An Updated Dining Room Reveal.

Over the last year I've really changed up the dining room from its brown walls and damask wallpaper that were the first look in the room. I've shared bit and pieces of the progress here and there but have yet to share the whole room.

Let's have a refresher and look at the before. My goodness my style has changed! Circa January 2011.

While Rachel was here doing our engagement photos, I also had her take some photos around the inside of the house. I myself take many photos of my home but it's fun to see it through the eyes (or should I say lens) of someone else, especially when that person is a photographer.

Slowly I'll be updating the house tour page with more recent photos. Some are very dated! Things are always changing around here and in not great at keeping up! Here are a few photos of the dining room from Rachel's visit.

all photos courtesy of Rachel Peters Photography

As you can see, much has changed. I've considered many times changing out the curtains for something less traditional but they still work in the room. I also haven't found any new ones or fabric that has me eager to make the change just yet.

Other than that, most everything is different! Here is a breakdown of sources.

The teak dining table and chairs belonged to Steph's family when he was little. You can see the makeover of the chairs here. The larger blue chairs at either end were a vintage find from years ago. I had picked them up at a local motel for $30 a pair and had them reupholstered in the pretty blue fabric. They used to be in the living room and have proved to be quite versatile.

The glossy white cabinet is from Structube and provides a lot of storage which we desperately needed in the room.

The pendant light is the George Nelson Saucer. I've wanted one forever and it's one of my favorite things in our home.

Two black shelves on either side of the cabinet are the Ikea Vittsjo. I am a collector of clutter books and objects so these come in very handy and I change up the styling frequently.

The framed chair prints are from Annechovie. The custom Beaufort portrait is by Kim Roach Design.

The paint color is ICI Meeting House. The same soft neutral used in the living room and hallways of my home.

Next up, the living room!

Dining Room Curtain Fabrics.

I mentioned in a previous post that I ordered new curtains for the dining room from Pottery Barn. Long story short, after an incorrect order and two replacements that never arrived, I cancelled my order.

So that means that I've resorted to option #2.. have them made! In retrospect, perhaps I should have done that from the start so as to get exactly what I want.

The problem is that I'm so indecisive that I can't choose a fabric! I ordered 3 swatches from my favorite Canadian source, Tonic Living. I'm hoping one of them will work in the room.

Painterly florals are my current love but will I tire of them?

Fleur, Summer

Brooklyn Dove

Or maybe I should play it safe and go with white linen? I do think the room needs some color/pattern.

Tuscany Linen, White

Here is my curtain-less dining room currently. Which ones do you like? Do you have any other suggestions for me?

Hmmm.. decisions, decisions...

Dining Room Vittsjo Shelves.

A little late on the post this week! As promised, here is a peek at the Ikea Vittsjo shelves I put in the dining room, on each side of my white sideboard. You may recognize them from a lot of the awesome posts around the web where they are spray-painted in a gold or white. I've left mine as is and quite like them that way.

They flank the piano window and provide lots of storage for my little collection of trinkets. There, I said it. I have a lot of trinkets! I feel like it's okay if they are on shelves in a organized fashion. It's entirely possible that I am trying to justify this fact. Very possible.

 It's hard to get a shot of them in the whole room but here is my best. I'm still working on the styling but it's coming along. Thinking I need some color somewhere but I seem to always have a different project on the go and never seem to get to it!

Once I get them the way I like them, I will share a more detailed look!

New Dining Chairs.

The dining room table and chairs in my dining room have been on loan from my Dad since I bought the house over four years ago. They are pieces that he refinished and are quite beautiful. I get lots of compliments on the table however, I had other plans for the room and replacing them for something more suited to my style was always the plan.

The problem? What was my style? Modern chairs with a rustic table? Modern glossy table with clean lines? I couldn't quite figure it out. Plus, what I like often didn't fit the budget or the style of my home. Quite the conundrum I tell you!

Anywho.. the reason I am bringing this up now is because we got new chairs! I love them for two reasons. 1. They have a really nice shape and a ladder back which I love. Plus they are teak! 2. They sat around Stephane's kitchen table when he was a little boy. A little bit of sentiment and I'm sold:) His Mom is down shopping for a house here (yep! She's moving to PEI!) and brought them for us.

Of course, they need a little work but I'm up for it. A good oiling and some new upholstery and they will be perfect! Speaking of upholstery.. I ordered a few samples last week from my favorite fabric shop Tonic Living. I had to keep in mind that the curtains in the dining room are a tad bossy when it comes to picking coordinating fabrics. Although a subdued pattern and color tone, they definitely dictate what works in the room.

Here is what I came up with. A few solids and a couple of patterns. Any guess to which one I picked?

Of course, I had to get Beaufort opinion too. He really didn't seem to care either way.

This is the one I picked and ordered this morning. It's called Bethe in Robins Egg. Did you guess it?

I realize it may get dirty but for a couple of yards of fabric and a little time it can be quickly changed. Can't wait for it to arrive so we can get started on recovering them! Then, we will need to decide what we are doing for a table but they look fine with the one we have for now.

Annechovie Prints in the Dining Room

Yesterday, I mentioned that I had ordered a new print from the etsy shop, Annechovie, and it had arrived. I already had two prints from the same shop, that I had ordered a couple of years ago. I decided that I wanted to put them in the dining room over the sideboard, so I ordered a third print. I am so happy with how they look hanging all together!
On my shopping trip to Moncton, I also picked up a large lacquered tray at Pier One and a couple of ginger jars at Home Sense. So, of course, I decided to rework the whole table. I just love to switch things up!

I love the new look. What do you think?

I've been doing some tweaking in the whole room, so I'll post some pictures soon!

Linking up to Weekend Bloggy Reading at Serenity Now

Switching Things Up

I've been switching things up around the house. I love creating little vignettes with my favorite accessories. Sometimes moving things from one room to another or combining different accessories gives a fresh look to a room!
It is rare that I will leave things the same way for too long. I get bored and want something new! Luckily, I go shopping around my house and not at the store or I'd be really broke!
I'm still struggling with my dining room. I think I change something in there on a weekly basis. Recently, I played around with my old radio stand.
This was before.


bad picture, i know! I forgot to take on before :(

 And this is after a little tweaking:

What do you think? I love hearing your thoughts!

Revisiting the Cabinet

A little white ago, I found this cabinet for the dining room.

I gave it a little makeover with a little white paint. (I really believe a little white paint can transform anything from blah to beautiful!)

I threw around the idea of painting the inside of the cabinet another color, and it seemed that my readers agreed with me. A little visit to the basement revealed a multitude of color choices, left over from other projects.
Hiding at the back, I found a can of a pretty blue grey. What from? Then I remembered... the porch cabinet was once painted that color. If only for a few days until I ditched it in favor of black... and then of course white. When will I learn that while I try to be "fun", I am a white girl at heart!
Anyway, it's a pretty color and I think it looks good in the cabinet.

before:

after:

What do you think? I only painted the back and not the whole inside. I figured it I liked the result I could go back and paint the rest. Let's be honest though, I'm not super great at getting back to things..:)

Also, a big thanks to these lovely bloggers who featured me this week on their blogs!