Updating dark dining room

last month

last modified: last month

I made some updates to the dining room. I have before and after pics. I still need to get a longer curtain rod to open the curtains up for more light. And I will eventually paint the walls... Not sure on color. How are the new chairs. Ghost chairs won't fit all the pushed in bc of the arm chairs. Is that an issue? And I have another velvet chair for the other end. I just didn't want to unwrap everything if I'm going in the wrong direction.
Pictures in the comments

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Comments (12)

lovefrappe
Original Author
last month
P Banos
last month
I liked the old chairs. You could re cover the seats. Do end chairs fit on rug when pulled out for seating.
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lovefrappe
Original Author
last month
ok.. I have the same feeling.

The original chairs do stay on the rug when pulled out, not the new ones.

Thank you
jiddie
last month
Actually I love the ghost chairs! Adds personality. I don’t think the rug police will arrest you if they don’t stay on rug when pulled out😀
Looks like light may need to be lowered and swap out arrangement for something horizontal...maybe 3 ginger jars going across.
Otherwise lovely room...lots of potential.
Enjoy decorating!
lovefrappe thanked jiddie
jiddie
last month
Also, put large art where smaller art is and I know this is a no no in “Houzz”, but put mirror above buffet.
lovefrappe thanked jiddie
trendtown
last month
your room is really pretty. The floors are gorgeous. I think a new rug should be considered that would pull out the richness of the floors. Also, the ghost chairs are fun because they are so unexpected in a formal dining room.
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judianna20
last month
last modified: last month
One arm chair typically is at one end of the table...the "host" chair. I like the ghost chairs, I have six around a round Saarinen dining table, with no arms, so the chairs can tuck under.

That said, I like what you had with no rug. The rug makes the room look so narrow. I think the sideboard should have a mirror and the opposite wall have the larger of the two paintings.

And yes, to better window treatments. Hang rod so it touches each wall. The added fabric will make the room look wider.
lovefrappe thanked judianna20
judianna20
last month
JIDDIE, I too recommended a mirror over sideboard for a couple of reasons: more light, making the room look wider, and if the larger art is on opposite wall there is something to reflect.

Not sure about the no mirror over sideboard. Often it is the way to go.

Glad we are on the same page.
arcy_gw
last month
Dining chairs with arms make it a challenge for people getting in and out of a table situation. You need more room behind them than chairs w/o arms. Also as you noted the person seated does not get to decide how close they care to sit..the arms dictate this if they prefer closer vs farther away. That said these Ghost Chairs will never find favor with me. They are plastic. They are LAWN CHAIRS by nature of their being plastic hard stop!! Your room is light. Not seeing dark to begin with. Carpet is always a nice addition for acoustics and light when floors are as saturated as yours are. Plus there!! I would rethink the credenza lamps. Are they necessary or just something to clutter up the top of the butler? Re-painting over gray is ALWAYS a good thing!!
N Johnson
last month
I think you need a new ceiling fixture to go with the lower and more contemporary profile of the ghost chairs and upholstered end chairs. Bottom of the light should be 30-36” from the tabletop. Yours is flying and serves to make the room only look taller. Can you move the sideboard and turn the rug and table sideways? Closer to the window? Bring the sideboard back towards the opening? I had a small dining room and ended up moving the sideboard out to the adjacent entry (double height ceiling) as the “hall table” with a huge painting over — it fit there better and was still accessible for meals.
N Johnson
last month
Scratch the idea of closer to the window — needs to be centered under the light. My mistake.
P Banos
last month
last modified: last month
The reasons the chairs should stay on the rug are

1. If the diner is trying to pull the chair closer to the table and the back feet are off the rug, the legs get caught on the rug. This will lead to curling and damage to the edge of the rug, making the problem worse over time. 2. Diners may feel uncomfortable when the chair is tipping, or when the legs get caught on the edge of rug when they are trying to sit down.

Notice the wisdom for sofas, for example, is different. There just the front legs are enough. That's because a sofa stays put.