First and foremost.... the transformation is UNBELIEVABLE when compared to the original space!  The staging is good, but if this were my job I would have changed the following:

• bigger chandelier hung lower (about 36" above the table & not brass)
• I would have leaned a large piece of art over the fireplace for another focal point & to raise the ceiling visually

Again, the changes are absolutely amazing though!

Jackie - You had made such a night/day transformation with these rooms.  Prior to the painting, it was far too busy.  Between the granite, the wallpaper, the rug - it left me feeling anxious.  This new look is far more simple and definitely easier on the eyes.  You did a fabulous job.

As for suggestions over the fireplace.  A mirror would have worked nicely here given what's directly across the room (a window).  It would bring 'more' of the outside in, which is always nice.  I love your candles and would love to see a couple of candle sticks and maybe some greenery on the other side.

But again, you did a fabulous job!

Kathy

Hey Melissa!  Thanks for the feedback.

Clarification on the lighting:  All of the lighting is either silver or nickle.  You do bring up a good point about how low it's hung though and one I struggled with (along with the electrician!) we settled on where it was because of the view from the kitchen - hanging it lower would have completely cut the view and left that upper area wanting...I do still wonder about that though!

About the artwork, how high? wide?  considering the sconces are there?

Thanks!

Jackie

I actually was referring to the dining area chandelier, not pendants... I think it is too high & should match the other materials (silver or nickel)...

A good rule of thumb is to keep it within 2/3 of the space alloted.  Since I don't have measurements I can't really say, but for width take about 2/3 of the length, same with height... that will give you a rough measurement.

With the sconces, adding 2 pieces of art might be good also... that would keep your symmetry flowing...

Melissa - ALL the lighting is either silver or nickle.  The chandelier is nickel.  You may be right about the size of the chandelier - it was a fine line, the next size up seemed like it would have overwhelmed the space. 

Good idea re: 2 pieces of art.

Jackie

Kathy - French doors right next to that window too.  You're right - greenery to tie it up on the mantle would have been perfect!  And I know you're right about the mirror - I knew it then too!

BUT, you don't think with the reflection of the room, the outdoor living area, the trees, etc and then having greenery on the mantle would be too much? 

I think I'd have gone with the mirror and left off the greenery - but maybe instead of candles put topiaries?

Jackie

It must be reflecting the yellow room.... a photo mirage... I think this looks almost the same color I painted my daughter's room today.

I personally like bigger chandeliers.... it definately needs to be lower though...

OH My!  I forgot to say THANK YOU!!! to both of you, Kathy and Melissa!!!

Jackie

It took me a while to really sort out the changes you made. They are phenomenal! The space is calming now, and looks so modern.

I too would have tried a mirror over the fireplace.

Would three similar pendants have looked good over the table? Narrow enough to provide the needed light but not block the view? Still, I love what you did! 

Hi Roberta - Thank you, I appreciate your feedback!

Have you seen those mirrors that are 9 grids?  I would have loved to put one of those there, but Feng Shui Carole has me convinced that is probably not the best idea anymore - something about the broken reflection or multiple reflections.  Bummer, I've always liked those mirrors!

I worry about multiple pendant lights over tables because it limits the table that can be placed there by future buyers.  That certainly could have been an option over that particular table though!

Jackie 

Melissa - I think you're right about the light being able to be lower.  I think it might have been able to be a a few inches lower.  I still wouldn't have put it over the table, because again if you look at both photos it would have ruined the view from the kitchen out to the back windows and made it very cluttered looking with the pendants that are there, but you're right - it could have been lower. 

Thanks for pointing that out. 

Jackie

Jackie, there really isn't much I'd change. What you have created is so simple yet has an understated elegance (it's those freaking amazing chairs!! and the granite).

I'd add a big but simple mirror leaning over the fire place. I actually really like the candles on the fireplace. Very understated but the color is great.

The chandelier I'd just add simple white linen lamp shades...and lower it.

But there is nothing at all wrong with your staging. It's what I'd like to achieve in my own house...calm, simple and elegant.

PB huh? now I gotta go look! I have a 'thing' for chairs and lamps....

My suggestion, Yes a little more, I always stage the table with cool plates and glasses napkins andd napkin rings, Maybe a flower centerpiece for warmth, it needs a splash of color. Yes a framed mirror or art on top of fireplacew, perhaps a plant or brancches on a corner on a vase....just my idea !

Hi Jackie -

Great transformation. Can't believe this is the same room! I love the look.  I would have dressed the table a little more with either a runner or table settings to add a little color. I also would have put some artwork over the fireplace but hey, we all have our own style. Great job!  

Dane - Thank you.  Yes, I'm also thinking now that light might have looked nicer a little lower.  As it's such as informal area of the house and the dining area did have shades on the fixture we decided to leave them off of this fixture - I think some of that is also regional...BUT....I did ask for feedback!  BTW, we share the same penchant for chairs.

Fernando - now you bring up something interesting: settings at all the tables.  Do you set all the tables, kitchen and dining and both of them always?  I do not. 

I think you may be right about a calm floral arrangement looking good on that table and I really like the idea of branches in a vase on the corner of the mantle, but there just wasn't room because of the sconces and it's a terribly narrow, narrow mantle (can you see what the candles are sitting on?  Those are mirrored squares that are almost to the end of the mantle - NARROW!)

Thank you for your feedback...you've given me even more to consider for future stagings! ;)

Jackie

Kelly - I'm still not sure I'd have put art there, but I think a mirror would have been fabulous - it looks lonely up there and there was still "white space" on either side of the back window.

But, you are very right, we do have our own styles. For me this isn't about losing my own style though - I'll keep that.  It's about honing my skills.  So, even when someone gives me a suggestion and I say it might not have worked based on what I know of the room, I still play with it in my mind for a minute - holding the piece for a little bit, so to speak - manipulating it, because if I can do that, I might be able to use it in another space :)

Jackie 

Hi Jackie-

It's soooo great to get rid of that wallpaper and paint the mantle- it is very narrow! Your look is great, and you have highlighted the features of the house-fireplace, windows, granite bar. That is the idea more than decorating, isn't it?

Kathy

Kathy - We agree :)  And in this space I was specifically trying to recreate a clean, refined "Back Bay Boston" look.  I think I accomplished that, but doesn't it look a little sterile to you?  I don't know - I flip back and forth on this one.  On the one hand, I look at the reflection of the granite and think had I placed a mirror and had the reflection of the mirror over the mantle, would that have been too much and too "busy" - defeating the purpose of highlighting the space and over decorating - it's a fine line, no?  

Jackie

Jackie,

Big difference between the before and after.  That wallpaper was too busy and distracting.  Although I like the after, I would have added a picture or mirror above the fireplace to give it more of a "presence".

Design by Marla, Burbank, CA.

Wow... I just looked at the before and  after of this room.  I can't believe how much bigger it looks!  Great job.  I think you did a super staging job, but I agree, lowering the light and a larger mirror or picture on the mantle would make it perfect!  I probably wouldn't have worried much about a light fixture blocking the view.  It really doesn't (not like a big armoire would!) and we also have to remember that it is a 3D space so someone viewing it in person will get the proper perspective that photos might not show.  It's more customary to see a fixture lower over a table so by having it a too high makes it look a bit off.

Marla - It was pretty busy, wasn't it?  It does seem the consensus is to put something above that fireplace.

Thank you for popping in and weighing in!

Judy- I'm glad you think the staging is well done - that is what is most important here after all.  I think the light could have been a lower, I also think the photos are making it seem higher than it is...hrrrm...

Jackie