The beautiful greenery to me doesn't need heavy wood items impeding the view. The set, though dark, doesn't seem to do that.

With window that large, the cabinet looks crowded.

I would put the cabinet on the shorter wall beside it, opposite the other window. i think that would provide balance. i would also rearrange the china to be a mix of stacked plates, contempory serving pieces and other interesting items—-maybe even a photo or two.

I think the entire table and chairs looks like it should be outside. A pedestal table can fit a lot of people. And get some comfortable indoor looking chairs. And who says you need a break from all the wood? I would get a wood set and it will match the rest of the house.

I would say to start, the dining room seems to be a different style than the kitchen and living room, so I would suggest trying to unify the spaces

I would recommend switching out the Tiffany light fixture for one that is a little larger to compliment the space, and in the same style as the pendants over the kitchen island.

I do agree that the table/chairs could be changed, but if that is not an option perhaps reupholster the chairs in a cream or grey to better flow with the aesthetic of the livingroom.

Anchor the table with a rug (8×10?). This will help to ground the space and make it feel warm and welcoming.

I would also add drapes to each window for some added colour/texture which will increase visual interest. Perhaps cream, grey or blue.

Is it possible to move the China cabinet to the adjacent wall? This will help to open the space visually too, as it feels very heavy having a console and art, large window and large China cabinet all on the same wall.

If you're open to the idea of painting the cabinet I would also suggest painting it a matte black or grey. This will help to 'modernize' the display unit while helping to not blend into the wood floors as it almost feels like the floors and wood in cabinet are competing. This will also add better flow with the livingroom furniture too, not to mention the China will pop!

If you want any inspo pics of any suggestions let me know! 🙂

Thank you all so much for your very thoughtful input! I have been struggling with options for a new chandelier and would welcome any ideas or pics you may have to share.

I agree with calidesign and love the inspirational pictures.
Your place is beautiful and the natural view outside your windows are amazing. You mentioned you want to keep the China but didn’t mention wanting to keep the cabinet. I think an updated white unit would show off your plates and add a crisp look to the space. I would like to see a new dining set, new fixture and rug that would be in the same look as your lovely living area.

If it were my space I would probably get a table and a corner china display cabinet like these 2 items from Ballard Designs.

I would also not display every piece of china. Sometimes less is more. Having just a few place settings displayed with a few serving dishes may be a prettier display.

Here are some inspo pics for lighting.

Select a size whose width is 1/2 to 3/4 width of table for proper proportion, and hang about 30 in above table.

The more I look at the photos I’m wondering how would you describe your style. Eclectic? Cottage? Contemporary? Modern? Maybe you should pick a definite style first. Then look at your entire space and adjust and make tweaks to define one style.

TBH I see a lot of farmhouse in your design style, too Farmhouse and sleek modern are never going to look right together.

For example: you have a beautiful heavy natural wood coffee table and cute delicate light and airy side tables in your living area. Do you want to go heavy and natural or light and airy?
The dining set is very nice but looks outdoorsy and you have a farmhouse style picture and Amish looking China cabinet. Do you want farmhouse style or make it look like you are bringing the outdoors in?
The Tiffany style light fixture looks antique but the pendant lights in the kitchen look contemporary.
I think I relate to you and that’s why I see that there is this conflict.
Just looking at your lighting I see antique ( the Tiffany) cottage (the ginger jars) and contemporary (the kitchen pendants). Which of this do you like the best? You might harmonize 2 of those styles like cottage and antique or contemporary and antique as an accent. But all three styles in equal amounts is confusing to the eye and brain.
All your stuff is beautiful, just not all together in equal amounts. Pick a style, choose an accent here and there and then stick with that.

When you pick a style and accent we can help you get where you want to go. Right now everyone is just giving you what they like not personalizing it to what you want because with so many styles in equal amounts we can’t tell what you want.

Weighing in. Not a pro. I love the room itself, especially the high ceilings and the views! I would go the extra mile on very comfy chairs that encourage people to sit and enjoy the view. Don't worry about blocking it, you have 2 large windows. A new wood or painted wood table is more approachable and warm. It does not necessarily have to be a set, either.

The picture below I found had chairs that seem comfy. I would not go for this specific look. There is a lot out there.

I agree with swapping chandelier plus a rug that is easy to maintain.

If you keep the ginormous cabinet, and if you cannot move it, I would echo the height on the other side of the window. I would also tweak styling as others suggested.

Can't wait to see it come together!

Osmond Home · More Info

@Charles Binkley:
I see what you mean about style. I see eclectic too. Main vibe I'm getting is updated traditional in the living room, and a transitional kitchen with modern accents. Judeslou, would you agree? Maybe explore these styles on Houzz for inspiration. (Especially like me now, who woke up and can't get back to sleep!😊)

Lorraine Vale · More Info

Dining Room · More Info

River Ridge - Southwick · More Info

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Brookline, Massachusetts · More Info

I’d like the china cabinet on another wall too, ideally. Depending on which walls are left, I’d balance the china by either hanging a few plates on another wall or even putting a plate/platter on a stand on the smaller pine piece. Also bring the color of the china in with a pop of matching flowers.

Beautiful house. I would try the tall cabinet between the windows but kitty corner not flush with the wall. You might want to paint it darker to make the wedgewood pop. Then I'd get a round dining table and new chairs. I would also replace the Tiffany light fixture.

Agree the dining table and chairs don’t work, nor the chandelier. I love the options @drblount10 offered. Your table needs to be wood to match the china cabinet and overall “feel” of the space. I also think moving the china cabinet angled in the opposite corner is a great idea to try. A wood table and upholstered chairs would warm up the room immediately. Then a rug and new chandelier. The current table and chairs would be gorgeous on a patio or deck.

finding a table that has the wood tones of your living room would help tie the spaces together or a glazed top table with a wood base similar to the tone. going with a neutral colored chair, maybe similar to the tone of your couch, full fabric to help soften the room. painting the China cabinet in the navy blue from your living room rug would update the piece and bring the color into the space, adding a larger painting above the cabinet opposite the China cabinet will help balance the room. choosing a chandelier with frosted shades and brushed nickel would compliment what you have. you'r kitchen and dining room look awesome, I love how you mixed natural, rustic and contemporary pieces together!

Simple steps to start with. The china cabinet is “colonial reproduction with knotty pine.” Not go with anything else. Paint it black, or color of your choice. While doing that eliminate the curved bottom decorative piece and black colonial hinges. New hardware. Totally new transitional look that will allow china to pop. As others have said rearrange how display the china and a new placement in room. Simple and the cost of paint and your labor. New lightening fixture next. Then proceed with other ideas.

What a beautiful view and I can see why you want to feature it. However, as several others have said, I don’t t think up the glass table fits. I believe that you will be surprised by what a wood table will offer. Perhaps consider a round one -that can expand to oval when you need more seating.

When I look at your dinnerware display, I see it with one of those wall mounted plate racks. The kind with dowels, so that the plates are on their edge. With a slight angle and correct spacing on the dowels, the design would remain prominent. Perhaps an open console below could display some of the accessories (platter and tea pot) and additional place settings could be stored until needed.

The pine hutch is a nice piece, but looks, to me, just a bit cumbersome. A wall rack would be less so and still fit with your overall look.

Drblount10 and @CharlesBinkley, I agree. My problem is that I like something of many styles including modern rustic, simple antiques, vintage and contemporary. Every time I make up my mind about how to tackle this room I change it in few days! The inspiration pics are great because the show warm, colourful rooms.

It is ok to mix antiques with everything.

Judeslou you have a wonderful space to work with. Something else I have learned the hard way is that not every piece needs to make a statement. Decorating a home is a bit like putting makeup on a woman. You either emphasize the lips or the eyes, not both. Sometimes less is more.

A room usually has 2 focal points.

No one has asked if you actually use your mom's china or if it is on display as a sentimental keepsake. Either way, consider displaying it on a trio of open shelves flanking that window. Use the chest in the living area below the other lighted art, moving the fern to the far right side of that photo in front of the window. I agree; the table and chairs can move to the deck or patio to make room for a new set, rug and chandy.. Why not pull some elements around the space? These kinds of stools will repeat the living area chairs.

Camelot Reserve · More Info

Or go lighter and more contemporary like this:

Ferguson 2020 · More Info

Be sure a rug under the table is large enough for the chairs to be sat in without falling off it. Generally, 36-42" bigger than the table top is a good fit.

I didn't ask if she uses her China she says she wants to keep it it's her mother's

Judeslou, I am the same way! I find it very hard to decorate because I like just about everything. Charles Bingley (sorry spelled it right this time), good point about statement pieces.

For function: I like tables with legs under each corner so that everyone has leg room. I am thinking something with clean lines and not too formal?

Or you might want to start with chairs first, to get that comfort level right away. A new table and chairs is a good place to start.

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@ happyleg - didn't suggest she get rid of her mom's china, but the cabinet is the problem with the balance of the room. Six open shelves handle the china as well as the cabinet does, still giving her access to the china while displaying it.

A round pedestal table that opens would add a nice element to the space. It also gives everyone easier leg room.

Expanding on @deco idea for shelves, you could have them made with a double plate groove so that you could snug the two plate sizes together. Much like you currently display, but eliminating the need for the individual plate stands. Less space needed and more stable/secure.

Another option would be to use a few of the china pieces in a different way. i displayed my grandma’s everyday china in a guest room and my collection of Spode Woodlands in our sunroom/breakfast room. This eliminates the need for the china cabinet.

I would change the seat covers to coordinate with he seating area in the living area. I would remove the tall cabinet and replace it with a cabinet that matches the style and visual weight of the other shorter cabinet...or possible 2 corner cabinets. I would add a area rug under the table. and some type of sheer panels at the edges of the window. I feels under dressed. maybe change out the glass top for a wooden one in the same wood tones used in the joining spaces. Hope this helps.

Thank you all! There are contestant themes running through your advice. Replace the table and chairs, minimize the China display, replace the chandelier and get a rug. All doable. Thanks for casting freshe eyes on my design dilemma.

Yep! You got this. Have fun with it and please give us updates as go!

You have been a wonderfully receptive, and responsive OP, judeslou! Good luck and repost!

You have a lovely home and wonderful taste — your dining area is such a warm room with gorgeous views I’d want to linger in. I love your beautiful china cabinet and beloved dishes, I’d keep it right where it is.

Decorate the room unique to you and your lifestyle. :)

I thought of this Arhaus table that really fits the style of your cabinet well. You could keep your chairs with it (or not). This particular table might be too long, but it’s an easy style to find.

https://www.arhaus.com/furniture/dining-room-furniture/dining-room-tables/adriana-collection/adriana-dining-table-with-rubbed-black-base/

And this rug from Rejuvenation, which also coordinates well with this room/adjoining rooms:

https://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/collections/price-hand-knotted-rug-blue

ETA: Endless light possibilities you could do, I like this very simple one (comes in various finishes):

https://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/collections/berkshire-linear-pendant-linen-shades

My only comment is with the views outside your windows who cares?

😄 @KLaurence

🙃 yes,but let’s play along, shall we ? The views are spectacular…let’s dream along…😊

Only put the glass table outside if the glass is thick enough to withstand the elements. If not thick enough, do you have a screen porch? The China hutch is much too tall and overpowers the room. Do you have another room it can move to? You can display a few pieces of the China and keep the rest in a kitchen cabinet or new DR sideboard. For example, display the teapot on the platter (or with cup and saucer) on the chest. The farm style table with wood top and painted legs suggested in the mood board seems to fit with your LR style. Rather than woven or wooden chairs, I suggest adding upholstered chairs - or at least upholstered seat in a performance fabric like microfiber - for comfort, with a low back so you can see the view. I think your Tiffany-style chandelier detracts from the view, and a rectangular lantern chandelier would suit this room better. Keep it similar in style to the kitchen lighting. A polypropylene rug under the table will be easy to keep clean. One thing to keep in mind…you may love lots of styles, but don’t feel you must own every style you love, and pick styles that you feel naturally blend well.

Say you invest in new dining set - if you want, can we take stock?

going together: medium tone of beams, grass/leaf chair, table, window frames - each adding something... sturdy simple furniture and lamps - transitional style?

Idk what counter is up close, but stools seem olive-brown wicker? ... seems they could be 'lighter' -- and table set, I picture 'lighter' too...

If your room/window setting was 'lodge' you could try rustic/ unique dining [like the coffee table]... but- the plates imo aren't "letting the look" go lodge. :)

Basic pendants - this might be basic also, and nicely 'fill' the window width - W 38" / D 10" / H 21"

Progress Lighting P400092 Cordin 3 Light 38"W Linear Chandelier - Brushed · More Info

Called transitional - Homesquare 35.75" / H 14.5"

Orwell Linear Pendant, Aged Brass With Pewter Shades · More Info

White Gold finish softens the geometric form, creating a more delicate and transitional appearance. Gunmetal Bronze finish has warm bronze, industrial or vintage. W 26.6" / D 26.6" / H 30.75"

I might favor the white gold....

Smyth White Gold Six-Light Chandelier · More Info

Barn art and plates and other items -- show us your coffee table? -- maybe you'd like this type:

Island Lighting 4-Light With Bronze Finished, Wood Medium Base, 11", 240W · More Info

Hello judeslou, any updates?

Are there any updates?

Hi folks, thanks for asking for an update. I have a new table and chairs and have moved the china to a smaller display cabinet in a different part of the house. A new pendant light was ordered today and I am working on artwork. I will post a photo when it is complete. Thanks for your support and interest.

Great to see what you come up with?