dpriscok, you did not hijack my thread, we are all talking about painting ceilings!!!!! If I inspire someone then that makes me feel good. When I started thinking about drapes in my dining room, I really knew what I wanted. I started shopping around and kept finding the same fabric at different fabric stores. I was at one and got a price and it would have been over $800 per panel. Then I went to another fabric store and got a sample of the same fabric. The lady there then told me that they had panels already made in the back of the store. I paid about $120 per panel and they are lined. I jumped on that!!!!! I bet if you went to your local fabric store/stores you would be able to find drapes already premade.

Do you have an inspriation pic of your idea yet? Here's a dining room with the colors flipped: http://www.craftsmanperspective.com/images/renovation/diningroom2004.jpg Here's a dining room with red and white: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TKTLIhBfAM8/SENodAtDQKI/AAAAAAAAAt0/kXpsBbkl-

Thank you all for your suggestions! @Enduring I definitely can push the TV back on the stand. I don't think I have enough room to allow the back of the sofa to be a walk way. @Immcnitt I like the idea of a console table. I'll see about playing around with the layout over the next few days. I agree with the chair in the corner, it is a bit odd. I do think the layout is TOO open now and makes the table look far to small. Hmm. @Jamie Our ceilings are too high, would the new lighting need to be shorter? @Jamie I would love a new rug in the living room for sure. I hadn't thought about a rug in the dining room, maybe that would make that space feel so open now.

Happy for any suggestions!