I thought I would share some of the changes made to our dining room. The only “before” photo that I could find is the one below. It was taken in 2010 at Christmas time. Since then we have replaced the carpet downstairs with hardwood floors. I love our floors and am pleased with just how they reflect light and warm up the rooms. And besides the change out of the holiday fluff, a few items on the walls and curtains have been changed as well. Next to the hutch is an old wood bench with a wonderful worn green paint. On top sits a large rectangle wood dough bowl and inside some round wood bowls. Hanging on the wall is a trio of favorites – an oil painting of yellowy white roses, a piano mirror and a Sunday Oil of pansies.
The most recent change to the dining room is that I replaced the IKEA Swiss Dot panels with curtain panels from Cost Plus World Market. The new curtain pattern is Whippoorwill and the link to them is HERE. The only thing I regret is not having purchased these online. The store carries the 84 inch length and I should have ordered them online to get the 96 inch length. I chose the Whippoorwill pattern because it goes nicely with my collection of brown transferware.
Casually stretched on the table is an antique tablecloth that came from a private collection of beautiful linens that were offered to me to purchase. Some I have kept, like this piece, and some I have sold in the store. There is something extra special about this tablecloth and I especially love all of the cross stitched handwork on it. Having made several cross stitched samplers over the years, I appreciate just how much time was spent creating it. And I love the soft blue/gray color of the stitches.
The drawn thread edging is so delicate and fanciful and shows off against the dark metal top of my table.
A simple centerpiece of stacked European dough bowls filled with dried hydrangeas and deer antler sheddings rest atop the tablecloth.
Bird motif English ironstone and transferware mingle with bird nests on a shelf of the white step-back hutch.. My husband found an abandoned Hummingbird nest in the office park he works at and brought it home to me. It is just precious and I have it lovingly displayed under a cloche.
The feather that is sticking up in the nest was found in a Hunter’s Diary that was written in the late 1800’s. So…. I’d say that it was well preserved all of these years. Now it adds a delicate flair to the nest.
I love your dining room, the new curtains look beautiful as does everything else. What really steals the show is that beautiful cross stitched textile! Wow, what a treasure. I have such a weakness for old embroidery and tablecloths. It's all so pretty together:>)
ReplyDeleteThe pattern on your new curtains is wonderful! I went to the site and enlarged so I could see it. What a precious nest too.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteJudy
Everything is so pretty Becky! I really like the way you have your table styled with the throw and the bowls.
ReplyDeleteThat tablecloth is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous room, wonderful changes - and I absolutely adore your transferware and feather!
ReplyDeleteYour little birdie vignette is so sweet, Becky. Gotta love a hubby who brings home a hummingbird nest. What a fabulous find and one that deserves the spotlight under the cloche. The feather is also a fabulous find. Love how it all came together!
ReplyDeleteI would have never thought to look for window treatments at World Market. I popped over for a closer look at yours. So pretty and perfect for your room.
Very pretty! We find many nests here in the grove. I put them in our Christmas tree. I especially love the hummers nest too. So delicate!!!
ReplyDeletexo Kriw
I love your dining room...the stacked dough bowls, wonderful nests, the brown transferware...
ReplyDeleteIt's all so beautiful!!
Mary Alice
It's a beautiful room, Tina. Your vintage treasures make it cozy and inviting and so do your new cottage curtains!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweetheart your hubby is to bring you the hummingbird nest!
Have a great weekend!
Vickie
I love how you added the piano mirror into your grouping. A nice touch. Janice
ReplyDeleteYour dining room looks so good! I love the warm colors you used in there. The hutch with the brown transferware and white pitchers looks so pretty.
ReplyDeleteI adore brown transfer ware! And you have so many beautiful things I hardly know where to look first.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Becky you have put it together so well. I love your stepback cubbard and your ironstone pitchers look so good in it. I love it all!
ReplyDeleteHi there! I haven't visited in awhile.. hope all it well with you and yours.
ReplyDeleteI love the tablecloth. I have a love of tablecloths, old and unusual ones..and this one is lovely.
Well, I can see I am going to like your blog. First, the color of the dining room is earthy and fresh, that is beautiful. Periodically, I find linens on that caliber for my shop, but I don't think 3/4's of the people understand that they were made by hand or what that means. All those thousands of white cross-stitches; it is awe inspiring. I enjoyed this lovely post. Have you ever shared the dining room wall color?
ReplyDelete-Ginene
I forgot that I was going to mention, in case you didn't know, that is a partridge feather.
ReplyDelete-Ginene
I love your dining room. I wish I had the time to embroidery a table cloth. Actually I do. LOL. just too many irons in the fire.
ReplyDeleteGood to see you posting!
Have a good Thursday.
I love it! I am all about anything "birds". It shows that you have created this room with love.~TJ
ReplyDeleteI like your changes. As I go along through blogs these days I'm gathering ideas for the new house - lots to inspire me here!
ReplyDeleteLove your flooring! Sweet dining room Becky! xox
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful my friend.......blessings
ReplyDeleteIt looks beautiful!!! And the hardwood floors really do warm it up. Gorgeous! ~Angela~
ReplyDeleteI love World Market! :)
ReplyDeleteJust the right amount of country at a great price.
Love the subtle changes. Your Dining Room is so pretty.
~LIz
This is absolutely fabulous! It's so elegant and inviting! Just want to have a seat!
ReplyDeleteYou do have a brilliant hand!
All my best from Austria
Elisabeth
This is the only time I have ever posted more than one comment on a blog. I have kept your post open on my computer for over a week and I am so in love with your dining room. Are you sure you aren't living in my house! Ha, Ha!
ReplyDeleteGinene
Just wanted you to know how much I enjoyed these photographs.