Breakfast Room – Decorating On My Mind

You know how I said a few posts back that I was going to finish all of my building-type projects, including my hallway, before I start really decorating? Well, I’ve changed my mind. 🙂 Once I get my kitchen projects and pantry doors done this month (you can see my goals for this month here), I’m going to decorate and finish the breakfast room.

I’m getting so anxious to have a room actually finished, and stopping while my breakfast room looks like this…

new woven shades from Blindsgalore - breakfast room

…is just way more than I can bear. It’s so close to being a finished room!! Plus, it needs COLOR! I mean, my chairs are colorful. Those are a good start, but it needs so much more color, texture, fabric, and decorating touches to be finished.

First, I need to bring my rug in here. I purchased this rug from Overstock for the room…

windsor-home-kaleidoscope-area-rug-grey-white-8-x-10

When I purchased it, I knew it was going to be a tight fit in the room, but decided to go with it anyway. Now I’ve decided that it’s too big, and I want more of my hardwood flooring showing, so I want to take the rug to a place that can cut it down and bind the edges for me.

Included in my goals for this month is to finish painting all of my kitchen cabinets, which includes the back side (i.e., breakfast room side) of the peninsula. And yes, those will be teal.

sneak peek - teal paint color for kitchen cabinets - backs of cabinet doors painted

I won’t be painting the backside of the peninsula a different color than the front (no white!). So that alone will be a huge change. That unfinished oak looks so drab in the pictures, but it won’t be for long.

I still have my heart set on white draperies for the windows — just one panel on each side. A creamy white linen. There’s just something so pretty and fresh about white draperies.

But I still might find a way to add color to them with trim, edge banding, or other accents of some sort.

On the wall to the left of the windows, I want to use the buffet that used to be in the entryway.

entryway after 3

And yes, it’s getting one more makeover. 🙂 That buffet has been coral, and now it’s black. But it needs to be green. 🙂 The whole reason I wanted a stained wood dining table in my breakfast room rather than a painted table is so that I could have a green buffet. Remember this credenza that I painted about three years ago?


after

I’ll be using a similar green (maybe just a bit darker) on the buffet.

I’m still not quite sure what I want to do on the walls on either side of the pantry doors, but yesterday I saw an image in Instagram that just stopped me in my tracks. Y’all know how much I love trees and birds, right? Well, check out these handpainted wallpaper panels. That one on the left is so pretty!!

handpainted wallpaper panels from Gracie Studiovia Gracie Studio Instagram

Oh, how I love it! I can picture two of those panels framed and hung on either side of the pantry doors.

But…those panels are about $550 each. Plus, the actual panel has a precious little lace basket hanging from the tree. I don’t do precious. Or lace. But I sure would love to find something similar to add a bold shot of color and pattern to those walls. Floral would work, too. I’ve looked at this wallpaper from Anthropologie a thousand times, but as much as I love it, it’s just not right. Not enough blue and green, and too much orange, yellow and pink.

wallpaper from Anthropologievia Anthropologie

And I really do prefer trees and birds over flowers.

Anyway, I want to keep my eyes peeled for something like that in the right colors and with the right elements (i.e., trees, birds, flowers, and nothing precious or lacy).

So for those of you wondering where the color is, don’t worry. It’s coming. And I’m so anxious to get to the decorating on that room!!

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56 Comments

  1. Wow! You’ve got plans and I think I like all of them. The white curtains will be a nice contrast to the shades but I still prefer the windows as they are. I loved your mural that you painted with the butterflies, birds and branches – why not do that outside your pantry? The movement and colors would be fantastic there. Again, I’m very excited by all that you’ve done and all you are planning. Can’t wait!

    1. I do love that butterfly mural, but it’s just so much black and white with very little color. I’d prefer much more color on those breakfast room walls.

      1. I do love it also and hope that you might find a place for it in your home again (your studio?). I understand your need for color and did love those panels. Maybe you can make your own with a fabric of similar pattern? Good luck and I’ll be following to see what you decide.

        1. My first thought when reading today was also your mural. Can’t you do something like that but in the colors you want for the pantry? I think your work is nicer than the 550.00 panels!!!

  2. Have you thought about finding a fabric and starching it to the walls rather than finding a wall paper? There are so many more options when it comes to fabrics, and I would bet it would end up being a lot cheaper and easier to redo if you get tired of it or it ends up not being JUST the right thing. 😉

    1. To be clear, I want to do framed panels. I don’t want to adhere anything to my walls. 🙂 But looking for a fabric is a great idea!

  3. Keep the chest black it gives more balance. Green will be too strong and distracting. It will compete with table and chairs. Keep the focal point on the table and chairs. If not black then something more neutral. Greens tend to get tired fast.

    1. Good idea would be to put it in there, like it is and see if it works. I really think the other one would be excellent in there.

    2. Agree and also think no trim on window panels. Trying to make too much foreground and not enough background.

  4. I have a Plaid multi-part stencil (#29006) that has branches, birds and apple blossoms. I like stencils because it’s so easy to customize the color, number of birds, etc. It’s never been used, yours for the asking.

    1. I’m surprised that you’re putting a rug in there since this is a room Matt would be using every day, especially with it being right under the table. I too wonder about that big of piece of furniture in green with the teal right across the room from it. I think after you get the penisula painted you should move the green credenza in while you work on something else to see if you like the green. Then I would trade it out with the black Buffett. Remember that you’re probably going to have a colorful TV coverup over it. I really think the Buffett will look great just the way it is.

  5. Looks like you’ve ruled out open shelving or built-in bookcases with back being a color or a wallpaper? Styling the shelves would also add color.

  6. Enjoying all of your plans! Finishing your breakfast room before moving on will be great! The white curtains will look so pretty in that room, and will tie into your chairs.

  7. It’s going to be beautiful! Well, it already is. The other day, someone mentioned floating wood shelves on either side of your pantry. That would balance well with your shades, plus you talked about doing those shelves in the kitchen. Could you still make your need for color work with that? Maybe smaller framed fabric/panels leaning on the shelving (and other NON precious stuff, of course!). 😉 I made myself work for three hours this morning before I was allowed to check your blog today. It’s my favorite read of the day!!

  8. You are on a roll, Kristi! It all sounds wonderful. As someone else also mentioned in another post, check out fabric-stores.com for your linen. Get some samples from them of the various weights and “whites” They’re really great to work with and, if you choose to get their daily emails once you’ve decided what you want, you can watch for when the type and color you’ve chosen to go on sale. Even at full price, they are reasonable. Best wishes to you on this next phase of your wonderful journey.

  9. You explained that your buffet would go on the wall to the left of the two windows, but I’m having a hard time picturing how far out from that wall it will extend. By the time someone pulls the chairs out to seat themselves, will there be enough room between the back of the chair(s) and your buffet? If you haven’t already, you could put painters tape or masking tape on the floor to make sure there’s room for mobility. Being the color lover that you are, will the teal of your cabinets and the green you plan to paint the credenza mesh well? The peninsula and cabinetry color is strong and with your breakfast room being open to the kitchen, I would be afraid that another large piece of furniture in yet another strong color might not work out so well. Is the green color you are thinking of painting it pulled from the green in your chairs? Gee, I’ve sure asked a lot of questions, haven’t I? Rather than having someone cut down your new rug, do you think you could use it in your living room instead then purchase a more appropriate size for the breakfast room? You have every reason and right to change your mind with what and how you choose for your home. I admit that when I read several posts back, all the reasons you needed to do all the building etc before decorating I gave a sigh of relief ’cause it made so much sense to me but I can so understand the need for one finished room. Doing the messy building stuff isn’t nearly as much fun, but your reasonings for doing so were so clear you might want to go back and ponder if that still might not be the best route. You’ve done such a great job of keeping on track so far this year with your priorities I woldn’t want you to derail. Your blinds look so nice and I’m happy you are happy😊!

  10. Kristi, you can paint. And your mother is an artist. If you could paint the mural in the entry, you could paint something similar to that precious wallpaper – on the wall, or on canvas, or on paper. If this is a project that you would enjoy – go for it, you can do it.

  11. Do I see another custom art collaboration with your mother on the horizon?
    Your previous wall mural was beautiful. I have no doubt that you could recreate the pricey panels 🙂

  12. I read your post daily and enjoy your projects–even like reading about your ruminations. However, the green credenza with the busy drawers is one of my least favorite pieces that you have ever done. To me, it doesn’t seem cohesive with your current pieces. Please accept this in the way I intend–with caring and admiration for all that you do. Love the blinds–I have had bottom up/top down for years and really like them. The wooden ones are very attractive and I have never considered them.

  13. In my opinion, any day that starts with a blog from Kristi is just a better day.
    Thanks for sharing you with us!

  14. The cover of the March 2017 of Marth Stewart living has a beautiful botanical mural similar to the one you love. It is at Tempaper.com it is called tempaper chinoiserie wallpaper, I think it comes in 3 colors, $12 a sq ft.
    Thank you for sharing your adventure

  15. I love the idea of the bright green. It totally pulls both the teal and green out of the fabric in the
    chairs which would tie the cabinets and buffet together! 🙂

  16. Good for you! There’s nothing more helpful than a beautiful completed room to motivate you when you’re tired! Now you’ll have a place to go without all the clutter of construction to relax on occasion!!

  17. I hung some sheer white panels in my living room. I started thinking they looked a little plain so I was going to add some trim to the leading edge. The saleswoman at Calico Corners told me the panels will pucker if I added trim. I’m so disappointed.
    I thought I’d pass that bit of info along in case you went that route. But maybe if you used a linen it will be OK.

  18. I still think it’d be a really neat experiment to try custom-printed wallpaper. I think you didn’t want to do it primarily because repeating patterns are hard. I wonder if it’s any easier with a single panel or if they could even do a panel that large.

    What if you bought a panel like the Anthropolgie one and then added some color or additional detail with paint?

  19. This is just my honest opinion, but I too think that having the buffet painted green would clash with the teal color of your peninsula cabinetry. Maybe it would look better being the same blue as the fabric on the seats of your new breakfast room chairs and would work more cohesively with the teal? Just a thought? The white curtains will look dreamy and compliment the white on your new chairs beautifully.

  20. Hi Kristi,
    I noticed a technical issue with the blog. All your old posts have a previous and next post link at the bottom of the page, but yesterday’s post did not update with today’s link.

  21. I just sent you an email with a photo of a stencil you might like for your breakfast room wall.
    Your house is looking great!

  22. I had fun browsing ornithology wallpapers for you this morning and just now have a chance to share them. I suspect that none of them will quuuite hit the nail on the head for you, but maybe they’ll prompt some new ideas. 🙂

    1) https://shop.miltonandking.com/ornithology? <–Reminds me the most of you of the options I looked through today, although it may be a bit dark?

    2) http://www.fabricsandpapers.com/item/view/23878-rain-forest-wallpaper-indigo-bronze?image=42425 <–Really dramatic and detailed, but a fair bit of yellow.

    3) https://www.notonthehighstreet.com/surfacehouse/product/birds-and-flowers-design-wallpaper?utm_source=linkshare&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=USNetwork&utm_content=1&utm_term=Hy3bqNL2jtQ&ranMID=37484&ranEAID=Hy3bqNL2jtQ&ranSiteID=Hy3bqNL2jtQ-xoFCLWHloQn_XMw0oefIzA
    (Sorry for the ugly url.) This one has a dark blue background, and a painterly, slightly folksy style.

    4) http://wallpapercentral.co.uk/arthouse-wallpaper-mitzu-white-birds-feathers-flowers-glitter-670401 <–Reminded me of your mural a little bit and seems cheerful, although perhaps a bit too precious with the ostrich feather detail in the background? Oh dear, I just read that it glitters, too. Maybe skip this one or just be amused by it! 😛

    Good luck on your hunt, and as always, I'm looking forward to seeing whatever choice that ultimately makes you happy. 🙂

  23. You can’t use the bird wall paper – all people are going to think about is the Quilted Northern bathroom tissue commercial 🙁

  24. I love all of these ideas as well as cannot wait to see how it looks with some more color the teal on the other side of the island as well as the green Buffet is really going to be gorgeous as far as the panels why not making paint them yourselves? your mom is a really great artist I’m sure between the both of you you could come up with a really pretty birds tree type branch and Yin canvas and hang it yourself just took thought can’t wait to see where this

  25. The chairs are a pretty busy print, how do you plan to put another busy print on the walls without feeling like they are competing? I am truly curious.

    1. I’m curious, too, and the rug as well. I know you say you don’t like neutral interiors but a lot of your inspiration pictures are surprising neutral. I’m afraid you are getting off track and headed back to the dining room days where too many styles and patterns did not work at all.

      1. I show a lot of inspiration pictures that are neutral because colorful rooms with the specific elements I want to show are so hard to find. I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but the whole neutral farmhouse look has pretty much taken over the internet. 🙂 Finding beautiful and inspiring colorful rooms with just the specific elements I want to show (like white curtains against a barely-there wall color) is like searching for a needle in a haystack.

  26. I hope your mom doesn’t mind, but….how about something handpainted? She certainly has a talent & maybe she wouldn’t charge $550 a panel.I look forward to seeing the finished product of your breakfast room. You never cease to amaze me with your talent!!

  27. I love this green but in my opinion you can match it with others light shades, just to add more colours to the room. Anyway, I love your new breakfast room. Good job!