apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I agree w/ Aaron - One BIG abstract (think Rothko) canvas on the wall is all you need.

BTW - Can you get rid of the expedit and IKEA drawers under the kitchen counter - maybe stash thatr stuff in a closet or an enclosed white credenza? It's looking cluttered and distracting away from your Minimalist style

Needs color..how about buying a big canvas and painting it yourself..green or my favorite royal blue.

yes, would do it!

yes, art would do it.

I like the big paintaing and low lighting idea too. I like the white on white with hints of black thing you have going--I'd stay with that. Another idea is just to add a little texture and depth with some wood carvings, grates, or masks.

Personally, I think you have TOO much white there and I do agree that something lower hanging for a lighting fixture and something big and bold on the wall would do wonders for the space.

I'd look into something very graphic and bold say in bold stripes or circles etc that's been painted onto canvas.

The Expedit bookcase looks nice but I'd put something else in there such as books or colorful glassware instead. something that adds texture to the space.

Better yet if you can, scoot the dining table out and move the Expedit on that wall as a credenza and hang the art above it, just inches, like no more than a couple above it so the bookcase can anchor that wall and perhaps put an accent lamp on one end of it.

I would also suggest colorful artwork and low lighting, BUT
what about that open shelving under your breakfast bar? If it's not a built in piece you should switch it to the other side, move your end table to the other side of the couch. I think this would help define the space better, but hard to tell w/o a photo from another perspective.

the above ideas AND a rug under the table.

I like ciddyguy and sophistiphunk's idea to make the expedit a credenza- I say get some nice legs for the expedit, put doors on it or boxes in the cubes (or declutter the contents of the shelves, putting in some larger scale objects/ art books/ vases) and then go for a big punch of artwork up above. You don't have to do one solid piece: a grid of framed and matted works pr b&w photographs would do the job just as well, if that's better for your budget.

Yes, move the expedit over and use as a credenza and bring in a low hung pendant.

I have this set up in my kitchen/dining room right now. The expedit is actually just a place holder until I get a better credenza (one with doors since I am tired of dusting that thing). I have the knappa pendant in another room and I think it is a fun lamp. However, over my dining table I have a graphic MIBO pendant I ordered from design public (http://www.designpublic.com/shop/mibo/1189).

Agree with art and lighting comments above, but would add that your table and chairs are very similar in their delicate/light/"wirey" nature. I'd like to see a much heavier table to give some importance to the space. I'd do a heavy round table, which would give it additional definition along with the suggested round pendant. A thrifted find painted white would blend with your existing look but add contrast and interest. Nice space, good luck!

You need a big huge canvas with an artist you love on that wall. Preferably horizontally hung.

I'm not generally a fan of so much white but it works well in your space. I think it has to do with the furniture you picked out. It's nice. I'd get rid of the light fixture and get something with more clear glass to give the dining area a little bit more elegance. I'd get some art for the wall, maybe some pencil drawings with only a little bit of color. I'd also get rid of that print in the living room because it's too small for that wall and doesn't really go with the space. Get something else for that wall, if anything at all.

Yep, I saw your picture and the first thing I thought was that you need a large piece of art on that wall.

A new light wouldn't hurt, but definitely get some art in there.

I second everyone else, add some colour! There's just too much white.

Knappa. Knappa. KNAPPA!!!!!!! My fiance put ours up a week ago and I literally love it. No, love is a severe understatement. My friends die for it too. Get one...everyone get one. This lamp could be the beginning of peace on Earth.

don't forget to add some black... it'll make all that white really sing

In addition to putting a piece of art on the wall, and low hanging lighting, I would suggest complimentary punches of color on the couch and table-top to tie the two areas together. Perhaps a bright throw draped over the back of the couch (though watch out for red...I had a red blanket that turned my white couch cover pink). A striking, but simple centerpiece on the table would add some character. Maybe a large, handpainted bowl...?

Have you thought about using the Expedit as a room divider, placing it between the dining room table and the sofa? It's low enough that it won't block light, but it might help to define that space. It seems sort of awkward where you have it now, half under the counter. That looks more like a passthru or a low bar - if I put anything there, it would be a couple of low barstools.

How about a table that doesn't scream my first apartment? At first glance I thought it was a folding table.

Here are my suggestions:

Lower the pendant lamp over the dining area, or get the new lamp you mentioned.

Move the end table. Not sure where because I don't know what the rest of the space looks like, but its current position makes it tight behind that one dining chair.

Consider cabinet doors for the shelving under the counter; maybe high shine or lacquered white, or even a contrasting color like black or red?

Put a rug down under the table and chairs to define a dining space.

Consider putting a large piece of art over the sofa, and move what's currently hanging on that wall to the dining area? I don't agree with putting such a large canvas near a dining area without a buffer. You risk a chair back going into the canvas and tearing it, or proximity to food prep and food particles adhering to the fabric. I don't like my art smelling like food, but that's just me.

GOOD LUCK

it's sort of lacking in personality. you need a very large piece of art.

I like the rug idea though I still don't like the table. For art, I would go with a tapestry rather than a piece of art since you can get it cleaned after it goes to smelling like food.

Maybe at least find new fabric or even stain the color of the seats...it's too plain and looks awful with the metal.