Oh, the Disconnect!

Hi Christine,
First, I wanted to let you know how much I LOVE your blog.  I have been neglecting my kids/husband/house to read your posts ever since I discovered you.  Thank you so much for all the great tips and ideas! 
 
Secondly, I'm writing to ask (beg) for your help.  I am struggling with my living/dining room and hope you can point me in the right direction.  I've enclosed pictures, but as you can see they are two rectangular rooms with a large opening between them.  We are in the process (thus the lovely tape and missing baseboards) of painting all the woodwork "white".  I've also announced to husband that I would like crown in both rooms and wainscoting in the dining room.  (He wasn't very excited about either project!)  We purchased this house almost four years ago as a foreclosure and it has needed a LOT of TLC.  It is a center hall colonial but doesn't have much character -think golden oak on every possible surface - yuck! - and we are in the slow process of making it over.  I love modern, clean, lines, but with some warmth, and I'm not afraid of pattern (not that you can tell it from these rooms).  Also, I have two girls under the age of 3 which explains the tea party in progress on the coffee table.  These rooms are more for grown ups, but they need to be somewhat kid friendly.
 
Here are my problems:
 
1.) Fireplace - it is giving me fits.  I've tried a bunch of different things with no luck.  Nothing seems to look quite right.  You can see my most recent acquisition in the pictures (a sunburst mirror that I love) is still mounted on the plywood it shipped on!!  I think it would look awesome in my entry way so I'm not too worried if you don't think it should stay.
 
2.) Ceiling - don't know if you can tell from the picture, but we have a small tray.  I made poor husband spend a week of vacation scraping the popcorn off the ceilings (who sprays popcorn on a tray ceiling???), but now I don't know how to treat them, so they've just been painted white.  Should we add additional trim to the tray? It's only about 2" deep.  Obviously when we add crown molding in white, I'll need to paint the ceiling, but which part?
 
3.) Pulling the color scheme together - I somehow ended up with purple/grey/green in the living room but have purple/red/green in the dining room.  The red/green with orange continues in the kitchen and family room which are through the door of the dining room.  How do I tie these rooms together?  I know part of it is pattern and that my curtains probably need to be replaced.  I just can't figure out what would work in both rooms - the windows should match, right?  I found some artwork that I like, but they are only purple/green/grey.  How do I pull the red into the living room - do I need to???  Also, I would definitely be open to wallpaper in the dining room - as I love the look of wallpaper with wainscoting.  I can certainly repaint, this was our "we need to paint the walls before the floors go in" color.  (I know, I know - pick paint last)
 
4.) Furniture arrangement - I feel like I'm close on this, but not quite there.  I would love your input.  I do have chairs for the dining room that I plan to reupholster and two China cabinets that I am refinishing that could be used in either room.  I can augment my furniture, but don't have the budget to replace everything and would prefer to spend on curtains, accessories, etc.  I think maybe I need a new/bigger rug for the living room.  The cream just doesn't seem to be doing it for me. 
 
Thank you in advance for any guidance you can provide.  Please feel free to be brutal and frank!  I promise to follow your suggestions and send after pictures.
 
Kind Regards,
Angela

Hi Angela,

Thank you for the kind words.  I hope you will still like me when you are done reading this post.  ;-)  I have 12 things I need to share with you.  The writer in me wants to be concise, but this time, at the risk of boring the readers out there, I need to say all 12. 

1.  You have two sunburst mirrors in sight of each other.  That is at least one too many. 

2.  Ditch the drapes.  (See I am being concise after all!)  They are far too traditional for your contemporary furnishings.  Replace them with a simple drapery panel.  Green is too much for your walls, and purple would be too much purple.  I would use the neutral color in your chairs and then add a trim in purple.  I woud also add a drapery panel on the windows by your fireplace.  On those windows use drapery rosettes instead of a rod to keep them in place and pull them to the sides, working with your rounded shape.  I would hang them higher, and use four panels in the living room and four in the dining room. 

3.  Accessorize the sideboard and table better.  That is what your dining room needs more than anything.  (Along with new drapes)  ;-)  On a rectangular table, either use a rectangular centerpiece, or use three items, which gives the arrangement a rectangular shape.  Can you see how adding the two candlesticks in the photo below works so much nicer than if there was JUST the plant?  

(photo from A'LaMode)

4.  Replace the round coffee table with a square. It should also, and more importantly, be larger. 

(photo from Southern Living)

5.  Your lighting is terrible.  Add can lights.  See this post on a lighting plan.

6.  Yes, trim out the ceiling tray.  Yes to the wainscotting (3/4 way up) and yes to the crown. Yes to painting all of it a glossy white.

7.  Your fireplace decor needs some color to really be connected to the room better.  Use the 40 x 40 purple flower picture that you sent.  Your current fireplace decor is way too formal for the room.  Your fireplace mantle is shallow; I would take off the candle sticks.  Keep it simple.  Your modern look is more simple and clean.  Move that miror to replace the mirror in the dining room.  I would get rid of everything red. 

8.  The sconces in the living room are way too modern for your house.  In general. all of your decor is too modern for your architecture.  You can get away with it more in furnishings, but once items start being attached to the room, you should maintain architecutral integrity.  I do however, appreciate that you have sconces.  I love and applaud the all too infrequent use of sconces.  ;-)

9.  Your living room only has one strong pattern.  Your use of pattern is too weak to really look pulled together. I picture a look more like this in your room:  Notice the strong pattern in the chairs, rug, and throw pillows?  In your case, add some pattern in the drapes as well if you'd like to.

10.  It is too small and too open a space to have two separate color pallets. 

11.  If you don't want to replace your chandeliers- change positions.  Personally, I'd say they were too modern, and too formal for your architecture and your space, but they are also the wrong shape.  Put the rectangular one over the dining room table, hung much lower, about 30" above the table, and put the one in the dining room in the living room.  I think those blingy chandeliers are something that we as a society will look back on in 10 years the same way we look back on the shirts that show your belly that everyone was wearing 10 years ago, but they really only looked good on anorexic people.

I do know that they are very popular right now, and every store is selling their version.  That's just my opinion.  Now I just offended all of my friends with chandeliers like this...  I might have to come back and delete this section...

 12.  Too large of a disconnect.  The big overall probelm is simply stated one of a disconnect.  You have a traditional home, with traditional trim, right down to the rosette in your woodwork.  Then you have this very blingy modern thing going on in your chandelier, and everything in between.  It's like you wore these earrings:

With this outfit: 

The thing is, sometimes it's really great to mix things up.  Some of my readers are saying, "I love the idea of those earrings with that outfit. "  I will say that mixing like you are doing is something that some people can do amazingly, but honestly, it is a hard thing to teach.  It is so very instinctual.  Your silver candlesticks and buffet lamps belong on a Downton Abbey dining room table, and the dining room table belongs in a Pottery Barn catalog.  Consistency is what you need. 

Kathy's Dining Room

Hi Christine,

First of all, I just discovered your site and I LOVE it- I think I am becoming an addict!  You definitely tell it like it is and give great advice.  I enjoy trying to guess your answers before I read them- and sometimes I even get it right :)

I'm hoping you can help me with my "too big" dining room which used to be our living room (floor plan attached)  We have a big family and can sometimes host up to 46 for holidays so it comes in handy a few times a year- the rest of the time it's just a big space that we rarely use.  Our style is uncluttered with traditional/coastal/cottage. We like texture and contrast and both neutral and saturated colors- but nothing muddy or dark.  We live in the midwest though so need the space to feel warm during our cold overcast winters.  

Here's what it has looked like up until recently...

We just added a screen porch off the fireplace wall and small living room on the other side of the stairs. I am trying to define the room and make it less random looking- cozy but also more sophisticated.  We've added new chair rail and picture frame molding and plan to paint that white.  We're trying to decide about a paint color or punchy wallpaper above the chair rail.  Would love to have a combo library/dining room and have also considered using two round/square tables since we're big card players and host our card group often but we thought this might look strange.

Problem #1 Can't buy a new rug until we decide how to lay out the room.  My husband would love a comfy chair by the fireplace but we can't block the south French door.  Do we have to center the dining room table on the bay? Does a round table just leave me with more space to fill on the other end of the room?   Also, the round kitchen table is visible from the dining room. Our table is rectangular ( 7'6"x3'8" ) and seats 6 with current chairs (8 if we got new narrower upholstered chairs) but we would consider replacing it if another size/shape is better.  A big square table?  How do we fill the west end of the room?  The piano and pine hutch can move to another room if needed.

Problem #2

What to do with the bay?  We've had it previously as a window seat with a cushion but I'm not sure if this works.

Problem #3

Window Treatments?  We have no window coverings on our first floor yet and need an anchor point.  We need to cover the bay windows with something since we feel like we're in a fishbowl , and we need something complementary on the French doors (and then maybe we'll use the room more).   We've had nonfunctional sheer Roman shades and fixed side panels around the bay.  The bay window trim is not deep enough for wood blinds unless we have the trim redone.  We considered plantation shutters at full or half-height throughout the first floor (would require some carpentry work on the window trim also) but don't want to darken the room too much and we're nervous to commit to this without some expert input.

This is what the house looks like more recently:

Problem #4

Light Fixture?  I know I need to replace the dated brass chandelier.  I prefer a round vintage-style chandelier but I think you're going to tell me to use something rectangular.

Problem #5

Last but not least.  The area around the fireplace mantel is painted panelling.  Should we try to change this, ignore this or somehow highlight it?  Accent wall?

Thank you so so much.  I feel that this could be my favorite room in my house with the right decorating so I appreciate any help you can give.

With much appreciation,

Kathy

Hi Kathy,

1.  I have seen the two tables used instead of one before.  I would hesitate to use it in your room.  I think it works well in very large rooms.  The size and shape of your room lends itself more to simpy using a much larger table than you currently have. 

The table above is a full 110 inches in length.  (You could even go larger)  You would add to that about 2-3 feet of length in your area rug.  (On both ends)  You will want an area rug that is approximately 15 feet in length.  That gives you a little over three feet not covered by rug on either end, which is a very comfortable amount. 

2.  Do not try to break this room into two separate areas.  (Sitting and eating)  It will work so much better to use it just as a dining room, with appropriately scaled furniture in it. You can use large wingback style chairs at the ends of the table.  They could easily be moved for a quiet moment by the fireplace, but then returned.  Of course, be careful of seat height.  You don't want to sit too low.  A pillow in the back would also be helpful to turn a non-dining chair into a dining chair.  You also need to be careful with the softness of the cushion.  You want it to be extra firm, so you don't look like that king on Shrek when you sit down.  I would just take it to my workroom and they can make that cushion sit you up perfectly.

3.  Do not use a round; do not use a square.  Do not use any table except a rectangle or oval.  When you fight the shape, it looks awkward.  I had a client once with a perfectly square dining area, and she wanted to use a rectangular table.  No, no, no.  Work with your architecture, not against it. If you don't do that- do not e-mail me back and tell me about your round table.  I will get so frustrated I will want to stop blogging. 

4.  Yes, add a built-in window seat.  It's asking for it.

5.  Your dining room, like most, has so many hard surfaces.  Use soft treatments on your windows.  Layer drapes with Roman shades.  Add a roller shade or similar underneath if you want to keep your sheer Roman shades but add privacy. 

6.  Remember the focal point in a dining room is the center of the table.  This includes your light fixture.  You are exactly right that I would not ever put a single round chandelier over a 110 inch table.  It is not a good idea from a lighting standpoint.  It is not a good idea from a visual design perspective either.  You don't have to use a long fixture, if you don't want to.  You could use a series of three round or square fixtures.   I think three of the lanterns below would be perfect!  Every 36 inches of table surface would have a 20 inch lantern above it.  That would be great.  7.  Remove the curio from the corner.  Remove all other furniture.  Add a longer sideboard.  Get one that is just about as large as you can find. 

The sideboard above is 87 inches in length.  It has a nice large scale feel to it.  Center it between the doorway and the corner. 

8.  Then, above it, you need some larger scale wall decor to be in proportion.   This piece comes in a variety of sizes, or you can order complementary pieces to have a set of nine or twelve.  You can also frame them to adjust the size.  I love it when I really have control over the scale of a project.  You can draw the wall elevation out on graph paper and determine the ideal size of the decor. 

9.  I would add a couple of sconces on the wall space to the right and left of the sideboard.  Not too small.  I would find some pretty big ones...  Like the ones below are 15 x 15.  That size would work well.

 10.  Now for your chairs.  Scale, scale scale.  Don't go small on your chairs.  Stay away from small.  No shopping at IKEA and World Market.  ;-) 

This chair's dimmensions: 

• H: 41
• W: 25
• D: 26 

Compare those dimensions to anything you consider.  (Or just get this one, like I am suggesting, as it is totally awesome!) 

Can you see the room coming together?  I can.  I want to move in. 

11.  Now for your window treatments.  Add a punch of color.  You already are going to get my favorite teal chairs.  (e-mail me- I will order them for you...)  So pull out the teal in your drapes. 

I am really loving this raspberry color lately.  If I love it, it means that is a hot color.  A red that leans pink.  I love to do my own predicting of trends.  Like I did in this post in 2008.   My prediction for today is that reds are going to head pinker.  Raspberry is the new red.  Notice how this fabric also has a little white in it? That touch of white will help the white wood work to blend seamlessly into the room.  Use the raspberry and turquoise blue in your display area by your fireplace. 

12.  You are most likely going to need a custom rug for your room.  (Since most rugs max out at 12 feet in length)  This rug is from Kravet, and availble in custom sizes.  You can also find a lot of sisal rugs in custom sizes as well.  Make sure it looks like a rug though- not a piece  of carpet with binding on it. 

13.  Last but not least- your walls.  I would put a lovely fairly neutral grasscloth on them.  It will be subtle, but add texture and warmth.

There we are.  I especially like this room.  You should really do exactly what I said.  It will look great.  If you need any specifics for purchasing let me know.  Keep all of your built-ins and wood work white.  Finish your room off with a nice large plant with uplight in the corner where the curio is currently, and also add greenery and a table runner to the top of the table.

XOXO

Christine

Shineva in Iraq

Hi Christine!

Just came across your blog and I love it. I am a first time homeowner currently in Iraq. I have never even slept in my house yet lol. I will be home at the beginning of August YAY!!  I am already trying to come up with decorating ideas and I would like to run a couple of them by you for your expertise. I have also attached some photos so you can get a better understanding of my questions.

Dining Room

As you can see my dining room isn’t that big, and it has huge windows. The color scheme I was going for was a bright yellow, black, and silver. First what do you think about those colors? Do they go well together?

 I then came across this gorgeous chandelier (see attachment) from PB that I want to replace the current one in the dining room for a more modern/contemporary look. My other question is if I go with the colors I mentioned should I paint the ceiling?

And what color? I know black is out of the question. Then I love the dining room set but I hate the chairs. I wanted to have padded seats in order to bring color to the table without it looking so boring. So please let me know what you think about my dining room ideas.

I appreciate any input you could give me. Have a blessed day

Shineva S

Hi Shineva,

First I want to say what a beautiful home.  The East really does have MUCH nicer architecture than we have here in California.  ( I am only guessing your home is in the east...)

1.  Great color pallet.  Gray and yellow are perfect together.  But don't consider your colors for only one room.  You want it to blend with the entire home.  Does it go with your house color pallet? 

Should you paint the ceiling?  Your ceiling color is fine.  I would leave it.  If you paint it a color- a lighter shade of the walls would look good- but I wouldn't go gray.

Your dining set...  Don't even look for "sets".  Find a table- then find some cool chairs.  Get some great curtain fabric that will bring it all together.  Surprise everyone with a fabulous rug.  Consider wallpaper!

I love a simple geometric.  Going mostly one color with a pop of a second color is frequently a nicer look than trying to have it more equal. 

I am a big fan of Amy Butler rugs, and she adds a  pop of blue that is fun.

Use a pattern on the windows as well, and then a third print on your chairs.

Carla's Dining Room Light

Hi Christine,

My cabinetry and trim is all cherry -- And as you can see, there's a lot of it. My floors are hickory, except in the hall, which is multicolor Rajah slate. The walls are a light-manila folder/butter color. Overall I'm happy, but there's just so much wood to deal with -- and it makes the interior quite dark, even in daytime.

In Oregon, in winter... it's darker still.

What I think I need is:

1) A unifying chandelier over my dining table. The present 3-pendant fixture is just not cutting it. Hung too high, style is wrong and, worst of all -- it doesn't provide nice light to eat by. I envision something like the Niermann Weeks beauty I saw in an old post of yours. Would that I could truly afford such a thing. Anyhow, it had an antiqued acanthus white/gold thing going on, plus a whole lot of candelabra lights. Ah, found the photo, attached it for you. Thoughts?

- Carla

Hi Carla-

1. I would not go round over your table. You have a rectangular room, a rectangular table- an oblong/ oval chandelier- would really fill the space nicer.

2. Also- the style is really wrong for your room. You have a very clean line- somewhat craftsman interior- with more contemporary furniture and rug- that distressed look is not going to fit in. I would consider a look more like the one below- or this onefrom Visual Comfort. If you want to change your furniture and rug- you can go more traditional- but even then- not as distressed as the one you selected.

Personally- I like shaded light in a dining room. I prefer the light quality in a dining setting that you get from shaded light rather than direct light. It is forgiving and romantic. This is not task light- light over a kitchen island. The object in a dining room is to have more atmosphere from your shadow, with areas of light and areas without light. If a light is too bright from above- you lose all atmosphere. This is the difference from dining at a fast food place compared to a sit down restaurant. Remember that your dining room should be the sit down restaurant. If the room needs to double as homework or scrapbook central- add can lights that operate separately from the chandelier- for options in different layers of light.

If your concern with your current light was that it does not provide enough light- or is too bright- I would go to a real lighting store- not a big box or chain store- but a store where the people who work there could answer the question- "How many lumens does that light have compared to that light?" If they can't answer the question- and act perhaps like they don't know what a lumen is- go to a different store. ;) Find a knowledgeable lighting designer that can help you get the light you need in your room. It is an awful lot of work to get a light installed only to find out that it does not give off enough light (or is too bright)- and know that some stores will not allow a return or charge a re-stocking fee for already installed fixtures- especially if chains are cut- etc.

I hope this wasn't too disappointing- as I can see that the lights I suggested are incredibly different from the one you had selected- that is the beauty of me- I tell it straight. ;) I will tell you what will really work well. I split your questions up- and will address the others in another post.

Thanks for writing in,

Christine

Erin from Kentucky's Dining Room

Christine,

So excited to be reading through your blog! I am also a mother of four great kids (oldest a girl and three little boys, all ages 2-10), a fan of baking sugary treats (like cupcakes), a fan of American Idol (though this year I'm not so into it), and married to a wonderful DIY guy who says, "Decide what you'd like and I'll do my best to make it happen." What more could I ask for?

Maybe ... some decorating talent would be nice! I just don't have it! Check out Erin's room here.

A year ago I jumped into redoing my dining room full force. We've been redoing this old house from end to end in just the past 2 1/2 years, including a complete kitchen redo (I love my maple glazed cabinets and black trim), knocking down walls, and a fireplace makeover. So I found an inspiration room on HGTV's Rate My Space and couldn't wait to get started on the dining room, but then as I miserably failed practicing the glazing technique on a piece of scrap drywall, I halted the whole project. The room's been a storage space and sometimes dining area for almost a year now.

Now I've got the momentum back. I'm attempting to put together my dining room and trying to look at it again, abandoning the glazing plan altogether. I found your blog because I'm questioning the existing crown molding I don't see the crown molding??? and how to handle the walls now that I've scrapped the glaze and diamond pattern (on top) that was part of my original vision. From what I've read on your blog, it seems the chair rail is a little too high in my room. Should I remove it? Move it? Add crown? Do a finishing of some kind on the bottom like faux wainscoting or beadboard? The height is OK- yes- I would add wainscoting or beadboard.
I just want the room to come together and me be happy with it, so I'm trying to plan everything! I'm not very confident about putting things together. How big a light fixture to I need for the large scale dining table? Is 24" round big enough? Would the rectangular 36" chandelier be better? With a rectangular table- an oblong or rectangular chandelier is ideal. Yes- 36 inch is a good size. Do I worry about putting all rectangles in the room (chandelier, table, buffet, art?) or do I need to vary it with some circles and squares? No- don't worry about that. In certain categories repetition can be boring- but with a rectangular shape- it is not a concern.

Another thing ... I tend to like things that match, but I realize it often looks better when they coordinate instead. So, if I have pillar candles on the chandelier, I'd like pillar candles as sconces. Does it matter if their finish amongst the sconces and chandelier is different (one more bronze, one black)? I would not do pillar candle sconces and a pillar candle chandelier- now that is where the repetition thing is bad. If you love that look- use it on the chandelier- as it is larger and makes more of an impact- but then choose something entirely different for the sconce- but something that still coordinates- like the sconce below from Bellacor - only $97.

I'd like to bring out red in the artwork and then with some accessories, are there rules other than to repeat the same color three times in the room? What you really need to make your room look more like the inspiration room (which I put at the top of the post) is some pattern. Don't use solid drapes-- use a pattern- same with the rug. The patterned fabric above is from Beacon Hill. The rug is from Dash and Albert. Add more color in the art work and centerpiece. The poppy print is from House in the Country- and is available in different sizes- framed or just canvas wrapped.

Then, is the table too big for this room? I've measured and staged the area with the furniture I already have and I'm thinking I'll like it fine, but I have a lingering doubt. Your table is not too large. My overall vision for this room is to be a casual dining area that we use almost daily for our family. Kid-friendly and durable is a must and we want to have guests and not have to say "let's put the leaf in." The only furniture will be the table and chairs and a buffet on the wall parallel (black or bronze mirror above). The sconces will be installed on the far end of the table (opposite the doorway to the kitchen), with the focal artwork in between. Simple window treatments on either side of the French doors, likely on swing away arm rods. We NEVER use these French doors, but I want the option kept there with the swing rods. No rug planned because it will just get ruined by my wonderful but messy boys.

Here are several photos, especially of things I've picked out online. I can't spend a ton on light fixtures, so that's unfortunately limiting. I love the pillar chandeliers at Restoration Hardware but $1,000? Not in our house!

In case it matters, I love traditional and tend toward cottage and Tuscan looks. My whole house is in the green family you see above including the kitchen adjoining the dining area, or a caramel/gold family. Housewide white trim. Black accents just seem classic to me right now.

I've asked a ton, I know. Please know that I am soooooooooooo grateful for any input at all. I'm so glad I found your blog. I'm decorating-challenged and usually just end up with nothing on the wall for years because I'm so scared of deciding, hating it, regretting it and thinking of the expense! It's a debilitating fear.

Thanks a million again. Wish you and yours all the best!!!

Erin

Southeastern KY

You are very organized- which is a great way to make good decisions- I hope my answers to your questions were helpful- thanks for writing in! Closely imitating an inspiration room is really a very good way to decorate when you have limited experience and are low on decorating confidence.

You are off to a great start!

Christine