I have jumped on this bandwagon and plan to ride it til the end. Yep, I have willingly thrown myself into the pure madness of Linda’s One Room Challenge. You probably saw at least one of the 20 official participants’ plans yesterday, but if not make sure to check them out! (You can find a full list on Linda’s blog). I couldn’t stand the thought of all of them getting to plot, plan, and pull their hair out without me so I decided to take on a project right here in my own house. I figure one of three things could happen:
1. Taylor and I divorce over DIY projects
2. Spring finally comes and I decide to blow off the ORC for an outdoor patio somewhere
3. The room gets a much needed makeover and I throw a celebratory dinner party.
Either way I am just a link-up participant so I can’t get in trouble if things don’t work out, right?!
So, I have decided to finally tackle my dining room. I have barely ever shown you this room because there really isn’t much to show. Other than my DIY skirted bar, the room has been pretty ignored. Here is how it looked a couple of years ago…
We were apparently using it then for storage 🙂
At that point it still had the builder-issued hideous light.
The only “major” thing we had done was a built-in banquette with storage,
which allowed us to move the table over and created a lot more space for passing through.
Other than that all I had done was add cornice boards ( no curtains yet!)
and framed DIY silhouettes of the boys.
Now fast forward 2 years and not much has changed…
I did add curtains but not with much thought. I took these down from our living room and just since I had them, I hung them in here. Too dark, too velvet, too boring!
I still love (and use!) the built-in banquette a lot.
And the farmhouse table was and is one of my favorite purchases.
I also love the new light fixture.
We decided on this one from West Elm (similar here)
so we could swag it over to the table and it has totally opened up the room.
BUT, there are many things I don’t like and want to add.
I am playing around with a black and white theme with some blues thrown in.
Here is a quick plan I came up with…
The paint color is staying. I have no idea what color it even is. I had it painted when we moved in 7 years ago and waaay back then I wouldn’t have even thought of choosing some fancy paint or writing down the name. Times were a lot easier back then! I will be, however removing my wall decals. I loved them at the time but I finally ready to see the scrolls come down.
You can see a little part of one in this picture…
All of those colorful squares represent possible fabric choices for the bench cushion and/or pillows.
I couldn’t decide between those fabrics for a cornice but I have hit a bump in the road with that anyways…more on that later!
There is also another part of this room I haven’t shared yet, but I am saving that for another post.
I am so excited to freshen up this room because it is visible from the moment you walk in our house.
If you remember my teaser I shared last week…
…you see that I included some wood.
That’s on my radar this week so wish me luck at the salvage yard!
And if you are here for the first time today, welcome!
Make sure to stay in the loop with me by following my blog or following me on Instagram!
Don’t forget to go check out all of the linked-up projects!
Cathy Wall says
WOW! Even tho it's slow progress in there, your DR has some great things going for it and I love what you are planning! This is going to be fun to watch!
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
Thanks Cathy! I don't know if "fun" is the correct word 🙂 Ha ha just kidding, I love the chaos!
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
It's going to be such a show-stopper when you're done! Love all of the fun color choices and I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with that salvaged wood!
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
Pray I find that wood!!
Kim says
Love that you are jumping in! You'll be so happy when you get to throw that celebratory dinner party!! xo
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
Hey, and if the room is not done, wine will help deflect from that!!
pam {simple details} says
Fingers crossed for option 3, my friend!! Dying over all that teaser and those fab prints,, can't wait!!
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
Let's pray! I spent two hours at the fabric store today trying to narrow it down. I have a headache!
Laura@Elegant Nest says
Good for you girl for jumping in! Love the design plan sneak peek…looking forward to following along. I can also envision a beautiful rug…sisal or kilim…under the table…
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
I am trying my hardest to work in a rug with the budget…and my kids and their spills!
Improvement List says
Oh this room is going to turn out great…I can tell! Looking forward to following along,,,I hope you still have some hair left at the end:)
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
I'm sure I won't!!
Mallory says
Love it! I'm right there with you…will either end up divorced, at the beach, or hopefully at your celebratory dinner party! Maybe we should have DIY parties and leave the husbands out of it? ha!
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
We could always blow this off completely and head to the beach??
Jen Gilday says
Excited to see your progress!!! It'll look great!
Jen {Jen Gilday Interiors}
athomeinthenorthwestblog.com
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
Thanks Jen! Glad we are all in it together!
Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says
I love your plans! This will be fun to follow along!
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
Thanks Jennifer! I know you will provide some great encouragement!
Darci Towns says
It's going to look sooo good! Fabric choices are always the hardest for me…I always want them all 🙂
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
I know! I spent TWO HOURS in the fabric store today!
kate@willowinteriors says
This is going to be awesome!!! Love all your color options and can't wait to watch it come together! Good luck!
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
Thanks!
Elisa of Fancy Free Me says
Love it! I'm excited to watch from the sidelines this time 😉 So much less pressure.
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
You're smart!!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
love these plans- i was just eyeing that same fabric for a project! and now i can't even remember what the project was…. how lame am i?
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
Which one? The black and white? I just got my swatch and it' so pretty!!
Stacey {steward of design} says
What fun it will be to see how you change up this space. Love your plans!
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
I hope I can stay motivated!! Of course seeing it everyday always helps keep the fire lit!
Carrie @ Cosy Carolina Interiors says
I'm so excited to see this makeover! I have some work to do to our dining room later, including a banquette, so I'll be taking notes. Your teaser board is gorgeous!! 🙂
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
Thanks! I hope my inspiration translate to the actual space! We used a great local builder for our banquette. We were too chicken to do it ourselves!
aquahaus says
I like that sneaky peekie and will look for more on IG!!
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
I will definitely be giving more peeks on there!
Holly says
At least this gives us a chance to tackle these rooms right – you're headed in the right direction Beth. And I love your table too.
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
Linda is so right, at least we will be further than when we started when its all over!
Krista @ Goodwill Glam says
Love black and white with pops of color! I'm jumping on the bandwagon too, for the first time ever. I may need therapy when this is all over! Can't wait to see your plan come together!
XO,
Krista
http://www.goodwillglam.com
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
At least we're all in it together!!
Linda {Calling it Home} says
Hi Beth, well divorce is out of the question. I love the black and white, and I am sure you can get that man to do whatever you really need. Good luck, and thanks for joining in.
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
Ha ha I bet you don't want that on your conscience 🙂
Kimberly Lemmon says
OK!! We have lots in common here. Dining rooms and decisions not yet made! We will both be better for it in the end, right?
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
Better or bald 🙂
Bethany DeVore says
can't wait to see it! Love the direction you're heading with it. I also love that banquette, it's always been my dream to have one!
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
It's been one of my favorite decisions for our house!
sarah sofia knepp says
Love your dinning room already and your plan to complete it! I'm a newbie to ORC and excited to see everyone's design/style! Good luck!
desingpostinteriors@hotmail.com says
Welcome to the CRAZY!! Thanks for cheering me on 🙂
Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says
I love your plan and you are already off to a great start. Can't wait to see how this one turns out!!