Sunday, October 4, 2009

Bright Family Dining Room Consultation

Melissa from The Inspired Room hosted a very generous giveaway recently, and one of my clients, Christy Bright, was the lucky winner of a $200 HomeGoods Giftcard!

Ecstatic about her prize, and eager to begin pulling together a "casually elegant" look in her Dining Room, I sent Christy the results of the Photo Consultation I did for her.

Move your cursor back and forth over Christy's "Before" photo below to see the inspirational Photo Drawing I created for her to get her creative juices flowing...



One of the main dilemmas she was having was figuring out what to do with the huge expanse of drywall behind the sideboard. To help combat the overwhelming feeling a sea of sheetrock can often deliver, I suggested that she break it up a bit by adding beadboard wainscoting. Then, she would only have to accessorize the upper part of the wall and the fresh, white color of the wainscoting behind the rich, wood tone of the sideboard would really create a nice visual too.

If you think this solution might work in your home, but you're intimidated by installing wood beadboard paneling, you could also use the textured beadboard wallpaper Rhoda blogged about a while back. Capped off with a wood chair rail, no one will ever know it's not the real thing!

Here's a link to one of her posts about it:

Southern Hospitality Beadboard Wallpaper Party

To help tie the upper half of the wall together with the lower half, I suggested she look for a large mirror on her HomeGoods shopping spree. Then, for ambiance, she could suspend a couple of hanging lanterns from brackets mounted to the wall on each side of the mirror. Above the mirror, she could use a grouping of small shadowboxes (filled with wine corks or silverware, etc.) or even three small plates.

The curtains I used in the inspiration drawing not only help to soften the vertical plane, but also help to keep the room from looking too chopped up. By creating a pleasing visual connection between the white of the wainscoting and the white of the ceiling, she will create a very well-balanced feeling from top to bottom. The curtains in the drawing are from Pottery Barn, but I also suggested that she check out the selection at HomeGoods to see if she could find a less expensive, comparable version.

An oil-rubbed bronze colored curtain rod up mounted to the wall up above the window frame would contrast with the wall color, and would coordinate well with the finish on the chandelier.

On the windows themselves- textural, wood woven blinds that speak to the color of the sideboard would also help to draw the eye up. In addition, they would further the feeling of symmetry in the room because of how they relate, placement and color-wise, to the items on the sideboard wall.

Two tall, skinny, buffet-style lamps on the sideboard would look lovely and would be a nice way to tie the sideboard and the mirror together. (Remember, when looking for lamps- if you can't find ones that have shades you like- you can always recover them if you're absolutely crazy about the bases!)

Other accessories on the top of the sideboard might include:

- a stack of white plates

- a vase or container of real or faux flowers

- during October, a cake pedestal with a white pumpkin on top of it, and some smaller neutral-colored pumpkins and/or gourds on the top of the sideboard itself would look lovely

- varied height white ceramic or ironstone pitchers and/or sugar and creamer pieces

I've found that if you accessorize with items that you would normally only display when there is a special occasion, it will feel like EVERY day is a special occasion!

I love the oval-shaped backs of the chairs at the head and foot of the table. I was inspired by these that Heather Chadduck used in Sandy Henry's home, featured in Cottage Living:



I was thinking that she may be able to fill the ovals in her chairs by using pieces of oval-shaped luan plywood. She could cover the ovals in batting and wrap them in monogrammed, ticking striped fabric to achieve a similar look to Sandy Henry's chairs. The front sides of the ovals, and the seats, could be covered in a tan-colored fabric. Finally, a nice, nailhead trim around the seats would finish out the look.

I suggested two more Louis-style chairs in the corners of the room, flanking the sideboard. But to create a little interest, these two would have wood frames and off-white upholstery, instead of off-white frames and tan upholstery like the ones at the head and foot of the table.



A large basket on the floor, on the most visible side of the sideboard, would help to soften the hard edge there. Here's a link to the one in the photo drawing...

Beachcomber Basket

...but again, HomeGoods carries lots of items that would work here as well.

To fill up some of the space in the basket, I suggested she set something down in it first, and then place a potted plant on top of it. Then the greenery can naturally spill over the top of the basket.

Last but not least, I suggested that she ground the whole new look with a large, more monochromatic or earth-inspired area rug. I told her to think "sand, sea, earth, etc"- you can't go wrong with that palette when you're trying to create a casually elegant look.

I had a blast working on this consultation for Christy. I can't wait to see what she and her husband do with the room!

Layla :-)

PS- In case the interactive drawing isn't working for you, here is the Before photo and the inspirational Photo Drawing I created...







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59 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wowza! The beadboard and the "new" trim around the windows really does make such a huge difference, doesn't it? I really like the transormation. =-)

Nancy Hood said...

love this look!! the mayor's family dining room?! hope they hired you to do it, that's smashing plan!!

{andthisiswhatshesaid} said...

Wow! What a transformation that is just beautiful!

Carrianne Photography said...

This is beautiful!! I think this will be perfect for our new home/new dining room...buffet and mirror - perfect!!

Dianne said...

Layla you've done it again....perfection!

Unknown said...

I love the look of the beadboard. It really makes a great impact.

Ren said...

Wow! You never cease to amaze me with your talent. The "after" is absolutely gorgeous!

Lisa said...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, THIS LOOK!

http://sophie4me.blogspot.com/

HUGS FROM MAINE

Unknown said...

The looks you create are so distinctively 'you', that I'm really getting to know your style now. I love the way you know how to brighten a room, especially with your use of curtains. I always thought I'd be able to get away with my cedar blinds alone, but, especially after looking at this room, I realise I need to have curtains too! Wendy xxx

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Loverly!!! When is Homegoods going to have a website where I can buy things??? I so wish we had one near here!!!

k. a-bear said...

Beautiful as always! I love the pictures and all your helpful hints spelled out are wonderful. thanks for sharing your talent with all of us :)

Crafty Niche said...

That is gorgeous!

duchess said...

Absolutely beautiful! Love the soft muted colors.
Can I ask for a little color advice? What's a good neutral that would work with cinnamon colored leather furniture?

Suzann said...

Such a great idea. It really looks lovely!!

Unknown said...

Layla-you are so talented...love it!

bakermom said...

Oh my stars!! What a lovely transformation. You're currently working on my master bedroom and I can hardly wait to see what you do!!
Dixie

Cottage on the Hill said...

Layla you've out done yourself once again!...all I can say is WOW!

Erin Southwell said...

Holy cats! This may be my favorite of your consultations yet!! Absolutely g.o.r.g.e.o.u.s. Layla! Can I get a paint color??? :)

Anonymous said...

Oh how wonderful I bet she LOVED it...

Great job Layla....

Kathy :)

Katy said...

Amazing what a little beadboard, and accessorizing can do!! What a great inspiration room (for me).
Awsome job girl!!

Kasey said...

gorgeous.
xo

Beth@The Stories of A to Z said...

Layla, this is BRILLIANT. I love it. I'm inspired.

At Town Square said...

Perfect ideas. Love em...Love em...

Chris said...

Oh, I've missed these! This room was RIGHT up my alley! I've struggled with my dining room for 6 years, and this is the closest I've seen to something I love! I'm sure she'll take all your ideas and run with them! Great job!

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

This dining room's layout is very similar to mine, so I think I'll steal some of your ideas! It's beautiful. Thanks for the inspiration, as always! :-)

Lauren1964 said...

Thanks for posting this. This answers a lot of the questions I had about what to do with my own dining room. What you are showing looks great!

Lauren

beachbrights said...

I LOVE MY DINING ROOM!! LAYLA ROCKS!!

XOXO

Leen said...

Absolutely perfect! Love the blue in the rug.

I like the way you explain the reasoning for the things that you use. Very helpful :)

Amber said...

Oh, it's beautiful! So much more cheerful.

I love this cottage look and I'm learning so much from this blog, but cottage isn't my personal style...which is more world/Pier 1 Imports/jewel tones. :) Can anyone recommend a blog to me like this?

Rosa @ Flutter Flutter said...

This is gorgeous! I love it!

rachel blazer said...

gorgeous as always! i'm always inspired by your decor choices- in fact, i've used some of them in the house we are renovating to move into soon!
thanks for sharing!
rachel

Staci at Craftify It ! said...

You are so talented! My husband and I just bought a house & I'm always pulling up your blog to get our creative juices flowing! Your house inspired me to paint my ugly wood paneling & I'm loving it. It is no where near your gorgeous wood planked walls/ceilings, but I'm loving it so far!

I LOVE it when you post your before & after consultations!

Spelled With An I said...

I need beadboard, lots and lots of beadboard. Great job hon! I'm sure she'll love it.

Unknown said...

Beautiful! I ask this with much trepidation, since it may make an OCD computer nerd monster out of me, but I need something to do during football season. What program do you use to make your 'after' images? :)

Melissa Miller said...

~WOW! This is truly gorgeous! :)

Serendipitous Home said...

How wonderfully described to us all to enjoy! It truly is all in the details and Layla I love how you link every single detail in the room together for a cohesive look. You are so gracious sharing with us the ways to approach a room and are so inspiring.
Thanks for the ideas!

Sandra

Aura said...

Love the colors! I wish that was my dining room ;) & Thank you so much for the link in your favorite blogs, section!!

Stefanie said...

Gorgeous photo inspiration! I love it!! I am now excitedly thinking about how I might decorate my new dining room instead of dreading it! Thank you so much for sharing!

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Wow...love this transformation! So cool being able to run your cursor over it to see the instant change. Love your ideas for her room!
Susan

Room Service ~ Decorating 101 said...

5*, it looks great!

Country Contemporary said...

Really lovely, Layla! Your design provides the perfect punch for that room!

I'd add just one thing - fabric shades (perhaps a silk or linen) on those chandelier bulbs. Just my HO, but I'm not a fan of bare bulbs on chandeliers in home dining rooms. Shades (and a dimmer switch) help diffuse the light softly and a dimmer switch gives a range of intensity options.

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

Ha, I just popped by and started reading my name in your post. Caught me offguard! LOL!

This is so cool that you came up with a design for her room! It is beautiful! Can't wait to see it all finished!

Happy day,
Melissa

Anonymous said...

Cant wait to see your new front door! Sounds pretty~

Crystal said...

I want that! Love it. I would love to have a consult. Not sure how you ask for one.

Mary Catherine said...

LOVE this transformation Layla!! Would you mind sharing the source for the rug? I have been looking and looking for one with similar colors and this one looks just perfect!

The Flying Bee said...

I love this! I need you to help me with my dining room!!!

Nichole said...

That looks wicked cool! LOL (In honor of my return from Boston!) Great job!!

Kim Klassen said...

layla, what an amazing transformation... wowzer!! love it... love everything here!!

Kim

Britt said...

What size beadboard do you use? I cannot decide between the thick look or the narrow one.

Kristi @ Addicted 2 Decorating said...

Beautiful transformation! I only recently found your blog (I know, I know...I think I've been living under a rock), and I can't get enough of it! You have great style. Makes me re-think my own!

geri said...

Layla.
I think one of the first things I will do when I win the Lottery..besides fainting... will be to have my whole lovely BALL POND FARMHOUSE virtually designed by you, or better yet have you fly here. HEHE
You have a definate signature look to all the beautiful spaces you create. There is a calm, peacefulness that welcomes friends
to sit and enjoy.
geri.

Debra said...

That looks great. Like a totally different room.

Autum said...

Amazing transformation! Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas. One thing that jumped out at me was the black window mullions (is that what they're called). I've noticed that look before in decorating magazines and really like it but and have considered trying it myself. How much of the window trim would your suggest painting black.

Anonymous said...

Wow! This is great. I just recently found your blog and I am hooked. I have been looking for similiar chairs for my dining room. May I ask how you did the monogram on the chairs?

Thank you!

MegJill said...

You are officially amazing in my eyes. That consultation photo is gorgeous! And now, I might not be able to wait to do our dining room and kitchen. We just bought the house and everything is yellow- baseboard, wall, crown molding, ceiling. And it's not a nice yellow.
I love you style, your projects, your love for you husband and home.

Sarah said...

I love those Wisteria chairs!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Love, love your photo drawing! as usual! Thanks so much for the shout-out, friend. :)

Unknown said...

Thanks so much for inspiring me! My dining room has many purposes and needed a change. I was so inspired that I added a few things to it and repositioned the table and voila! A pretty place to eat now. thanks again...anna

ImagineCozy said...

Now that was fun! So cool that you can create all of these ideas and really see what they would look like.
-Angela