I used to love the old TLC show Trading Spaces. I've never really gotten into HGN or Extreme Makeover Home Edition, but I loved Trading Spaces. How they would remake a room in such a short period of time with limited resources and limited space. I always wanted to be able to do something like that.
I'm a terrible decorator. Truly. I want to be a good decorator. I like pretty things. But in the end I just don't have a good eye for space or detail. My husband, on the other hand, is good at that kind of stuff, but we can't seem to agree that putting money into nice stuff for the house is where our money should be. Because we have a 6 year old. And a dog. And nothing stays unmarked or clean for very long.
I have wanted new dinning room furniture since we moved 2 years ago. My dinning room furniture was 10 years old, and while technically still functional, was all scratched up and didn't fit into the new house. And was too old and engulfed the room and every time someone sat in one of the chairs they bumped into the china cabinet. And let's not mention the time Michael took a pen to one of the chairs. I was never able to correct that.
See, big, heavy oak.
I wanted sleek and clean and dark wood. I had my heart set on this furniture we had seen in a house we saw when we were looking for houses. I wanted to buy the house simply for the furniture. In fact, when we bid on the house, I asked my realtor if we could have the furniture. "It's show furniture," he said. "You can buy it, but it is the most expensive way to do it."
I'm an easy sell. Put brand new furniture in a clean house and I'm all, "BUY, YES, WANT." Our realtor tried to talk us out of that house but we bid on it anyway. We didn't get it for reasons that don't matter, and he was right, we are much happier here, but I still want their furniture. And the washer and dryer.
I was finally able to convince Doug that new dinning room furniture was a neccesity. It had to do with hosting Thanksgiving for the 10th year in a row and me threatning to maybe lose my mind if I had to do it again with people banging into the china cabinet. And there was left over severance money from when he was unemployed and Columbus Day sales and sometimes, well, I get what I want.
I love it so much I never want to leave. I find myself just sitting in the dinning room and telling Michael not to touch things.
But I don't think the drapes go anymore. Which leaves me with this question? What color drapes? Black? Red? Our dishes are black and red. Bring in another color?
What room can I redo next?
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Does the room get much sun? I have red curtains in my bedroom and it was the worst idea ever. When the sun is setting, it looks like an old school brothel in there with everything glowing red. Maybe a silver?
Love it!
I’d try something lighter in color for the drapes. Maybe a rich cream or gold with a red print or stripe? But in an elegant dining-room appropriate fabric. I always look at pictures in shelter magazines for ideas. Or even the Pottery Barn catalog.
I love the new dining set. It makes the room look so much more modern.
I think I’d go with a pattern for How about something like this:
http://www.zgallerie.com/p-7181-roma-panels-caramel.aspx
Or something light and airy like this, which seems like a similar color to the top of the wall:
http://www.westelm.com/products/cotton-canvas-printed-woodblock-circles-window-panel-r916/?pkey=cwindow-panels-curtains-shades
Gorgeous! It’s like a whole new room.
I actually still like those curtains with the new furniture. The lighter brown goes, without being too matchey-matchey. I definitely wouldn’t go any darker.
I’d go for a patterned drape, too. I like Stephanie’s second choice better, but it might be too stark. If you can find a pattern that incorporates the red and black subtly, that’d be awesome.
Some assvice, though: I’d take those photos and move them down juuuust a scootch. The middle one is a bit too high. Take the picture, hold it right in front of your face, arms holding it straight out. Then place it on the wall at that height. Then take the two side pictures and hang them where they’re centered on that middle picture. Ta Da!
Oh I love it!
I dream of new furniture. Dark wood like that too. Someday.
I think some nice wooden blinds (wide slat) would look really clean and modern if that’s what you are going for. Maybe with a nice square cornice box at the top.
Or maybe even just shutter shades on the lower half depending on the amount of light/privacy you want.
I would go pattern. Find something with a hint of the red.
Of course… I become obsessed and feel a great urge to start googling for you.
Yes – what Lisa said! I love, love, love the new furniture, and red is totally my favorite color. But…the height of the pictures caught my eye – they should be just a bit lower!!!!
Looks great! Great timing too, for all the holidays get-togethers.
I say go for a pattern, or maybe white with black ribbon or a greek key pattern going down the inner part. Gray would also look nice and brighten things up a bit.
Go floral! There are some beautiful fabrics at Smith and Noble.
Very nice! I am dying for a new dining room table. Ours is way too small for the space (we got it when we had a smaller apartment).