Carla's Dining Room Light

Hi Christine,

My cabinetry and trim is all cherry -- And as you can see, there's a lot of it. My floors are hickory, except in the hall, which is multicolor Rajah slate. The walls are a light-manila folder/butter color. Overall I'm happy, but there's just so much wood to deal with -- and it makes the interior quite dark, even in daytime.

In Oregon, in winter... it's darker still.

What I think I need is:

1) A unifying chandelier over my dining table. The present 3-pendant fixture is just not cutting it. Hung too high, style is wrong and, worst of all -- it doesn't provide nice light to eat by. I envision something like the Niermann Weeks beauty I saw in an old post of yours. Would that I could truly afford such a thing. Anyhow, it had an antiqued acanthus white/gold thing going on, plus a whole lot of candelabra lights. Ah, found the photo, attached it for you. Thoughts?

- Carla

Hi Carla-

1. I would not go round over your table. You have a rectangular room, a rectangular table- an oblong/ oval chandelier- would really fill the space nicer.

2. Also- the style is really wrong for your room. You have a very clean line- somewhat craftsman interior- with more contemporary furniture and rug- that distressed look is not going to fit in. I would consider a look more like the one below- or this onefrom Visual Comfort. If you want to change your furniture and rug- you can go more traditional- but even then- not as distressed as the one you selected.

Personally- I like shaded light in a dining room. I prefer the light quality in a dining setting that you get from shaded light rather than direct light. It is forgiving and romantic. This is not task light- light over a kitchen island. The object in a dining room is to have more atmosphere from your shadow, with areas of light and areas without light. If a light is too bright from above- you lose all atmosphere. This is the difference from dining at a fast food place compared to a sit down restaurant. Remember that your dining room should be the sit down restaurant. If the room needs to double as homework or scrapbook central- add can lights that operate separately from the chandelier- for options in different layers of light.

If your concern with your current light was that it does not provide enough light- or is too bright- I would go to a real lighting store- not a big box or chain store- but a store where the people who work there could answer the question- "How many lumens does that light have compared to that light?" If they can't answer the question- and act perhaps like they don't know what a lumen is- go to a different store. ;) Find a knowledgeable lighting designer that can help you get the light you need in your room. It is an awful lot of work to get a light installed only to find out that it does not give off enough light (or is too bright)- and know that some stores will not allow a return or charge a re-stocking fee for already installed fixtures- especially if chains are cut- etc.

I hope this wasn't too disappointing- as I can see that the lights I suggested are incredibly different from the one you had selected- that is the beauty of me- I tell it straight. ;) I will tell you what will really work well. I split your questions up- and will address the others in another post.

Thanks for writing in,

Christine

Lauren's Anthropologie-esque Kitchen

Open Shelving Style Kitchen Uppers

Hi Christine!
I just found your blog! It's amazing! I just bought my 1st house, and I move in on June 1st. Right now, all I have are pictures of is from how the owner has it. So, none of my furniture. My taste cottage/eclectic (I love Anthropologie-esque stuff and vintage/antique).

The house itself is 100 years old and cottage looking from the outside. I love older homes- and I love that your interior is going to be consistent with your exterior. Anyway, I have time to paint and do other things during the month before I move in, and I'd love some help.

First of all, I'm trying to figure out what to do with the walls in the kitchen (maybe more white, instead of brown??). I would not go white unless it was white beadboard- just painted white would be too dull. The tile on the floor is a gray tone. I'm also not sure about the countertops (maybe wood? but would the gray floor look weird with that?). Wood counters are a classic. You could always bring in some gray in the backsplash to help tie in the flooring. I put a picture in below of a hand painted tile from Country Floors that has some white and some gray- you could absolutely use a tile like this on the backsplash and add a wood counter. Repeat the wood somewhere in your room- like your furniture. I also feel like the fridge looks bulky where it is, but I'm not sure what other option there is. Just replace it with a counter depth refrigerator. You pay more for less square footage- and it killed my husband to do it- but after bugging him for about 2 years- I got mine- and love it. From a design standpoint it is the best solution- and if you run out of room- just clean out your refrigerator- you don't really need more space. (coming from a mother of 4) I also thought about changing the hardware on the cabinets- what do you think?? I don't have a real good look at the hardware.... it is hard for me to say- but in general I'd like to see something with more contrast. Anthropologie has some really great hardware to check out- I like their button knob.

Check out I am cutting your e-mail in half- I will finish it with an additional post and just focus on the kitchen in this one.

Thank you soooo much. This is the best blog ever. ANY advice is appreciated!!!!
Sincerely,
Lauren

Well Lauren,

Congratulations on your new home! I'd like to add a few more thoughts to what I said above. I would have one dining set in the center of the room- and no additional furniture. The arrangement the previous owner has is really not good. If you are interested in making any structural changes or additions- consider adding a display area above your cabinets- where there is space- like in the kitchen above. Or you could take down all of your upper cabinets- and have a more open feel like in the photo at the top of the post.

Over your dining room table- remove that horrible ceiling fan and add some charming lighting. I found this glass jug pendant from Shades of Light- I would do a little collection of three of them- hung in staggered heights.

Add some Roman shade or cafe curtains on your windows. Find a fun vintage fabric like the one below from Amy Butler. Your curtains and backsplash will bring in your character.

I would put beadboard on the wall- floor to ceiling would be perfect- painted white. Then add a vintage plate collage to the larger back wall.

Consider some retro chairs like you see in the red and green kitchen photo above- paired with a simple wood table that brings in the colors of your counter- and adds warmth to the stone floor. The addition of the retro will give you more of an Anthropologie feel- and not too country.

Any more ideas for Lauren? Anyone seen any cool vintage Anthropologie-esque kitchens lately?

The Blingy Bath

Hi!

I found your blog when I searched google for ceiling tile paintable wallpaper, lol. I was wondering if you might be able to give me some advice on my powder bathroom. I'm having a hard time taking the plunge. (Heh. plunge.) I have a small powder bathroom. 5' 8"x 5' with 8 foot ceiling. We have a sconce-type light above the mirror, and a recessed light to one side above the toilet. No windows/natural light. Here is my idea for the room - you tell me if it could work without looking like a cave, or too top heavy. I wanted to put paintable ceiling tile wallpaper around the bottom half of the wall, like a wainscot, paint that a creamy or shimmery white, and add a chair rail molding, then paint the top half of the walls black. Then add crown around the ceiling. I'm still not sure do I leave the ceiling white? Then I wanted to hang a small traditional style beaded/crystal chandelier from the recessed light fixture. The fact that it's to one side makes this possible because that way the door doesn't hit it. I don't think i can do candle sconces on either side of the mirror because there is no room on one side and the only fix would be to move the sink. My husband won't go for that, lol. In my head it seems beautiful, but because there isn't any natural light, and it's small, I'm afraid that I'll get it done and realize the room looks too dark. But then again I keep thinking white "wainscot" white fixtures and white accessories should help offset the black. I really hope you have some advice for me, lol. My husband makes me feel like there is no room for trial and error when it comes to projects around the house, and it has made me a nervous wreck. I feel bad asking for your expert advice for nothing in return. I can help you add some bling to your blog if you'd like. I make "Blogicons" which are the little icons that appear in the address bar or tab of your browser. I noticed you have the blogger orange "B". I could make a custom one for you in exchange for some decor advice! :) Here is a better explanation of the blogicon. http://yourblogicon.blogspot.com/ Thanks in advance and I look forward to hearing from you!!
CaraStarr

Dear Cara,

Let me help you plan more of a fail-proof plan for your room. I do worry about the black walls. I appreciate powder bathrooms that have dark wall color- but if I were to go with your plan- I would bring the wainscot up to more like a five foot level.

Want a safer plan? Add texture and pattern in your wallpaper- and have it go all the way to the ceiling- no black at all. The paper below is from Candice Olson's wallpaper book, Dimensional Surfaces. It is hard to tell how fabulous it is from this picture- but you should go check it out- or send me your address and I will have a sample sent to you. It is a faux wood grain- with a reflective mirror type texture to it. Very Cool.

I like your idea of bringing lights down in more of a side by side sconce look- check out this bathroom below- the lights are installed right on the frame of the mirror. Maybe you have more room than you thought. Install them on the frame- install them on the mirror itself. It is a great look. (Make sure your lights are small enough).

Consider a unique pendant light like the one above from Uttermost in lieu of a chandelier. I am here to keep you on the cutting edge...

And for your ceiling. I couldn't find a picture of this- so just follow me here. Use 12 x 12 or similar sized mirrors on the ceiling- adding metal tiles (2 x 2)- like the ones above- at intersecting tiles. This will give you some pizazz and bling that will make the room a showplace in your home.

For your wall- you don't need a towel bar with no shower or tub. I don't have a pictue of your room- but if you are wasting a wall with a towel bar- remove it and add art- like the art I posted at the top. This alone will go a long way to making a beautiful room.

Finish with crown molding and a decent sized base board.

If I haven't given you too much work to do already- I'd love a blogicon- thanks :)

Beth's Den- Wallpaper Wednesday

Today I will interject in orange.

Hi Christine,

I found your site when I was researching the Benjamin Moore paint color "Vellum". Now I check in all the time and love all the advice you give! I am in desperate need of some help updating my den/home office. It measures 13' x 16'9" (excluding stairs), 2 windows on 16'9" wall and a 5' wide arched opening on the 13' wall. Square off the opening, make the opening a little wider and add a couple of columns. New cut-and-loop carpet is being installed in 2 weeks (it's a soft yellow, like butter, close to the color in the sofa...with a small square pattern). Could you help with furniture placement, I can't update your furniture very well. You can get a slip cover for the sofa- but the wing back chair won't slip cover very well... Let's just get new :) My plan for you includes new furniture- :) I tried to keep the cost low since it maybe wasn't in your plans. The plaid is just too strong a print. I suggest that you use the long wall with the windows on it for your desk. Have a Formica or wood counter made that goes wall to wall. put your lateral file under it for support on one side and the two banks of drawers on the other. (cut the desk up- take out the center leaving just the two banks of drawers. See my drawing and feel free to ask questions. This vision is a little hard to explain. Paint your files and drawers linen white. draperies and shades/blinds, I am recommending Roman Shades- I show them below. lighting, below art belowand accessories? below Most small furniture, lighting,art, etc. has already been removed from the room. Keep your secretary just where you have it. Remove everything else.- Except your end table- put it next to the daybed with a lamp on it. I was wondering about a flush mount ceiling light, The room needs more light than that. I added eight can lights- on a dinmmer and two sconces and two pendants a lamp and two uplights. (put the uplights on a timer) What can I say- you did as a designer... upholstered desk chair (with or without a skirt), area rug, the rug is from homedecorator.com I'd get the 5'3" x 8' 3" for under your chair to protect the carpet- but I do worry a little that it might be hard to roll on.- but office chairs destroy carpet- and this adds great color and pattern. ($359)upholstered narrow ottoman with casters....I loved it when you told Kate (2nd home kitchen renovation) to "follow my instructions exactly...and then send in pictures"!! I am great at following instructions and using a camera!!! BTW, I work from home and will use this room everyday.

Thanks! BethFor the art on the wall with the front door- this painting from Ballard Designs with a sconce on either side would be great. Use hardwired if you can fit it in the budget- but otherwise- candle sconces would also be great.

The office chair is from Ballard Designs.

The daybed is from Pottery Barn. I like the colors- red yellow and blue- they are timeless.I would use the gold shade to re-paint your green mouldings. Paint the walls a linen color- and add a band of these Wallies vinyl appliques around the entire room. (have the strip at about five feet.) Go ahead and hang the art right over top where it meets up. Use this gold color to match your mouldings. You have some bold color in your furnishings and accessories- keep your walls light and neutral- but not boring.

Hang two pendant lights over your work space. The ottoman is from overstock.com- only $299.

The Roman Shade is from Country Curtains- about $50/ each.

. On the wall space in between your windows- put organizer stuff that looks nice- Pottery Barn is good for this type of thing. Check out the two examples...

OK- so follow my instructions exactly and take a picture :) It will be fabulous! You will never want to leave the room!

Cool New Source

Today I wanted to show you a super cool- and surprisingly affordable source called "Design Public." They have a contemporary/ modern style- that is transitional enough to fit into many interiors. They have everything from large wall art...

to nursery bedding...

cool lateral files (I have a hard time finding cool office furnishings)...

and fabulous lighting... you know how I like my butterflies :) Anyway- check it out! It has a little something for everyone!