Hanna's Dining Room

My last post was about Hanna's family room.  Right next to that room is her informal dining area, which I wanted to address today. 

Currently she has a rectangular shaped table in the room. It looks something like this:

You can see where she was coming from: Hanna centered a dining table under the light fixture, easy huh?  Actually, what I think she should do is something like this:The light fixture was not centered in the dining area.  Sometimes there are structural reasons for this.  (Sometimes it is just an oversight by the builder).  Either way- I would not live with it.  Have an electrician move it, (which I know is a pain, because it leaves a mess in your ceiling, and could require a ceiling repaint, etc...)  or, you could simply install a hook and swag the chain over like everyone did in the '60's.

(photo from pinterest)

If the fixture is just a little bit off, (say, less than a foot)- I would have the electrician move it, and then if you don't want to deal with matching textures, patching holes and repainting, you could always add a medallion.  Keep the formality level, scale and shape of the medallion consistent with the hanging light.  It is easy to find formal medallions; a more contemporary one might need to be custom made.  (Which still could be easier than a ceiling re-texture and repaint...)(photo from HGTV)

Now, a little quiz...  so, how do you select the shape of the table? 

a.  You go shopping and wait for a table to "speak to you".

b.  You get a rectangle.  Everyone gets a rectangle.  Let's not try to be different.

c.  You look at the shape of the room. 

Answer?  C- of course.  Tt is so simple, so why is it is so frequently not the case?  In the room above, the area is so open, it doesn't even have two full walls. However, looking at the floor plan, it is clearly more square than rectangle.  Now, look at the two floor plans, the original, compared to my suggestions.  Doesn't the second plan just "feel" better?  So simple, but a huge difference in feel.  If the room is elongated, you select a rectangle or oval, if it is more square than oblong, you select a square or round table.  The square table below is 55 inches square, perfect to hold 8. 

Now for the chandelier.  I think a square drum shade, oversized and orange like the one below, would be amazing.  Does anyone know where Hanna can find this without it being a custom order?  Anyone?

For the chairs, I'd love to bring in more interest and texture than you would find in a matching set.  Below are some options.

I like the juxtaposition of the contemporary with a more traditional chair.  The light gray leather would go great with the drapes from the last post that we would carry into this room.

A beautiful gray linen would be amazing.

I love the curve to this leather chair.  It is so comfortable, you will sit at the table and never want to leave.  That really does make for a great dinner party.  Leather is also so easy to clean.

A gray metal bistro chair would save you thousands, and still have a great style to it.  Decisions, decisions. Anyone have a favorite?

Add something square and green in the center of the table.  Every room needs a plant.

Now picture it all right next to the family room from yesterday.  It really is one room.  Gray, orange, a little green...

Sonia's Bedroom Part III

Today I am still working on Sonia's bedroom: catch up here and here. We selected new bedding:

And I took the liberty of selecting an easy to find Robert Allen fabric for her to have drapery panels made: (I would pair them with dark woven wood Roman shades)

And now we need to select the replacement for the not-so-lovely ceiling fan. I selected three- from Lamps Plus: They are all very different- but I think they would all look great:

Let's have a little vote: #1- curvy wrought iron

#2- the classic drum shade

#3- the ring thing.

What do you think would look the best? Whatever light gets the most votes- I am certain Sonia will purchase. ;) Just leave a comment.

Thanks,
Christine

Lauren's New Home Part III

Today's post is a continuation of the last two on Lauren's new house. I had a few more thoughts for her today. I found a new rug option for her today. From- Crate and Barrel- the Sash Rug has it all- It has white, terra cotta and blue. There you go- you can look no further.

Secondly- furniture. I did not like the way the previous owner used a sectional in that room. Ideally the furniture would frame and face the focal point- and the sectional put it more off center than I like to see. I would use a sofa and have it right in front of the fireplace/TV alcove. (I wold do a built-in for the TV.) This will give you enough room to walk around the sofa on both sides. Add some chairs that bring in texture like the ones above from West Elm. I also like the idea of using a white slip cover on them. Your white cabinets will stand out more when you paint your walls- and repeating the white will make it stand out in a good way instead of a bad way. Small slip covers are easy to wash and not terribly expensive to replace. Use a nice long sofa - take advantage of the size of the room. The one above is from Pottery Barn. Pull in some more pattern with throw pillows that pull on your wall color and rug colors.

I have been giving your counters some more thought- and this is what you should do. Use the Silver Siena slab on the backsplash. The white in it will work great with your cabinets- but at the same time will give you color and contrast. I would use your stone here to pull out your paint color for the room- a nice neutral warm gray- with a hint of blue. I woulld look at Sherwin Williams Comfort Gray, Oyster Bay and Sea Salt. Remember- everything else first- then the paint color.

For your counters- use wood. You don't have wood floors, or wood cabinets- yours is the perfect room for wood counters. It adds warmth and charm so much more than granite or other solid surfaces. Sure there's maintenance- but sometimes it is worth it. Houses have maintenance- let's face it.

You have a tiny little three pendant light in your family room. What is up with the size of that? The nice part is you have the wiring for a better sized fixture- like the pendant light above from Lamps Plus.

Find a nice narrow table for your dining area- and bring in some warmth using a bench on the window side and then a couple of upholstered chairs on the other side- like the ones below from Crate and Barrel. You could go red and bring in some red accents- or keep it more neutral and go brown leather.

For your barstools- I would go backless. You want something that will slide under the bar and get out of the way. The stool below is from Sundance.

Congratualtions on your new home Lauren. Don't go off making your own decisions now- just do what I said to. :)

XOXO

Christine

Melinda from Texas

Today- my comments are in terracotta. :)

Hi Christine,

Reading your blog is my guilty pleasure as of late. After years of watching Divine Design, subscribing to House Beautiful, and following Phoebe Howard, I'm finally realizing that I know just enough to be dangerous. That said, I'm hoping you can help me with my family room/breakfast nook dilemma. Our home here in Texas is two years old and we love it, but after owning two 50+ year old homes with tons of character, I must admit I'm a bit stuck on how to jazz this place up without painting all the walls.

Specifically, I'm wondering if you have any suggestions as to what I should do with the two recessed areas above the built-ins on either side of my family room fireplace. We've tossed around lots of ideas - having shelves put in, Yes- they look a little awkward do me- like built-ins were started and not finished. I would add shelves that match your lower cabinets as much as possible. adding recessed lighting of some sort, I like the hidden rope lighting put on the inside lip of the shelves. Otherwise- only your top section gets lit. Skip the lighting in the TV area of course. painting or tiling for visual interest, Painting is OK- but I especially like to actually change the wall surface in niches. Check out the "stone" wallpaper below. hanging complimentary paintings by a local artist, This is not a place that I would display art- something small on an easel perhaps- but there is too much shadow- even if you do add lighting- it is not the best place to display art. I would be very simple, and very deliberate- ceramic vases- chargers- cool boxes or baskets. Don't get items that are too small- and don't get too many items. etc. If you have any other suggestions that don't involve a complete remodel (including why I can't seem to properly outfit my mantle), I think your mantle itself is out of proportion to the stone fireplace- I would get a larger one. The mirror is reflecting your ceiling fan... This is your focal point- and it is a reflection of a ceiling fan. Mirrors are only as great as what they reflect. The painting at the top of the post is my suggestion. It is 54 x 47. (I don't know your dimensions- but I am guessing that this would fit- and really fill the area.) This will give you overlap with your accessories. The vases can stay- they will be in front of the painting- which I would have sitting on - or very close to the mantle. But I would just remove the frame- it is too small to go up there. I'd love to hear them. My second question has to do with our windows in the breakfast nook, which you can see from our living room. We currently have woven wood R78uoman shades with nothing to soften the look. Do you think a fabric valance or cornice is the best option since there is limited space between the windows for a panel? No- your look is too clean to have valances- and I almost never like cornices. The area needs something- it is a little on the dull side- although you have made nice, tasteful selections. Add a table runner- I like this one from Crate and Barrel. Then replace your small bowl with a large tray like this one from Crate and Barrel. You can put fruit in it- or keep it empty. I would add a couple of matching drapes- like the ones in the family room- in your larger areas- on the far right. The panels do not need to be between every window. I can't see well enough- but fly me to Texas and I will tell you exactly where to add them. Another thought- if you don't feel comfortable with the drapes- your spacing does seem a little odd on the windows- you can jazz up the area with some vinyl decals- like the paisley ones below. If you go that direction- don't use too few- get a generous amount. OR- in your area there on the left where the ceiling goes higher- you could do a simple plate collage. Plates like this one from Crate and Barrel is what I imagine. I'm also interested in switching out the builder's light for something a little softer. I'm in love with this one from Room and Board: http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product/detail.do?productGroup=19707 In an open area like you have- start with consistency. You have some cool grayish blue drapes- and have repeated the color in the pillows- but you need more repetition of that color for it to really be a presence. If you want to add terracotta- or other colors- do it after you have a more established pallet. With that- I like the style- but go with a gray or bluish gray- something that further establishes your first pallet. What do you think? Am I on the right track at all or do I need as much help as I think I do?

Thanks,

Melinda

You are doing great Melinda- Your furniture arrangement is good- and your large furniture choices look very nice. Below is the stone wallpaper for the niches- and the vinyl paisleys.

P.S. I never know how to describe my style, but I love decorating with natural materials (maybe a little too much) and probably fall into the transitional bucket when it comes to furniture. Love clean lines and minimalism kept in check, but have some traditional furniture, as well.