IMO wall colr is the last choice to make and honestly I like DRs to be an actual color not boring beige or greige. Why not change the hardware on the china cabinet or even better eliminate the china cabinet for a bit more updated look. IMO unless you use what is in there on a regular basis a nice buffet is abetter choice . I think we need to get some more feel for your style.

So the reasoning on the agreeable gray is this will be new construction (but not custom) so I have one color to choose for the whole house. I do think at some point I may re-paint the dining because I agree with setting it apart, but that's not at the top of a long list for now. I have debated on the whole traditional china cabinet as I know the whole look is not popular, but I'm still a classic/traditional type. I was thinking I would like to see it in a fresh, lighter look. The room will be south facing with 2 large windows so I think it will get a lot of light. Plus the tall wainscoting will make the walls more white than gray. I may get brave one day and paint the molding/trim but that's a ways out. So I was hoping for a classic traditional look with a lighter feel. My style is more Ballard Designs, I guess. Traditional but not stuffy and heavy. Would rather stay away from dark heavy colors. I have this rug in my living room now but considered moving it to the new dining, or leaving floors bare? They will be dark brown wood.

Thank you so much--you made me feel better about it all! I've seen so many posts about getting rid of formal dining...but there's still a part of me that appreciates this. We have selected a very similar chandelier for the new home, great idea on lightening the interior of the china cabinet. I do use it to display my nicer china, so I would like to keep the top intact. I like the foamcore idea!, and a light! thank you for the encouragement & feedback.

And/or wallpaper the foamcore boards.

I think your ideas all sound wonderful. I think the cream fabric colors with your gorgeous furniture and the wall colors will be such a beautiful room. Airy and fresh, but still cozy and inviting.

Regarding the pulls ... I’m a big fan of Rub n Buff. It’s easy to use and a little goes a long way!

yay! Thank you so much! Never heard of rub n buff, but on the search for it now! ;)

I think your dining room is beautiful. Your dining room is a classic style. Furniture doesn’t have to be trendy, a good classic style will always look good. The changes you are proposing will be a beautiful update. I’m anxious to see it.

We are also moving and my dining furniture is also classic traditional in style but I’m ready to go more light and airy. My days of hosting family holidays and dinners are a thing of the past as my older daughter has a new to her beautiful home that is perfect for entertaining. We occasionally still host a dinner for our one group of friends but it’s never more than ten people and the gals usually use the dining room or kitchen and the guys are quite comfortable in the family room.

You all made me feel so much better! Thank you SO much for the encouraging words--I feel like I like my set even more now! So much great advice--what a great place this it :)

I’m so glad. And congratulations on your new house!

These boards lean very, very heavy to minimal, modern, MCM ... while our numbers are dwindling, there are still a few of us who know and appreciate other styles. :)

Oh, and you have to update us!

You can probably go a very long way to giving you dining room a fast leap into the 21st century by displaying all new pieces in your cabinet with a few carefully selected holdovers. Consider doing all one color. Ot pieces with strong black and white graphics. Or fill the cabinet full of objects other than dining china. Try some minimalist modern art on the wall.

For the fabric on the chairs I’d do something in the greige family. If you go to Joanne fabrics they usually will cut off a small square of fabric to take home and try out. As far as the drapes go, that’s always a good way to spruce up a room. A lot of people do faux wood blinds, which are budget friendly, and add some drapes on top of it. The drapes soften up the look of the the faux wood blinds nicely.

I’d put the beautiful rug in your dining room and take your cues from that. Perhaps you can pick out a color from the rug...a blue or the green...as a possible color for your seat cushions? (Cream in a dining room??? Scotch guard!). Or even a silvery blue or sage green drape? You might consider, as suggested, placing foam core painted a pale blue or green on the back wall of your china closet. Or even wallpapering it (peel and stick?) for a new look. And bring those colors into your dining room with art, too! Lovely!