Hanna's Dining Room

My last post was about Hanna's family room.  Right next to that room is her informal dining area, which I wanted to address today. 

Currently she has a rectangular shaped table in the room. It looks something like this:

You can see where she was coming from: Hanna centered a dining table under the light fixture, easy huh?  Actually, what I think she should do is something like this:The light fixture was not centered in the dining area.  Sometimes there are structural reasons for this.  (Sometimes it is just an oversight by the builder).  Either way- I would not live with it.  Have an electrician move it, (which I know is a pain, because it leaves a mess in your ceiling, and could require a ceiling repaint, etc...)  or, you could simply install a hook and swag the chain over like everyone did in the '60's.

(photo from pinterest)

If the fixture is just a little bit off, (say, less than a foot)- I would have the electrician move it, and then if you don't want to deal with matching textures, patching holes and repainting, you could always add a medallion.  Keep the formality level, scale and shape of the medallion consistent with the hanging light.  It is easy to find formal medallions; a more contemporary one might need to be custom made.  (Which still could be easier than a ceiling re-texture and repaint...)(photo from HGTV)

Now, a little quiz...  so, how do you select the shape of the table? 

a.  You go shopping and wait for a table to "speak to you".

b.  You get a rectangle.  Everyone gets a rectangle.  Let's not try to be different.

c.  You look at the shape of the room. 

Answer?  C- of course.  Tt is so simple, so why is it is so frequently not the case?  In the room above, the area is so open, it doesn't even have two full walls. However, looking at the floor plan, it is clearly more square than rectangle.  Now, look at the two floor plans, the original, compared to my suggestions.  Doesn't the second plan just "feel" better?  So simple, but a huge difference in feel.  If the room is elongated, you select a rectangle or oval, if it is more square than oblong, you select a square or round table.  The square table below is 55 inches square, perfect to hold 8. 

Now for the chandelier.  I think a square drum shade, oversized and orange like the one below, would be amazing.  Does anyone know where Hanna can find this without it being a custom order?  Anyone?

For the chairs, I'd love to bring in more interest and texture than you would find in a matching set.  Below are some options.

I like the juxtaposition of the contemporary with a more traditional chair.  The light gray leather would go great with the drapes from the last post that we would carry into this room.

A beautiful gray linen would be amazing.

I love the curve to this leather chair.  It is so comfortable, you will sit at the table and never want to leave.  That really does make for a great dinner party.  Leather is also so easy to clean.

A gray metal bistro chair would save you thousands, and still have a great style to it.  Decisions, decisions. Anyone have a favorite?

Add something square and green in the center of the table.  Every room needs a plant.

Now picture it all right next to the family room from yesterday.  It really is one room.  Gray, orange, a little green...

A Dining Table for Liz

Today's post is a continuation of this post.

The dining table and chairs are old and just standing in.  I am also looking to replace them.  I really love the west elm industrial table and the CB2 darjeeling dining table, but I really wanted a table with the options of adding a leaf for extra entertaining.

----  Liz

The first thing I would do in selecting a dining table is to draw out the room on graph paper.  In this way you can determine the ideal shape and maximum size that you can have.   Make sure you have a minimum of three feet for moving chairs in and out.  Allow for door swings, etc. 

If you can fit a larger table on a daily basis- that may be a more pleasing look than going with a table with a seam in the center for leaves.  (The table below, for example, is 85 inches.)  With that said, the last thing I would want to do is to overcrowd the area.  However, sometimes we get used to a size and shape that may not actually be the ideal for the area. 

If it is simply a matter of adding two more chairs, keep in mind that a round table can be far more flexible than a rectangle when it comes to fitting more people in a pinch.  (Although I would not go round with your light fixture.)

I have had clients in the past insist on tables with leaves and the designer in me disagrees.  I would not sacrifice the look I want in my home for holiday dinners.  If the added length is needed on a very regular basis, that, of course is a different issue. 

There are some great styles of tables out there that do not have that dreaded seam in the center for leaves.  Extension tables are very common- like this one from Crate and Barrel.  Can you get the metal legs you like - in an extension table look?  Not that I have come across.  Has anyone out there seen this?  Leave a comment.

So- anyway- that is a long way of me saying- get the table you like.  Stick the kids outside.  Or add a console table like the one above somewhere in your home - that can double as a dining table for large gatherings. 

Lauren's New Home Part V

Here is one more post on Lauren's new home- I wanted to answer a couple more questions that asked- starting with this one:

What I want to do is to replace the counter top, maybe extend the island a little bit, so that I can get some bar stools in there. Put a table there but move it closer to the window.- How far should I extend the island?

Lauren,

I would extend the island as little as possible- which would be 12 inches- to use it as a counter bar. You do not have a lot of space here- you are going to want at least three feet between barstools and chairs. That is an absolute minimum. One thing to consider- is using a built-in bench on the window side- which takes up the least amount of space- like the photo below from Veranda. You don't have a nice corner- like in this space- but the built-in will still work. Give yourself at least three feet in front of your cabinet before starting the bench- and I would store less used items in that last cabinet- as access will still be a bit cumbersome.

I love how the table here is an antique. Antiques add so much character to a room. In your case- size is super important. Keep it narrow. I also like the use of the two slipcovered chairs on the ends- this would also work well for you- larger chairs on the ends- where you have more space- smaller stools where space is at a minimum.

You also asked if you should add crown molding, and replace your baseboards. Your baseboards look a bit whimpy- and crown molding is almost always a great idea- so- yes and yes. Unless of course- you would rather do something really cool on your ceiling like some beams- check out this post. Would I do a cultured stone? No. I personally don't think it will look that great with your floors. I would consider a mosaic- like the one I suggested on the backsplash. And then also wrap the fireplace with wood, that coordinates with your built-in for the media area... It is a small fireplace- and the small pieces would work well in that space. I think I tackled all of your questions- thanks for writing in,

Christine

Michelle's Dining Room

Hi Christine-

I was searching the net for ideas on what I can do with a room painted with SW Quietude paint and I found your site. Are you still helping people with decorating tips? We painted our dining room this color because I really loved it, however it has left the small dining room looking very cold. I’m afraid we are stuck with it because the room has a stairway leading up to the attic bedrooms which now have new wall to wall carpeting and it would be tough to paint again. The room is very square with sliding doors going out to the deck and a very dismal looking grey (think public bathroom) tiles on the floor. Unfortunately I made a lot of bad/rushed choices when we moved in a year ago and I’m trying to rectify my mistakes now. Any thoughts?

Thank you
Michelle

Dear Michelle,
It is not your paint that is wrong with the room- it is the furniture, flooring and wall decor. Your paint color is great. While I was in college- in the early 1990's- I used to sell furniture- it was one of the things that lead me to change my major to Interior Design. (I was going to be a news broadcaster- and I still daydream about it- especially when I don't like the reporters I see on TV). Anyway- we used to sell that exact dining set. The chairs sold for $129 and the table was $399. I used to tell people how it would last forever. Well- I am sure it is in great shape- but I would still say that that should be the first thing to go to really make this room look great. I picked one out for you. From Overstock.com- only $509 for the five piece set. Will it last 20 years- no- but remember- that is perhaps a good thing. The style won't last that long either.

OK- is everyone picturing the room with the new set- it's nice huh? I will have to agree with you on the tile floor. I too, am not a big fan of it- but until replacing it fits into the budget- let's cover it. I found a rug that comes square for you to fit under your table. From Homedecorators.com- only $449 for a 7'9" square. This will really help to warm the room up- and be a unifier.

Your art work is lacking as well- bring in the brown on your walls- it will have a nice contrast with your paint. I would paint your mirror frame a dark brown- get the type of paint that will make it look muddled- not flat. Hang the mirror vertically instead of horizontally also. I also selected some more art work for you- from worldartgroup.com. There are four different styles.

So- there you go- on a small budget of around $1000- your room is transformed! (I am always especially impressed with myself when I keep it inexpensive. It's not really my thing....)

Dining Room Do-Over

Christine,I will try to resend better photos but I really wanted to thank you for your advice regarding my bright blue bedroom. We repainted it using a muted blue-gray color and it looks beautiful. Its so peaceful now. I still have to change drapes but no rush since paint made a huge difference. Your readers are lucky to get such great advice from you at no charge and I'm truly grateful.My last dilemma in my blue house is my dining room which shares a wall with my kitchen. The kitchen has dark cherry cabinets(cannot paint them per husband, and sometimes I have to listen to him:) and my dining room has large oak table with 8 chairs given to us by inlaws. I had chairs redone * few yrs ago with a caramel color material with ivory swirls. Well nothing matches-I’m out of funds and can't change drapes as they're new and match living room which is connected. Plus small work desk has to be in here also. What can I do? It seems so dark to me? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.Thanks again,ChrisDear Chris,
So- let me see if I get the situation- You’d like me to improve the room without changing the furniture, or the drapes or spending any money? You know- I want to start by telling you that this is not my specialty- the whole- design on a dime thing. I design on MANY dimes. However- I will give it a shot.

Your cabinets are traditional. Your table is contemporary. They do not go together. A coat of paint on the table will only look horrible. Re-finishing it a darker color will be a ton of work- and still look bad. The table has to go. I know you just put some money into it with the re-upholstry- but don't look back- look forward. With that said, there are a lot of different furniture styles that would look good painted white. The photos below are from Pottery Barn and Costco. If it is not in the cards to purchase a new set, maybe you could peruse Craig’s list and yard sales until the right one came along. White would look great with your blue walls and dark kitchen cabinets. You could also go with a dark wood similar to your cabinet color- but I would choose white. You already have a lot of dark wood with the cabinets- and you are aleady complaining of it being dark. Go white- or off white.

Your drapes. You said that you were keeping them- and if we were friends and hung out, and knew each other- I wouldn’t say anything. But since I don’t know you- you get the honest truth- even when you already said you didn’t want it. They have to go too. Not just because the color has no contrast with the walls- but because the style is outdated. I would bring in some of the brown from the cabinets- and white from your freshly painted yard sale dining set, and go brown and white on your window treatments. Go with a dark woven wood roman shade- that you can pick pu and the Home Depot for not too much, and then add two panels- hung straight -one on either side. This fabric is from Lee Jofa. On a budget- get your mother to sew them for you. Make sure she lines them and weights them.

You have a large wall there behind the table with nothing on it. Remember your scale. Big walls= big wall decor. Consider hanging a three panel screen like this vine one from Uttermost. I did something similar on a job once- and it looked great.

There is also a balance problem with the art work by the window. The wall decor does not have to “match” but the different pieces do need to balance. The piece on the right is way too big. And the piece to the left is a little small- but not bad. Since I’ve already gone over budget- I selected some new art work for you too. A coordinating sete like this would work very nicely flanking the window. The beauty of these birds is that they tie it all together- the cherry wood, the off white table, the blue walls. They are a unifier.

OK- so there you go- I went way over budget. One of the beauties of free online advice. If I don’t stick to your budget- what are you going to do?