espoir's Profile

Don't paint! This is an amazing space--and it's the space itself that wows, not the furniture! You can have all my white ceilings, floors, and trim in the suburbs.

If you want to lighten the place, I agree with others that white drapes/shades would help, as would the removal of the large duct. Some spot lighting would also help highlight particular areas and features. (You can really do amazing things with the right lighting!) I think the epoxy floor would be nice, but personally I'd prefer the dark wenge. Either one will change the tone of the place; I think they'll make the brick and ceiling look even better because there will be more contrast.

Don't paint that beautiful coffered ceiling!

I agree that the dining room is a little bleak at the moment, but I think it's because the styles aren't really blending... the traditional rug and the fancy dining set don't really go with the ceiling. The art on the wall is also too small in scale. I agree with the suggestions for a more modern dining set, a huge mirror in a sleek frame, some dramatic art, and a color on the walls. More lighting would help too. Since there is already a lot of wood in the room--floors, ceiling, trim--I'd say that a black dining set might be nice, or maybe white or glass. Something other than wood for contrast, I think, but something with enough visual weight to balance the ceiling. Putting some floor-length curtains on the windows would soften the room and reduce the amount of visible wood trim, too.

Also, maybe you could also try moving your living room rug into the dining room. It's much more sedate, so it wouldn't compete with the ceiling, and it seems a little larger, which would help the scale. (The addition of more brown might not help... but it doesn't hurt to try.)

Finally, I agree that addressing the one column would help. Personally, I'd want to rip it and the half-walls out and open the two rooms up more, but that's a difficult project. But there needs to be something there to create more symmetry.

Good luck!

West doesn't cook, but he did go to art school. See the article: http://www.interiordesign.net/id_article/CA6469699/id?stt=000&text=kanye west

I need a tray!

Me, please!

Me, please!

Sharp!

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