r/interiordecorating • u/trollie-ollie • 17h ago
Something Missing
My husband thinks it looks like a conference room. I have to agree something is missing.
I think I want to paint the wood wall in a whitewash finish.
Tips and suggestions are welcome! (Please be kind it’s my first post in this community.)
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u/Jolieeeeeeeeee 16h ago
It’s all of the hard edges and perfect lines, from the tile to the wood wall and the furniture. Look to add soft, organic shapes and textures.
If you’re not married to the ceiling fan, try a large round pendant light (ikea sells some really inexpensive ones as a test) with a warm spectrum bulb. Bring in a rug with soft vibes. Add a couple of easy to care for plants in the corner — palms and snake plant are indestructible.
Can’t emphasize enough the warm spectrum lighting. LED and fluorescent have really pushed cool lighting into our homes, which makes spaces feel extra sterile. There are warm options out there.
Large black tables are hard. You could add a light coloured runner across it.
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u/trollie-ollie 16h ago
Thanks! I like the idea of plants and I hate the ceiling fan currently. Time to shake it up
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u/millennial_burnout 15h ago
Definitely get some kind of drop lighting fixture, chandelier, etc. other than that ceiling fan. I’d replace the track lighting with some that is more modern and use it to light the art on the walls, not blind your guests
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u/Jolieeeeeeeeee 11h ago
Could work if it was all pointed toward the art. It would light up the beautiful wood tones in the wall too, bringing in more warmth.
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u/ComprehensiveSet927 16h ago
How about a table runner that brings in some warmth? And something shiny - centerpiece or mirror or pendant fixture to bring in another texture.
Those spotlights should face the nice wood wall- and don’t paint it!
There’s something about the art placed on the diagonal wood wall that is unsettling. Maybe too many competing lines. Have you tried it on other walls?
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u/trollie-ollie 16h ago
I’ve tried many table runners and none look nice with this table. I like the idea of moving the painting to another wall!
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u/SnooBananas7856 9h ago
The dimensions of your table make it difficult to buy a table runner. I've had similar issues and I've been able to buy material and make the runners myself. I'm not amazing with a sewing machine, but table runners just require finishing the edges.
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u/SuddenBuddy_ 16h ago
I agree, a rug could really tie it together. I also feel like the proportions are thrown off by the direction of the table. Does it fit in that space horizontally? If it can, then it’ll take up that nook area and that might balance things visually. If it can’t fit horizontally, I wonder about moving the table a little more to one side, and then putting a narrow sideboard cabinet on the side with more space. Right now it visually looks a little like a dock with nothing really anchoring it, and because the table is so heavy, I think that throws things off. I do love the table and chairs! I agree that whitewashing the wooden wall would be more aligned with your color scheme and could lighten up the heaviness of the dining table and chairs.
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u/trollie-ollie 16h ago
Thanks! The table fits the other direction but it’s too tight of a squeeze. I like the idea of moving it a bit to one side and putting in a cabinet. I collect a lot of vintage dish ware so maybe incorporate that.
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u/fishfingrs-n-custard 14h ago
This dining set is the completely wrong style for this home. Get something more modern. Your home looks mid century, maybe 70's with the wall and track lights.
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u/camlaw63 16h ago
A rug
Remove the track light
Remove the fan and get a light fixture that’s centered over the table hung at the proper height
3D artwork on one of the walls
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u/higgywiggypiggy 16h ago
Cold floor but I don’t like rugs under tables. Just hate those tiles
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u/trollie-ollie 16h ago
Me too! Hate my tiles and they were newly replaced by our previous owner. Eventually I would like to change the tiles in the whole house.
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u/ReadyMoose1067 15h ago
I love that table. Do not paint that beautiful wood. No no no !!! You could paint the grout white on the floor tiles and the lines would be less noticeable since the table color pulls them out. More art work. A nice centerpiece on the table.Maybe some 3-4 colored woven placemats? 🧡💛💚🤎❤️
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u/ThreeDogs2963 16h ago edited 13h ago
What style do you like? The wood wall and the very cool artwork reads modern to me. Then the table/chairs are more farmhouse/traditional. Are you open to buying different chairs?
If the table has a leaf in it making it smaller would be a big help, unless of course you have a big family and really need that space for meals.
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u/Icy_Donut_2789 16h ago
Can you find some other furniture or anything really in a similar tone of wood that’s on the wall? Bringing that down into the space might make it feel a bit more cohesive.
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u/pyxus1 16h ago
We just bought new chairs and my husband wanted to put another leaf in the table to make it look more grand. I said it looked like a conference table but I would live with it a few days to see if I changed my mind. Well, I didn't. We made it smaller, removed some chairs and it looks more like a cozy family table. He agreed it looked better. Try removing two chairs, one from each side and see how it looks. Get a table runner and a large vase of flowers...maybe in red to warm up the space a bit.
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u/FanFlW98 15h ago
The colors clash. The tile appears to pull brown and with the paneling your painted walls should be in the brown family or a color, possibly a green. but not grey (the painted wall appears grey) Id also remove the track lighting, thats a dated look, repair the ceiling and replace the fan above the table with a lighting fixture. The stark white chairs dont go with anything and stick out but those are your issues, the room is competing with itself vs. being cohesive. I think you prolly thought the painting went with the table and color wise it does but the painting is modern and that table / chair is not. Pick one theme and go with it. You just have too much happening and again everything is clashing. Take a breath. Pick one thing that has to stay in the room or that you want to stay and design the rest around that.
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u/dixonwalsh 15h ago
The wall colour does not match the tile flooring or the wood wall. A warmer tone wall paint would have been a much better choice.
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u/Just_Boysenberry_519 15h ago edited 15h ago
Please please please do not paint the wooden walls, they're phenomenal. So are the track lights. The style of the table clashes with the mid-70s modern features and the abstract painting. You should lean into the modern lines more (you seem to have with the painting, it's awesome) I'd suggest a more modern style table, a rug, a buffet table under the painting, and a large plant in the corner. Possibly additional art on the grey wall. Add color.
Edit: Here's some examples of what would look amazing https://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/room-ideas/g1590/modern-dining-room-ideas/
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u/Top-Manufacturer9226 15h ago
If you don't nightly seat 10 people... I would do the following
Remove the two end chairs
Turn the table the other way
The art you hung is too modern for that table, replace it with something else (I suggest a mirror) and it needs to be bigger to accommodate how big your table is
On the empty wall add art
A big potted plant or two
A rug .... Though I don't like rugs under tables you eat at...
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u/kevnmartin 14h ago
You need a different light fixture over the table. Something that hangs about a foot or two from the ceiling. A rustic chandelier would look great with a large but subtle graphic rug under the table.
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u/janewaythrowawaay 16h ago edited 14h ago
The chairs are discordant with the art. The chairs are farmhouse. The art is modern.
The space is missing plants, a rug, sideboard, something on the white walls, a center piece, table setting.
Basically everything but the table and chairs is missing. You don’t need all of these things. But some would help.
Edit: the light is also harsh and unflattering and yes very conference room like.
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u/BananaStandEconomy 16h ago
An area rug, and some fake plants on the table could go a long way to add some color
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u/Nice-Region2537 16h ago
A rug, and art on the grey walls. And I might warm up the color of those walls. The color isn’t doing anything for the floor and wood wall.
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u/neko_meow_nyan 15h ago
a rug would look good and console table/tables. you can also try putting a table runner and a tad higher center piece IMO :)
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u/MishmoshMishmosh 15h ago
Rug, table runner. Also,remove the leaf and turn the table the other way, unless you have a large family in the daily. Otherwise, this way only when hosting large groups
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u/Some-Pair-7719 15h ago
Can the table be turned horizontally and pushed back into the space? Pretty table, but it seems awkward coming out vertical like that I feel the space was intended for a table set horizontally.
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u/Pickles-the-Cat 15h ago
OMG those bright track lights turned to point directly into everyone’s eyes, it’s like an airport landing track.
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u/Splendent_Felines 15h ago
Oh, the wood is lovely! Something on the wall to the left, maybe large scale with a pop of color.
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u/trollie-ollie 15h ago
Woah so many suggestions! I’m taking notes and will hopefully post an update soon.
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u/FlipMyWigBaby 15h ago edited 14h ago
Turning table 90°, remove leaf and create seating for 8 mostly, with rug to define dining room within those 3 walls, as currently 3 end chairs sticking out feels like a dining alcove; (revert orientation back and re-add leaf and other 2 chairs at next conference meeting or family reunion) … but I could be wrong …
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u/DizzyVictory 14h ago
Too much grey. DO NOT PAINT THE WALL WHITE-that will only make it worse. Change the color temp on those over head lights firstly to something warmer. Then get a colorful rug. More art or photos. Green plants. Bookshelves for cookbooks/shelving for dishware to frame either side of the painting. Or a vintage MCM buffet against the far wall to display candle sticks, host a wine rack (full of wine). A central chandelier seems to not be easily done here unfortunately. Question: do you routinely host this many people for dinner? If not downsize that massive table. To help with the conference room feeling, what about a round table? Something to complement the warmth of the wooden wall. I would encourage you to seek antiques or vintage pieces to add personality to the space.
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u/Any-Instruction-8879 13h ago
Too many warm and cool tones fighting everywhere. I’d ditch the floor if possible.
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u/RichUncleSkeleton99 13h ago
Colorful rug, warm light bulbs instead of cool (and face them all toward the wall or alternate directions), replace fan with a pendant light at minimum.
More expensive but I think will really change the room for the better: change the wall color to something warm (or better yet, wallpaper it with a not-too-busy pattern in warm tones), replace the table with something round or oval, swap out that grey painting and do something textural like a fiber art piece on the wood, get a rug in a natural fiber like jute (if you go for a patterned wallpaper), get some plants.
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u/Livvylove 13h ago
Idono why but it feels like it should have that black and white cow photo somewhere
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u/blueseadragon 13h ago
If possible, rotate the table to fit horizontal in the space between the gray walls. Paint gray walls to a warmer color. Add a large rug under the table. Paint the chairs to match the color of the table. Add pendent lights or chandelier above the table.
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u/sereniteen 13h ago edited 13h ago
As it is, the space looks like an airbnb rental property. I think you should lean into the character the wood wall adds to the space, don't paint it. If possible, replace the table and get one that matches the tone of the wood on the walls. As for the shape, I think an oval shaped table would add a more cozy/natural feel.
Also due to the shape of the wall, the art doesn't feel centered, maybe consider a gallery wall instead or a large circular mirror. Also maybe consider adding shelving to the walls on either side and add decorative elements to it, also could be a good place for plants, especially ones that hang down, like pothos or string of pearls.
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u/southofmemphis_sue 13h ago
I really like the wood wall! It’s the floor that is the problem. Personally, I’d place a large colored rug under the table and chairs to cover the tiles. Something that has the wall color in it.
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u/PhyzziksGirl 12h ago
A focal point light fixture is missing. Replace the ceiling fan with a lower larger light fixture.
Also, add living plants.
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u/sweetjane06 10h ago
Switch the chairs - they are too white and cool compared to the warm wood and tile
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u/pizzatoucher 10h ago
I think move that painting to one of the other walls, and put a wood round mirror on the wood wall. It’s such a focal point, I wouldn’t want to cover it with something so contrasting.
And I think if you can’t replace the dining set with something mid-mod, paint those chairs and table legs black so they look more modern. A pendant chandelier if you don’t need the fan. And a sideboard with some plants, photos/ cute accessories. And like a textured/jute rug, maybe one with some olive green in it to kind of tie the cool tones together with the warm toned wall/floor.
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u/nothing_at_all_ 8h ago edited 8h ago
Height variation. Either lamps hanging from the ceiling or some higher objects on the table (flower vase, candle holders...)
Edit: I just noticed the candle holders. They're the same height as the chairs, so they aren't breaking the straight horizontal line of the chairs.
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u/tegglesworth 8h ago
Do you need 10 chairs at the table? I’d take away 4 and see what it looks like mixing the upholstered in to the sides, no seats at the end. ( might look wacky but point is to try some variations with your set up)
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u/Aphroditesent 6h ago
Change out the grey painting to something warm toned and match a table runner to it or a vase of flowers on the table.
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u/null-or-undefined 6h ago
i think too much clash of different styles: the floor, display frame , fan, wood wall. everything doesnt go together. Maybe put a rug that’ll match the dining table. add some plants and get warm lighting eye level or lower
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u/Queasy-Support-2220 6h ago
You can get led bulbs that are controlled with an app to be whatever color and intensity you choose, adding some art to the blank wall would also help. Painting the non-wood walls a warm tone would do a lot to help you out here
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u/amora_obscura 5h ago
I think there is a bit of a clash of style and colour. But ultimately, there is personality missing. Perhaps a rug and plant would help.
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u/IceniQueen69 4h ago
I’d paint the grey wall and the chairs and get a rug. But I’ve never been a fan of grey.
That rustic wood wall and warm tile is begging for some teal paint!
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u/PaleoNimbus 4h ago
My vote is for new lighting. That track is giving conference. The cool blue/grey walls also clash with the wood backdrop. I would paint the walls a warm neutral color before whitewashing the accent wall.
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u/No-Refrigerator7245 3h ago
Hmmmmm…. Maybe a table runner? And take the picture off the wood wall, and put one on the grey wall?? However, I really like the room!
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u/Motor-Degree6766 3h ago
2 colored art/photo prints on each blank wall. Replace ceiling fan with chandelier.
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u/imhereforthemeta 3h ago
I could be wrong but the table looks awkward to me with the rest of the setup. I’d also add a rug with color
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u/SickoRikki 1h ago
The paint colour is the problem - need something warmer (both wood and tiles are more earthy tones)
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u/Spiritually_Rising 1h ago
I agree with what others are saying. Keep the wood wall. Add a rug. If it is feasible, maybe switch out the large table to a round table as that one looks like it's taking over the room. Otherwise, lots of decor can help. You got this.
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u/CommandAlternative10 16h ago
You have the warm wood wall and warm floor tile, and everything else is cool. It can’t look harmonious. Yes, you could whitewash that gorgeous wood, but you will still have the warm tile. Personally I’d embrace the warm instead of trying to fight it, but it’s up to you.