you can do decopage and coat in varnish or varythane (sp?). The real thick stuff they use I think is epoxy. But, google and see for sure, I'm guessing!

we do in guest bedroom,, but not sure will go with colors I have picked out, and the great room is a vaulted ceiling ....I guess we will just have to see...our house is being built and will be very open..not alot of wall space.

Perhaps a large round table might mean a rug is not at all necessary. It could be a metal tray table, or carved wood like Rebecca Mitchell Interiors illustrates. Ideas also to consider, using multiple tables can be found at http://www.houzz.com/multiple-coffee-tables. I also agree with comments above that some color is needed on the walls. You could then hang round mirrors, or an unusual curved shape like RMI shows above.

you should take place your dinning table near to the all by which u can get a lot of space to decorate these place much more beautifully.