a wide gold frame around it! Number two: Put a lot of reflective surfaces in your space. This can be either mirrored lamp bases, glass side table tops (may have to be custom made in a glass shop - that's what I did), mirrored or gold picture frames, etc. Number three: Use a lot of white, light yellow, and light colors in your space. Wall decor in white subjects and white frames. Liven it up with subjects with a lot of light colors. Another option is a huge gallery wall with the same white, light yellow, and reflective colors and materials. https://www.art.com/products/p14498664529-sa-i6737050/j-m-w-turner-dort-or-dordrecht-the-dort-packet-boat-from-rotterdam-becalmed-1817-18.htm?upi=PG4THN0&PODConfigID=8880735
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Hemingway Chandelier It's $279.95, supposedly regular price is $797.00. Sale ends in 22 hours, but it's NOT returnable. It actually looks like a good deal because when I googled Hemingway Chandelier, I also found it on Overstock for 323.00 and for 352.00 on Amazon (a third store sells it for 638.00) The full name on Amazon is: "AF Lighting 6736-6H Antique Gold Candice Olson Hemingway Candice Olson "Hemingway" Six-Light Chandelier with Linen Soft-Back Shades, Finished in Antique Gold" Decscription from Joss and Main: "Illuminate your dining room, den, or master suite in elegant style with the Hemingway Chandelier, showcasing a scrolling silhouette for opulent flair. Product: 6 Light chandelier Construction Material: Metal and linen Finish: Antique gold and black Accommodates: (6) 60 Watt candelabra base bulbs - not included Size: 31.5" H x 30" Diameter Cleaning and Care: Wipe with a damp cloth Shipping: This item ships small parcel Expected Arrival Date: Between 12/20/2012 and 12/28/2012 Return Policy: This item is final sale and cannot be returned" Now, there's a 15.00 referral credit, so you could have your husband sign up and refer you. Moreover, I think Overstock has a price match guarantee. Call 1-800-843-2446. Also, check out this chandeliers below, especially the soft gold ones. Here is a link that might be useful: Olsen chandeliers
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I would do the recess in the ceiling and the backs of the cabinets in same metallic finish as the large art piece. Upholstery is where I go to determine paint colors; you have some options there that might be better than black. I think the issue with the present draperies is the volume and the floor dragging. That is a bit too opulent a look, and is better suited to a high end, very large space, if at all. You can remedy that with the new panels. You might also recycle the current drapes into pillows, new chair seat upholstery, or in a glam master bedroom.
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Just a few personal opinions: Many New England homes have 8' ceilings; the 1905 I grew up in had 8 1/2. Pot lights at that height are visually jarring to me and compromise the serenity of an expanse of ceiling. Also, people tend to put in too many because once they decide on that option, more is not excessively costly. The result is a runway look. For an early 1900's home you're dealing with plaster and lath unless someone already tore it out. Once you make holes in that, you can lose the plaster - especially on a ceiling it can pull away from the lath. Then, dusty reno mess and call the sheet rockers.
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cawaps
3 years ago
I'm not normally a fan of mirrors in dining rooms (don't want to see myself eating), but they do have a useful function in decorating, and that's to reflect and amplify the available light when light is in limited supply.

If the sconces aren't distributing light the way you need, change them out. It doesn't matter if they are new if they aren't working for you. Sell them on Craigslist and buy something else.
l pinkmountain
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I had a mirror on our dining room wall and it was a yuck. Never liked watching myself eat. Do you love that color? If not, paint and put art on the walls. Always gonna be a dark space, why amplify it with dark walls and no art. Get some landscape stuff if you like it, or boldly colored stuff. I have mostly beach landscapes in my dark dining room. At least we can look up while eating in there and imagine ourselves in a light airy space. There are abstract versions of landscape art if you want to stick with ultra modern. i have an artist friend who does fabulous impressionistic nature and city scapes with a palette knife . . . .

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