Our Home’s History – Dining Room

I think I’m suffering from decorating ADD – maybe it should be called “ADDD” or “DADD” – nevertheless, I am having a hard time focusing on any single project right now.  Instead, I flit from one thing to another.  I have been posting about our home’s history, and I think this is the source of my latest diversion.  
Let me elaborate.
Here are photos of our dining room, as it has evolved from one owner to the next.
Previous owner:

Homearama Photo:

And as it stands now:

I guess the reason I’m feeling focused on the dining room now is because aside from it being a better photograph, little else has changed!  None of the photos have an area rug, the chandelier is the same, even the dark wood tones of the furniture are similar!  Although I do really love my furniture – especially my buffet…

We have had our dining room furniture for probably 11-12 years now, and I still love it.  But, while the room isn’t terrible, it’s just not the look I’m going for, and some days I’m tempted to start peeling away at the wallpaper – just to see if it comes off easily.

It’s a conundrum, since as I’ve said before – our house is very open and the house was decorated with that in mind.  The rooms flow with the colors as they are now, and if I change one room in this open space, I feel like I need to have some sort of Grand Plan for the rest of the space.  Let’s revisit this photo – see what I mean?

Here is another picture so you can see how when you walk in the front door, the dining room is RIGHT there.  

Is it possible to redo this room in a neutral enough way that it doesn’t look completely out of place, yet blend with the great room and kitchen when we do finally decide on paint color(s)?  And I should say that the reason this room is even up for discussion is because I can do it myself.  Painting the rest of this open space is going to require professionals.  

Well, for now, I’m looking online for inspiration…

(Photos courtesy of Inspiration for Decoration)

Funny, most of those pictures have slipcovered chairs, which I really don’t see doing – maybe recover the chairs or do something to change them up.  I do want to make the space lighter and brighter though.  There are several things I know I want to change just off the top of my head:

 So, what do you think?  Can I redo this room without a complete Master Plan? 

10 Comments

  • Reply
    Kaitlin
    February 16, 2011 at 5:45 pm

    I totally think you can do it without a master plan as long as you keep the rest of the house in mind! I say if you are thinking about it this much.. you really want to do it!!!!

  • Reply
    Green Door Girl
    February 16, 2011 at 8:23 pm

    I definitely think you can – the green in the living room really will act as a neutral when you start redoing the dining room – I think you can go for it! I LOVE your buffet, I really want new furniture… I am jealous you have had yours 10 years and love it – I have had mine 10 years and am SO ready to get rid of it! 🙂

  • Reply
    A Vintage Vine
    February 16, 2011 at 8:38 pm

    I love all the inspirational photos…this is a must do! I think you will really like it being more neutral!

  • Reply
    Stevie
    February 16, 2011 at 10:43 pm

    I came across your blog today and am totally in love with it. I have definitely become inspired. We are about to list our house and look for a new one. I can't wait until we find one because I'm excited for lots of new projects!!

  • Reply
    The Starr Family
    February 17, 2011 at 1:48 am

    Are you kidding? Absolutely… I love the color in your great room and since it seems to be on opposing ends from the dining room, you could balance the entire space & use that color (for said dining room). Whew, that was a mouthful! Then the two ends are tied and reflect each other.

    Also, the Emily Clark photo resembles your dining room, a softer color like that would play well with the bolder colors you already have going on in other rooms. My vote is down with the paper! We recently had ours removed professionally and it was a chore for the gal, good luck to you!

  • Reply
    Carrie @ Dittle Dattle
    February 21, 2011 at 12:45 am

    Ummm ya you can! I love the other space in your homes that I've had the pleasure of seeing. I think you have a great sense of style and as long as you listen to your inner voice, you'll be just fine!

  • Reply
    Sandy Jenney - Organize with Sandy
    March 9, 2011 at 2:44 pm

    ok.. now I am totally cracking up after seeing this. I just told you in the last comment I made on your headboard tutorial that I posted my dining room yesterday and asked for help! lol
    Although you have a much nicer area to work with. I have a very small room just off my front door also and a dining room table that my husband brought into the marriage. Ours is for everyday.
    I love the imagines you are finding. I am far from a decorator (that is why I was asking for help) but I am thinking you will do some really awesome stuff with this room. Good luck.

  • Reply
    Sandy Jenney - Organize with Sandy
    March 9, 2011 at 2:48 pm

    I love the pictures you have picked out to inspire to! I'm far from being able to give advice on decorating. I mentioned on the headboard tutorial I just came from (and went freakin nuts over) that I just posted a post asking for help on my dining room! But I need MUCH more help than you do. lol You have an awesome space to work with. Love those windows. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

  • Reply
    Sacha Kay
    January 21, 2012 at 6:27 pm

    I love your blog! Been browsing through it for a quarter of an hour. Now I >>have<< to respond. 🙂
    All the pictures you've chosen for inspirational purposes are white, white, white. And you don't have much white in your dining room.
    The living room (do you call it that?) in the background is white. Your kitchen (very well done!) is white too.
    And all of the pictures (but one) contain 'non-floating tables'. Yours is floating.
    Besides that, you've picked all images with 'tissued chairs', while yours are plain wood.
    It is possible to paint wallpaper if it's very well positioned. And it is possible to paint drapes (yours are lovely!). So you could try to paint the walls white and leave the furniture (great!!!) untouched?
    But what I really think? 'Your' problem is that your furniture is floating and your chairs don't contain 'tissu'. 🙂

    Just a piece of my Dutch/French mind here. 😀

    Sacha.

  • Reply
    David Patterson
    December 31, 2015 at 1:45 am

    Nice post. Thank you for sharing this information. Such a great help to us.
    Dining Room Furniture

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