My drab dining area needs so much help

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

Small rental apartment (500sq ft) with open plan living and dining. I have struggled for years to make everything work together. I have been through a million paint changes and love my current soft white and light grey combos. I also have a new couch, armchair and a large piece of art I love in the living area. And a drab blank slate in the dining side. What should I put on the wall?? Is it easy to swap out a light fixture and still be able to return the current one when I move out? I'm also not attached to the dining table and chairs.

Paint Colours are Benjamin Moore Vanilla MIlkshake and Benjamin Moore Silver Fox

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Amber Jeavons

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

Hello Linda,

Yes I like both ideas- shopping and cladding from Jonathan and Reclaimed Flooring.. Certainly a way to introduce a warmer element to go with the dining table.. You could have cladding up to dado height and introduce a grey wood if you prefer the grey colour scheme.. A Cour or Jute rug could be nice underfoot too as this is a further texture.. Then on the wall perhaps a large mirror.. It's fantastic when dining and gives a lovely ambience to the room and interesting focus.. Another thing you could do is add something to the rear wall that functions as display.. Even empty as the one below is can look fantastic! This idea can also lend itself beautifully to the idea of a room divider..

Have a think about moving the table slightly under the light fitting and then you could perhaps have a lower pendant.. If you mix textures this will give a lovely cosy feel... The blinds are interesting too and so all these elements could tie in rather nicely.. Add a nice bowl or something to the table perhaps.. It doesn't always have to be a lot to have a big impact! : ))

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Comments (8)

Linda
Original Author
10 years ago
Trying one more time to see if anyone has any suggestions for how to deal with the decor in this room. I am a rank amateur but I want to live in a beautiful space.
Jonathan
10 years ago
Personally I think this is a a shopping opportunity- full length curtains will look sumptuous, a rug will help it feel cosier, and then you need to put something on the wall- this could be a massive picture, several little ones or a small console table and mirror which is my favorite option as you could have table lamps for softer light.
You should also put the ceiling light on a dimmer and have something to dress the table- perhaps a big vase, bowl, flowers or candles.
Hope this is useful
Linda thanked Jonathan
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PRO
The New & Reclaimed Flooring Company
10 years ago
Perhaps some wall cladding in one of the walls? It could add some character.

http://www.reclaimedflooringco.com/saving-costs-with-oak-wall-cladding-reclaimed-oak-panelling-reclaimed-interior-design/
Linda thanked The New & Reclaimed Flooring Company
Linda
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you All for your thoughts/advice. Jonathan, I had never even considered curtains, especially full length - definitely something to look into. The light is on a dimmer - I just cranked it up for the photo. I am leaning towards Massive Picture on the wall.. or perhaps a large mirror as AJ Interior Styling suggested. That wall faces my sliding glass doors to the patio, so it would probably brighten the space up.

The Reclaimed Wood flooring is stunning. Although my landlord lets me get away with a lot, I think he might draw the line at that... Not going to stop me from suggesting it to him though :D

AJ (I hope its okay to shorten your screen name). I love all the different textures you suggested! I am attached to grey to a certain extent, but am looking to add other colours/textures that would play well with the grey. And I am moving the table right now, because I've always thought the light looked odd. But now I think it is the table placement! Only lived here for 15 years or so...

Also, where are those amazing light fixtures from??
PRO
Amber Jeavons
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Hello Linda,

Of course you can call me AJ or Amber, glad you like the suggestions! With regards to the wooden panelling - if you can't add something like that, there are wallpapers that look like panelling and a whole selection even concrete and marble .. Have a look at Rockett st George. I'll find you a link if I can for the lighting. I'll put it on here for you..

Well sometimes it takes another eye to see something or suggest a new look - part of my role is styling which I offer too for people as a separate service if I am not designing. It's very enjoyable trying things in new places, you'd be amazed how a new placement breathes new life into something you may have had for a while! Like I do too with my place.. :))

http://edwardlinacre.com/nest.html
Linda thanked Amber Jeavons
Linda
Original Author
10 years ago
Amber, Thank you for the link and the Rockett st George suggestion - I am seriously looking at wallpaper as an option.
PRO
Amber Jeavons
10 years ago
Hello Linda,

Most welcome, so at least if there's a possibility you can't have the real thing - the papers are fantastic.. :))

My drab dining area needs so much help

Amber Jeavons

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Linda
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Jonathan

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My drab dining area needs so much help

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Comments (8)

LindaOriginal Author

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