Dining Area Decisions (The Plan Is Becoming Clearer)
The plan for my dining area is still not complete, but it’s coming together in bits and pieces. I ordered the drapery fabric. I was hoping it would get here in time for me to make the draperies during this lull in the storage room project, but it won’t be here until next Monday. I’m not sure if that’s enough time to get them finished before I have to start on the storage room again, but we’ll see.
Also, I’ve purchased everything I need to make the light that will go above the table. As I shared last time, I saw this light and loved it. But there’s no way I’d pay $2820.00 for a light.
So I decided to make my own. Obviously, the leaves could be made out of air-dry clay. I already have experience with that since I made my closet chandelier out of air-dry clay.
But I needed a light to use as my base. On the closet chandelier, I started with a very simple light and then added all of the “stems” myself. But I really didn’t want to do that again with this light. I wanted to find a much simpler way to do this one. And as I studied that inspiration chandelier, the answer became obvious. What does that basic structure look like? It looks like a Sputnik light, like the one I have in the living room.
But instead of a semi-flush mount, I need one that hangs from a chain so that the height is adjustable. So I found this one on Amazon for $128.99 (affiliate link) that I can use as my starting point.
Can you see it? I think it’ll work perfectly.
But the main thing that I’ve decided is that I’m going to stick with what I know I like for the walls flanking the pantry door. I know that might be disappointing for people who like to see things change, and who wanted to see me build things for these walls. But I just couldn’t make anything else work in my mind.
The problem with building or buying buffets to flank the door is that there would be way too many countertop-height areas — the kitchen countertops, these buffets, and the pantry countertop. I don’t like the lack of variation.
Then I considered building two tall cabinets like the one I built for our bathroom.
I loved this idea at first, but the more I thought about it, the more I doubted this plan. First, I think that having two large cabinets on these walls will look imposing in such a small room, making the room feel even smaller than it is. Second, I really don’t want glass-front storage that I have to keep looking pretty and decorated and organized. I don’t feel like it would be useful storage. It would be for display, and I really don’t want that much cabinet space displayed.
But also, it creates a similar problem that I would have with countertop-height buffets. I almost never close the door to my studio, and if I put two tall cabinets on these walls, that gives me three tall storage cabinets in a row with the paint swatch cabinet just inside the studio door.
So I’m scrapping all of those ideas, and I’m sticking with what I love. Ever since this room has been a breakfast room, I’ve had the pantry door flanked with two benches, colorful pillows, and wall art. I love this look because it’s colorful and pretty, but it’s not imposing. It keeps the room feeling open.
And then when I redid the room in brighter colors, I still kept this arrangement. And I still loved it.
So I’m going to stick with what I love. The funny thing is that I’ve already used one of those benches for the bedroom foyer.
So I’ll probably be building new benches with legs that I like much more than these. And I’ll obviously need to make or purchase new artwork. And I’ll probably get new lights as well. So while I won’t be going back to either of the previous looks or reusing any of the artwork that was there before, the overall arrangement will be the same.
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Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
Your plan is great. Not having to build as much makes sense
I would love to see you make another piece of art for your walls. You have the beautiful studio to do it in and with your creativity I’m sure you could make something gorgeous.
I’m glad you nixed the tall cabinets; I too thought they were too imposing in the room. Any thoughts on putting the extra chairs there that would be used for the table when it’s extended? With pretty art above them of course!
I’d love to make new art for those walls, but so far, I’ve struggled coming up with an idea. If you have ideas or something I can use as inspiration, I’d love to see it!
I’m planning on keeping the table extended and keeping all six chairs at the table. That way I don’t need to find a place to store chairs. It makes things simpler for me.
I did this very thing for a few years. Recently, I noticed that the table was sagging in the middle. Apparently, the table leaf — since it is unsupported — was too heavy to store long-term. Your experience may vary, but I never thought it would happen to me. The table leaf is now stored away, as well as the two extra chairs. A bit disappointing, but better than a sagging table!
I did this very thing for a few years. Recently, I noticed that the table was sagging in the middle. Apparently, the table leaf — since it is unsupported — was too heavy to “store” long-term as a part of the table . Your experience may vary, but I never thought it would happen to me. The table leaf is now stored away, as well as the two extra chairs. A bit disappointing, but better than a sagging table!
I love the look of benches with artwork above! It’s inviting and people can actually sit or “dump” things there like purses, bags, etc. Do you need extra horizontal space when entertaining? If yes, what about some sort of art that can fold down (or a portion of) and be a horizontal serving surface/shelf? I haven’t figured out what exactly but thinking of practically if needed.
The amazon chandelier is the perfect base for you to start yours with. You love the benches with artwork over them so I think that’s a great idea. Have you considered using the one you have in your bedroom foyer for the dining room and buying a new one for the bedroom foyer? You would only need to buy one new one but would probably need to refinish/reupholster all 3 if you did. Maybe you just want something a bit different for the dining room. I would suggest new brass sconces that are more light and airy to compliment the new chandelier. This is going to be a fun update to watch!
I’ve never really liked the legs that I used on these benches, so I think I’d rather build two new benches. They’re so easy to build, so it won’t be a big deal. I think I bought those legs at Lowe’s or Home Depot, and they’re so ubiquitous. I’d like to find legs that are more my style, although I’m not quite sure what that is at the moment. I’ll know it when I see them.
I love the idea of brass sconces, so I’ll start searching for those and see what I can find.
I love the idea of the benches there with colorful artwork above. But, hear me out please…. you mentioned the room being rather smallish? Also you mentioned wanting to purchase two armed dining chairs for the ends of the table, correct? Here is my idea, to not always have to leaf insert IN the table, only when guests are coming, thus a round table and 4 chairs. Then upolster the 2 armed chairs in a gorgeous fabric and place those where you are considering the “new” benches. This way on the day in , day out when you and Matt are living / using your home the most, it will feel more spacious and roomy, yet still have that colorful glorious “Kristy” vibe without feeling overly packed with a huge table, 6 chairs plus 2 benches that are only used on occaision? Just a thought
THIS!!!!! Yes!
Make it into two separate cozy reading corners possibly?
YES!!! You have plenty of storage in your house for a table leaf that won’t get used often.
I know you said you would be removing the television from the dining room. What about putting a mirror there to reflect some more light into the room?
That’s an interesting idea, and it would certainly be an easy swap. I LOVE my shelves as they are now, but I didn’t like them at all when I did the ChatGPT mockup with three long shelves. So replacing the TV with a mirror might be the answer.
Oh, I thought of something. Some people don’t like seeing their reflection whilst eating….If that’s you, you could put up a decorative frosted mirror, or one of those cool ‘antiqued’ mirrors.
Sounds like you are on the right track. I can’t wait to see it all come together. I love the chandelier already and know that you will smack that one out of the park, again. You’ve got this. Now enjoy the process.
Cheers to you, Matt, and the Fur Helpful Team!
I love your ideas for the dining room! I know you reuse furniture when you switch it out of a room so I’m interested in what your plans for the buffet/sideboard that is the most glorious shade of eggplant? It is one of my favorite piece of yours because of the classic style with the fabulous color! So eager to see your vision come to life!
Please save that piece under the TV for the new room!!! And when you make the new benches, I would make them about 4-6 inches smaller than the old ones. I don’t think they need to be as wide as the wall space.
I noticed that the pricey light had gently curved arms with the leaf on the end. The sputnik light arms are dead straight. You may already know this but when I wanted to bend some copper pipe, we didn’t have the proper tools and Jeff Bezos was still in diapers! My dad pulled out a screendoor spring(?) that was just big enough to go over the 1/4″ pipe and he was able to bend it without the tube crimping in half. Not too long ago I saw something on FB that showed filling the tube with fine sand. Make the bend and then dump out the sand. As the bottle says, Rinse and repeat! Tiny tubes of any kind are apt to crimp when shaping them. On the other hand, those may just be heavy wire and not hollow at all! Grab and bend away! Can’t wait to see the finished fixture! Make sure the furry supervisors approve it!
Ooooo, can’t wait to see how you turn the sputnik light into that beautiful chandelier! And to think you’ll save over $2500 dollars and have fun in the process. Win Win! Don’tcha love it when a plan comes together!
It will be beautiful whatever you decide on!