Need some advice regarding our dining room!

rose1993

10 years ago

We are thinking of having the sideboard, corner cabinet and wine rack painted a soft white - but leaving the dining room table and chairs as is. Would this help? How can we improve the look of this room?

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rose1993
Original Author

10 years ago

Thanks for all your comments. I have now removed the black cushions and black framed pictures.

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Comments (18)

pippamc
10 years ago
So many nice things in one room!
Do you have a budget in mind for changes?
My main thought is to aim for either silver or gold touches, not both. Personally, i'd go for gold as the wallpaper seems to work with that and it suits the cream tones. This would then mean you needn't repoint them. Could you replace your mirror with something that works with the sideboard as it (pale wood?).
Personally, I like the darker touches, but I wonder whether it's worth changing from black to, say, a deep purply red or brown.
If you want to keep the black, to start small, it's worth moving the photo frames onto one wall. I would also change the tree, on the table, to something less densely coloured-tapered candles on wrought iron sticks maybe?
A table runner might help to draw things together too.
Just thoughts-as I say, some lovely items in here! These photos are just from Houzz but show a smaller range of colour within the rooms.
Good luck!
PRO
Amber Jeavons
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Hello Rose1993,

One thing I'd like to suggest is that you paint the chimney breast.. There is a colour in the period section of Little Greene website called Knightsbridge.. I think this might look very nice indeed with your scheme and show off your starburst as well as provide a focus and backdrop to your elegant dining room...

Try replacing the framed pictures with something that is more in keeping or an antique mirror on one side above the sideboard, would look good.

The ficus bonsai I would situate somewhere near the window perhaps.. Try grouping the little picture frames to one side and near each other on the sideboard..

If you could re- situate the corner drinks cabinet somewhere else in the room you could place the two chairs either side of the fire in the alcoves... Not right against the wall but with some room so they frame the fireplace... 2 silk rectangular cushions in a similar colour to chimney breast, shades, runner (which I suggest further down)

Consider finding two shades that might pick out the Knightsbridge colour for the two lamps on the sideboard.. and add a vase of flowers.. fresh or faux...

Take away the plate mat and coaster and simply have a white linen napkin folded and situated the right (of where the plate will sit) with all the cutlery situated on it.. My personal preference! I feel this is far more elegant and formal.

If you wanted to you could perhaps add a table runner again in a colour that might match the chimney breast and 2 shades and cushions, should you like the idea that is... I think then the room would be very dramatic indeed... So some really small suggestions that you may like that don't really involve changing the furniture or the mirror. : ))
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minnie101
10 years ago
Hi. It looks a lovely room. I think all of the black accessories are too dark for the room. I would try replacing the art with something in a dark antique gold frame. If possible I would lose the art by the corner cabinet so you can move those 2 chairs under the table. In terms of painting the furniture I would try a soft pastel grey ( that traditonal grey colour for french furniture). Just be careful about the shade of grey as I personally don't find all shades of grey work with gold although I know this one is very pale. For your table why not try a vase of faux flowers in a grey vase (maybe stone effect) which I think would suit the style of the room better. I have hydrangeas from Oka direct and always recommend them! I'd paint the fire surround to make that more of a focus. Again in a grey but a mid tone. I'd also lose the tablecloth until in use.
rose1993
Original Author
10 years ago
My husband still thinks we should paint the corner cabinet, sideboard and wine rack white.
PRO
Amber Jeavons
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Hello Rose,

If you were to introduce a colour like the Knightsbridge I mentioned... you would not need to do any of that really as the accessories and 1 wall might actually be enough.... Personally I think white would make the scheme appear colder... but why not get a paint sample and see what you think... Paint onto a piece of a4 and then stick to the chimney breast and see how it could work... take a look throughout the day, to see how it changes due to light levels... ...

It could be any colour you like if my suggestion isn't suitable, I rather thought this would make the fireplace and mirror really stand out... Of course if you prefer to paint the furniture, then do so to suit what you feel is best...

: ))
minnie101
10 years ago
Hi Rose. I quite like a contrast which is why I suggested the pale grey just to lift it a little. My mum has this paper in her bedroom and her furniture is an antique white so it tonally looks all the same. I think I would leave the furniture rather than paint white but ultimately choose what you like. A stone colour may also work. Maybe paint some large pieces of paper in different colours and stick over the furniture ( one colour at a time and take pics to see what works best)
rose1993
Original Author
10 years ago
We have decided that tinkering isn't going to be enough to make our dining room look striking. We will have to start again. We will be keeping the furniture and the mirror and lamps as is. We thought we should paint the walls in two shades of grey; a darker grey on the chimney breast and a lighter grey on the walls. Any helpful suggestions would be most appreciated.
PRO
Amber Jeavons
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Hello Rose,

I think that painting the chimney breast alone will have a dramatic effect.. Tie in the shades to match on the sideboard and add a mirror here too... Rectangular... Move the drinks cabinet and situate the two chairs either side in the alcoves...

It's not really tinkering it is accessorising and styling that can really make a difference. Give these things a try and see what you think... Maybe you might want to paint that alcove behind the sideboard a colour too, to compliment the wallpaper... So a lighter shade of grey, than the one for the chimney breast and then add some darker charcoal shades would be nice.. ... and a few copper accents. Possibly a few green fronds in the flower arrangement.. : ))
mrsmcee74
10 years ago
Little Greene do an entire grey collection with its own colour chart: http://www.littlegreene.com/paint/collection/grey featuring the Knightsbridge AJ mention. But their French Grey from their main colour chart is very nice and comes in four shades from light to dark for a tonal scheme. Then there's Farrow & Ball Down Pipe which is very nice with something pale like Dimpse or Cornforth White.
minnie101
10 years ago
Hi. Before looking at changing the wallpaper which is very pretty I would try out one of the paint visualiser apps. They are tricky to work so if you can't manage it create a separate posting on here and hopefully someone can help (not me!). I also agree painting the chimney breast should lift the room. I like AJ's original colour suggestion and may also look at Little Greene light bronze green (I've only seen that colour on screen though and my kitchen cabinets are painted in their paint and I don't find the colour on screen true to life). Or another option as per your initial comments is to paint the furniture, maybe stain the table top and paint the legs and chairs etc.
maria galvano
10 years ago
hi I love the elegant look of this room. I particularly like the colour and style of your furniture (looks pinky tone on my pic which is lovely) I think you need a little more drama in there and agree paint chimney breast I would go really dark and moody to lift your wall paper and furniture like a chalky charcoal in silk to pick up shimmer in paper I would keep accessories in either silver or gold I would choose silver chrome to pick up the beautiful mirror which I love and feel chrome will give it a more edgey look. keep paintwork white to contrast. im not s lover of the corner unit and would go with ladder shelves in white or a drinks table in lovely chrome and lovely mirrored pieces thats what I see anyway but lovely starting point would not dismiss tinkering with it a bit more. lots to like there already
maria galvano
10 years ago
mirrored sideboard would also look stunning or any pieces along those lines not a fan of the table cloth better without it. Black is looking to harsh. go shimmer with glass candle sticks that will pick up beautiful lamps you already have. silver cutlery cut glass decanters elegance and drama all the way what fun take your time enjoy the process lets see after pics with what ever you choose thats the whole idea of creating a beautiful room it then becomes part of you and so will be stunning
rose1993
Original Author
10 years ago
Many thanks to all for your very helpful advice.
We have decided to paint the chimney breast and perhaps the wall behind the sideboard. I have ordered colour cards from both Little Green and Farrow and Ball.
Unfortunately we can't move the corner cabinet to another corner.
We haven't decided on colours yet; we like the idea of a dark grey on chimney breast to contrast the mirror and a lighter grey if we paint behind the sideboard. Have also decided to change the lamp shades as per AJ's suggestion.
We would be grateful for any more suggestions.
Thanks again.
PRO
Amber Jeavons
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Hello Rose,

Splendid! I think you'll notice a dramatic lift once you do those three things as the fireplace will immediately take the focus, along with the table.. ... You'll see then if it needs any more, but I suspect it will look fantastic. The lighter shade on the sideboard wall will be another focus in the room as you have the lamps and possibly a mirror... Some tester pots painted on pieces of a4 and stuck where you're going to paint and then look throughout the day if possible to see how they change according to the light.. You'll also notice which you like more- then decide what to buy ... I'm still suggesting knightsbridge though as it has warmth to it.. : ))
mrskain1
10 years ago
I thought the wallpaper was the best part of your dining room. Paint the furniture including the chairs.
Sherbert Barnes
10 years ago
No no!! Don't go dark grey on the chimney breast! Keep the wall paper! Dark grey with make the area furthest from the window appear darker and the room will seem narrow as the chimney breast is not overly wide. I know dark grey with white woodwork is very in, but not for this room!!
mrskain1
10 years ago
Your matching furniture is part of the problem, as is the colour of the furniture. Paint the chairs and sideboard (black or charcoal) and ditch the corner cabinet for another in a different style to add some visual interest. Painting the whole room won't change the furniture.