Look!: Tiffany's Dining Room Before/After

We just heard from AT reader Tiffany that her dining room dilemmas have been solved (after a one year process!). She wrote:

Hello! I finally finished the dining room I've emailed you all so much about! I changed my mind about 20 times (wallpaper in the mouldings? paint the wood? augh!) but I think it turned out pretty nice. It only took a year! You wouldn't believe the deals either... hand me down table, chairs from craigslist-via AT scavenger no less! Antique rug from Egypt was a gift, thank goodness. Chandelier brought back from an antique store in Belgium, such a deal, and sideboard from Brown Elephant-$130!...

I even got the curtains on craiglist, new in packaging from Restoration Hardware-$400, paid $150, put them up and decided the color was not good, so exchanged them twice at the store, eventually got the velvet ones which were on sale, so ended up with $80 store credit! Nice! So this redo didn't take a lot of money at all. I think it looks so much more elegant, which is the look we were going for, we thought with the gorgeous mouldings in the ceiling we would make it more formal than modern. All I need to do now is possibly frame or stretch that Marimekko fabric over a canvas...
AT, thanks for your help!

(last pic: BEFORE)

Congrats, Tiffany! Your progress looks great. Thanks, too, to all the readers out there who chimed in on Tiffany's "good question" submissions.

Comments (10)

I did not see the original post so am commenting for the first time.

Definitely think the new space is an improvement from before. But, to me, it still feels like it's lacking something. Like you are trying to go for an opulent look, but only got there halfway.

The new dining table and chairs are definitely better, but the room is so large that it could still stand to have some larger pieces.

I would say move a (larger) buffet under the artwork and get rid of (or relocate to somewhere else) the cabinet in the corner.

Also, the chandelier should probably be lowered a foot or so.

Chicagores07 has a point about the whole "halfway" thing. I see it too...and I think it stems from the rug. Something in a light shade, with a lot of texture, would complete the gorgeous tones all the way down into the floor. Maybe match the ice blue from the chairs, or a cream color? Something rich looking.

Such a wonderful improvement! Well played, Tiffany.

I agree with chicagores07, the chandelier needs to be considerably lower - 30" above the table. I'm also not sure that I love the shades iether. Perhaps you should paint the ceiling a light blue or pink. Something that brings a little life into the space. (leave the woodwork as is).

I agree: lower that chandelier.

I think you guys are right about the chandelier, augh, I JUST had it hung Monday! It looks high in the photos though... it's weird how you notice things in photos that you don't notice in real life. Thanks for the input:)

paint the ceiling same color as the chairs, drop the chandelier down a bit( one third of the height from the top of table to the ceiling)
move the lower buffet in front of the window to help cover the air conditioner,move the taller piece to beside the door ( maybe flanked by two extra dining chairs) and replace the curtains, something more voluminous and rich ie Restoration Hardwares Thai Silk in Silver Sage- A large ornately framed mirror where the artwork is would pump up the glam factor!! ( ie Restorations Beaded venetian Mirror )

Yes bball thats what I thought, I had the silver sage thai silk curtains from Restoration before I exchanged for the crema velvet, and they looked green in there with the light behind them. I was so disappointed since I love that color but it totally didn't work in there. I do love that mirror though, I'm looking for a mirror to go above the buffet, maybe that will work... thanks

Wow, Tiffany. Nice job! Those chairs look so much better in your dining room than in ours. I'm glad they were finally put to good use. We had no idea we'd end up seeing them on AT!

even moving the curtain rod out from the window frame and adding a layer of sheers to help camo the air condit( can be pulled back when needed to use )
dropping the chand and a pale blue on the ceiling will balance the height of the room and add some drama!!
BB