Updating the Dining Room
It never fails that after all of the Christmas stuff has been stashed away and almost every bit of the glitter that I can see has been vacuumed up, I struggle with putting my house back together. The same decor that I may have loved before now looks boring and dated. This year I was determined not to put everything back the same old way. I wanted to do something to freshen things up.
I don’t have the $$$ to replace all of my furniture – nor do I want to – at least not all of it. 😀
One day I had a light bulb moment when it occurred to me that there was a way I could keep my existing furnishings, not repaint every room and still get a fresh look. Sooo…I decided to try my hand at mixing my traditional/transitional furnishings with a few more modern accessories with maybe a vintage item or two thrown in for good measure. Sound easy? Well, it hasn’t been. It has been harder than I thought.
This is what my dining room looked like before Christmas.
And this is what it looks like today.
Funny, when I look at these pictures together, the room doesn’t look that different. You’ll have to trust me when I say it definitely is!
I started off by updating the chandelier. Here it is after Pookie took it down for me. I was so over the brown. I added the layer of dust for your viewing pleasure. 😉 Where oh where does all this dust come from?!?!?!
It took three different spray paints plus Rub n Buff before I was able to achieve the antique gold color that I was after. The Krylon paint on the far left was a pretty color, but the gold was too soft – more of a champagne color. The Ace Metallic was the perfect color, but for some reason it didn’t react well with the metal. What finally gave me the color I was after is the Rust-oleum Metallic in Pure Gold with Rub n Buff in Antique Gold added all over as a final coat.
Here is what she looks like now.
You can see that I removed the sage green chandelier shades and replaced the bulbs. Pookie looked at me sideways over those bulbs. I like that the bulbs kind of look like bubbles when they aren’t turned on.
I paired some red urns that I already had with an antique cache pot. The cache pot is a sentimental treasure that was in my mother’s family. I believe it belonged to my grandparents who lost most everything they owned in the Great Depression.
The colors are just right for this room – red with a soft green background and touches of gold.
Looking at the room from this angle, you’ll see that I removed the pendants with tassels from the drapery panels. I think it helps to take some of the heaviness away.
BEFORE
AFTER
Over on the sideboard, I added a new bowl and two new lamps – all purchased at HomeGoods. We won’t talk about how many lamps I returned before I found these. You can’t see it in this pic, but the lamps have just a touch of gold around the edges of the fat parts of the base. I removed the pillows from the chairs and also removed the plate racks that were hanging on the wall on either side of the mirror.
BEFORE
AFTER
At the other end of the room, I removed the urn filled with faux greenery and the oil painting that my Auntie Syl painted. Don’t worry – the painting will be gifted to my daughter who treasures my aunt’s paintings just as much as I do.
BEFORE
AFTER
I’m planning to add some artwork to the wall beside the doorway going into the family room. Probably a grouping of some sort, but I don’t want it to be too predictable. I’m f-o-r-c-i-n-g myself to be patient until the right thing comes along.
That pretty much sums up all of the changes that I’ve made so far. So many of you are experts at mixing the old and the new. What do you think? Please be honest, but gentle (I have thin skin!). Have I taken any mis-steps? Should I change the fabric on the chairs to something more updated? The chair fabric colors blend perfectly with the drapery fabric. Should I replace the pillows that were in the two armchairs with ones made using a more updated fabric and no fringe or trim?
I think your dining room looks beautiful! I love the way the chandelier turned out and your new accessories. Good job!
Its beautiful. I love the chandelier! The lamps, the mirror and the bowl on the sideboard look perfect. Looks bright,fresh and ready for spring.
Sherry’s Bees Nest
Suzy, your dining room looks great! It looks fresh; and you have mixed the styles beautifully!
Great job of changing things up and it really does have a more updated look. Love the drapes, such a wonderful fabric and they look fantastic all by themselves. The chandy turned out great. Everything looks amazing. You did a super job. Hugs, Marty
Looks pretty….but I thought it was pretty before. But sometimes we just need a change don’t we?
I too have been trying to freshen up with small changes. I think my favorite part are your lovely new lamps; they really anchor the room.
Hey Suzy, i can definitely see the change..really looks great. BTW, have you thought about painting the plate holders and keeping them..say ASCP white..I know where you can get some..LOL!..Yes, I think a bit of a contemporary fabric, maybe a geometric or iKat..I see a possible shopping trip ahead of us!
I really love all the changes and the lamps are beautiful! They look beautiful there on the buffet. Since the chair fabric matches the drapes so nicely I would keep them for now. I do like the drapes without the swags. GREAT job!!!! XO, Pinky
Looks so wonderful!
Love your drapery swags. Adds so much, those little details all add up to one big fantastic result. Suzy!
Love it all.
I think you did a great job of changing things up. I need to do that too – just need to get the energy to try!
I hadn’t noticed before that you didn’t have buffet lamps….I really like the change they bring to the room…and I like how the round chandy bulbs mimic the shape of the lamps. A contemporay pattern would look great on the chairs, but most likely that will lead to changing the drapes too!….One thing just leads to another, doesn’t it!!!!
Hi Suzy,
It’s nice to meet you! Thanks for stopping by my blog. Your dining room looks beautiful! It was in the before pictures as well as the after pictures. It’s always nice to change things up a bit.
It’s nice to meet another Christian blogger.
I enjoyed looking over your past posts.
We seem to have very similar houses. Mine was built by MDC or later changed to McCar Homes, who is now out of business. Your room layouts are just like mine. Our tastes in some things are so similar, alos. Right down to the same metal wall piece and kitchen cannisters. I guess that means we have good taste. lol
Your house is so beautifully decorated!
Have a great weekend!
Suzy, Sorry I am so late getting by.
Wow, I love what you have done in the Dining Room. I can just see you sitting in Grandma’s cache pot. You are lucky to still be breathing. LOL.
I love the lamps and the large bowl on the buffet. Everything is looking so clean and crisp. I liked it before but it really looks like style refreshed. I especially love what you did with the chandy. I so love those bulbs. Are they a special sort? They are so neat.
I feel so lazy after seeing what you have done. You are inspiring.
Blessings, Ginger
Well, I love it before, but I totally love it now too!
The room is looking great. One thing I noticed are the white bases to the lights on the chandelier – would it be possible to replicate the finish on the chandelier. (It sounded like getting the finish you wanted was a real task.) I just thought it might be a nice finishing touch
I think your dining room is gorgeous, why would you want to change the beautiful dining room set? I love your arrangements lately, the piece in the center of the dinner table is great, such lovely colors. The buffet looks wonderful too. I like the idea of moving the mirror in front of the dinner table, as in the FenShue way, they believe that the reflection of food bring you and yours abundance. Have a nice week.
FABBY
I love the difference of the before and after. The chandelier and lamps are wonderful.
Dee
Your dinning room is beautiful! I love all the changes and the chandelier looks gorgeous!
I absolutely love the changes, especially the chandelier! Brilliant! I would definitely change the fabric on the chairs though.
oh my goodness! i adore what you have done with your dinning room! you did such a wonderful job. it really isn’t a job…it’s a joy!! your love for your home shows!
blessings,
rebecca
Great ideas for changing things up a bit! Visiting from the Cozy Home Party. Have a good week!
Beautiful! JoAnn
Hi Suzy – so nice to meet you and visit your lovely home.
Oh my, those round bulbs are so stinking cute! Gotta get me some for my chandy. I love all your updates – definitely need more stuff on the walls though, so I can’t wait to see what you come up with.
I like the chair pillows – maybe cover them in a new fabric (and use the same fabric on the table as a runner).
My last suggestion is to rethink your mirror – it’s lovely and I don’t think you should eliminate it, but in its current location, it’s not reflecting anything (I made the same mistake once and someone actually complimented me on the “lovely picture frame” hanging on my all – ha!). So I’d hang art in place of the mirror, and move the mirror over to the wall directly across from the pretty window (that will double the light in the room too!). That’s what I’d do.
🙂
ButterYum
Beautiful dining room update!
You’ve worked your magic on this room, Suzy! It is beautiful! I love the blend of styles — eclectic makes rooms more personal & inviting, I think! I go through the same thing after Christmas, trying to figure out a new way of creating rooms that are cozy and inviting. Since we moved into our home & didn’t really get settled until mid-Sept., I always had a season or holiday to use as my base for decorating, until now. It’s kind of like moving into a fresh space again, but not all-together easy to plan the decor. I’m almost there! Getting lots of great ideas from my bloggy friends, like you! Thanks for sharing.
CAS
Your dining room is just so beautiful! I love what you’ve done to your chandelier. I like your fabric on your chair seats and think it looks lovely!
What a nice pretty room.
Be a sweetie,
Sehlia 😉
Love your changes. While they weren’t dramatic, you somehow managed to create a brand new updated space. Really love all the new touches. Love the lamps.
Suzy, I love those bulbs in the chandy!! I also think the lamps on the buffet add such a soft glow & really set everything off. Great job!
Those little touches make all the difference, don’t they? THanks so much for sharing your beautiful dining room with us!
I noticed the changes right away. It’s amazing what a few small changes can make in the whole room. Your new look is lovely.
Glad to be your newest follower, Mary Alice
I like the lamps added to the buffet~and the funkiness of the bulbs in the chandy!
Your new makeover is stunning! I would absolutely love it if you would link this project up to our “impossibility” party. Here’s the link:
http://thistlewoodfarm.wordpress.com/2012/01/31/a-journey-of-1000-steps/
Thanks for the inspiration!
blessings,
karianne
Lovely chandy update!! Lookin’ good!!
Isn’t it grand how just a few little adjustments can make the world of a difference? andrea@townandprairie
You did a wonderful job, it’s amazing how just the little things can have a major impact! I’m you newest follower.
It looks lovely and I’m drooling over your chandelier! Great Job 🙂
Great ideas and changes. It looks fabulous. Amazing what a little change can do for a room. I love the bulbs on the chandelier.
Ruth
Suzy, The changes look wonderful and your dining room is very pretty. Thank you for linking to the Open House Party. Hugs, Sherry
Brighter, fresher, chic. So much more zhu zhu zhush. :0 My favorite updates are what you did to the chandelier and the lights and the green bowl in front of the mirror just make this room sparkle. Thanks for sharing on Motivated Monday.
Pam
What a great update, and so simple!! LOVE the bulbs! Janell
Hi Suzy, I love the updates you have done. I really like the bubble looking bulbs too! Very unique…The lamps on the buffet look great too. I have not done anything to my dining room since Christmas. Still trying to decide what to do. I am craving a change! Thanks for joining the party! Kristen
Suzy,
I love what you did in your fabulous dining room. What you did with the chandy was amazing. It is so elegant. I would love it if you would share this wonderful post at our What’s it Wednesday linky party. Hope to see you there.
Paula
ivyandelephants.blogspot.com
Your dining room looks so pretty and fresh! I love the cache pot! And what an interesting, cute story behind it’s history! 🙂
Suzy, I’m loving your dining room both ways. Your seat cushions are covered in a lovely fabric and I also love striped fabric for dining chairs. I’m crazy over Rub ‘n Buff and love the newess it brings to everything. I love your mirror where it is, and you do have room to try it horizontally if you’d like. I’d consider what guests in your foyer see when standing just outside the room. I love the light the mirror reaches. Your new lamps are perfect!
Thanks, Helen, Helen’s Decor
Sometimes the best thing one can do is to remove just a few items (as you did), and update a few more (as you did). The result is – magic! I agree with you that the relatively few changes made a great deal of different in the “mood” of this room. Something on that wall by the entrance to the family room – yes. And you’re absolutely right to wait wait and wait some more until it comes to you exactly what it needs.
It looks soooooo fantastic! I love what you did to the chandy and think it looks fresh and updated and yet still has an old world feeling to it. Well done! The new lamps on the sideboard are perfect and we are so glad you shared all of this with us at Inspiration Friday this week!
Vanessa
Fabulous! Thank you for sharing your lovely project at Potpourri Friday!
Hi- I love your changes. You did a good job on the finish on the chandelier. I definitely like the look on the sideboard with the two lamps flanking the mirror. I would think those beautiful plate holders could still be up on the wall too. I do like your update on the curtains too. I think a nice thick large framed picture would be great on the one end too! Ha ha, I’m decorating your room! What a nice sized dining room you have!
Forgot to say that I think the fabric on the chairs is fine- it’s classic and traditional and it goes with the curtains so well why change? I’m tongue and cheek about the light bulbs because it seems to play down the formality a bit. We have found bulbs that are clear but have a flame shape that we like.
Great job!! Thanks for linking up! Just checking, did you see my Lisa Leonard giveaway yet?
XO, Aimee
WOW! It was a great update and freshening up of your dinning room! I actually loved both styles, but you definitely lightened it up and it looks so fresh and nice! GREAT JOB!