I can’t believe it’s been over a week since I last posted! We were out of town last week for WPPI (more on that to come)….and I was honestly surprised at how much fun I had. I also realize that I still haven’t posted the winner of the calendar/inspiration contest, so I plan to do that now…….
First of all, I just LOVED hearing from all you about what inspires you. So many of you shared such wonderful pieces of yourself, and you in turn inspired me on many levels. I was so inspired in fact, I decided I would give away two calendars and pick two winners. Randomly I chose from the comments, and Kate of Nesting Elm Photography and Casey, of Casey Clark Photography will be receiving one of our calendars. Congrats, and I hope you enjoy!
Speaking of inspiration, I’ve been gathering up some for a dining room redo. When we bought our house five years ago, Brett and I had a long history resembling gypsies….living in apartments and townhouses, and never having much say in painting. This was our first dining room that we had all to ourselves with the freedom to paint, and I had been DROOLING over red dining rooms. Red was all the rage….six or seven yrs ago. I of course painted it red and honestly, I have loved it for years. If you have a red dining room, I understand why. It’s warm. It’s cozy. Quite frankly, I have grown a bit bored with its redness, and I’ve decided that I want more of our personality in the room. I want it to be for everyday use, not such a “formal” type of room. This got my wheels a spinning…….
The number one thing I love about my dining room is the attached solarium that floods the room with natural light. Seriously, it 100% makes the room (hence the sheer curtains).
The piano will stay, but that’s it. I will be selling, tossing, chucking, and donating nearly everything else….Oh! Except for the green chair (that Brett hates). Bought that fun little guy on Craigslist about 4 years ago. He may even stay in this room, who knows.
These are some ideas I have for our future room:
-Large rustic table (I wish w/salvaged wood) that I won’t have to worry about water marks or dents from the kids
-Still uncertain on chairs….suggestions?
-2 or 3 large globe lights w/Edison filament style bulbs
-Chalkboard wall where our current buffet sits- still unsure sure of paint color for the rest of the room….
-Clean square black and white prints of the four kids about the future buffet/sideboard
-Around the piano I want to hang a few prints- ideas are vintage maps, favorite city prints, gig posters, family silhouettes….this wall will most likely resemble clean-chaos. Do you know what I mean? Someone please understand and help me feel sane…
-A fun, standout little table for my record player in the corner, that can house my record collection (that I plan to have)
-Curtains: something simple that will still allow nice light to flow through
Last year it was the new office, and the year before the basement studio. I’m hoping to begin this project this Spring and I’m giddy about it. If you have any tips or ideas, I would LOVE to hear!
jess
Artist, wife, mama of four.
Lover of life
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Balance
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I AM SOOO EXCITED! THANK YOU! and i LOVE the table and chalkboard wall!! those are a MUST! :)
IDEApaint! (it’s basically paint that is a whiteboard) we’re putting it in a part of our basement this coming spring/summer.
we’re working on our living room/dining room this spring too. after many paint swatches and testers we’ve decided to go with Porter Paint – Autumn Aqua (7058-1). it’s glorious. :) it even comes in a spray paint too so you can go to town on ikea frames and what not. i get a LOT of my ideas from the two youngsters, john and sherry over at http://www.younghouselove.com check them out. i think you might like them too. :)
Ummm I love your current dining room! But I also understand when u need to change it up. Have fun!!
I like the metal chairs best, your mood board actually reminds me of one of my favorite restaurants in NYC, Bareburger. They use a lot of repurposed materials i.e. cork. Might be something to consider. It might be fun to use music posters to tie the piano and record player into the rest of the room. Or maybe maps of where your favorite artists/concerts are from.
Before you toss let us know! We’d be happy to take some things off your hands! :)
I’ve been looking for a buffet like yours for years, what style would you call it? I’m having NO LUCK.
“clean-chaos” : I definetely see what you mean. I do that with pictures and cards a lot. So cool.
I think I have an idea you might like for the chairs, can mail you pictures if you want.
Have a great time decoring !
Ahhhhh it’s so good to have you back! I love a dining room re-do…everything you’ve picked looks totally awesome. Must say I am sad to see the red go…I just love how the curtains match perfectly but are light and barely there with all that natural light! Good luck…we know how you are when it comes to picking colors ;)
Jess- I love it!! I love everything you always do :-) I saw this lighting fixture and it kinda reminded me of the ones you have pictured on your moodboard http://www.cb2.com/lighting/accessories/firefly-pendant-lamp/f5281?fromLocation=search.
Can’t wait to see the end result! Oh, and I think a bench on one side of the table would be cool too.
LOVE IT!!! And you and I are in SUCH similar boats…I’m painting our brick-colored living room in an off-white to brighten things up and oh man, it’s going to be a PAIN painting over that!
On the chairs, what if you offset the head of each side of the table with ghost chairs? I LOVE these and think they could be cool!
http://www.amazon.com/Louis-Ghost-Chair-Transparent-Acrylic/dp/B003KWF9YM
So very thankful.
Thank you thank you!!
That mood board site is awesome!
Wow, Edison filament style lights? Where the heck did you find those? Awesome!
Does chalk board dust drive you insane?
Love ya!