What are you aiming for? The lamp post is a strong indication of a "Parisian" theme, but I'm not sure much else in the room supports that.

What style are the canvas paintings which you'll be adding to the room?

Do you have or are you getting window coverings? That could help soften the harder edges of the room if you're aiming for a softer, more romantic, Parisian style.

Probably one of the easiest, quickest and cheapest options if you don't like the brown would be to simply repaint one or more of the walls yourself. Or maybe add a feature "stripe" wall similar to the following:

[https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/kangaroo-point-apartment-contemporary-living-room-brisbane-phvw-vp~46112931[(https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/kangaroo-point-apartment-contemporary-living-room-brisbane-phvw-vp~46112931)

Hi Louisa, have you considered a rug for under the table? It would add texture and warmth to the space. Curtains would add some softness to the room and provide a contrast against all the hard materials. Both curtains and rug could be included within the bounds of your existing colour scheme if you are keen on all neutrals or used to bring more colour into the space.

Hi Louisa, you could add pretty much any colour you like with what you already have. The important thing is that you (and whoever you live with) love the finished space and enjoy spending time there. I have attached a couple of random options, but as I said, pick something you love. Just make sure the rug is big enough that the chairs legs won't catch on it when people get up from the table.

Thank you everyone! :) Going shopping for rugs today and will also see what is out there in terms of lighting. I know the garden light is a bit out of place, but I love it :P Instead of painting the window trims brown, should I paint the wall white instead? Also, what do you think of some sort of garden wall, or no? Anyway, I will have a look at some more photos on here :) Thank you so much for your help!

I agree with oskuee, the table looks alittle lost in that beautiful large room- I would also consider changing the chairs as their colour needs to contrast more from the table and wall colour, so perhaps you could paint or reupholster in a lighter fabric (or even go darker!), or replace chairs with a more modern design if you want things to look more contemporary. Examples below.

Ps. Your room also begs for a large potted plant/palm, perhaps under the mirror there somewhere. :-)

Hi There

What an amazing space, i love it but i think it just needs a warn touch.

You have the bones of an amazing space that can really display the WOW factor.

I think you need to lighten and brighten up the space by greenery and light decore pots and so on.

The rug under the table is great but could be an issue if you have kids.

Would love to see you finished product

Here is my design idea for the room. I made the walls white and changed the door on the side. To give you some perspective...

Here is one with your lamp post which goes really well with the white walls:

A rug underneath the dining table will help break the brown up by injecting personality and define different zones in a large room or open plan living space. They’re a simple way to create impact and refresh a space immediately.

40 Elgin Street Gordon · More Info

Laurel Street, Willoughby · More Info

White Street, Artarmon · More Info

Abercrombie Street, Darlington · More Info

Hope we have inspired you!

Hi Louisa 7, I have picked up on your love of Moroccan. So firstly, remove the British street light. As a lover of colour I have attached some items I think would work well in your space, add a sitting area down near the windows as in one of these pics, add more of the same pendants which you already have at different levels, once again as per one of the pics, a beautiful colourful rug under the dining table, artwork and find an oversized Moroccan influenced mirror. Good luck

Hi Kat, wow! I don’t know how you picked up on that but I LOVE Moroccan decor. Thank you so much for your advice - I love the pendant lights so I will look into that and am also in the process of looking for a rug :)

Ensure you get the right size rug.. too small and the chairs will scratch the floor and feel unbalanced when someone is sitting on them.. Low pile, pattern doesn't show crumbs so much!

Don't paint the wall or window frames! I would get a nice large rug for under the dining, plus the canvases, then reassess. Looking forward to more photos!

A rug under the table will cause problems when moving the chairs. To be safe and no nuisance, it has to be a huge rug. (A large round(!) floor cover....?)

I like the street lamp. But I guess it is a STREET - lamp and makes the room rather sterile. It is kind of tallish in the corner and enhances to large distance to the ceiling. bring something else down from the ceiling. I guess you don't want a lamp because you have downlights. Do some search for some nice art, which does not move (shadows) in the light. Or use a beige old fashioned chandelier.

Go bit by bit. And think about the carpet before you get it. Work on flow and lightness, delight, round parts, oval to balance the room.

If I painted something, I would paint the stark white frames a little softer/toned. The white is a hard contrast. So is the black. (And I would probably paint a half wall white.)

And the black ornament (light?) that comes down from the ceiling must come further down, should be larger.

And then I would play with the room for dinner situations..... you can bring all the colour in you like. I wonder what the room looks like during the day.

Try taking the (beautiful) mirror out and hang a canvas.

The plant on the table looks forlorn. The Arabic lamp in the left corner looks lonely too. this would be a nice corner for a piece of furniture.

An extra chair finds room in spots like this often. Do you have enough space when serving food? (Can you get light switches in a colour like the walls?)

I would probably take 2 chairs out unless they are constantly needed and take the placemats off. Put a larger item.... maybe a plate of fruit in the middle.

The repetition of chairs and placemats enhances the very formal atmosphere. I have just seen a cream coloured chandelier. Glass is too stark and black not suited to brighten the situation up.

I love the room for its sheer size and uncluttered atmosphere!

I'm thinking - the 3 walls being the same colour is too ummm bland. Repaint either the wall at the end or the wall on the right to make it a feature wall. That would break it up very nicely. Dont ask me what colour tho as I am colour blind. Along with some of the other suggestions (perhaps a rug to match the odd coloured wall?), that should make it more interesting.

I can hear the echo from here!

You really need to soften it up with a massive rug, and a couch and some cushions and an exotic plant maybe. I find guests tend to move around during a dinner and a couch invites that, especially now you have a piano in there. Do you play? What a great experience dining at your place will be if you do, if not you might discover there's talent among your guests.

A much bigger table and a buffet of some sort would cosy the room, something different, not necessarily a modern piece. The light fitting is great but way too high I think, add a couple more, larger ones, the smaller one will look fine in the mix (lower). Add some interesting mirrors, I love a mirror or 3.

Don't just decorate around the edges either play with the space you have enough of it. How lucky you are to have such a great room to play with.

I suggest a large round rug with rich orange and teal colours.