Add a moulding about a foot below the base of the curl. Paint the ceiling, moulding and curl high gloss white. Mirrors.

Why not paint the ceiling? Even if you don't add molding, you can certainly tape off a clean, level line around the room and paint the ceiling that way. All it takes is a little extra time invested to make sure the line is perfectly level. A color slightly warmer than white might look great there.

Yes, Paint. I'd snap a line below where the cove ceiling starts and paint everything above that a white color (prime first) -- not bright white -- but a soft white/ivory. A big mirror above the mantle, or better yet a buffet with a mirror above it opposite the mantle. I'd also hang curtains on the three windows, and hang the rod so its several inches above the top of the window and extends at least a foot past the edge of the window, so when they're pulled open you see the full window.

You can for sure paint the ceiling. Taping off below the curve will be easiest, but taping on the ceiling itself past the curve will make the ceiling seem higher.

I agree with the other posts..also since you are painting the other room next to it gray..you might try to incorporate some gray into this room... possible some gray and white fabric chairs..white curtains, black and white photos, I love the look of old vintage gold frames as well.
I have a red dining room...I love it!!

We need WAY more information. Way, way, way more. First, however, let me start by saying that this room (color aside) is GORGEOUS! (I wish I could see the whole apartment. I'm sure it's amazing.)

But here's the problem. My gut instinct is to tell you to paint the walls a lighter color. Why? Because that's what I would do. You, however, might love red. You might be looking for drama. Maybe you're planning on covering 50% of the wall space with huge pieces of abstract modern art. Maybe you have a big glass dining table and 10 black lacquer chairs. On the other hand, you might already own a country pine dining set with chintz covered chair cushions! Or maybe you have a Danish modern dining set, or a round white Saarinen table, or a picnic table.......

The point is, if I tell you to paint your walls, it's because that's what I would do. (Because I'm selfish and secretly wish that this was MY apartment!)

I hear you about not wanting to paint the walls, since I too am a fan of really deep, dark reds. They are so moody and fun! To lighten up the place I would incorporate light colored fabrics everywhere (curtains, rug, chairs, you name it). I would also bring in as much lighting as humanly possible in addition to a few well placed, large mirrors to bounce the existing light around. I'm not sure if there is a light fixture in the ceiling, but this room could have a light fixture over the table be a really fun focal point.

Good luck, great place!

Before you get furniture in there, I'd definitely see if you can give thhose floors a sand-and-finish. Brightening up the wood grain and sealing them will also help to make your place look more finished.

I'm also on the vote for 'paint the ceiling' because it looks like someone's stripped the woodwork out of your apartment!

Here's a good example of a cove ceiling:
<A HREF="http://www.archwaysandceilings.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/COVE-CEILING-FINISHED.jpg">Cove Ceiling</A>

You can see how the trim doesn't even have to be very wide, but it lends definition to the architectural feature.

You could also think about keeping the ceiling red, but putting in molding like that with recessed lighting to shine up on the curved part of the ceiling, similar to this:
<A HREF="http://www.phantomlighting.com/custom-cove-lights.htm">Phantom Lighting</A>

I agree with the above re: creating a line and painting the ceiling and the mirror above the mantle. Could you also hand a bold shiny, light-reflective chandelier above where the table will be (if not hard wired, then swagged over)?

Floor-length white curtains on both sides of every window.

Drapery fabric. Choose a fabric with a pale ground.

http://www.fschumacher.com/search/ProductDetail.aspx?sku=173781

http://www.fschumacher.com/search/ProductDetail.aspx?sku=173822

then build a color story for your upholstery pulled from that.

If you're not going to paint, I love the look of white on everything in a dark room---seating, drapes, dishes...

depending on the style of your furniture you could put in some nice white/ivory molding on the bottoms and maybie a nice subtle chair rail?

It is much cheaper to paint than buy new furniture and art to fit the room. If you are starting from scratch then I agree with mjs7640 and do everything white. Layer with white...no need to add another color. Modern would really pop against the traditionalism of the house...good luck!

Lots of mirrors will reflect light, and sconces could help too. I love your space -- it's sort of like those old-world cafes you see in Paris and Venice.

Another vote for the "add moulding below curve and paint ceiling/moulding white". Or off-white.

I'm a fan of mysterious, sexy red dining rooms, so I'm glad to hear that you'd like to keep it.

And another vote for mirrors, especially to reflect the motion and green space outside, if you have a wall opposite. The motion of the greenery adds incredible interest. Bevelled edges on the mirror add sparkle and dance.

What a great looking space!!

I actually painted my bedroom that exact color, and was really unsure of it after I finished. (the color red is very consuming). However, after I put up pictures the color just felt warm and not overbearing. I had prints of Gustav Klimt paintings (he uses a lot of golds and hints of orangy reds that complemented the wall color) but I could even see you doing large black and white prints that would really pop on that dark background.

i love the red, but the walls look a bit bare for me... light coloured artwork or framed pictures with light coloured mounting board will lighten up the room without taking away from the red. maybe a mirror to enhance the natural light?

i liked the idea of sanding the floors if possible as well, light coloured wood through the room would still be warm (like the red) but a light contrast. for this reason i wouldn't use grey in the room... it could end up just looking dirty.

light wood for furniture and cream/white for fabrics would really lift the overall effect, and little details in bringer red or orange would really stand out.

Great room. Can't tell from the pics--but do you have a tray ceiling? If so, you can paint that part off white or light grey. Also, if you can find generous drapes in an off white or grey to frame your gorgeous windows--extend them to the sides and above the windows by 6"-8", that will bring some lightness into the room. Finally, think about a lighter colored rug, as well as some good lighting (sconces?).

Maybe it's just the light, but I'm seeing some disrepair on the walls. Maybe the paint was a double punch of color for decor and to cover up the flaws in the wall?

Whatever color you paint, I'd consider removing that red paint first. That color had to take at least three coats, and it kind of looks like it's caked on there.

You could do cream curtains and cream colored furniture. Large artwork on the walls with little red details in it would be great too. A muted blue looks good with red and cream, so some accents with muted blue. Good luck, it has lots of possibilities.

I'd start your "ceiling" about a foot down or so and add some moulding to make it look less awkward.

I love the dark red. Personally I would lighten it up by making it kind of a semi-gaudy "royal" themed room with lots of shiny gold and gold/dark red patterned fabrics and a few mirrors with gold trim.

Here's a picture of a space more like yours...

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/good-questions/good-questions-paint-color-for-new-living-room--089274

All you need is some simple molding from the hardware store... With that, you could definitely paint the ceiling white.

I'd get some molding in which you could hide rope lighting, so that you could create some nice ambient lighting in the room. All is would take is hiding the wiring in housing running up a corner, and painting it out.

As for buying furniture, buy things in a style that you love -- you will likely have your furniture a lot longer than those walls!

I would be tempted to go with the texture of a reclaimed antique pine table in these circumstances -- I think it would look great with those walls, and would probably like it in the long term...

https://www.vermontfarmtable.com/shop/72-x-41-antique-pine-00806-copy

Or something with a similar patina and texture:

http://www.sundancecatalog.com/product/home decor catalog/dining room furniture/rustic dining tables/distillery dining table.do?sortby=ourPicks

Good luck!

Get a chevron rug. And a young Kyle McLachlan.

But that's just what I would do.

Btw, I would add that I think the best idea is to google images of "dark red dining rooms" and see what you find that you like. This can give you a better sense of your own style as well as a good idea of color combinations that work. Personally, I'd suggest a lot of soft gray, cream, white, and pops of turquoise, but that might not be your style.

Maybe I should mention that choosing a white with pale green undertones can be lovely adjacent to such a deep red. We recently painted our living room that colour, as a foil to our deep red dining room. And it looks great.

I don't know. I like red, but that seems very oppressive. I would definitely paint the ceiling.

I would absolutely advise against buying furniture to go with the existing paint (no matter how much you like it). Buy furniture you love, and if it matches the paint, keep it, but if it doesn't match you can always paint a different color. Paint is one of the cheapest and easiest things to change.

I recommend taking some time to look at pictures of dining rooms and see what you are drawn to. If you find that you really, really love red dining rooms, and it fits with your style, keep it. We moved recently and there were a few rooms I was kind of "eh" about. They were fairly neutral and I tried to work with them, but in the end, I wasn't happy and finally painted. It made a HUGE difference. My only regret was that I didn't paint before I moved in so I wouldn't have had to deal with covering and moving furniture!

I would not only paint the ceiling and just use a tape-line to separate the red from the white, I would start the white a lot lower than just below the ceiling--only 6" or so above the highest door or window opening. Don't use a glaringly bright white, though--use something closer to cream but highly reflective, or even steer away from white and use a golden wheat, something warm but also light in color. Use a similar tone at the windows--golden floor-length curtains or Roman shades.

Avoid dark artwork--dark frames would be fine if they are thin, but choose items with wide, light mats (cream or beige) around the artwork. And go for a rug with a lot of color in it--a Persion or Kilim. The room can take big gestures like this. A mirror over the mantel will also bounce a lot of light around.

A few more thoughts:

In this particular room, I'm not a fan of the white trim with the dark red walls. It doesn't look right to my eye. And I don't love the paint transition between the two rooms. It doesn't seem "finished." (If it were me, I'd paint both rooms the same color.) Also, I see that someone mentioned the imperfections in the walls. Are these actually imperfections? Or is this textured plaster or stucco? Without seeing the rest of the apartment, it's hard to tell the style of the architecture, but I'm guessing Spanish? If so, ceiling molding might not be appropriate for this space. (On the other hand, it's always fun to break some rules, so go for it if you like the idea.) In any event, please give us some direction as to your taste and what look you're going for. Again, it really is difficult to give advice with this limited information.

i think this screams for glamour pop style. Do not paint anything. Go for gold accessories light blue touches and some classic wooden and black furniture.

Were it me, I'd go full-tilt Diana Vreeland!!

Don't panic about an empty room being dark or lifeless... *until you put stuff in it.*

To get the light and life back in the space, you need elements with reflective qualities (glass, mirror, metals...) and don't forget, it's a dining room, so a lot of those elements end up on your table anyhow, automatically... and framed art with glass fronts count, too...

Or, if not full-on reflective, then with a sheen (polished woods, silk drapery panels, a rug with silk woven into it...) to get that light bouncing around. Oil on canvas artwork fits in this category.

But most importantly, you need multiple sources of light... uplights in the corners, lamps on a buffet, a picture light over art. And candles on the table, at dinner, count!

And while this seems counter-intuitive, add elements that are actually darker than the red. Your wood finishes should be DARK in here, and the contrast will brighten up the red and give you a luxurious tone-on-tone look.

But seriously, if you like the red, don't panic yet.

I have to say - paint it all. I love the idea of moulding below the curve and painting the ceiling a different color than the walls, but the blood red is:

1. Dated. Those deep, rich, royal colors are very late 90's.

2. Oppressive. I am a fan of the light and airy interior, but I do understand why dark, cozy, moody, and dramatic interiors can be cool. Maybe it is the lighting in the pictures, but the blood red room seems depressing. You would need to bring in layers of light, from overhead to sconces to candles, to make the room work.

3. Overwhelming. It is hard to decorate to colors like that and have the furniture "carry over" to other apartments and homes later. You'd almost have to go really neutral and classic (white, black, deep espresso colored wood, creamy tan, etc.) for your furniture to make the investment work over the long term.

4. Tiring. What seems cool at first can get old fast. Isn't it easier to paint now, before you move anything in and before you invest in furniture? I'd think about what I really liked and wanted to live with long-term and paint the room to match your vision. You'll be happier in the end if you go with your own taste instead of adapting to someone else's.

5. Weird, with gray, at least. The cool gray in the adjoining room may not "jive" with blood red. They aren't even close in tone, feeling, or mood.

I don't mean to sound harsh, but I guess I am harshing on the red. It is not an easy color to live with. I am chanting, "paint, paint, paint!" as I type this.

Oh lord. Tape a line and paint the ceiling!

Paint the wall which faces the garden and paint it white!

Also, as you move into decorating the whole space, remember to:

Bounce some of one room's colors into the adjacent room.
So, some gray in the dining room (but only tiny amounts, and silver leaf frames could be all you need...).

And vice versa, some reds/oxbloods into the living room. Because your dining room is such a "presence" (in a good way) you may need a little more red in the living room than gray in the dining room to keep it all balanced.

Work with the caramel-y tones of your floors as an accent color (through art, upholstery, pillows, bamboo shades) (but don't worry about mixing wood tones with actual furnishings.

(Btw, I'd do a "sunwashed" tan/gray/gold/cream with TINY bits of red Persian in the dining room...)

Btw, kudos for flip-flopping the furniture/room plan!

Since you're starting from scratch, I'd go with long white curtains on either side of the windows (as someone else suggested), or possible a gray and white striped fabric, stripes run horizontally for a more modern twist, if that's your yen.

I'd do a dark wood table, but with white chairs (maybe Panton chairs?). Keep everything else light, hang a big mirror over the fireplace, sconces on either side of the mirror, and light, bright modern artwork that incorporates the grays from the other room.

But that's just me.

Off-white baseboards and trim trim, off-white long curtains, an elaborate off-white ceiling medallion, and add a better fireplace facade... in off-white of course. I have lived in dark spaces, and that has always done wonders without breaking the bank.

I like the "patina" of the room - and painting over that high gloss red won't be a picnic. I agree with your idea to just go with it & make it fabulous. Bring in lots of neutrals, light whites and creams and light wood, plus lots of mirrrors to bounce light and add sparkle. Maybe a vintage area rug. It will be cozy & perfect for dining.

White molding in this room is going to look like cream cheese frosting on a red velvet cupcake. Don't do it.*

I could see that working in a more classic home, but in what appears to be Spanish/Mediterranean-inspired architecture, it will not look right.

*Love red velvet cupcakes. Just not rooms that look like 'em.

Hey Guys!

Thanks for all of the suggestions so far...

To those of you who mentioned the floor, don't worry! It's being refinished as we speak. I don't move in until next week.

Also, the walls do have some cracking in these photos, but everything has since been repaired and repainted. We kept the red because I love it.. now we are just working around it!

The adjacent room has been painted a medium gray, which makes the flow between rooms much better than it was here (it's hard to tell above but originally the adjacent room was lime green!)

On furniture... I have none. I have never had enough space for a dining room before, so I never really looked into piecing one together. I like wood tables over glass/metal and I think, with the drama of the red, a super dark wood would look nice, I just don't want that to make the room feel even darker. I have two clear acrylic arm chairs that I think would look nice in the room as well.

I will send along updates as soon as I get the room finished up!

@chrisbean- love it.

I think this room is gorgeous. If I were you, Megan, I would add some touches of light moss green.

Black and White Curtains with a graphic print on all of the windows. I love the red and on the ceiling too.
Congrats on the new place!

Painting the ceiling is a must. Otherwise you'll feel like you're living in a giant blood clot. I can see a slight ridge in the left corner of the first pic and you can use that as your ceiling line. The key it to tape it off well and make sure it's a sharp line. Other than that, I love a red dining room. I'd probably bring in some large light abstract art. You could lean a big one over the mantle.

If you're not going to paint the ceiling, at least paint the window and french door trim a creamy white...
...then add some sparkly & gilt lighting sconces, a chandelier, a big mirror in a chunky gilt frame, a mirrored credenza/buffet, some big light-colored abstract artwork, creamy white window coverings with gold trim, a large square banded sisal rug for the floor, and a big round dining table with a polished finish surrounded by upholstered chairs done in a creamy white.

Then to carry through to the next room - bring some of the red, creamy whites and golds into that space for some visual cohesiveness.

I had to join just to comment on this one. Please don't, DON'T try to lighten up the room too much. What the previous owner has given you is the perfect setting for a deep warm dining experience. This room is screaming* for an antique Chippendale furniture set.

(* Actually, it isn't screaming, it is wearing a tailored smoking jacket and suggesting politely while sipping a dry gin and tonic, neat.)

At most, molding around the top and paint the ceiling white (like other have suggested).

Find a good antiques dealer. Early Chippendale furniture with dark cherry and mahogany will absolutely shine in this environment, especially with gold in the upholstery. Accent with the same lush gold tones and this room will throw you back to the Roaring '20s.

if you decide to paint the ceiling, please listen to patrick & some of the others above who are correctly stating not to paint it white. it would be too stark & cheap looking. i agree with mirrors, shiny reflective things, & lots of lights on the ceiling, floor, & furniture. you can also buy inexpensive uplight canisters from CB for around $9 to place strategically around the room.

Do not paint the ceiling white or off-white. The contrast will be distracting. If you decide to paint the ceiling, I would use a medium to dark-ish gold color. BM Richmond Gold or Stuart Gold. Something in the same range as the floor. I would also drape the archway to the adjacent living room. This color lends itself to creating an enclosed "jewel box" feeling. Draping the entrance will heighten the drama, and lessen the contrast between the gray living room.

i think i have been in this apartment before. . .

Instead of painting the entire ceiling, try a pale, glossy circle in the center of the room, slightly wider than your dining table. It would act as a counter to all those edges, give some lift to the middle of the room, and brighten things up. I'd try it without an edging first, or look at the fireplace or windows for edge ideas. Add a circular rug underneath to echo the shape.

Dark paint does not necessarily make rooms look smaller - the shadows often deepen the space when a lighter colour would look a little bit 'blah.' And it looks like you have a good sized room without a ton of light, so please please please don't paint it a shade lighter. That colour is fabulous!

I agree with what's been said about lightening it up with lots of bright fabrics, and that you should carry the grey into this room, somehow (pillows, artwork). Might I add that it could be tough to light the space above your dining table? Its the front room, and I'm not spotting a light fixture. Are you renting? Are you able to install electrical for a really great piece above your table? Or will you need to run a swag style light?

I have to agree with Patrick on a few things, don't paint the trim or ceiling white its really going to cheapen the look and not every trim and ceiling need to be white.

I would go dramatic this is a fantastic room and I love the color. How you play with lighting, lots of lamps at different heights and reflective materials, go with a big tall mirror over the mantel will lighten it up.

I agree that you should go with dark woods, deep rich colors for furniture and textiles. I think this room wants to be old world with some modern but not too much. I would embrace that its on the dark side.

This room reminds me of the waiting or sitting rooms in the older homes in New Orleans so full of character and romantic..it also reminds me of a old world library sitting rooms in a charming hotel sitting cozy on a tufted deep dark brown leather sofa with a nice light to read by.

Gold drapes! Mirrors! Palms in the window! Go Victorian, and you can't go wrong. : )

If possible, check out the rooms of Jane Lockhart from HGTV. She does a great job with dark rooms in gutsy colors.

@meganmarie: what a beautiful and unique room! i can only imagine what the rest of the apartment looks like. what city is this in if you don't mind me asking? i'm looking at victorian home rentals in Denver and nothing is really standing out that much.

I would paint the whole room, including the ceiling, one color. Do you plan to hang a painting in the room? I would choose a light color from the painting, use that for the wall color, and perhaps pull other colors from the painting for chairs covers, table linens, and perhaps a rug.

Boy, patrick (the other one) wasn't kidding. Here is a link that might help you, Megan: http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/a-dining-room-compromise/pictures/page-2.html

DO NOT PAINT - leave it red !!! It is very unique...

What will help to "make-it-lighter" :
- 1. Upright column ligting directed toward ceiling
- 2. do not use "pure" white - it will do too much difference, but whitish color will look better.
- 3. it has a "feel-of-the-castle" - they used lots of GOLD and shimmering ... mirrors, pictures in golde frames, candlesticks,
- 4. pick ONE lighter complementing color you like - light blue, yellow, green ... use it on carpet, uphostelry, curtains, pillows ..... with pattern sometimes repeating same deep red as on the walls -
- 5. Make the RED color deliberate choice and work around it - it looks like it was painted by experienced person - if you will find some "mistakes" - cover it with something (picture, frame etc.) - do not repaint it.

.... That's what I would do ...
Best luck with your project -
Xandra

PS: Dark does not have to mean dated. I could still see your acrylic chairs working here, red room and dark woods. Art will be a HUGE ally here, to bridge the traditional bones of the room and your (perhaps) more modern tastes.

Btw, I don't get Victorian at all from this space.

My initial reaction to pain the ceiling white and get a white table and white chairs - something very sleek and clean - metal legs that are slim preferably. I would also go with a white sideboard or bookcase if you need them, and then add some color in the way of a multi-color table runner that has both white and red. Dishes/vases/pitchers could be a mix of white and red with some aqua or yellow thrown in for a n accent. I would stay away from dark colors - dark espresso browns or black. I like the idea of a grey - but that would likely keep the room very "dark and deep" instead of lightening up with room in both feel and "look."

If you're using it as a dining room then that means it will be used primarily in the evening, in which case embrace the dark! Adding white touches here and there would just look odd. I'd go with accessories that gleam - silver or mercury glass candlesticks and the like and lots of them (and light the candles), silver-framed mirrors, reflective wall sconces. I'd stay away from gold-hued things, but that's just me.

I don't have a clue what to do with the fireplace other than it can't stay white and painting it black would give you this large black void. Maybe a pale gray? I really have no clue.

Long double-wide white (or pale) draperies. Mirrors. And art with a white (or pale) canvas or subject matter. Light upholstery. Light carpets.

I love the red and think you should keep it. With mirrors, drapes, art, and a white area rug, you'll be able to brighten the room up in no-time.

do a google image search for inspiration "red living room"

http://roomenvy.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/living_room2.jpg

http://forgingahead.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/red-living-room-nov-2009-002.jpg

http://www.pco.com.au/pedagogy-in-practice/red%20room%20hero%20shot.jpg

http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/history/whtour/photoessay/images/400-redroommonkman.jpg

http://www.american-architecture.info/USA/USA-Washington/757px-BoudinRedRoom.jpg

http://www.housetohome.co.uk/imageBank/r/Red-room-web-ready.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WNTglWzi2I8/SasMerTTUuI/AAAAAAAABfw/3aZ7A6E4BFI/s400/red room.png

http://inaccessibility.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/frank_fontana_red-room.jpg

I personally don't like rooms painted dark and I'm not a fan of red, but if you really love it at least make a level line around the whole room just a inch or so below where the walls slope up to be the ceiling and paint it a nice ivory or cream color (or maybe even a cool grey).

How about adding lots of fresh green plants and even ones sporting purple foliage?
xoxo- jade

meganmarie, now that I know what you like, here's a great photo:

http://garronjones.com/images/samples/Venetian_Red-Dining-Room.jpg

This is an excellent example of what I was talking about. You don't need a white ceiling or white trim! In this photo you see a red ceiling, dark trim, and a wood table. (Please, don't even worry about your room looking like a blood clot!)

I think it's pretty clear she's not going for a "jewel box" look, given her choice of light grey for the adjoining room. Really, gold ceiling? High gloss white is the way to go if you're just looking to give it a decent airy feel. P.S. I would never send anyone to HGTV for inspiration (gag). Fireplace should be high gloss optic white as well as the ceiling and try to resist cramming the mantle with a bunch of junk. Brown furniture. If you're not renting, you need to put in some light over the table, and for frack sake, don't do any accent walls.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/de-kay/3094033838/sizes/o/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lopix/2718555412/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/loxosceles/3270416497/sizes/l/

Knowing that the adjoining room will be painted pale grey, this fabric is perfect.

http://www.fschumacher.com/search/ProductDetail.aspx?sku=173822

I would do full length lined drapes at the big window, dummy roman shades on the windows flanking the fireplace and a working roman shade on the door.

it has the reds, pale grey, deep browns to compliment a Chippendale style dining suite. It also has pale sage and a deeper green, beige, and has a strong enough pattern to compliment the red and allow the eye to "rest" by breaking up all of that red on the walls and ceiling.

Also, a vintage crystal chandelier will add sparkle and while not taking up a whole bunch of visual space.

Just FYI, I am not planning on painting the ceiling, nor do I want to add molding.

I am LOVING all of these great suggestions. I can't wait to move in and get started.

I am trying to figure out a way to put a light on the ceiling, but it is a rental, so that might not be possible.

When she moves to an Upper East Side apartment, Boston Brownstone, or D.C rowhome, those Flickr photos will really come in handy!

I didn't read all the posts, since there are so many, but I agree with painting the ceiling white and adding molding to define the edges.

I had a bright yellow finished basement. It was bearable partly because I hung a LOT of artwork (mostly with light backgrounds) in a grouping that covered a fair amount of the wall, and used a couple of white (black frame) shoji screens mounted flat on the wall. The closet and other doors were white, as was the (drop) ceiling. You could use a similar strategy.

Lol, apparently not... especially the post by the homeowner, two posts above: "Just FYI, I am not planning on painting the ceiling, nor do I want to add molding."

The photos were color references, a modicum of imagination could translate the elements, snarky. She's going to end up leaving it as it is, which is fine, but now i'm not sure what she's asking for that's beyond the realm of common sense if she's not willing to give it a fresh coat of paint.

I agree with some of the previous comments on a number of points:

- Personally, I would go white on the walls - but you clearly love this color, and more power to you! And after looking at some of the links, I have to agree that white trim with red walls is not particularly attractive. I can't tell what's going on with the baseboard, but dark wood would be the best, I think.
- In the name of all that is holy, NO ACCENT WALLS! It would be a travesty in a space of this vintage. Plus, with the coved ceiling, it would get complicated.
- A picture rail would be nice (and if you do decide to paint the ceiling, it's the only way to go, IMHO). Again, darkly-stained wood is my recommendation.
- Sparkle is a must. The style direction you decide to take will influence your options, but mirrors never fail. Light fixtures are also a great way to do this, as are smaller accessories in glass or the metal finish of your choice (I think muted brass/gold is the way to go - but not on the ceiling, quelle horreur!).
- Textiles that have a bit of your red in them but on a light ground would be perfect. I like some of the ones suggested above for curtains. Also, when selecting a rug - and you definitely need one - I would look for the same. A Persian-style rug would be an easy and timeless way to go.
- Plants. Definitely plants.

Nobody's mentioned it, so maybe I'm alone here, but I'm picturing some tastefully-selected Asian pieces mixed in with Western ones. Of course, you should only do this if it's consistent with your style, but I think it could really work with the red, especially if they are either dark wood or muted brass/gold (see above).

Good luck!

I'm still mulling over "moody and fun."

I don't see any lighting at all in this room, yet. Get lots of it.

Could you not just paint a large square/rectangle of white on the ceiling? Just don't go all the way to the edge.

jacksonlalonde - As I said above, it has already been given a fresh coat of paint (in the same color) since these photos were taken.

A very large but shallow traditional chandelier will provide a sense of "white" at ceiling level. If chandeliers aren't your thing, a wide, shallow barrel shade in white or frosted perspex will serve the same function.

Oh, and for future reference, Good Questions applicants really need to mention FROM THE BEGINNING whether their home is rented or owned. Surprising as it may seem, THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE!

She did say that it's an apartment, which in LA always means "rented".

Yes, it is a rented apartment (bottom flat of a 4-plex, built in 1930) in Los Angeles (Atwater Village to be specific).

Wow this is a lovely room, and has so much scope to do so many things..i am getting a mental orgasm just thinking about the possibilities!
You can add sheer soft very long and flowy ivory colored curtains, lighter but rich rugs, use furniture with softer edges so that the room doesnt look fierce. Add a beautiful big chandelier in the middle, hang large artwork, you can paint the fireplace in mettalic silver and hang a large mirror with artistic frame above it

Sorry for the curt reply yesterday, I was coming down from a Butterfinger high. I love those big LA 4-plexes, I'm sure whatever you do will be great, hard to go wrong with a space like this. Post the after photos please :)

Firstly, Red is a classic dining room colour especially if you're planning to entertain a lot, it stimulates digestion and conversation (so they say).

Regarding your awkward ceiling, all the previous posters are right, tape (or use mouldings) and paint it cream or gold. I don't think you can get around that unless you have very eccentric taste.

The rule of thumb for furnishing a dark coloured room is to go with pale furniture...certianly in soft furnishings but.... I kinda think this room's a bit Gothic...Mmmmm. The window and fireplace are wonderful, it's a pity you want to hang on to the current paint scheme, they're really swamped by that colour (and I like red and a bit of 'stuff' so this isn't some biased MCM, minimalist opinion)

I'm going to suggest you start with accessories:
1. Try floor length ivory or off-white curtains flanking the front window.
2. Add a huge mirror (preferably with a silver or gilt frame) above the mantelpiece.
3. Move the buffet to the right of the front door and add a pair of tall mirrored or glass lamps on each end.
4. Buy an antique dining table off craigslist preferably mahogany or oak, because red walls are too stately for cheap woods like birch or pine or glass or metal.
5. Invest in a white tablecloth and colorful rug.
6. Add some tall palm trees in front of the skinny windows flanking the fireplace and put uplights behind them.
7. Have some fun - that's a great room!