Hey friends! I took a few unexpected days off from blogging last week to focus on getting the house ready and making decisions for upcoming projects. We’ve made steady progress in many areas, and the biggest transformations are just around the corner—so I can’t wait to share everything with you.
There’s a lot to tell about the kitchen plans and the Dutch doors (if you missed the news, our kitchen demo begins in a few weeks), but today I want to share what’s happening on the other side of the dining room. A while back I showed the new shiplap wall; this post covers the opposite side of the room for anyone who wanted to see more.
There’s nothing dramatic to hide—just slow, steady work. I wish I could snap my fingers and reveal the finished space, but it’s still in progress. We’ve made small improvements that already make me feel good about the direction.
Here’s a reminder of how this side of the room looked a few weeks ago: a blank slate.
before
My vision for this space is a cozy, casual breakfast room rather than a formal dining area. We positioned the table near the window to take advantage of the view, and our dining bench is on order. To keep the room feeling bright and fresh, we painted the walls a soft warm white.
Below I’ll outline the updates we’ve made so far and what’s next.
We recently installed woven bamboo shades and are very pleased with them. They’re mounted above the windows and we left room above in case we decide to add curtains or crown molding later. I’ll share more about the shades in a dedicated post, but for now they’re a natural, textural layer that suits the room well.
Our Parson’s chairs arrived and are as comfortable as we hoped. We tested several options locally and chose the Restoration Hardware chairs for their tailored linen slipcovers and the softness they bring to the space.
We added a seagrass rug to introduce texture and ground the seating area. The rug made an immediate difference, making the room feel cozier and more anchored. While rugs in dining areas can be challenging to maintain, seagrass holds up well and adds a natural element that fits the casual breakfast-room vibe.
In the next few weeks a new dining bench from Ballard Designs should arrive. I ordered the Bristol Bench in a driftwood finish with a linen-and-navy stripe upholstery. I wanted a substantial bench with a padded back to fill the space under the window, and I expect it will help anchor and complete that side of the room.
The most significant changes will come when we add architectural interest. In addition to the shiplap wall we already installed, the next project is enlarging and arching the doorway between the kitchen and dining room. The arch will frame the view into the new kitchen and introduce a softer shape to the space. The current opening is small and plain, so the arch should transform the room.
We’ll have an electrician move the light box so the fixture can be centered over the table and we can finally install our wood-beaded pendant. The light has been waiting in a box for a while. To show scale, my daughter Courtney held the fixture over the table so you can see its actual size relative to a person—she’s about five feet tall, so that gives a realistic sense of proportion.
We’re considering sheer, breezy curtains for the windows. Patterned curtains can add softness and visual interest, but we felt heavy fabric might be too much in this airy area. I found sheer panels with a subtle swirl pattern and managed to track down a few more after checking multiple sources. Two panels are already here and tucked around the shades to show how curtains might look.
The temporary hanging in the photos is just a simulation; if we install curtains they will be on a rod outside the window with fuller coverage. I may decide once the bench is in place whether curtains are the right choice. I’d love to hear thoughts, but I’m leaning toward keeping the light, airy feel.
Finally, we plan to refinish our oak floors to a warmer, less orange tone so the various floors in the house coordinate better. We’re working within a limited budget, so we won’t change every surface, but we’ll do what we can to create a more cohesive flow throughout the home.
That’s where things stand now and the plan for the coming weeks. Small updates are already making the room feel more settled, and the architectural changes and new furnishings will pull everything together.
Have a great Monday!
*UPDATE: See the progress on my home in my Fall 2016 House Tour!
ROOM SOURCES:
Seagrass rug
Leather sofa
Blue and white rug
Gray and white striped pillow
Curtains
Dining bench
Glass sideboard (ours was the antiqued taupe color)
Wood beaded light
Slipcovered linen chairs
Woven wood shades
Rattan shelf – thrifted
Bird botanical canvas art (out of stock)
Blue and white swirl lamps
Rattan and white round mirror on shiplap wall
And as always, you can find more sources in my shop!