Dining Room - need advice

10 months ago

last modified: 10 months ago

Looking for advice for small 11x 11 dining room off the side of the kitchen. As you approach the room we have a tall mirror which reflects the chandeiler and art. We are curious if painting the walls dark - maybe Tricorn black would be too much? the color scheme of the entire main floor is cream, black, rust, and grey. i believe the paintcolor is Valspar Raffia but was here when we moved in. The chairs are a vintage find that i am working to have redone in a rust or light grey.

if we leave walls light should we paint the sideboard?

thank you for your insight.

Featured Answer

PRO

Norwood Architects

10 months ago

This is more than you asked for but when you post on Houzz you often get more than you asked. The chairs are cool! The dining table is nice but seems to heavy to go with the chairs. I might recommend a glass table that would coordinate better with the chairs. Also, the table just seems to big for an 11'x11" room. The side board, although very nice, also seems to big for the room. Would recommend replacing it with a more narrow one that doesn't protrude into the room as much. Would also suggest replacing the rug with another that has more punch and isn't as traditional. As far as the color of the walls - Would suggest keeping them the same color as the rest of the house. Black walls in you dining room would seem anomalous. Hope some of this helps. Good luck!

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Comments (11)

PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
10 months ago
last modified: 10 months ago
Seriously, remove the floor mirror. Not the right location for this piece.

Not sure you have the space for the buffet to be located on that wall. Try rearranging the chairs and see if that provides you with more space. Also the chairs with sled bases and arms do not work in a room with such limited space. You could select a chair with a higher curved back to keep the charis close to the table edge.

Your furniture is too dark to be able to contrast against Tricorn Black but a contrasting color could enhance the appearance of the room.
L S thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
L S
Original Author
10 months ago
Thank you for this feedback. I intend to have the chairs recovered in light fabric but based on your feedback i may go to new chairs.
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Kendrah
10 months ago
I love the idea of tricorn black in here and think it will look fantastic with your style of furniture. Your light and artwork will look incredible.

The chairs and buffet seem like a tight fit but doable. Instead of having them placed at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock, Try them at 2, 5, 8, and 10 - or some such arrangement so that there isn’t a chair with a back to the buffet.

I like the mirror there but would hang it instead of leaning it.
Valinta
10 months ago
What color are the walls in the kitchen and adjoining rooms? Agree with above comments on heavy appearance of furiture vs. chairs, and removing floor mirror. More questions: do upu use the sideboard? If for dinnerware, etc. storage replace with 2 smaller pieces that would fit under the windows - very sleek and modern to fit yiur esthetic.
L S thanked Valinta
Kendrah
10 months ago
The window sills in this room are low and I think the buffet would be too high, as would most anything else placed in front of them. Has nobody every lived in homes with small rooms before? Sometimes you've just gotta accept that your furniture and scale isn't going to be perfection. It add to an eclectic look, which given the furnishings and desire for black walls seem just fine in this space. Got for it! I love what you have collected here so far.
L S thanked Kendrah
PRO
Sabrina Alfin Interiors
10 months ago
last modified: 10 months ago
I like the idea of a dark dining room, but you need more contrast and color. I like your table, but I think you could do better with the chairs and a lighter-looking buffet.

Broderick Street Residence · More Info

Note all the contrasts: dark walls with light trim. Bright fabric chairs against the dark table. And a lighter toned buffet against the dark walls. Not in love with this light fixture, but it's a fun mix of modern against a more traditional looking dining table/chairs.
L S thanked Sabrina Alfin Interiors
felizlady
10 months ago
Yawn. Add some colored (printed fabric would be my choice) window treatments and have any art framed for a finished appearance. I would have a more interesting piece of art above the buffet. No floor mirror. Arrange the chairs as someone else suggested so no one has to deal with the buffet cabinet being in the way when a guest is trying to sit down.
L S thanked felizlady
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
10 months ago
Floor mirrors work best when arranged in a vignette with other objects close by reflecting in the mirror IMO
L S thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
L S
Original Author
10 months ago
If I add window treatments do you recommend going to the 9 ft ceiling height with the window being low? or hang at 8 ft?
Kendrah
10 months ago
I would paint, put the furniture back in place, then decide if the room needs window treatments. You might have enough going on in here to not need them.

I also think your current artwork is going to pop against the black walls so while it might not be a bright pop of color, you already have a lot of elements of contrast going on here.

Here is a black dining room with dark buffet, dark table, rather dark chairs and it works. There is a lot of light coming in and reflecting off the mirrors and ceilings. I do like the idea of a glossy tricorn ceiling in your space too.
West Pond House · More Info

Nice black room examples outside of Houzz:

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/sheila-bouttier-la-home
L S thanked Kendrah