We’re finally done!
Here is the before.
I came up with the basic plan for the dining room back in October. Here is the Photoshop drawing that I did two months ago as I was coming up with ideas for the space.
Since we did the drawing, we made a couple of changes to the design.
- The ceiling and tray were switched so that the ceiling was white and the rest of the room was blue.
- Due to the configuration of the chair railing (it ends before the end of the wall), we didn’t do a different color on the bottom, but did the entire wall a dark blue.
However, most of the other elements stayed the same. The design mixes natural elements with traditional and contemporary elements for an eclectic yet clean and sophisticated feel. We pulled the navy blue from the rest of the house – as it’s an accent throughout the main floor.
The fabulous jute area rug was donated to me from RugsUSA! I love that company – I’ve purchased from them several times. It was so nice of them to send the rug. I’ve tried several jute rugs in the past couple of years and this one is by far the best quality. It’s awesome – there aren’t lots of pieces coming unraveled like the others I tried. I chose this rug in order to add texture to the room. It’s subtle, yet adds an element of texture and layering.
We also hung IKEA Ribba frames along the wall for a total of 10 frames. Right now, they are filled with scrapbook paper which has a chevron pattern. But, the long-term plan is to take area photos and put them in the frames. You know, stuff like old tractors and funky Austin shops.
I may even opt for a few of the prints sold at Decor and the Dog. Love those.
The dark blue on the walls (which is a custom color from Ben Moore) works because it’s broken up so much with white and because of the natural light in the space.
We used Benjamin Moore’s Natura line of paint which is odor free and no VOC’s. It was great for an allergy sensitive person like me. The paint itself looked like thick icing. It covered in two coats! Great paint.
But, let me tell you, painters charge extra for dark colors like this and it was a lot of work due to the moldings. In the end, our painter, Fernando, did an excellent job. He and his son got it done in one day and the stopping points are nice and crisp.
Do you remember the broken pots we got from Joss & Main?
Our solution was to keep the preserved boxwoods, but to use ice buckets as pots instead. This just added to the silver in the room echoing the chairs and frames.
The table was custom built by Mason’s Woodwork back in June. I still love it! The chairs are from IKEA. I chose the clear chairs to juxtapose the rustic elements as well as to make the table the star.
Here is the space looking in from the kitchen. The white curtains are from IKEA and are the Ritva curtains which are a linen and come in lengths up to 118 inches. We like to hang them with a thick rod and rings for a more polished look.
It’s so great to finally have it done! Just in time for Christmas. I have a confession, we are still so busy just getting the foundational decorating done that we didn’t do any Christmas decorating this year. But we will next year!
I’m not sure if we will do the picture frame molding under the chair rail like in the drawing, but if so, it will be a while. I like the room as it is right now.
Yay for the dining room being done.
Looks great! The bold color on the walls is awesome. You definitely have the space and the right ceiling to pull it off.
Beautiful….love that blue…it is perfect! I have not done any Christmas decorating this year either:)
Wow, looks fantastic! The wall color is perfect and I love all of the different elements. The table is my favorite!
Love it Kristy! I have to know do you like the comfort of those chairs? We bought a really rustic table a couple of years ago for the new casa and I’ve been eyeing clear or white contemporary chairs but they have to be durable and comfortable because they will get lots of use!
They are actually really comfortable. We prefer them over the faux bamboo chairs. They have a slight flex to them and the molding fits well. But, before you buy, you can sit in them at IKEA.
Your dining room looks really pretty, Kristy! It’s such a great feeling to finally finish up a home project so that you can sit back and enjoy the fruit of your labor. Have a wonderful Christmas!!
it looks awesome! i love that blue- i love how you let the wals make the statement, too and everything else is subtle
Looks amazing!! I love the ceiling, too! Isn’t it funny what a little tweak will do
btw, totally coveting the chairs!
First, thanks for taking a moment to recognize the heaviness on all of our hearts–I appreciate that. As for this gorgeous room, it rocks! Great choice to keep these chairs. Makes me wonder if this is what I want to get when we next purchase ours…I’m on the lookout. I also prefer your salvage of the boxwoods to your original pots. I noticed that you used a chunkier curtain rod and I’m seeing a real divide in the design community between chunky rods (which I’m preferring lately) and skinny ones. Do you think one is more current than the other and what do you think is the best long term purchase for a whole house?
Thanks, Dani! Great question. I think chunky tends to denote quality and price and by instinct feels nicer. However, if your space is highly contemporary, thinner is usually best.
It is beautiful! You did a great job with all of the different finishes and textures.
You did an outstanding job Kristy! Great choices on all accounts & I don’t just say that to blow smoke, I mean what I say. Sure helps with PS when you’re trying to decide with choices. Saves work going in vain & money too boot! Love the dark blue & what a difference the ceiling makes that you switched the white & blue! Now you’re ready for a dinner party! Congrats on the success of your dining room!!!
WOW! Love the bold impact of the blue ~ it’s such a unique space! Those chairs are one of my favorites, so comfortable, and they’re great paired with your table! Wonderful job, Kristy!
It looks awesome!!! I LOVE IT!!!
AHHH! i love it! i totally was sitting on those ikea chairs in the as is department of ikea…. trying to make an impulsive decision as to whether i should spend the money on them! they look so good!! some days i wish i had.. grrr…. i love your style kristy!
Just beautiful! My bathroom is cobalt blue and everyone thought I was JUST crazy! i love the bold color!
I love that you went all out with the blue in this room..it looks great! And I think the boxwoods look even cuter in the ice buckets!!
Wow! Great job. You are going to be copied a lot! I like the plainness of it all. Ann
I love the blue and your ideas. Beautiful. Happy Holidays!
Wow Kristy! This is GREAT! And you chose so many things that I personally love. The ceiling makes a huge statement and I think it was a great choice with the reverse of your idea. As for RugsUSA, I can’t say enough great things. They are amazing!
So beautiful! I love the blue and the white. Your jute rug is gorgeous and so is the table. I think I like your ice containers better than the original ones. So lovely!
Kristy! It is SOOO beautiful! I just bought a jute rug from rugs usa and I’m so excited about it. Right now it’s rolled up in the dining room and I haven’t even really looked at it yet, but it’s here!
I LOVE your paint color!
Beautiful Kristy! I love it so much – I really do! I may do all white in my house but I totally love this look and it is so perfect for you!
LOVE the color!!!! Great job Kristy!
Is the table a custom design? I absolutely love it!!!
Yep! Here is a link to more about it.
http://www.hypheninteriors.com/2012/06/process-of-a-custom-made-dining-table-custom-can-cost-less.html