Friday, October 9, 2015

Dining Room Makeover Reveal

Over the course of the past year I've slowly been making a few changes in my home. They've come slow and easy with a great deal of thought behind each of those changes. The dining room for many of us is a pass through room, a holding room of things destined for another space in our home. Most times dining rooms are used twice a year. Mine was no exception. A few years back I told my friend Gloria from Happy To Be some day I'm going to turn my dining room into a reading room. She said, "go for it girl!" Little did I know that day would come sooner than I thought. 
One of the first things to go
was the fan with the over sized light and shades. I wanted a chandelier of some sort. The fan and light was just too heavy for the room. The next thing to go was the dining room table and chairs. The fabric backed chairs with leather seats hadn't been sat in more than a handful of times. I then emptied the room and painted. Oh my the dark faux painted walls were way past it's prime. I needed to modernize this space in the worst way.
Which brings me to the room as it sits now.
I knew I wanted a couple of wing back tufted chairs, I didn't want to lock myself into a particular color so a neutral cream colored chair was the way to go. I searched for quite a while and found these at Joss And Main.
The dark brown curtains had to go as well. I went to my go to catalog from Country Curtains and ordered these breezy cream colored linen drapes. Perfect neutral choice for this room. They not only lighten up the room but seem to push the windows back to make the room appear larger.
Sure don't want you to forget the "BEFORE" of the dining room. lol
I purchased the chandy from Over Stock, trust me when I say it took me quite a while to put all the prisms and crystals on this baby. So worth it.. Notice those lighter walls? The color is Mindful Gray by SW. After I started I thought oh my goodness this has too much blue in it for me. After living with the shock of going from the darker faux painted walls to this soft gray the choice was spot on.
All of the cloche domes were taken down off the hutch and stored away for the time being. The over sized platter and more of my blue collection now sits atop the hutch. The popcorn ceiling is due to come off sometime in January. Yah! I cannot wait for it to be gone in yet another room.
This area stayed the same for about a New York second. These pictures were already taken, I'll share that small change soon. Remember the wall behind the hutch is "hopefully, fingers crossed, praying, is due to come out in January. So for now I'm just moving things from one space to another, waiting ever so patiently for January and the verdict to come about the removal of the wall.


Looking in from the kitchen.
" BEFORE"
"AFTER"
Thanks so much for stopping by to see the newly undated dining room/reading room. There's been a few changes since these pictures were taken. Do you do take pictures share them, soon after change a few things around? I'm enjoying the process of putting a new spin on my home, I hope you continue to follow, more changes are coming soon.
Fondly ~ Lynne ~

19 comments:

Rhonda said...

What a dramatic change to the dining room! Love the new color! We painted our kitchen/family room a similar color a couple of years ago -- BM pearl gray, and I thought the same thing -- too blue! But we love it now! So peaceful and calm! Everything looks lovely -- the new chairs and chandy and all the blue accents! Now all you need is an ottoman to prop your feet up... and a good book! Congratulations on a job well done!

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Oh honey again you hit yet another room out of the ball park..That Chandy is to die for and I love the chairs and that you kept your antique cabinets..
The color is very muted and soft looking..Of course you know I love blue/white together it will never go out of style and you can add so many other colors with it..
Love the English rabbit picture..This whole space is like English country cottage to me..
You have impeccable taste honey..That's why I was drawn to you on RMS and of course your kindness to everyone in our group was also a plus..
Love it love you more..
Your always friend, Gloria

Pat said...

Lynne,
Gorgeous transformation, dear friend!!!
I adore the subtle hues of the room!!!
Light and bright for reading!!!
I love, LOVE, L O V E all the blue and white on your black hutch!!!
Making changes within one's home is not often an easy thing to do,
but you've done amazing transitional changes that will work so well with your current lifestyle!!!
Thank you for sharing your lovely home and for always inspiring!!!
Fondly,
Pat

Rattlebridge Farm said...

How beautiful! I love what you've done with this space. The chairs and pillows are timeless and gorgeous, and the chandelier is elegant. Love the blue and white pieces on the hutch. The wall color is the perfect backdrop. You are amazing!!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh wow, what a dramatic change. I love it. Such a beautiful and inviting space now. I think I would be there all the time.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Very pretty! I think you will get much more use out of the space.
I know someone who turned their little used dining room into a combo library/small office area, and small eating area for just her and husband.
Hope you are enjoying the weekend.

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Rhonda, isn't it funny how paint can trick our eyes? I'm loving the lighter color. I'm looking for some sort of an ottoman, the right thing will come a long at the right time. Thanks so much for the visit and kind words. fondly ~lynne~

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Oh My Sweet Gloria, you sure know how to boost a girl's ego. You know you mean the world to me. I'm praying for your son-in-law and daughter. I know they're going through it right now, if there's anything I can do please let me know... I love you too girlie!!! fondly ~lynne~

Blondie's Journal said...

Lynne,

You took a leap of faith and it's a beautiful room! I absolutely love your new wing chairs and chandy. You are spot on about the curtains making the room look larger. I've heard that Mindful Gray is a very popular SW color. I am looking for a true gray for some of the lakehouse. I did gray in our master bedroom here in the city and it's hands down blue. I think it's important to hang paint strips in the room to look at it all different light.

I hope you enjoy the heck out of this room--I know I would! :)

Jane x

Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovement said...

You did a fabulous job, Lynne! I love the new colors and especially love that it's a room that you'll really use now. Well done!
Pam

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Thank you Sweet Pat, I'm enjoying making the changes. It's a pleasure to walk through this room on a daily basis. It's a room that makes me smile. Loved having you stop by. fondly ~lynne~

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Thank you Michael, I've had the vision for a very long time, it's been fun pulling it all together. Thanks for popping in and your sweet words.
fondly ~lynne~

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Thank you Sweet Marty, it is a space that makes me smile. I'm certainly enjoying the change. Thanks for popping in and your sweet words. fondly ~lynne~

Amy at love made my home said...

It looks very pretty!!! I hope that you can find time to sit and read and enjoy the room far more than you used to! xx

Anonymous said...

Hi sweet Lynne! Oh, I am loving your changes and this room looks gorgeous! I love you blue and whites! Everything is just so beautiful!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

Mary K. said...

What a difference a little paint can make. I love your chandalier. Thanks for sharing.

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...


Lynne...it's beautiful! I am looking for drapes and these look exactly like what I want but in another color. Thank you for letting us know where you found your new things. That's so nice. I also have the popcorn ceilings and mine are worse than yours but I have to wait awhile to have that done too. I'm papering our combined dining and family room..and I am so nervous about it. But..the decision has been made and the paper arrived today. All 13 double rolls! :) Wish me luck. I'm going to need it.

Vicki said...

Such a great idea! I am sure it will be used much more as a reading room. Love the choice of paint color and the beautiful chandelier. Good for you to take the plunge and turn a mostly unused room a delightful place to sit and stay awhile!

Calypso In The Country said...

Beautiful! I love all the new colors too!
Shelley