I think the next thing you need is draperies

I was hoping for something closer to these but I feel like I’m way off.

DRAPERY!

ADD gorgeous drapery. Go solid with fabric...or

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add beautiful trimming on gorgeous silk draperies.

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Have you tried hanging the art between the wall sconces?

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Yes, if the painting fits, hang it between sconces and move round mirror to the wall opposite the window to reflect your chandelier and light from windows.

Do you have a tray ceiling? If so, consider painting the ceiling to compliment the rug (instead of curtains).

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Except for the last, your inspiration photos have no dark colors. They are very light and ethereal. There's a little bit of pastels, a little bit of driftwood tones, but otherwise there's just a whole lot of white. The last photo has the dark chair frames in the foreground and the green plants, but otherwise what I said applies. They also have bountiful natural light and no small amount of professional lighting (and in one phot a bit of soft focus).

If that's what you want, then the rug and the table in the dining room are a problem. I'm not saying that they aren't nice or you can't make a beautiful room using them, just that it's never going to look like your inspiration pics. So your first decision should be whether you want to make a beautiful room working with what you have; OR do you want to spend more money and get something closer to the inspiration photos. Getting close to the inspiration pics means replacing the rug and table (at least I don't see how you can get there using them).

The foyer is closer, and mostly is suffering from a lack of light. I'd look for a much larger mirror with a white frame to reflect more of the DR light.

Disregarding your inspo pictures. Because you have a nice amount of color and those don’t have any. They’re both nice spaces. But not the same. In the foyer I’d add Wallpaper. And a bigger mirror. The dining room I’d start with sheer white drapes. What’s going on the other side of the table? Do you want to keep the paint? Do you want to add wallpaper there too? Very nice start!!

I have white curtains that haven’t been hung yet.

I haven’t tried the picture between the sconces but it would fit. If we hung it at 60” from the floor to the middle of the picture it would be significantly below the sconces. Would that be weird?

The rug and table are both old and from our last house. I could definitely replace the rug, but I might have to wait on the table. The foyer is the darkest area. I do think a larger mirror and maybe a lamp? I thought maybe SW pure white might be better for the rest of the main areas, but the sample looks more yellow than the white dove that is on the wall.

This one is way out of my price range, but maybe something similar in the foyer?

I believe your rug is stealing the show! In order to raise your attention up, you need to repeat that color in the room. I agree that adding artwork between the sconces and repeating the color in the rug in window treatements would do the trick. ANOTHER idea, paint the wainscoting a blue found in your rug in semi-gloss!

Does the round mirror fit between the sconces?

My sconces are 52” apart, but the mirror is only 28” wide.

The rug is pretty. And I wouldn’t get rid of it. But I do think you’ll be happier with lighter. Tables fine. Very pretty.

How about something like these?

Do any of these colors stand out? The rest of the house is all repose gray, but I think it’s a little dark. Especially in the foyer. (The floors are changing soon)

We get a fair amount of light in the living room, but I don’t know if it’s enough for white to work.

The paint isn’t a problem. If you prefer lighter go lighter. Whatever makes you happy.
You are so organized and clean!! Wow!!! Just wow!!
For the rugs I’d go even lighter. Don’t worry about it being too sterile we can always add in art. Or fun accents and wallpapers. The floor in the dining room is going??
It’s lovely!!! I rlly like it!!

I am definitely drawn to clean and simple. We need to replace the living room floor and want to do wood. Since it’s all connected, and the parquet is damaged from water coming under the door during a storm we will just do it all. That way it is consistent.

I’d repair. And sand and stain both the same color. But that’s just me. This is BEAUTIFUL floor!!

I like the rug, and agree, the colors need to be repeated in draperies, and maybe a table centerpiece etc, but, the big thing to me, is that there seems to be a piece of furniture missing. Is there room, for a narrow type of buffet, under those sconces. It just seems, there should be something there, for the sconces to look like they belong there.

Can you tape the paper square for the art between the sconces so we can see how it fits? I prefer the non-fringed rug. Based on your inspiration photos though, you might consider a neutral rug (although I like color).

The lighter blue rug still looks like too much blue to me. The dining room is between the foyer and garage door which both have jute rugs. We will also need a living room rug. I think that is why I was looking for something different in the dining room.

This is how the picture would fit between the sconces. I think it might be too cramped with more furniture under them, but I agree it seems weird To have them at all.

Our floors are weird because we have parquet in the dining and foyer and then also in a hall and two bedrooms on the right side of the house. On the left we have 2 carpeted bedrooms. Then we have 6 different types of tile through the rest of the house. Nothing matches which makes me crazy. Here is the parquet up close. It has several other places that are damaged as well.

could it ever blend with wood floors like these?

The picture would look great between the sconces! Since you like simplicity, you may be good after that. You can always add more later but no need to rush. In your entry, I would emphasize the high ceilings with a tall mirror.

Hi, you have a beautiful home :). I personally think your Repose Gray paint color could work just fine with adequate lighting. You could put those thousands of dollars you would spend repainting into furniture, art, lighting, and accessories. Four quick and easy things you could do to bring your dining room closer to completion are (1) purchase and hang drapes in an off-white linen to the ceiling (just under your molding) using the drapes in your inspo photos and your chair slip covers as a guide for coordinating color. (2) move the blue art between the wall sconces. It looks to be about the perfect size for that space and the lower part being below the sconces is not an issue. You wouldn’t want the top of the art to be higher than the doorway. And it’s too small for the wall it is on currently. (3) purchase two-three more art pieces similar to your blue piece for the side wall. I can’t tell how long that wall is but ideally the art would fill 66-75% of the width of the wall with about 4” between multiple pieces. (4). Purchase approximately five olive branch stems or similar faux greenery stems from Hobby Lobby or similar to put into your white vase on the table.

Thankfully we are able to do the painting ourselves which saves a lot of money. I moved the picture and it does look better there. The blank wall is about 12.5’.

These are the curtains that I have (folded over the chair). They are long enough to hang a few inches below the crown.

The curtains look very nice, but, I really think you need curtains with a bit of that blue in them, to look right in your room. Too many neutrals, and not enough interest.

The table looks like it needs to run parallel to the windows.

If I turned it you would only have about 6 inches between each end chair and the wall.

I sanded one of the loose boards. Would I be able to replace all of our carpet with wood and stain the parquet to match? Thats assuming I could repair the water damage. We have about 740 square feet of parquet total so it would save a lot of money. I wouldn’t want it to be orange though

I’m so excited that your considering maintaining that parquet!!! Yessss go for it!! As far as the blank wall I say a wallpaper. I love the curtains. The simpler the better. Good choice.

Dark walnut (left) and 50/50 dark walnut and special walnut on the right. I might try ebony also.

This is ebony on red oak.

All beautiful!!! And very similar. Maybe special walnut. Just for practicality. You won’t notice as much crumbs the lighter the color is... great choices.

the darker stain looks great. can't wait to see how ebony looks. I like the curtains you have and then you can add blue accents. will add some more for you in a biy

for the larger wall bringing in more blue a couple of options
https://www.wayfair.com/decor-pillows/pdp/east-urban-home-cool-gray-horizon-i-by-jennifer-goldberger-wrapped-canvas-painting-print-esur9469.html

https://mobile.greatbigcanvas.com/view/waters-edge-i,2525708/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAyoeCBhCTARIsAOfpKxiIzPdC__0aGf-32q-VstT3zbNunZR8KwAtuQt1EEaAlhPce98bKcAaAstGEALw_wcB

a beautiful blue vase with cherry blossoms or white/ off white flowers or compass grass in natural or blue or pink for an extra color

https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Vases/6418/subcat.html?featuredproduct=21160260&featuredoption=35205392&kid=9553000357392&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=26934541-000-000&cnc=US

some pretty pillows in the chairs would add that feel you are looking for. are you putting 2 more of those chairs on the side of the table?

white distressing wax will make you table lighter and tie into the look you want

maybe a lighter blue and other colors rug

https://boutiquerugs.com/billings-area-rug/?sku=BLLLQ-679&gclid=Cj0KCQiAyoeCBhCTARIsAOfpKxg2svWS7rJMtaDVPHDN7deRN3vmqZzBhPixx-SpyMBJ0palH6K8yhAaAsxQEALw_wcB

Thank you! I really like the rug. The pillows are a great idea too.

I only have 4 chairs because I picked them up used. I was thinking about doing a bench on the other side for the kids.

I looked at flooring today. It will be about 7k to buy matching wood for the rest of the main areas and have it installed. That doesn’t include sanding, staining, or removing old floors. My other options include installing prefinished engineered wood and trying to get the parquet to match or just putting vinyl on top of everything.

Sorry to hear the floors would be so much.

For your entry, some ideas I hope will help
https://www.amazon.com/Ashley-Furniture-Signature-Design-Traditional/dp/B01C8P2XAY/ref=asc_df_B01C8P2XAY/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=232788260115&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12196777705427204215&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031442&hvtargid=pla-450593129517&psc=1

https://www.kirklands.com/product/Furniture/Bedroom-Furniture/Accent-Chairs/Chaucer-Stripe-Accent-Chair/pc/2285/c/3059/sc/2628/269183.uts

https://www.kirklands.com/product/Home-Decor-Pillows/Blankets/White-Lattice-Mia-3-pc-Pillows-and-Throw-Set/pc/2284/c/2732/243331.uts

https://www.kirklands.com/product/Home-Decor-Pillows/Home-Organization/Baskets-Boxes/Gray-Melanie-Round-Belly-Wicker-Basket/pc/2284/c/3049/sc/2631/282353.uts