LNM's Profile

I did a project last year almost exactly like this. My chairs still look great and I've been very happy with the results. Here is what I did. It requires a bit of time, and much sanding. Here light coats of spray paint, matched with equal amount of sanding between coats results in high quality, smooth perfect long lasting finishes.

First: With a med grit sandpaper sand the chairs to get that veneer off. (if you need to fill any holes, scratches, whatever, then do so after with a filler, and then sand over the filler once it has dried)
Second: Wipe down with a damp cloth, they must be extremely clean. Then wipe with a dry cloth.
Third: Use a spray primer. I recommend holding your can about 12 in away and applying very light coats. So spray 1 coat, wait to dry, and a second light coat.
Fourth: Sand with a med-fine grit sand paper again. Again go through the motions of wiping with a damp cloth and then dry cloth.
Fifth: Spray a light coat of your color. Just as you did the primer. Let dry. Sand with a fine grit sandpaper. Wipe with the damp and then dry cloths. And continue this process a few more times, until you get the intensity of color you are looking for.
Sixth:When you have sprayed a few coats of you color, sanded and the chairs are dry, spray with a protective sealant. 1-2 coats.
That's it.

think

I have a couple of ideas for you. I am fond of minimalism, and though you don't seem to have that style going on my first suggestion would be to not add any decoration at all. Instead buy some small lights to sit on the shelf that face the ceiling to highlight the architectural features going on here. It would also look add more dimension to your evening light.

My second suggestion is to paint the back wall of the shelf a different color. This could go from a range of various colors depending on the drama you were looking for. You could do a bold accent color, or a slightly lighter or darker shade of the wall color that already exists. If you went this rout I think it would look great with some simple repetitive decorative pieces. Example: A series of the same colored vase, large, sitting in a row. Or, giant candles of the same shade, and shape sitting in a row. (Love that pale tealish looking color of your cups and plates, could be a good color to think about.)