Dining Room Help and Inspiration

Yesterday I showed you the chairs I was recovering for the dining room, and I finished them up last night. Thank goodness I have a husband that will remove the staples from the previous cushions, otherwise I might still be on my first chair! Thanks honey!! :)

 After your inspiring comments, I decided to look into dining rooms to figure out what it is that I need to do in this room. My goal is to make this room feel appropriate for our age, and also be a space that we want to use, not just for special occasions. I know first thing I will probably do is paint. So, that's where you come in! 

Take a look at my room and please, pretty please, tell me if you have any paint color suggestions. I am 100% painting the walls, and other furniture is questionable. The big question is, what color should I paint the walls? I'm looking to break up the wood tones and brighten it up. The mahogany dining room table will stay as is, it is my parent's passed down to me and I love it. The other furniture could be painted if needed, with the exception of the bookcase/cabinet on the right (Stephen's grandmother's). And please, excuse the clutter on the table, things are in limbo here!

On this side we have a buffet, doorway, and china cabinet (not pictured in this photo).

These are the colors in our dessert plates. This pattern is called Tobacco Leaf...isn't it gorg? I'm in love.

Our china cabinet... Don't ask whats sitting on top. My random mess!

 Inside the china cabinet...what do you think about a stenciled pattern on the back? 

Or paint the whole thing?

And here is some fun inspiration that I found that will make a dining room feel complete.

 Enjoy this eye candy!

CHALKBOARD

I think adding a chalkboard in a pretty frame will lighten the mood, and will be so much fun to write out menus for parties, dinners etc.

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LIGHTING

The chandelier in our dining room is less than spectacular but I am dealing with it for now. I want something much airier and pretty...and probably with some sparkle!

ps...is this room not fabulous! those drapes...the floor...oh my.

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And I love this chandelier, it is perfect.

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CHINA CABINET

I love the look of this china cabinet. I'm thinking I could replicate the look in another color and pattern in ours...Thoughts?

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FLOWERS

These are a must. I love fresh flowers so much and I know once I have this space finished I will really enjoy placing a pretty vase full of flowers on the table. They really complete the room!

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ARTWORK

Having artwork this size makes a statement. If I don't go the chalkboard route, I need another piece to make the room! Side note...the buffet here looks strikingly similar to mine, but in white!

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THE TOTAL PACKAGE

This is my dining room's cousin! The drapes, the big mirror, the wood floors. This room gives me hope.  I would love and additional chair or bench in front of the window that are upholstered (like on left) to soften the room.

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I have high hopes for this room being a space we really use and love. We don't have an official dinette or breakfast nook, so it would be so nice for this room to function as a place to wine and dine with friends or just the two of us. 

I cannot wait to hear your thoughts!! xo.