eating area updates

by | Jun 19, 2018 | All Things Home, Decorating, Kitchen, My House | 53 comments

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Once we were unpacked and settled form back-to-back trips, I was ready to start working on the house again.  I am waiting to get into the summer rhythm before I tackle larger projects, like the butler’s pantry and painting the kitchen island, but I want to get smaller things done when time allows.  Organization of cabinets and closets is definitely on my list (there are still “lost objects” from our move), but I also want to hang more art and decor on the walls and fine-tune the finishing touches.

When I had a little pocket of free time, I decided to try hanging a trio of antique blue transferware plates on either side of the arch that opens into the living room.

I really like how they pull in the richer blues from the curtains and checked slipcovers, but it’s not too matchy-matchy.

I originally hung some wooden cutting boards there, but they never really looked right to me.

So, when I repainted, I took them down and tried the plates and they work much better.

Oh, and that little tree in the basket is a lemon tree.  I bought it a few months ago and it was looking a little sad.  It had spider mites and the leaves were yellowing.  I shared about it on my Instagram Stories and I received some great tips.  A few suggested spraying it with soapy water to get rid of the spider mites and try moving it outside for a while.  I followed that advice and it’s bounced back.

Since it’s doing well, I repotted it in a larger pot to give the roots some more room and added some citrus fertilizer.  I was trying the new pot in the basket to see if it would fit in there when I bring it inside this fall.  I will most likely keep it in the studio, so it’ll get plenty of nice light.  For now, it’ll stay outside, so it can get lots of sun and humidity.

Anyway, now that we’re done with that rabbit trail, here is how the plates look on the other side of the arch.

If you’re very observant, you might’ve noticed my end chairs are mis-matched at this point.  I ordered a pair of chairs from Wayfair and only one of them arrived, so I’m waiting for the other one.  The one I have looks so good, though, and it provides another seating option when we host small group.  Right now we pull in the red paisley chairs and a couple of the oval-backed French chairs, but these should offer another comfortable option.

I am going to make washable slipcovers for them out of grain sacks and hemp sheets, so they will tie into the side chairs even better.

There are a few more things to do in this space, but it’s coming along very nicely!

Here is a look from a similar view, so you can see how much it’s changed in just under a year.

And here is a look at the view towards the open kitchen shelves and back stairs.

We spend most of our time in the kitchen/eating area and living room, so I love that those spaces are looking more and more like “us”.

We spent the day getting dirty in the garden today and I’ll show you what we were up to soon…

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    53 Comments

    1. Heidi

      My kirchenaid mixer is black too! It looks good on your shelves. I was wonderI got if I should have chosen a different colour, however I feel better about my choice now.

      Kitchen looking great by the way

      • Marian Parsons

        My husband bought it for me years ago and picked black to go with the black appliances that were in our first house. I have sometimes thought I wished it was white or some other color, but I always come back to loving the black. It’s classic, I think.

    2. Sharon

      Beautiful Marion. Loving your new dining room chair. Exactly what I have looked for and never found. The new color on the walls is so pretty. When I dream of my home, I get so many ideas from you. I often think of you in your new home, in a new town, and state. I know this has to be a whole new way of life so far from the rest of your family. But God puts us where we need to be if we trust him, and will take care of us if we let him. I think your trust is evident. You seem happy and content in your new surroundings. I am off to search Wayfair for that chair that I so love. Thank you for sharing your home. Thank you for all the time it takes to be our inspiration.

    3. Brenda

      I can’t believe you’ve been there that long! The house looks great! My favorite is the backsplash. I can’t wait to see what you do with the butler’s pantry. Where did you find the inspiration picture for your butler pantry at? Have a great day!

    4. Lisa

      You have done such a great job. Your home is beautiful! What color paint did you use for the living room?

      • Marian Parsons

        That is Stonington Gray by Benjamin Moore at full strength.

    5. Mary in VA

      I love the transferware plates hanging there. I like the red chairs but they’ll be better with your grain sack do-over. Great job saving the plant, it would have died at my house for sure 🙁 My favorite picture on this post is the open shelving, you were genius to build shelves in there – looks awesome.

    6. Darcy

      I read your post and thought, “It’s already been a year since she’s moved?”. Isn’t it funny how time flies – your house looks beautiful too, I really like how the plates look. 🙂

    7. Amy Kaminski

      Adding those plates was just the right touch. Coming along nicely!

    8. Kim P

      Your home looks amazing, I’ve lived in mine 25 years and havent gotten as far as you have, so inspiring ! Love your plates on the wall. Another nice touch
      I have all your books and I’m trying to make decisions, but my train of thought gets interrupted by life,lol

    9. Lynne

      I love your kitchen table!

    10. PattiC

      I noticed your Kitchen Aid mixer on the shelf. What model is it and do you like using it? I’ve finally decided to buy one after using a hand mixer for years. Thanks!

      • Marian Parsons

        I love my Kitchen Aid mixer. My husband bought it for me as a housewarming gift when we bought our first home almost 15 years ago. It’s a PRO 5 qt mixer with bowl lift. It’s been a workhorse for years and I love it.

    11. MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!)

      Marian, those plates look beautiful on each side of the arch. Just love all your “personal” touches! You are a wonderful decorator! Bless you!

    12. Suzy

      Your painted cabinets make me want to paint mine. I plan to “someday”, but so far someday hasn’t arrived yet. One project at a time, especially since I work full time and my husband works nights. So projects take time.

    13. Lolly

      I lovelovelove that the red chairs are still in your dr!!!!! I’m a red/orange/brown/green kinda gal….so the pop of red makes me happy. Lol!

    14. Cherie

      Hi Marion – in your living room, have you ever considered painting a darker color inside the built-in bookcases to make your display of pitchers and other white dishes, really pop ?
      It’s amazing what all you have managed to get done since you moved in. You must work round the clock !! It all looks beautiful.

      • Marian Parsons

        Yep, I have thought about it, but never felt compelled enough to actually pull out the paint brush! 🙂 Maybe one day…

    15. Debbie

      Your home is really coming along quickly. It looks so beautiful.

      Do you plan to paint the bannister leading upstairs?

      • Marian Parsons

        I’m not sure about that, yet. I open a bit of a can of worms when I do that, because there is a lot of bannister upstairs and on the front staircase. The wood tone matches the floor, so I’m going to leave it for now and then decide when I work on the stairs.

    16. Beverley

      Triple WOW! I am moving in.

    17. Debbie

      Like the re-paint AND the plates. It does tie your blues together to have them hanging there! I like your new chairs, too. I am using my mother’s quarter-sawn oak table that can seat twelve, but only had four side chairs and two leaves!! Go figure! Been using very mis-matched end chairs, and only seating 6-8 at the table for years. I’m thinking those chairs might be just what I need. Don’t know where I can get some 54″ long, 8″ wide table leaves, do you?!? 😉

    18. Catherine

      Marian – what is the color/brand of paint you used on the kitchen and dining room walls? So soft and pretty.

      • Marian Parsons

        The color is Stonington Gray by Benjamin Moore mixed to 50% strength.

    19. Kim

      ?those red chairs. It’s a great surprise.

    20. Lisa

      What beautiful pictures of your home, you have been working hard!

    21. Kimberly

      Those transferware plates are perfect. The bread boards looked good, too, when the room was the previous, warmer color, but now with the new paint color, the plates just add that final, finishing touch. Lovely.

      I must say, though … YOUR KITCHEN! It is *beautiful*! It’s pretty much the exact color and finishes I would choose for a kitchen if I had a home.

    22. Joanne

      Walking around my house looking for walls to hang my blue and white plates on! Your plates are the perfect fit for your space, Love the look.

    23. Mary S

      I love the plates on the walls…. can’t miss with transferware plates. Your house is just beautiful. You and your hubby have done such a great job! I love it!

    24. Joan

      I love the way you “Marianize” your living spaces. Everything looks so loved. You have tremendous talent!

    25. Linda

      If you don’t have a place for those cutting boards, I know a great place for them.?

    26. Jane

      Wow a year already! Does it feel like it has gone fast? The rooms are looking lovely as they flow into each other. And I am definitely one of those people who doesn’t notice details like end chairs unless it is mentioned. I just think it all looks amazing! 🙂

    27. Addie

      Yay!!! Blue Willow made it!!! I love and collect Blue Willow. I was happy to finally see some in your home.
      EVERYTHING looks GREAT!!!!

    28. Taffy White-Pritulsky

      Hi Marion! My Daughter Addy and I met you last year at Lucketts! your house is looking amazing! question? How do you hang your plates? can’t see from the pictures if their on plate hangers or not! Thanks

      • Marian Parsons

        I just use the little wire plate hangers. I missed Lucketts this year, but I heard it was a muddy mess. Rain gets them every time!

    29. Sabrina

      I was wondering if you are still selling the hemp sheets or will in the future. I am on the hunt for a few to redo a daybed. Or if you don’t mind sharing where is a good place to find them. Thank you, and your home is beautiful.

      • Marian Parsons

        I am not, but you can find them on Etsy and eBay.

    30. amy joanne mogish

      Just love your ‘lead’ posts of each project and then your before’s and after’s ….what an awesome beautiful home unfolding for all of us to see….

    31. graham

      It looks lovely; I think it’s great you are not going cutesy- you are not in a cottage or farmhouse, but in a proper house. You have just the right touch of antiques without going overboard. I went back to see your house tour of the house when you bought it and before you put your hand to it and all I could think was how did she ever see all this potential? However, please don’t touch the red chairs-they add the perfect touch of color. It may just be me, but you run the risk of being a bit bland if everything is blue and white.

      • Marian Parsons

        Ha, I am so tempted to change the fabric on the chairs, but I do think you’re right about it looking too one-note. The red fabric is a bit stained, though. Currently, the nailhead trim is preventing me from messing with them, because that is a bear to pull out!

    32. Deborah M.

      I think the blue transferware plates are perfect! Your house is looking wonderful with all of your updates- truthfully, I am so obsessed with your floorplan!! 🙂

    33. Cindy A Redman

      I love the floor plan and the way each room opens effortlessly to the next. Everything looks amazing, and those copper pots get me every time. I’d love to see one of your cherry paintings hanging somewhere too… i think the pop of red with the gray blues in some of the paintings would be so fun with your decor…

      Cindy

    34. MaryLisa Noyes

      Very well done! I love the new chair(s) . Very welcoming indeed!

    35. Bonnie Kilgore

      So, so pretty! You’ve created a charming space!

    36. Katie Mansfield

      Hi Marion, I thought when you moved in that the kitchen wasn’t too bad. You have made it gorgeous in such a small amount of time. It’s stunning and so you.

    37. Lynn

      I love everything about it! It looks so good. The transition from room to room looks really good!

    38. Becky

      I love the blue curtains. While I’m pretty sure you made them; could you please share the fabric source?

      Great job!

    39. Sandy Ines

      I love the drapery fabric in both rooms, living room and the kitchen, I make my own drapes and I was wondering what the fabric brand is? I have been looking for a similar print. Thanks so much.

    40. Joan

      Such a beautiful space! Love how it is all coming together!

    41. Beverly Cook

      Hello. I was admiring your fabric choice for window drapery panels. Could you tell me what fabric name that is, please? It is a lovely. Thanks.

    42. Frances Baker

      Beautiful spaces!! I’m a plate lover too! Got started on that years ago when I discovered a Blue Willow plate in my grandmother’s china cabinet years after she passed.
      Am wondering…is the paint in dining room the Stonington Grey also?

    43. Jenny

      I have pinned so many images of these curtains from different posts you’ve done and read your blog about the project of making them. Any source for the fabric or did you just have it in a stash to use like my pile lying in the sewing room?

      • Marian Parsons

        It’s Covington Canterbury Indigo. 🙂

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    Marian Parsons - Miss Mustard Seed

    I’m Marian, aka Miss Mustard Seed, a wife, mother, paint enthusiast, lover of all things home and an entrepreneur, author, artist, designer, freelance writer & photographer.  READ MORE to learn more about me, my blog and my business…

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