My Thoughts And Plans For The Dining Room

Ever since I picked up my “new” dining table and buffet, I’ve been a bit obsessed with planning my dining room. I’ve spent countless hours searching for inspiration on Houzz, Pinterest, and Google. You’d think that would be plenty of time to really nail down a design and decorating plan, but quite honestly, I feel like I might have some direction, but I’m also feeling uncertain about so much of it. And that’s frustrating considering how much time I’ve spent trying to come up with a plan.

I know I want it bright and colorful, without looking childish. It needs to coordinate with my kitchen since I’m almost certain that I’ll eventually be adding a cased opening from the kitchen to the dining room, so the two rooms will be open to each other. So I want the dining room to have at least some green in it, but I feel like I’m in a green and blue rut. While blues and greens (and blue-greens!) have been my favorites for the last decade, I really want to challenge myself to add more warm colors to the mix–reds, oranges, yellows.

So with that thought in mind, I’m about 95% sure that this fabric will be my starting point.

Braemore Wonderland Pearl fabric
Braemore Wonderland Pearl fabric

At this point, the only reason I wouldn’t use this fabric is if I order a swatch and find that the green in this fabric completely clashes with my green kitchen. I don’t need the greens to match, but I do want them to coordinate, and I can tell you firsthand that some greens (e.g., those that are too olive, or too sage) clash terribly with my kitchen.

I’m hoping it will work, because I’ve looked at this image of the fabric used in this Sarah Richardson room about a thousand times since I posted it a few months back.  I can’t get it out of my mind, and I absolutely love the way she used the floral fabric with the deep pinkish red (what color would you call that?) sofa.

Chair covered in Braemore Wonderland Pearl fabric, from Sarah Richardson
Chair covered in Braemore Wonderland Pearl fabric, from Sarah Richardson

And while I don’t really like the particular fabric she used on the draperies (it looks muddy and dull to me compared to the bright cheeriness of the chair and the intensity of the sofa), I do really like the idea of horizontal stripes green draperies to tie it all together. Y’all know I love my stripes! 🙂

So I think I want to use that floral fabric on my two captain’s chairs at the dining table.  I have those four matching wingback chairs, so I’ll use two of them at the dining table.

new dining chairs 1

I won’t really know how these can be altered until I get the existing vinyl off of them, but I’d really like to modernize them a bit and streamline the design.  The nailhead trim, rolled arms, tufted backs, and Queen Anne legs are a bit much, especially if I’m going to put a colorful floral fabric on them.  I’ll lose the tufting, and then hopefully I can square up the arms and replace the legs.

What I do for the other six side chairs will depend on how these wingback chairs turn out.  If I skirt the captain’s chairs, then I’ll probably find some wood framed chairs with upholstered seats and backs that I can upholster in a solid and/or coordinating patterned fabric.  If I leave the legs showing on the captain’s chairs, then I’d like to use simple upholstered Parson’s chairs that are slipcovered and skirted to the floor.  Of course, when I say “skirted” I’m not talking about anything ruffled or frilly.  I like my skirted furniture to be very tailored with pressed pleats.  I really like the style of this one, minus the rolled detail at the top of the chair, and in different fabric/trim, of course.

via Slipcoverit
via Slipcoverit

I’ve really had a challenge deciding how to refinish the dining table.

dining table 4

The current finish is so old that it no longer protects the table top, and it’s very scratched.  The base is also very chipped.  So keeping it as is isn’t an option.  I had thought about just painting it all one solid color.  That seemed like an easy solution since the top is wood but the base is metal, and there’s no way in heck I’m going to try to do any kind of faux finish to make the base look like wood to match the refinished top.

But the other day I stripped a small section of the top just to see what the wood underneath looks like, and it’s way too beautiful to cover with paint.  I’m not one of those crazy “wood should never be painted!!!!” kind of people, but there’s no way I could bring myself to take a paintbrush to that wood.  So the top will be either stained and sealed, or just sealed with the natural color, which is really quite beautiful.

And then I’ll paint the base, because I don’t see any other option.  The natural two choices are white and black.  I’m leaning towards black, because I think it’s classier, black grounds the table better, and a stained top/black base is less country/farmhouse/cottage style than a stained top with a white base, don’t you think?

I found this stained/black combo table from Pier 1, and nothing about this screams country/farmhouse/cottage style to me.

via Pier 1
via Pier 1

But I don’t want my table top to be even close to that dark. It’s not often that I get to work with a non-pine, non-oak wood with beautiful and subtle wood grain, so I really don’t want to cover it up with dark stain. Plus I think a lighter top will look prettier with the black base.

And then, of course, I already have my chandelier.

I bought that several months ago from Joss & Main, and it doesn’t look like they have it anymore. At least, I can’t seem to find it. But I can’t wait to get my ceiling finished to the point that I can install it! It doesn’t really show in the picture, but it has this awesome semicircular design on it, so it kind of repeats that circle design from the rolling doors in the music room.

So those are my rambling thoughts about my dining room so far. My excitement about getting started on this room is definitely motivating me to get the condo done, and then quickly get the bathroom finished. I’m ready to get that table top stripped and get the chandelier hung!

 

 

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39 Comments

  1. What kind of wood do you think it is? If it is cherry, in its natural state it is very light and lovely. my concern will be all the beautiful white wood work in the room with the black table in the middle, maybe, since the table base is metal you could pick up that look from the chandelier and go with an antique brass. That would certainly tie in to antq brass nail heads on the chairs if you choose to use them. I still think the table should be turned so that everyone can enjoy the fireplace other the one seated in front of it. That chandelier looks like one I told you about ages ago when you were working in the kitchen. Thought it was great with the kitchen sconces. Are you talking about a walk through from the kitchen or a pass through? I vote walk through with a glass swinging door. Either panned glass or ribbed glass.Blessings

    1. Why not sell the four blue chairs that are in great shape to someone who likes them the way they are. Then use that money to buy more your style?

      1. Also, get that condo done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sell it! Get the money, get a/c and heat and insulation. It’s going to be 104% in the shade here in Texas soon. Quit dilly dallying around and git ‘er done!!!! Love ya!

  2. Love the fabric! I am glad you are throwing in some more color. The design is very grown up and it doesn’t look childish at all. I hope it works out for you and coordinates with the kitchen. As for your table, have you thought about striping the base and just leaving it metal? I think that could look really good, if the metal is a dark color. Just a thought. Love the direction of the front room. Get going on the condo so you can get back to work on the house! LOL!

  3. Since the base is metal anyway….how about going in a metallic direction with it? Nothing shiny, but something that would tie in with the chandelier finish could look amazing. (either way, I know you’ll come up with a solution and it will be gorgeous!)

  4. The table is spectacular. Reminds me of the ones I saw in furniture factories in Italy. The table from Pier 1 would have table envy if it saw yours. I love Sarah Richardson’s work. I would call the red in the sofa a raspberry color. How about painting the legs on the Queen Anne styled the green of the kitchen so you can tie the 2 rooms together? Then you could go crazy with the fabric. Could you find a couple of coordinating fabrics to give it some variance. Maybe some stripped fabric for the curtains? Or if you find the side chairs, paint the wood green and upholster the seats. The chandelier is gorgeous. I think a wall color change could tie in all of these elements together. And maybe add a bit of color to the fireplace. So many decisions! You have so much in your plate, don’t rush it. In any case, it will be gorgeous.

  5. I love the idea of the table’s bottom part being black, as I too think it’ll look classy. and it will act as a counterpart to the chairs because that fabric you want to use is vivid and colourful – which is good, but might need the more sombre table to balance it!

  6. Love, love, love! The drapery fabric from that Sarah Richardson picture might actually be a giant buffalo plaid vs. a horizontal stripe. I think the pleating and stacking of the drapes just make it appear like a horizontal stripe. That might change what you’re looking for.

    1. since my last comment I watch a short video from the episode and the drapes are definitely silk drapes.

  7. The idea of an antique brass base just grabs my attention. It is bringing in a touch of surprise and elegance. Black is fine, and I agree that the white base would make it look a bit country .

  8. Hi Kristi , love that table! Love that fabric! Not sure I would cover those chairs or even use them, they seem to big for the table and the space. You could use them flanking the fireplace though or use the fabric for the draperies with the chairs done in a solid bright fabric. As for the covered chairs my thought was it would be a shame to hide those beautiful table legs. Cheers

  9. I think the table base should be gold leafed like the trim on your kitchen cabinets. We all need some sparkle!

  10. I love your ideas! Of course I also adore Braemore fabric. I am fixated on their Garden toile in all the color ways. I even used their yellow & blue which are far from my favorite colors to make new cushions for my MIL’s Canadian Rocker, they ARE her favorite colors.

    Your fabric is wonderful with the ability to pull any one of those colors out with your drapery and accessories. Personally, I love the chair legs as they are but it’s your house. Thanks for keeping us all inspired.

  11. I think the black base of the table will be more formal and in keeping with the dining room. I love the fabric you’ve chosen for your chairs. Have you thought about NOT doing a window treatment so that dining guests can enjoy ‘the great outdoors’ of your beautiful yard while dining?

  12. Instead of black, what about a dark navy blue to tie in better with your colors? I think black might be too harsh. Beautiful table though!

  13. Love that fabric. Something about it reminds me of Cassandra’s dining room. I keep telling myself I am going to redo my dining room to mimic that gorgeous design “one day”.

  14. If the table legs are metal, I’d go with a darker version of your light, and have the base really dark,but maybe not black. Or you could paint the legs the same green as the kitchen cabinets.

    If your table top will also be light you can get chairs that are darker wood/paint/stained.

    What ever you do will work for you, I know! Can’t wait to see it either!

  15. Black seems to make the most sense. You certainly don’t want your table base to jump out and say “look at me!”. It should blend and complement the remaining of what you are doing in your room. Stunning chandelier. And, I think I would call that sofa more of a Claret or Burgundy color. (one thing I’ve noticed is you seem to REALLY like drum shades. After you have hung that chandelier if I were you I’d cool it on the remainder of the house so they are special and not overdone.)

  16. I’m so excited to see this room come together. I used that same fabric to upholster our headboard a few years ago and I’m still in love with it.

  17. I love the fabric! I was wondering if you could paint the vinyl on the wingback chairs and then use the fabric on the side chairs. It would show the fabric off even more. Just a thought. ( I was thinking you could paint the vinyl the same green as your kitchen cabinets.)

  18. I think the table base would look very formal and classy in black. I love the fabric and all the colors you could pull out of it, to co-ordinate accessories. I know what ever you decide, it will look gorgeous and amazing!

  19. I love your ideas for your dinning room. I like the table with the black base and wood top-like the Pier 1 Table. I love the fabric you picked, all the colors are so beautiful, but I would probably use it for drapes. I think the wing backed chairs are a bit big for the dinning room table so I would use them in your living room by the fireplace instead. Have you thought about using checked fabric for the chair covers? Possibly a green gingham it could be big blocks, or very small ones, that would coordinate with the green in your kitchen? I love your blog. I do a lot of decorating projects myself too, and often find ways to re-purpose used or old things, but I am not at your level of ability. I really admire you and love to see what you are up too. Keep posting your pictures as you continue. I can’t wait to see what you come up with for the finished room.

  20. I love that room by Sarah Richardson as well. I would call the sofa raspberry. And I think one of my favorite things is the draperies. I think the room needs the muddy color to counter all of the brights and keep it from looking childish; kind of like black grounding a room. Anyway, I love muddy colors! I can’t wait to see what you come up with!

  21. Love your ideas.
    As a fellow cat-lady, I must say if your kitties are not declawed they will have a field day under the skirted parsons chairs. Mine hide underneath the skirts and then claw their way up the back no matter how many times I scold them for doing it.

    By all means, ignore the warning, just be prepared!

  22. Do you plan to keep the leaf in all the time in the oval shape or take it out and use it as round daily? (unless company comes?) The fabric looks very similair to something else you’ve used previously, but I can’t remember what it was.

  23. I vote for black as well…If the wood grain is special, you’ll not want 2 focus ideas in one item of furniture. Especially if you use a beautiful colourful print like the one you’ve found now! I think your skills are so great that the tendency is to expect you to make everything stand out! That would “take away” from the gorgeous accents you’ve already built.

  24. Keep your chairs neutral. Add color through art, flowers, drape, etc. Recovering chairs is difficult and the fabric you like, while really gorgeous, does clash. you can also make arm covers and back covers to accent the neutral that can be removed and cleaned.

  25. Kristi, I love the floral fabric for your end chairs. I know you’re planning to have more fabric on the rest of the chairs, but have you considered getting the colour that you want for the room from your drapery? Have you ever looked at Designers Guild on Pinterest? They have images of drapes that are so beautiful and colourful without looking childish at all, I’m sure you’ll find inspiration there. I agree with Dawn, above – a lot of fabric chairs will hide the beautiful table base. You’ll know what’s perfect for the room when you see it!
    Martha

  26. I can see the black wrought iron base with the cherry tabletop. Or, have you considered a bronzed metal finish for the base? I painted the bases of some old brass floor lamps brown and then sponged them in flat black and I really like how that turned out. The brown is almost completely covered with the black, but still gives a bit of dimension and depth to the finish. Don’t know if that’s a finish you’d be interested in, but I thought I’d mention it. Ya never know!

  27. Oh my…….I am in LOVE with the fabric….I am going to be sooooo jealous!!
    I think the table base needs to be black…it will tie in with the doors, and be a beautiful compliment to the wood top. Just my opinion and not worth a farthing :^)
    Be blessed,
    J

  28. Hi Kristi- In case anyone is interested, I saw on Joss & Main today that your dining room chandelier is back on for sale!