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My Dining Room – The Big Reveal

It’s been a couple of years in the making, but my dining room is finally finished.  (Well, for now anyway…and I still need to hem the drapes and maybe find a rug.  Ok, maybe it’s not done, done, but it’s done enough to do a photo shoot and share it with you.)  So, here it is!
This dining room has come a long way from nasty carpeting, a 1980’s ceiling fan, pine trim, and dingy paint.  First, let me walk you through the room.  This view is from the archway to the living room. 
Again, this picture is from the archway, looking towards the front of the house.  Click here for a tutorial and fabric source on the curtains.  The rods were purchased at 40% off at Hobby Lobby. 
This view is from the front corner of the dining room.  The corner cabinets, antique high chair, over sized ginger jars and buffet table were all free from family members (or their attics.)
…and this familiar view is from the archway that leads to the soon-to-be home office. 
…and this is from the back corner of the dining room.  Are you oriented, now?
So, now let’s go to the details of this room.  First of all, the colors.  The primary wall color is Aria Ivory (retired, but you can ask for it) by Sherwin Williams and the accent wall is Blue Stone by Eddie Bauer (available at Lowe’s.)  The antlers ($3.50), books ($.25-$12.00), and plates ($.25-$12.00) all came from antique stores or yard sales.  The silver chest belonged to my mom and the blue and white bowl was a wedding gift.  Click on the words to learn how I made the topiary and chalkboard.   (You can also check out my gold leaf tutorial here.)
My shop owner gave me the bird’s nest for free.  It may seem like an odd choice for a dining room accessory, but I love the subtle nod to nature. 
I know it’s ridiculous, but I bought the chandelier at a yard sale for $4.00.  Thievery.  I know.  You can learn how I made the Fresh Cupcake sign out of a $5.00 antique window here. 
I made the flirty skirted “grain sack” slipcovers for the chairs out of drop cloths and acrylic paint.  You can find how to make the grain sacks here.  The dining set was purchased from Craig’s List, the table from Carlisle, PA and the chairs from Richmond, VA.  The chairs and table base are painted in Sherwin Williams Creamy in ProClassic water based semi-gloss.  I distressed them and used dark walnut stain by Minwax on the table base and a burnt umber universal tint on the chairs.  You can find a tutorial on the chairs here and the table here. 
 I put the first and middle initials of each family member on “their” chair to make them personal. 
 I set the table in a mix-and-match of formal and informal to make it beautiful, but not fussy.  Yard sale glasses (bought for a dime a piece) mingle with inherited monogrammed plates and linens.
 Sterling Silver flatware sits right next to casual Bakelite, 1950’s picnic ware.
 Antique Staffordshire tea cups sit on Ikea saucers. 
 And just to show you how far this room has come…a before picture.   
…and the after. 
 If you’re up for a good DIY story, you can check how I refinished my hardwood floors and lived to tell the tale.
Now, on to finish the master bedroom and living room! 
Miss Mustard Seed

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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96 Responses

  4. Love love love! You really have created a stunning space! I adore every single element and have soooo enjoyed watching as you put the room together!

    Bravo!

    Enjoy!
    Cathy

  5. Magazine worthy! Absoutely gorgeous! And I love the quality of your photos. The bakelite is so cool. I recognized it right away. And those chair slips are one of my favorite parts.
    I found 2 cane back dining room arm chairs I want to paint white. I just ordered the supplies to re-cane them. Oh no, I'll give it a try. Ha!
    All of it was so worth the wait.
    Kelly

  7. Absolutely stunning! You must feel so thrilled every time you walk past that arch and see a space you worked so hard on SMILING back at you!

  8. That last shot looks like it should be on a cover of a magazine! I love it and I think you did a great job! I love the mix of woods in your furniture and the color you've brought in with the drapes and wall color. Your chairs are my favorite thing!

  12. it is absolutely stunning. i definitely think the curtains make a giant impact with their bold pattern. my only question is…. it looks like it is set up for a dinner party. why wasn't i invited? 😉
    seriously wonderful, marian.

  14. It is gorgeous! I love that it is so personal with inherited items, thrift items and things you have made. It's so original! Kudos to you, Miss Mustard Seed.

  17. Everything is beautiful!!! Love the fabric on the curtains. Love that chalkboard idea. Love the slipcovers. Love everything.

  19. Ohhhh MYYYY GOSSSHHHH!!!!!! Ah, it's gorgeous! I love absolutely everything about it down to every little detail. Your talent for decorating, painting, ALL of it is just out of this world. I so love your cupcake sign too. That and the curtains might just be my favorite. It's so hard to pick a favorite out of the room though…I think the ENTIRE room is my favorite, haha : )

    Job well done, my dear. Loved this redo post! Have a great weekend.

    Love, Laura

  20. Ooooh, I am just swooning over it all ! The table setting, the curtains ! That chandy and your chairs send me over the edge. Can I come over for dinner ?
    Kate

  23. Well, girlfriend…You outdid yourself! I love the hardwood floor, the table/chair makeover and so much more about your room. It's over-the-top fabulous! Thanks so much for sharing the fruits of your labor with us.
    Have a relaxing weekend. You've earned it!
    xoxo
    Donna

  29. Oh my gosh… all I can say is "OH MY GOSH!!!!!" Unbelievably beautiful. I working on my dining room, and I can't even imagine it coming anything CLOSE to what you have done. Keep up the good (errrr GREAT) work!!!

  34. LOL Tamra!!

    Well now, I've loved everything as you showed us piece by piece but it wasn't until I saw that before and after pic that I felt the wind blow through my hair. At air force speed!

    Oh my word… it's bright and glitzy, yet warm and comfortably you. Phenomenal.

    But then I've come to expect that of you. See the bind you've gotten yourself into now? 🙂

    Donna

  35. Me again. You know, it wasn't until I saw that last pic that I now see how much I love your blue feature wall. You had asked for opinions on what to do with the wall vs the corner cabs. I love the blue wall. If you wanted to paint the corner cabs I would say to match your table and chairs in a 2 tone effect.

    I just love how that wall ties all your blues in and cools down all the warms. It's wonderful as is!

    Ivory corner cabs, with perhaps blue backings inside? Sorry.. too lazy to look for that other post. 🙂

    Donna

  37. I love the feeling of this room…it's elegant casual..perfect. You've done a wonderful job bringing it all together. Jen

  39. Wow, what a fabulous transformation. I would love to have a real dining room, not just a spot at the end of the living room. You have done such a wonderful job with this room. It is truly stunning. Just exquisite. Hugs, Marty

  42. Your dining room is gorgeous!!! It looks like it is ready for a photo shoot for a magazine layout. Great job! The curtains just set off the room. They are so pretty. All your hard work has paid off. Love & blessings from NC!

  43. Love, love, love this room and every little detail! I JUST learned to sew, but want to try to make your curtains! Little talent and little time is not a good combo., but maybe one day…I will dream on! Thanks for the tutorial…love the color and every thing looks fresh and current and inviting and welcome. YAH! Your done! Thanks! christie at threepixielane.blogspot.com

  44. Gorgeous! I just took pics today of my dining room to post on my blog, but I may have to make two topiaries first for my table, following your directions! I have two urns that would be perfect! Love everything about your room!!!

  45. Beautiful! I appreciate that you had a before shot at the end. It TRULY shows just how far this room has come with a lot of creativity, ingenuinty,bargain shopping and lots of hard work.

    Very lovely.

    Now the real question… have you all eaten in there as a family?

  46. It is gorgeous! I love the shades of blue. I love your table. I have a table with a very different style and it makes me want to change it!

    thanks for all your inspiration!

  47. warm, inviting, elegant, serene – this room is fabulous. thank you for the inspiration – i love what you did with the table!

    mary

  48. Wow!!!! Amazing transformation!!! It reminds me of how we are before Jesus Christ; and then when allow Him to transform our lives; others will declare the glory of God! Wow! I love it!

  49. It is just gorgeous, Marian! So classy! You should be featured in a magazine. Every detail is just perfect. You have done an amazing job. I'm ready to join you for dinner! I'm also jealous of your chandelier. I've been serching for a bargain for a long time. Good for you for finding that one! Thanks for sharing your lovely dining room.

  50. It is amazing in its perfection. I had seen so many details before, of course, but when you get to see the whole room in one swoop that is truly something.
    Great job and a testament to your talent.
    Elise lucked out that's for sure!

  53. The room is beautiful. I love the way you play the rustic against the formal.

    I noticed baseboard heat in the dining room and wondered about the length of the drape. I suffer the same dilemma in my living room however I am guessing your baseboard heat is not electric. Mine is. Any suggestions so that I don't set fire to my house? I just put the long curtains up this spring and thought I would have all summer to figure out what to do. Haven't figured it out yet!

  55. Absolutely stunning. It confirms the notion that things don't have to be pricey to turn out beautifully. It was fun to take a look back at all of the projects you've walked us through along the way, too. Thanks, Marian.

  57. Thought I'd left a comment after drooling over the pics yesterday…must have been too much in awe! LOL The room is stunning. I am a fan of blue and white, however no longer have it in my home. Everything is perfect right down to the last detail. I'm glad I saw your tutorial for the chalkboard. We want to put one over the new cabinet in our kitchen, but I was liking the prices at places like Ballards and such. Now I'll go make me my own. Thanks!!!

  58. Absolutely stunning… you really pulled that all together so nicely. Very relaxed but so classy. Excellent job, I bet you are so thrilled to have that behind you.

    I am still drooling over those chair covers.

    Hugs, Deb

  60. Hi M, I sorry I haven't commented in a while… it's been hectic around here, but I have still been following, reading and enjoying. Your dining room is looking utterly beautiful, I love it all, but I can't go past the chairs, table and chandelier. The colours work so well together and I imagine it is a lovely room to use…
    Flick x

  61. It's wonderful. Every little attention to detail makes it unique to you. Do you mind sharing where you got the fabric for the curtains.

  62. IF I had the money, I'd provide several full-time servants to do your housework, And then I'd hire a tech-geek so s/he could do all your posting etc. Then you could still have time to be a good wife and mommy, yetl create and share to your heart's content. I would not give you a large budget however, because half the magic is in the frugality.

  63. This is stunning. I keep going back and drooling over each photograph — so much attention to detail, down to each family member's initials on the chairs! Perfection. Thank you for sharing.

  66. Simply stunning, Marian. I love every little detail of this space…the cupcakes sign, the dishes, the chair slips/cushions, place settings, spoons, EVERYTHING. You just gave me a kick in the pants to get cracking around here. Bravo!

  69. Wow, and I commented about the deer horns so long ago thinking that this room was fabulous then…! I adore how you mixed so many materials together. It's sophisticated, comfy, with a dash of whimsy. When's dinner? I'll even bring the cupcakes. I so enjoy your blog.

  73. STOP IT ALREADY!!! You have two toddlers right? Are you a human?

    *****************
    Ok. Oh. What to say? What to notice? What to talk about?

    I need a drink. Of water. with lemon.

    This is crazy. You're just a normal girl. Huh?

    ***************

    Dame Mustard Seed.

    That says everything I need to express!

    xoxo
    ~Kolein

  74. What a beautiful room! I love the blues of the china and especially those cobalt blue glasses…LOVE those! Gorgeous room. It should grace the cover of a magazine just anytime!!
    Blessings, Doni

  77. ugh… this is so bad!! I KID I KID!!!! This is completely breath taking!!!! You did an amazing job!!! From the books on the buffet to the napkin rings!! Everything looks great! Oh but of course 😉

  79. Gorgeous!!!! How did you decide which wall to paint as the accent wall? My dining room only has one window on the front side of the house.

    You did a fantasic job!

    Marilyn

  80. It's just beautiful! I have a similar table in my diningroon and have been wanting to paint it antique white but love the two toned look you have on yours. I will have to keep that in mind!
    Thanks for the tour.

  84. Looking from the before to the after photo is really amazing. I would never guess that's the same room. You did a wonderful job. It looks so warm and inviting.

  85. It really does look like something that should be photographed and showcased for a magazine. Absolutely stunning.

    And since I'm enduring what feels like week 103 of project kitchen renovation, I can really appreciate the blood, sweat and tears that went into creating all the individual nuances and details.

    Congratulations on your masterpiece. You are exceedingly talented.

  87. I have followed your blog for awhile now and don't think I have ever commented…but I am LOVING what you have done with your Dining Room! So inspirational. Thanks for sharing!

  91. Again … LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! I can't believe the before and after. Stunning, really. I'm a little sad that I can't paint my woodwork. (Scott would KILL me!)

  93. Wow, is all I can say. These pics are beautiful. I am so jealous. What a lovely room! Question for you, did you make the "fresh cupcakes" sign, too?

  94. Pingback: Lucketts Love Seat & Something’s Missing
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I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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