March 23, 2007

Dining Room Inspiration

Originally when I started this blog I hoped to use it as a place to gather my ideas and thoughts. So today I thought I'd show you some of what is inspiring my dining room makeover. I'm not sure when it will be done as everything seems to be a long drawn out process for me but at least I finally know what direction I want to go in.

The picture above is the one that started it all for me. I plan to recover my chairseats with a cream and brown neutral fabric. I want to paint the walls a light pale coffee color. Any recommendations? As y'all may recall the paint choosing process can be very painful for me. And my family. And my friends. Basically for anyone that has to listen to me talk for an extended period of time. I'd love plantation shutters too but I know that won't be in the budget for awhile. For now I plan on using a solid color, natural weave fabric ,like linen or burlap to make panels. I will be doing my room on a budget, the sensible chic version.

These are the new dishes I want. Well, that's not completely true. I want the Mikase French Countryside dishes but these dishes from Target are very similar and much more reasonably priced.

Love this light fixture from Pottery Barn and hope that I can find a cheaper version. This one is $299.

I love the overall feel of this dining room, the contrast in the dark furniture and the light walls, not to mention those slipcovers. I think that might be in my future too. This room is from Something's Gotta Give.

I love these placemats shown in the first picture. They are from Home Interiors BHG collection. They're beautiful but I hope to be able to find a better price on something similar.
This room is by Daryl Carter and was published in Southern Living Magazine. Love the art, love the table, love the chair skirts!
Isn't this table setting to die for?



38 comments:

  1. I love it all!! So inspiring!!

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  2. This is exactly what I've been obsessing over for a few months ! I've had numerous paint samples on the walls & finally settled on Cottage Cream by SW above the chair rail. Now, I still have no idea what to do with the bottom half & it's driving me crazy. I'm doing my dining room on a serious budget too. My slip covers (in cream) just came for my chairs. That pulled it together somewhat. I still can't decide what to put on the windows either. As far as other furniture, I don't have any ! I really want to find a few unique pieces at Lucketts or somewhere else in VA. Anyway, thanks for sharing your inspiration pics, we like the same style. Have fun with your redecorating !
    Aimee

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  3. I am loving your inspiration rooms! I just finished up my dining room(that's a relative term for me - my rooms are never REALLY finished!). I was also trying to find an affordable chandelier and ended up getting this one - http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/ProductsHOM.aspx?DeptID=25438&CatID=38155&CatTyp=DEP&ItemTyp=G&GrpTyp=PRD&ItemID=109cf7b&ProdSeq=6&ProdCount=18&ShowMenu=T&ShopBy=0&SearchString=chandelier&RefPage=SearchProducts&CmCatId=SearchResults|SearchDepartment|SearchProducts|40525&S4DeptID=40525&S4PageNum=1&S4PageSize=28&S2HighLight=False&Dep=furniture
    I have a partial photo of it in my Flickr and just got a Free Shipping coupon in the mail today - I'll send you the code if you're interested. :) I'm always happy to share a bargain!

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  4. Ohhh everything is just so so lovely, peaceful, clean, classic, and cozy!! I am loving your inspirations!! You have great taste..and a great eye..I KNOW you will put together something incredible!!

    And when you do..you must invite us all for a crafting party! I'll bringthe cupcakes! : )
    xoxo Jenny

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  5. Jen, I love everything about the Something's Gotta Give set designs!

    I am looking forward to seeing more photos of your dining room redo. I know it will be beautiful!

    I recieved several place settings of Mikasa French Countryside as wedding gifts, in the 1980's. I've added to those settings over the last 20 or so years and now have a service for 12. The dishes you found at Target are wonderful. When I saw the photo, I thought they were French Countryside!! Good job!

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  6. Jen, you have a lovely blog, I look forward to visiting again. The diningroom inspiration photos you picked are gorgeous....good luck with it.

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  7. I really like your inspiration dining room ! I've always like the juxtaposition of light against dark, like when the floors are ebony and they use white slipcovered furniture. And I really like dining room chairs with flirty little skirts and dress maker details. How I wish I could sew!

    Luv that chandelier, maybe you could get it at a better price on eBay?

    Can't wait to see how it all comes out - it's good to have an idea of what direction you want to go in!

    Manuela

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  8. Great inspiration pics, Jen...I love them all too. If I could have all sorts of styles in my house, I would, but it's too late to change things out now. Can't wait to see what you do with your DR.

    Rhoda
    Southern Hospitality

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  9. OOOhhh! I love that photo from Southern Living! I think it is because of the glorious LONG windows and high ceiling! Sometimes I feel like I'm living in a mouse-house with these low Cape cottage ceilings! haahaa LOVE the china you've chosen, too!

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  10. Loove the table and settings!

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  11. Where did you find the Somethings Gotta Give pic? I wanted to move into that house!!!

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  12. i also wanna know where you found the SMG movie pic...i was just talking about that house to someone the other day. i love that house!

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  13. All the images are to die for! Dreams do come true! hugs NG

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  14. Jen, I love your ideas and tentative plans (I, too, have the "drawn out process" in my home). The chairs in that inspiration pic are so pretty, and I love the chandelier that you like (I loved everything!). I can see why you feel so inspired. It will be fun watching your home progress with all of your lovely plans!

    Andrea

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  15. What a gorgeous room. I just love the long farmhouse table. Do you have one already or will you be getting one? I have a smaller farmhouse table, waiting for me in Texas.

    Speaking of the Mikasa dishes, I was oogling both the French and Italian Countryside dishes today. I just love the simplicity of white - allows for more creativity with table linens!

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  16. Hi Jen, love your blog - inspired me to do a "dining room" post on mine tonight. Do visit me at ACROSS THE POND. I added an idea for the anonymous comment you have here - perhaps you know who she is and can direct her to me - she may want to use this idea below her chair rail.
    I have Mikasa's French Countryside also - you can see the cups on my Welsh Dresser - remainder in my glass fronted kitchen cabinets. Your find at Target is amazing - they look almost the same.
    Hope you find your chandelier - that one is pretty but expensive!
    I'll keep visiting and check what you're up to!
    Good night.
    Mary.

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  17. Hey! Stop that!

    Now I want to redecorate my dining room :)

    Love your style :)

    xoxo,
    martha

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  18. Oh lovely !! Its not that easy as it look to decorate a dining room, and i need all inspirations i can got, so THANK you for shearing!! Have a nice and lovely springtime, greetings from Aina :)

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  19. Boy Jen, I have a bone to pick with you! Why didn't you ask me about those Home Interiors wicker chargers? Did you forget I am a consultant? I have a big surprize for you but you have to email me. My email is on KDC. Christine/nj

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  20. Yes, I would say that setting is to die for! Looking forward to seeing how things progress!

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  21. Gorgeous photos! Looking forward to seeing the finished result once you pull all your fantastic ideas together. We used Pratt & Lambert "Lambswool" 11-30 for our dining room. If it's a pale coffee colour you are looking for, I think you will like this colour. It's very neutral and soothing and goes with anything - looks fantastic next to dark wood furniture.

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  22. Hi Jen! What beautiful inspiration pics! Thank you for sharing...one can never have enough inspiration. Last night I was going on and on about an idea I had and then I said to hubs that I need to put the idea in my (yet to exist) idea book. My daughter asked what in the world that was - and he told her that I have so many ideas, I need a book to keep up with them all:) It's nice to know others just like me, hehe!

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  23. These inspiring dining rooms and accessories are gorgeous. I'm sure yours will be just as incredible when finished. How exciting for you! xoxo

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  24. I'm new to your blog, but am already enchanted. Did you know Pottery Barn has a Sweepstakes going in conjunction with Benjamin Moore paints? Could solve your lighting and paint dilemma in one fell swoop! Good luck on the dining room. Anyway, love the pics. I'm sure your room will turn out beautifully!

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  25. Ooh, I love all the beautiful colors!

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  26. Taste up the ying yang...you've got it girl.....I want to see the finished product.

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  27. Jen, very inspirational photos...I can see why you're excited. Now that you have your vision, it will be (slightly?) easier to wait while it comes together. At least you know what's coming!

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  28. Each picture is wonderful. The first one is just so comforting. The one with tthe tablesetting was one I wish I had at my house. I love that table. You have great tast.

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  29. Your dream dining room is really beautiful!
    It is always good to get an idea what you want and then see where you can get that style from for a better price than shown in the magazines.
    Monika

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  30. I really loved your inspiration pictures of your future diningroom. Can you please tell me what issue of Southern Living they were taken from. I would love to know the color blue/grey used on the walls and where the farm table was from. Thank you very much.
    Vicki

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  31. Thank you all for your sweet and encouraging comments. I can't wait to get started on this project. After Spring Break, that is!

    I don't know which issue that blue dining room is from but I do know the color is BM Woodlawn Blue.

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  32. Gorgeous pics! Really love that light fixture and the paint color in the next to last pic.

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  33. I love the table setting and all the colors, especially against the well polished worn wood table. My advice is to go for the good china...i.e. get the Mikasa! If you are sure in your taste, you will always love it. Better yet, it will always look good and will be less likely to chip. You can add to it in increments...just start off with a few place settings. Inexpensive pottery can be a foolish economy. It chips like crazy and bangs arund in the dishwasher. I do not for one minute regret my choices in china nearly 30 years ago. And, even though I am a complete butterfingers, I have yet to chip or break a piece of my Wedgewood bone china...the stuff is tough!

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  34. All of those inspiration ideas are wonderful, peaceful.
    If you are on a budget, try finding a paint color you love, then having it mixed at Home Depot in Behr paint. I am a serial painter, can't be stopped, so spend a lot of time painting! Also have done faux finishes professionally off and on, when I want to. I learned that Behr paint is one of the best for the price.
    Also, try looking at Spectrum online for chandeliers. I have a white iron one I found there on my blog right now.

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  35. You have great taste! I can't beleive the photos on your website, they are some of the VERY same photos is magazines and movies that inspire me! I just love the beach house in "Somethings Gotta Give". Beautiful!

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  36. I just had to leave one more note to say...I think we are kindred spirits! I can't believe all the favorite sites we have in common! :)

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  37. I absolutely love the house from "Something's Gotta Give", and that dining room, yum. All of the pictures of inspiration are beautiful!

    allie from minneapolis
    www.mycozyhome.typepad.com

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  38. Oooh I love the table! We need a new one that will fit our family as well as guests! Our table sits in our kitchen/living room area, and is used constantly!

    This one is perfect!

    I just found your blog through another blog and I want to tell you that I love it and think it is full of inspiration!

    I will be back!

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