Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:6-7



Friday, July 30, 2010

The Dining Room

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I revealed to you my living room makeover, and technically this would be Part II of that makeover. The dining room adjoins the living room, and so they, what is the word, coordinate? Is that the word? I used the same color paint, only less of it. Sadly for me, I'm not very happy with the dining room makeover.
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A big chunk of the dining room makeover was the new windows. Since we moved to this house 12 years ago, I have had white sheers hanging at the windows, covering ugly glass. The windows were efficient, but the glass was smoky and, hence, ugly, so, I never opened the curtains and we never saw the beautiful green (or golden, or white) outdoors from the dining room. I was so certain when the new windows went in that I would love having the exposure of naked glass, inviting in the light. I was wrong. Maybe I'll get used to it, but I don't think I will. The truth is, I love having fabric at my windows to soften the walls and the wood. More on that below.

This is truly only a partial makeover. I only painted the ceiling and the bottom half of the walls. The top half I painted about 10 years ago and I still love it, and because the kids don't use this room often, it doesn't need refreshing. I used a painting technique, white on white, to create the "pattern" and I don't think I'd be happy with solid-colored walls in here.

We did replace the chandelier, but it's a very sort of unassuming fixture, which I like, but maybe it needs a little something. I have my eyes open for tiny shades for each candle, which I think will jazz it up just a little bit, and tone down the bright lights. I'll get back to you when I find something. Maybe something with a little light-catching beading?



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I am going to keep my eyes open for something to coordinate with the living room drapes, but I don't want to cover a lot of the window, just soften them. I like the black iron rod in the living room, but since we changed the chandelier to a bronze-y color, I think I'll have to go with bronze. And the drapes in the living room are ivory, where the walls and woodwork in the dining room are very white. I may go back to a sheer that has a similar style as the living room, but softer and lighter. I'll get back to you on that, too.



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I think that my table needs some color. I'll have to keep my eye out for some flowers I can turn into a permanent centerpiece.



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The shelves to the left of the hutch holds my tea pot collection. Below is an closer shot. I love having this little bit of femininity in here. I think I may need to keep an eye out for a few more pots and add another shelf.






In the end, this really is not so much a makeover as a clean up. All the trim got painted a fresh new coat, as did the ceiling, and we changed the color on the bottom of the walls. The windows are fresh and clean and energy efficient, and we hung a new chandelier. It would not win any makeover contests, but it's done (well, except for those shades...and sheers...and maybe a teapot or three).





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10 comments:

  1. I like the color on the bottom half and how it's divided by a molding around the room. On the bottom photo, I think it is really obvious that it is a makeover, how it coordinates (flows) with the living room. I bet that once you find a window covering (maybe just a flow-y valance with a hint of your golden paint color in it?) and a centerpiece with color for the table, you will really like it ... That is my hope for you anyway =)

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  2. I think it looks great! Love that wall treatment above the chair rail; I wouldn't have gotten rid of it either. I like the more modern chancy, too. Maybe you just need panels puddling on the floor for the window. That would soften it!

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  3. I think it is beautiful! and I love the open windows...all I would add would be a nice size container of sunflowers on the table...bright shades of yellow and green and very natural looking.

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  4. Thanks, Sarah. You are sweet.

    I'm thinking side panels too, Sara, but my husband can't stand puddling curtains so I'll have to get them to just graze the baseboard.

    I love the sunflower idea, Cheryl. I'd love to keep fresh flowers all year, but because the dining room is a special occasion room, they would be wasted. I bet I can find some nice silk ones!

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  5. I like the idea of the little shades for the light fixture. My sister did that for her dining room and it looks great.

    I love the teapots! My grandmother has a teapot collection spread all over her house. I don't remember the exact number, but I think it's close to 100!

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  6. Katy, I'm keeping my eyes open for some shades that will make the chandelier pop. I love that your grandmother has her teapots all over the house! I hide things in mine that I always forget about -- does your grandmother do that?

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  7. Looks lovely, Barbara! And I know what you mean about bare windows - sometimes they just need a little softening. We have a bank of windows that look out over the woods in the backyard and I have some sheer lace panels with a very slight leaf/scroll design around the edges hanging on them. We can see the woods and enjoy them, but the light is filtered so beautifully.

    And little shades on the chandelier would make a huge difference. We had a fixture like that in our old home and I found some toile shades for them that were so cute. I'm sure you can find some to coordinate with your room.

    PS: Can I just tell you how clean and calm your home looks? I love it - especially the CALM part. :)

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  8. Oh, Aimee, You are so sweet. I think the "calm" comes from the light filtered through the trees outside. In the first floor rooms we always have a very blue-green light which sometimes makes me feel like I live in a tomb, but most of the time is cool and calming.

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  9. Barbara, your room is beautiful! I actually saw it yesterday when I was trying to catch up from vacation on blogs, but didn't comment....

    Last night I dreamed you'd turned your dining room into a living room and I came and visited, we talked about the room transformation and then I slept on your couch from the long journey.....dumb dream, I know.
    I think I really want to meet you someday and subconsciously think about it?

    Anyway thought you'd get a kick out of my dream.

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  10. Oh, Jamie, thank you. I love your dream. I guess we'll have to meet in dreams until we do it in real life. Maybe one day one of us will be rich in airline tickets!

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I appreciate your comments -- sometimes I feel like I'm talking to myself!