Jenna Emrich How about something a little rustic but with a modern application, like these reclaimed wood tables with a more modern, upholstered chair?
Jenna Emrich The table that I suggested does not work with tv stand...the tv stand does not really look like it fits with the rest of the room design though. Too bad you cannot paint it white :)
sondramartina I know they are not perfect combo but it is not that bad,here is another photo.I am planing to put some wall paper in the back of the openings.
Judith Taylor Designs You might even paint the media unit the wall colour. That way it will camouflage into the wall a bit and doesn't stand out as such a different style. Then you might be okay to go with a rustic table like Jenna suggested.
collettec Perhaps a table with a grayish wood tone top to pull from the couch and walls - could still go modern and rustic and wood chairs in a natural wood finish.
sondramartina It will be very difficult to find table with grayish wood tone reasonably priced and with right size.I need smaller one that could be extended.This is what I have found.What do you think? What chair would look better?
Dining room shows existing set which I hate!
Carolina Photo To Go LLC I would look on the Drexel furniture website. They have many styles of dining room tables available and a lot of them say you can order a custom finish. Drexel is quality furniture and they list the furniture stores that carry Drexel. If you don't see one at that particular store, I am sure you could order. I have done that many times over the years when I had a particular item in mind but could not find it locally. Just talk to the store manager or dept manager.
I have posted a link to Drexel's site and 1 particular style of table; but there are others on the site.
Tres McKinney Design Lots of good comments above. I throw my vote with painting the wall unit. I recommend painting it dark gray or black and then installing a lighter shade of gray grass cloth in the bookcase backs. a collection of black, white and gray ceramics would pop. Painting the wall unit will give the room a sophisticated eclectic European look. 14thstreet's furniture style recommendation would help bridge the traditional wall unit with the more contemporary peices in the living room. A white dining table and black or gray washed chairs would look great.
mmilos I wouldn't paint the wall unit. It's nice to have a mix of modern and classic furniture. That's what makes a room interesting and less like it's straight out of a catalog. I would perhaps get a round glass topped dining table and then put classically modern klismos style dining chairs in the same wood tones as your media cabinet.
patriciarhall sondramartina, I painted the unit myself. Took my time over a period of 2 weeks. Used Annie Sloan chalk paint in a white tone - two coats, then glazed with Ralph Lauren antique glaze in 1/2 tea stain, then two coats of polyurethane in satin. Looks really good! I think Tres Mckinney design has the right advice for this particular unit and room.
sondramartina I would rather avoid painting the wall unit but somehow I have to find the way to bridge that gap.My head is spinning these days thinking of this. The easiest solution would be to get rid of the unit but then I would have to buy something else plus dining set which i can not afford at the moment.
patriciarhall little steps, sondramartina. your thought of paining the inside backs of the media unit is great, and you should do what you want and what is comfortable for you. hope you like the rustic table with upholstered chairs for your dining area. Your living area is very lovely and tasteful!
collettec Just wanted to note about the dining table and chairs. Like everyone's suggestions about the dining table and chairs options, including the white lacquer table. Not sure of your budget and what would be available as you noted was the case for the gray table. Did want to note that if you did decide to go with something like the gray table that you showed, I would go with the white upholstered chairs that you showed right next to it, rather than the wood back ones, in order to bring some more traditional elements for right next to the entertainment center - as was 14th street's note. I think the entertainment center works well there, so not something you have to replace. Paint changes you can take a step at a time so I wouldn't stress about it.
sondramartina This photo gave me an idea. Paint my existing table metal frame to glossy white and then add wooden chairs in same color as my entertainment unit. After that I can decide what to do with glass top,leave it or paint it. How's that sound?
jjdesignkloos I love the room just the way you have it! And i love your dining table also. I would change the chairs to the dark wood ones you had pictured; and lower the chandelier to about 32" above the table. Very beautiful!
14thstreet You have a great idea to rework your existing table! Removing the scroll detail and making the metal a smooth glossy white will be a beautiful contrast to some darker wooden chairs. Can't wait to see how that turns out!
Tres McKinney Design Upholstered dining chairs will help balance the weight of the wall unit and also the sofa in the other side of the room. They are more comfortable than all wood chairs. It is also a nice way to add fabric to a dining room which is otherwise mostly wood table, chairs and hutches. The upholsterd chair you originally picturred with the parson style table would work well with most table styles. I recommend that you wait until you can afford a table with an extension that you like rather than a temporary limited size table that limits seating options. Paint the one you have now and eliminate the curly elements. If your budget permits I recommend that you purchase 4-6 chairs that you can use with your existing table as well as any furture table. I agree you should drop the light fixture over the table.
If your table legs are metal you could use rustoleum paint. It looks like your table has a glass top which would look fine with new white legs and base. You can paint the underside of the glass white as well but it need to be a flawless paint job or you will see any brush marks or uneven spray.
sondramartina Tres McKinney great advice. It covers different scenarios. I will buy chairs first,try them with existing table and go from there.Thank you so much.
Tres McKinney Design The chairs are nice looking. The dark gray might get a bit lost with your gray walls but if you paint the dining table white I think they could work. It may be hard to find a gray and white print in a retail store but you might check out Room and Board to see what options they have in a similar styled chair. In the image of your dining area the walls look a lighter gray than the living room side but that might just be the photo. Your sofa is a darker gray than the walls and looks great. The gray chair pictured does not look much darker than your sofa so I think it will work fine and tie the two areas together.
14thstreet If it has expresso/brown legs, I dont think so. ( I meant to answer your question: "is gray one too dark in current scenario?") I think it looks good.
Dining room shows existing set which I hate!
http://www.beemod.com/armani-white-lacquer-dining-table.html?cvsfa=3925&cvsfe=2&cvsfhu=61726d616e692d77686974652d6c6163717565722d64696e696e672d7461626c65&gclid=CPek3tG7qbQCFQinPAodfFYAxg
Did you hire someone to paint your unit? Was it a big job?
I have posted a link to Drexel's site and 1 particular style of table; but there are others on the site.
http://www.drexelheritage.com/Furniture/Dining-Room-Furniture/At-Home-in-the-Wine-Country/i438723-Alameda-Double-Pedestal-Table.aspx
http://www.furniturenyc.net/product/memphis-5-pc-rectangular-dining-set-102756-set-5
A rich Cappuccino finish gives it a chic look. Set includes Dining table and 4 Chairs.
I like sondramartina's chair suggestion above, or a chair like this would be great if you had charcoal fabric on the seat.
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Diamond-Back-Dark-Mahogany-Tan-Side-Chairs-Set-of-2/5606501/product.html
If your table legs are metal you could use rustoleum paint. It looks like your table has a glass top which would look fine with new white legs and base. You can paint the underside of the glass white as well but it need to be a flawless paint job or you will see any brush marks or uneven spray.
Walls are same color in living and dining room