While the walls of our dining room are still only primed, I’ve been giving it a lot of thought lately and would like to start making some progress on it over the next few weeks. It would be very nice to have it done before the holidays. If it makes you feel any better about undone projects, these walls have been wearing primer for over a year and I have felt a little paralyzed about getting started on this room. I don’t usually drag my feet so long when it comes to painting a room, but I have waffled about what I want to do with this space.
With our last dining room, I sort of plowed forward, starting a hand-painted mural one morning in my pajamas. It’s still one of my favorite rooms and was completed on gut instinct and whim. Instead of continuing to overthink, I just need to go for it.
Aside from uncertainty, I’ve also built the project up in my mind as a huge project that’s going to take forever. I need to paint the ceiling, install picture frame molding (you can find a tutorial HERE), paint the walls, and I’d like to do another hand-painted mural. Yes, it’s all going to take time, but the truth is I can break it down and have the bulk of it done in a few days. I have a few other projects I need to finish up first, but then I’d like to get started.
Here is the room from a few different angles…
The buffet in the picture above and the dark wood hutch are pieces that will likely get moved somewhere else in the house once I find perfect pieces for the dining room. I want to find a more formal buffet for this spot and I’m not sure if I want two tall pieces in the room (the hutch and French vitrine.) These pieces work for now, and it gives me time to wait for just the right pieces at the right price to come along.
I also need to finish the dining room table. I’m waiting for cooler weather to take it outside and work on it.
So, let’s talk about the walls. As I shared when we first moved in, I sort of envisioned this space as a library/dining room with walls lined with built-ins. After living in the house for almost two years, though, I’m not sure if I want all of my books in here. I’m still considering some built-ins, but since I’m unsure about it, I want to move forward with my gut. And, my gut is telling me to do a painted landscape mural again. I loved the one in my last house (you can see it HERE) I think it would suit this dining room as well.
I’m going to be a bit more ambitious and work in a deeper color palette. I’m also going to focus just on the wall above the chair rail so I have less space to cover.
These are two wallpaper murals that are similar to the feel I’d like to achieve…
Nelson Galt House | design by @heatherchadduck, photos by @annieschlechter , styling by @rachaelburrow
Mine certainly won’t be as refined, but I’d like to capture this vibe. I had considered using wallpaper, but I like the idea of painting my own for a few reasons. Number one, it’s a lot cheaper! Number two, it can be completely customized for the space in composition and color. Number three, it’ll be unique to my home.
I’m going to use Oval Room Blue for the trim and wainscoting since I already have a few cans that I brought with me from our MN house. I used that color in our basement less than a year before we moved and I feel like I never got to thoroughly enjoy it. After all, I never did fully finish my vision for that space.
It’s a gorgeous color, though, and will be a nice compliment to the Light Blue foyer/hall and green and white in the kitchen. I’m going to put together a palette from Farrow & Ball samples to use for the mural that will tie all of those colors together.
Do I feel 100% confident in all of this? No. But, the room has been wearing primer long enough so it’s time to make some decisions and see if they are right or wrong or maybe just right for a while. Or perhaps just better than primer.
I’m also picking out curtains and I’ll share my options in another blog post…
18 Responses
Some rooms take time to figure out, to hear what they are telling you that they want to be.
The great thing about paint is that it can be redone as needed! The perfect thing for people who want to change their minds about decor over time. The fun thing about painting your own mural is that you get to include special details that have meaning to your family. I’m sure that once you get the ordinary painting part done, you’ll be having fun painting on a whimsical landscape mural!
Such a talent – you will figure this out. I love the mural idea and really like the pictures you have chosen. I can’t wait to see what you decide.
The two mural examples you haven given are so rich in color and the detail is amazing. I love both of them. It’s like the walls are giving a hug. I am sure it will be a fun and rewarding adventure once you get started, good luck.
I like the idea of a mural in that room as well. I have a mural in my dining area and am so happy with it-it was my starting point for color selections for the neighboring rooms, since you can see the mural from other rooms. And painting in your pajamas is the most inspiring way to paint!
You were wise to take your time to figure out your direction for the dining room. It will be a lovely, warm room when you are finished with it. Think of all the wonderful memories you will create in that beautiful space.
Marian, I am so happy that you are planning on doing a landscape mural in your dining room! This is going to look so nice when you are all finished. The mural you painted in your last home was so beautiful! I know that this dining room mural will look fabulous, too!
Have a great week!
I love murals … I’ve always wanted one; however, I’d need to hire someone to paint to hang wallpaper that would look like a mural.
I love your idea(s) …thank you for sharing.
It will be exciting to see your mural evolving! I enjoyed the different views of your beautiful home through the dining room entryways. This room will be the crowning touch.
LOVE Oval Room Blue! The DZr is going to look so warm and inviting.
I am so in love with the vitrine, the dining set, the chandelier, the art, and most of all the green velvet chair seats. What a beautiful room already. Can’t wait to see what you do.
Great idea to paint a mural! Especially with the beautiful scenery we have in MD, such as Annapolis, our beautiful flag, fox hunting the blue crab, sail boats and the Chesapeake Bay!! Don’t forget our State flower, the Black Eyed Susan and MD’s favorite dessert, Smith Island Cake! One of my college roommates is from Smith Island. MD and it was her cousin who came up with that recipe! One of the MD Governors decided that it would be our State dessert! Looking forward to seeing your finished dining room! Enjoy the process!!
Really can’t wait to see it begin! I look forward to all your projects!
i love the colorway in the wallpaper inspiration with oval room blue!
Your inspiration choices for your mural are so beautiful. I loved the mural in your previous dining room and am excited to see what you do with this one. I know it will be lovely.
I’m so excited to see how your vision turns out and can’t wait to see your curtain ideas. That’s always hard for me.
Sitting down with my first cup of coffee and I’m in awe! Your dining room is already so wonderful; love your fall table pictures. Your idea for a mural is spot on. I also love bookcases/wall units. We downsized 20 plus years ago and this house received a fair amount of remodeling. My husband likes to say; we bought land with a creek and a house came with it! I had a lovely credenza but it just wasn’t big enough. We ended up putting unfinished cabinets along the bottom of one wall and building in with adjustable bookcases on top; painted White Duck by Sherwin Williams. It was a splurge because it was built on site. It is so nice for storage and books and pretties. I wish I had a wall to do a mural, but I only had one wall and I needed the storage. I can’t wait to see what happens!
Can’t wait!!!! I know it will be perfect!!! I loved the MN house one.
I always admire and enjoy seeing the magic you manage with each of your rooms. You are so creative, and I love your style. Thanks for taking us along for ideas and inspiration.
Karen B.