Hi Lisa What is your first picture of? That's not the same table that is in the DR (or is it) I think your DR table and chairs look quite nice in the DR. The raised panels don't scream formal to me. There are so many ways to accessorize, that you can take that room any way you'd like. Or would you prefer to have a more formal table? You can easily go with a pattern under the sofa. Might add some interest to the room since the sofa is large and solid colored. I'm having trouble visualizing how the sofa room works. What is on the other side? It looks like you enter the room, and have to walk a ways to come around to the sofa. Almost like it should be turned so the seats greet you rather that the back of the sofa. The white table in the corner looks rather lonesome :( Do you plan to keep it there? If so, it needs a chair and maybe a darker color on the table. Hope this helps some. You basically have a blank slate here, so you can go in many directions. You've done a super job with the remodeling. I know what you mean about wanting *one* room to finally be done!

Lovely house with so many possibilities. I think using the wood room is the wisest choice as it abuts the kitchen which makes it handy yet large enough for a group sitting. Most would prefer the larger room for the living room family space. What a luxury to have an older home with lots of space.

Wow, it is a great idea. New Yorker prints are brilliant. KSWL had the idea of distressed frames - maybe in the blue - and that would be great, with a cream/white mat behind non-reflecting glass. I'd make the frame pretty simple - about 3/4 of an inch and a generous mat of about 3 inches with an interior mat in a 1/4 inch in some neutral like the grey of the driftwood or your wall tone. I think you have room for 3 above the fireplace and any of them would be wonderful. I'm especially partial to the first 3. The chandelier looks perfect. Together they evoke tradition and whimsy. Post pictures as a follow up!!! radley

Thank you to all that confessed :) We have a formal dining room that gets used VERY infrequently for dining since we have an eat-in kitchen. Though we have a large house, right now there is no other place with a table for me to create! Can't use my kids as an excuse, they are grown and gone. What would be my sewing/craft/project room is now my parents' TV room. When the time comes, I will reclaim it. It is large and has vast possibilities for storage of all my "gonna bes" and work spaces. Then I will become an adult and decorate my dining room table like the rest of you.