Friday, May 9, 2014

Dining Room Update - Inspiration

 

 

 

All in all, I like my dining room. I love my table and sideboard cabinet and have no desire to paint the wood finish, as is so fashionable now. The hardwood floors, crown molding and picture frame paneling are all perfect for the formal, yet relaxed look I want. The problem is that in all the years I have lived in this house, I have never pulled the look together and just used decor I already owned or added pieces here and there. It's time for an update and a refresh, just to make things a little more cohesive.

 

First, here is what is not staying. The glass shelf has always been a problem, because it is too deep and easy to bump into, as you move around the table. The boat picture, while pretty, is the wrong color. I am looking for warmer tones to accent the natural wood.

 

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Instead of the glass shelf, I want to solve the problem by using a narrow, picture frame ledge. I like the relaxed look of the frames leaning against the wall, instead of hanging them.

 

 

To replace the pastel toned picture, I want to use an oversized, somewhat rustic wall clock, similar to one of these inspiration pieces. I think any one of these would add a warmth and presence to the large wall visible from my foyer.

 

source

Finally, I will recover my six dining room chairs using this neutral, floral fabric. You can get a glimpse of the neutral, striped fabric presently on the chairs in the first photo, but it is outdated and starting to fade. An update is definitely in order.

So, I'm looking to add warm tones, neutral pattern and a statement piece to pull everything together. Formal, yet with rustic pieces to make things relaxed. Almost, formal french country by definition. I have the inspiration, now comes the fun :-)

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

{Linking with these friends}


A Stroll Thru Life

My 1929 Charmer

Savvy Southern Style

The Charm of Home

Have A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

Serenity Now

Between Naps on the Porch

The Dedicated House

Cozy Little House

a bowl full of lemons

Life on Lakeshore Drive

Craftberry Bush

Live Laugh Rowe

A Delightsome Life

Cedar Hill Ranch

Skip To My Lou

Rooted in Thyme

The Tablescaper

Jennifer Rizzo

DIY by Design

Common Ground

Coastal Charm

Stonegable

17 comments:

  1. I love the clocks that you have shown.....I am all for wood furniture instead of the painted look too! Wondering how long the painted look will be in? I don't mind a piece of painted furniture here or there but not throughout my whole home. Can't wait to see what you come up for your dining room! Have a great weekend!

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  2. Those are great clock faces! Hard to choose. I too am thinking that all the paint is a fad, although a great way to deal with a piece of furniture that is otherwise pretty boring.

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  3. Love your ideas! I too love wood pieces, but don't mind a few painted mixed in. Love the idea of a rustic clock. I toned down our dining room a few years back to be more relaxed and comfy. We now use it more often!

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  4. Sounds lovely, Vicki. Can't wait to see it all finished. xo Laura

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  5. It was fun being a mouse in the corner, so to speak, when you did your kitchen. This is something to look forward to. I think your idea for not painting the furniture is a wise one.
    Love the fabric.
    Happy Mother's Day a little early,
    Balisha

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  6. It will be lovely when it is finished! I do like your boat picture though it is very pretty:) Have a great weekend!
    ~Anne xx

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  7. Sounds like a plan . . . I look forward to pictures of your updates . . . Enjoy!

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  8. That's an exciting project! Can't wait to see the transformation!

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  9. Love the changes you are making! I have a huge clock in my Dining room too:) Enjoy your weekend dear friend, HUGS!

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  10. Sounds wonderful Vicki! I like the clocks you are showing here and the fabric choice for the chairs is beautiful. Enjoy your weekend and I hope you have something fun planned for Mother's Day! xxleslie

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  11. Not that you asked, but my favorite clock is the one in the middle ;).

    Now about that painted furniture...I just acquired a tag sale console that has about 10 layers of paint and gives new meaning to the word 'chippy'. Not sure what direction I'm going to go with it. If done well, painted furniture makes me happy, but the beauty of natural, solid wood can't be denied either.

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  12. I have almost the exact same dining set. When we move back to Texas this summer, I plan to add a more modern twist to the dining room. I hope to recover the chairs as the first step. And Call the Midwife is very popular here in England. Not quite Downton Abbey, but close!

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  13. Vicki, it will be fun to see it all come together. Great inspiration! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  14. It is looking good! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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  15. Sounds like you have a fabulous plan. Can't wait to see it all come together. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me.

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  16. Love your ideas Vicki- your changes will be marvelous! I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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