Friday, November 20, 2009

Winter Whites In Our New Dining Room

As I mentioned many moons ago, I have been steadily working on making our once family/ computer room/den into a formal dining room. I had a vision, however I didn't want to go out on a whim and buy just anything. Each piece had to speak to me - you know how it is, don't you?

So come on in. It is a rainy day here and the light is soft and on the dark side, but I love days like this.
The once green antique hutch got a new coat of a creamy white paint.
All of the walls were painted with Sherwin Williams' Latte color.
An antique Italian toleware chandelier hangs over my new/old table. The table is actually a vintage desk that I bought from my friend Sandi, who has a fabulous antique store that I blogged about HERE. I honestly intended on painting the apple green base a creamy white, but the green just grew on me and the rest is history. The top of the table is a wonderful brown that really blends well with the chandelier.

My lucky day was finding those four chairs! They got a coat of paint, new upholstery and
drop-cloth slipcovers.

Little touches of green are in the old birdcage, around the edges of vintage restaurant dishes and inside this old ironstone bowl.

I love mirrors to reflect light and to make the room seem larger. This tall and narrow one simply leans in a corner of the room.
Baskets and dried hydrangea for texture...

...and a vintage tea cart in the corner to hold old plates and serving pieces.
Victorian napkin rings are nestled amongst old linens and a bowl of old worn wood finials.
On the wall are two antique English pictures that Wave found while shopping in San Francisco. They have the softest colors and are the perfect addition for that side of the hutch.
Some fun old stuff to collect - trophies, a child's shoe form, rulers and antique Victorian picture frames.
A favorite old cabinet with great chippy paint.
Touches of brown here and there coordinate with the brown table top. Sweet Cherry made these NEST letters - I just love them!!!






The curtain panels are from Ikea and are the Matilda pattern - a sweet swiss dot. They allow just the right amount of light through the windows. Sometimes, when it is really sunny outside, I pull them all together so that it looks like a wall of curtains.



Sometimes my inspiration comes from the smallest of things. This bowl of sea shells were my nudge from Mother Nature to create a room that evoked a peaceful and calm feeling. Thank you, Mother Nature - thank you Lord for blessing me with inspiration.
added November 21: Thank you, Cindy, for your "crush" picture on your blog! You put a smile on my face this morning! xoxo

I would still love to add you to my list of homemade and handmade Christmas gift ideas. Just click HERE to link you to the post where you can leave your link or suggestions in the form of a comment.
Have a good weekend!!

79 comments:

  1. Your dining room is so beautiful. You were truly inspired. Adore those gorgeous chairs. Mimi

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  2. What a pretty dining room...I love the chairs and the trophies with the old measuring sticks are an unexpected interesting touch.. Sue.

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  3. Oh! So worth the wait! Everything is perfect!!! :)

    You have a great weekend too!

    ~Liz

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  4. So soothing, so calm, so beautiful. I love what you've done. The wall color could not be more perfect. The touches of green are just right. Your new room is just lovely. Do you think you could post some pictures of what it looked like before? It would be nice to see the contrast. Thank you as always for being an inspiration in so many ways.

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  5. I love your "new" dining room - love all the white china in your new white china cabinet. You put it together just beautifully! Thanks for sharing.

    Teacup Lane (Sandy)

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  6. What a beautiful and serene room, and your photos are wonderful. You have so much talent, thanks for sharing.
    Blessings,
    Marcia

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  7. So beautiful. I love all of it.

    I have a hutch full of white pitchers. It was handed down in my family. I gave my word when I took it I would not paint it. I shuddered a little at yours. Oh how I want to paint mine ! :)

    Really, great job.

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  8. It is all so BEAUTIFUL~~!! You have wonderful decorating skills. The colors of your Nest letters are perfect, I love those colors. Becky I hope that you will have many wonderful dinners in your new dinning room.
    Hugs,
    Ginger

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  9. You always have such lovely settings in your home and I adore winter whites mixed with the chocolate. The light was perfect for the soft look of the room.

    I've started a new blog called Just Vignettes. Come on over if you would like to list a photo of one of your home's vignettes. Would love to see you there!

    Di
    Just Vignettes
    The Blue Ridge Gal

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  10. Love how it all came together..the touch of green really makes it pop.

    Thank you so much for talking to me today.....you gave me some really good insight....and I shared some of our conversation with my son.

    Now....can a person catch a cold through the phone~lol I have been feeling a bit under the weather this evening.....like I am getting a cold. I think I jinxed myself today!

    I would love to go straight to bed..but I have to pick up Ash from the train station.

    Thanks again for the chat today....Sheri

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  11. It all turned out beautifuly Becky. I love that you left the table as it was.
    Hugs,
    Dawn

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  12. Becky (see I remembered..no more peggy sue :) Your diningroom came out so beautiful...your slipcovers make your chairs look gorgeous, I just looked at all your pictures over and over :) Ohhh where or how did you get or make your beautiful hydrangeas?? I wish I knew where to get them like that, I saw them for sell on a website and they were $18 per stem, after 2 seconds of excitement that I had found them, the bubble burst :) I also wanted to thank you for sharing your wall color...I LOVE it, I would love to use that in my lil bebe art studio. Take care, Besos, Rose

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  13. Your dining room is just beautiful! Very inspirational Becky!I love all the white and cream pottery, the hydrangeas, the fun wicker basket.....I could go on and on.

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  14. Truly this new dinning room has drawn me in, were I Alice, I'd step in and have a cup of tea...when a room does that, I know it has that special something. You did a wonderful job my friend.

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  15. I LOVE your hutch and nest words!!

    Beautiful room and decor.

    thanks for sharing it with us

    barbara jean

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  16. What a beautiful dining room. I love it!!!! I wouldn't ever want to leave if I came over for dinner! You did an awesome job. Love & blessings from NC!

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  17. LOVE it!!! OMGosh it is sooo purrfect! ya did good girl..
    Is the wall color on the medium side of latte? That is the color I keep coming back to for our living/family room...
    Gael at Pink-a-palooza
    http://gaelt.blogspot.com/

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  18. Hi Becky
    I am loving what you've done with your dining room! So many treasures in that room too...you really know how to put everything together so well!
    :) Rochelle

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  19. lovely ! I use a lot of mirrors too. Have a fabulous weekend !

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  20. I got up too early to leave for work so I am just nosing around the Internet and I found your wonderful blog. What a dreamy, romantic room you have created! It almost makes me want to get out the paint and redo mine. Notice I said "almost".

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  21. Oh Becky, sweetie the room is just gorgeous! You've done a wonderful job of everything. Wishing you a happy weekend!
    Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)

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  22. Now that's what I call a drop dead gorgeous, to-die-for diningroom!
    I would love to be invited to dinner at your home but of course I wouldn't be able to eat because I would just sit and stare in awe!

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  23. What a beautiful dining room. You have an eye for fun and tasteful items. I absolutely adore the trophy full of folding rulers.

    Have a fun weekend and hug the Scotties for me.

    Lynn

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  24. Hello Dear Becky,
    Your dining room is lovely. You are so talented with your color choices. Love the walls and the creamy white cupboard. Your table, chairs and chandelier are gorgeous together. You should sell your decorating talents. Thank you for your kind words about The Green Pea. Love you, sandi

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  25. What a gorgeous dining room! I love EVERYTHING about it. The chandie, the chairs, the slip covers! Can I come over for dinner?
    xo
    Penny

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  26. Oh my goodness Becky, you have made your vision come to life. It is breathtaking. You have a great eye, your vignettes are perfect and might I say you are quite good with taking photos, you really captured the room. I LOVE IT, it's beautiful. I can tell you are thrilled with it as you should be.

    Hugs,
    LeAnn:)

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  27. OMG....... It makes me want to JUMP up and PAINT and FIX......... It is just beautiful and sitting having a cup of tea on that table would be just the icing on the cake!

    Have a blessed Thanksgiving with lots of laughter and warm memories...

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  28. Beautiful and peaceful dining room, and your photos are lovely! ~ Violet

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  29. Oh, it's just beautiful! So warm and inviting. I love the way you've angled the table -- just perfect!

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  30. I'm drooling all over my keyboard. I just redid my dining room in the same colors as yours, but wow, I think I need to go work on mine some more.....loveliness all over the place here!

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  31. Oh, what a true feast for my tiny eyes this morning. Your dining room is so lovely. Your painted china cabinet is gorgeous and I loved poking around in there looking at all of your pretties! Your chairs look so pretty with their lovely skirts on. You really have a way with making pretty!
    Be a sweetie and have a blessed Thanksgiving,
    Shelia :)

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  32. Came back to say I featured your dining room on my sidebar...:)

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  33. It turned out beautifully.... I love the dark table with the light chairs. It's really lovely.

    Warm blessings,
    Spencer

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  34. This is about the prettiest thing I have seen in a long time. Everything is just perfect and wonderful. I do love the table and I bet you are glad that you kept the green paint, somehow it is exactly the foil for all the lovely, creamy whites you've collected. I also have a ton of the tarnished silver and use it all the time.

    Come on over to Star's Fault and you will see some tulle lampshades that I bet you will love too..

    blessings ~ Eileen @ Star's Fault

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  35. Oh Becky! I love every corner!! You did a beautiful job and it's absolutely perfect. I'm going back to take another look and hopefully some of your creativity will rub off on me :)

    love to you and Happy Thanksgiving,
    rue

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  36. Oh Becky your new dining room looks so pretty, love all the soft colors, just beautiful!!
    Hugs~Kelly

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  37. Hi Becky,
    WOW !! This is just gorgeous !! Soo quintessential "Shabby Chic" you've got goin' on here !! Remember when I shared Rachel, said big and dark with creamy white and pastels .. this is it girlie .. LoVe that sweet table, hutch, and all the creamy white dishes ..amamzing .. you could be a designer girlie .. LoVe all your pics, and just think, you got it done in time for the holidays .. Splendid !! Happy Thankksgiving week to you sweet one ~
    hugs ~tea~xo

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  38. Becky - just love it all, so beautiful and peaceful - great job, girly!

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  39. So very pretty! and it certainly has your signature touch, Becky.

    Take Care now, and Happy Thanksgiving to you & yours.

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  40. Your dining room is so gorgeous and peaceful. I love it!

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  41. Luscious and Lovely! I love everything about it! Twyla

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  42. What a tranquil room! You have done a wonderful job in making it cozy and a place to enjoy. I love your little vignettes and art of display. Such a treat to get a glimpse of your home!
    Brenda

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  43. Your dining room is just beautiful Becky! I love the soft colors and how everything just blends so beautifully. Love Cherry's letters and all the little touches you put into it!

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  44. Becky, everything looks so beautiful! I love love love the cream and brown together! And ya know what? I have a cart like yours that I put in my front yard...now what good is it doing there? I want it cleaned up and in here with pretties on it. LOL!

    Hugs,
    Dena

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  45. Oh I just love your dining room. The white ironstone is beautiful as is everything. Your music is beautiful to listin to. Thanks for sharing!! Elma

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  46. That was so beautiful. It really wants to make me change mine around! I love everything you did!

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  47. Your dining room is so beautiful! I love everything about it. The table and chairs are awesome! Such an inviting space. I know you are proud of it.

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  48. Becky your new dining room is just really lovely. I like your wall color combined with the table color. So many pretty and interesting treasures you found for it. Great job!!

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  49. This room is beautiful! I love the colors. Your pictures really show what great decorating skills you have!
    ~Ann

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  50. Your dining room is just gorgeous! Mom is drooling!

    Love ya lots
    Maggie and Mitch

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  51. What a welcoming and serene room you've created. I imagine that meals around that table will last long after the table is cleared - who'd want to leave?

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  52. You did a wonderful job of decoratiing your computer/now
    formal dining room. It is truly
    beautiful. Good Job!!:O)

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  53. Wow, Becky! Just beautiful- so soft and serene.

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  54. Absolutely incredible!

    I love your style, and LOVE that latte color on the walls. You have some serious decor skills!

    Beautiful blog.

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  55. You are such a sweetheart to put a link on your blog. Thank you very much. International bloggers are extremely welcome! I will add your name to the list!

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  56. Hi Becky,
    Oh its just beautiful! I love all your winter whites and your chandlier over your dinning room table is truly lovley, I dore your tea cart, it all perfert!.
    Big hugs,
    Elizabeth

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  57. Oh how pretty thanks for showing your done room. Aren't you glad. But I bet your not completely through. LOL. I love the idea of the brown touches.
    Thanks for sharing. I always enjoy my visits here.
    Have a great week,
    Sherry

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  58. Oh my gosh Becky, I could move right in and feel totally at home! You have such a wonderful knack for putting vignettes together. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving in your newly decorated dining room.

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  59. Well Becky I just love everything. You did a wonderful job putting it all together. I want the cabinet and all the dishes in it for my home.... I am so proud of you.Love the colors. Love to you,Kathy

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  60. Oh my gosh! Your dining room is sooo beautiful! It feels calm and inviting. I can imagine eating in that room and sharing laughter with friends and family. Wonderful job!

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  61. It's absolutely beautiful! Just the right mix of color and texture. Love it,

    Kitty

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  62. Gorgeous room!! I LOVE Everything.
    Take Care,
    Tracy M.

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  63. Oh my goodness! I am in love! Beautiful...just beautiful...looks just like what I would want for my own dining room ;)

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  64. Oh Becky your dining room is absolutely beautiful and so very dreamy! I love every little detail and all of the things that you have chosen... gorgeous girlfriend - SIMPLY GORGEOUS!

    You did a fabulous job - now I must look at all of the photos again and continue drooling.

    Love you!!!


    KIm

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  65. Dear Becky,
    Absolutely gorgeous! and just in time for the holidays. Are you for hire? :) You are so talented, I love it all. And the hutch so very pretty in the white.
    Now you go and enjoy it all and be proud of yourself girl, you did it all yourself.
    Hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving Day!
    Sheila

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  66. Becky your dinning room is warm, cozy and beautiful! Sweet touches everywhere and the creams are perfect! You even have cream Scotty dogs! Sweet as can be, but we exspect no less coming from Sweet Cottage Dreams!

    Love,
    Maryjane
    xox

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  67. Becky,
    Oh gosh, where to begin...still in awe of the slipcovers. I would be lucky to get 1 finished. The old etched bathroom mirror, I collect those..love them. The wire gizmo with the nest on top, whatever it is, I want it. Your cabinet with the silver and little sweet things. It's all wonderful and so YOU. Thanks for sharing it with us. Lisa

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  68. Beautiful in every way - I love white and your phtos are superb - thank you sooooo much! Jennifer

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  69. HOly cow..this is gorgeous...this should be in country living...man. Love the subtle colors...your light is outstanding chick! cherry

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  70. Becky, your dining room is just fabulous. I love the serene color palette adopted from the sea shells--beautiful inspiration. I love each and every detail that pulls it all together. The color of the walls is such a perfect backdrop to the wonderful creams and other soft colors. You will really enjoy this room. Your photos to show all of us are beautiful too--magazine worthy. I knew I would love this reveal!
    Hugs,
    Lallee

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  71. What a beautiful job you have done on your Dining Room; just perfect!

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  72. Everything looks sooooo yummy! I'll be right over for a cup of coffee!

    Grins!
    Pamm

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  73. I was searching the internet and found your blog. I love your nest sign! I am a new follower. Come and stop by my blog someday.
    Connie
    http://thecrafterbug@blogspot.com

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  74. I was searching the internet and found your blog. I love your nest blocks! i am a new follower. Come visit my blog sometime.
    Connie
    http://thecrafterbug.blogspot.com/

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Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts!