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TODAY'S PICK

A COZY AND CLUBBY LIBRARY TOUR

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MKF: THE DINING ROOM

6/8/2016

16 Comments

 
The good, the bad, and the what to do in our moody blue dining room
It's been a minute since I shared updates of our house, and that's because not much has changed around here. But that doesn't mean I'm not thinking about what needs updating, and that means it's time for a round of Marry, Kill, or What to Effing Do With It? Today we tackle the dining room. Who's ready to dish out some tough love?
The dining room was one of the first rooms to be anywhere near done in our house, and now that we've lived with it for a year I'm ready to take another look at it. We eat all our meals here unless it's patio weather, so this room gets a lot of use. It deserves to be great and it's not quite there.

MARRY
Well you know I love our Farrow and Ball Hague Blue walls. The color is somewhere between a navy and peacock blue; it's rich and striking and gorgeous. The chandelier is a Craigslist score, and even though it doesn't photograph very well, it's great here. Edward googled how to install light fixtures, and we hung it up about fifteen minutes before our housewarming party. With no casualties!
The good, the bad, and the what to do in our moody blue dining room
KILL
The dining table. In fact, we've gotten a new table since I took this photo, so I can check that off the list. This one was borrowed from Edward's parents (who have a treasure trove of great vintage pieces), and while it was super useful to have when we first moved, it never really spoke to me.

WHAT TO EFFING DO
So, I hate the white trim and the white frames and matting of the grid of paintings. Hate. I've tried to convince myself that it's fine, but to no avail. It's not that it looks bad, per se, it's that it's not the look I'm going for. I want moody glamour and the bright white looks too traditional here. Problem is, I don't know what I want instead. I know from experience that painting trim is a beast, but if that's what's called for then I'm not opposed. As for the paintings, I don't know if I need to scrap that whole grid and start over, or if I just need new frames. I painted these guys myself, so it's no great loss to start over.
The good, the bad, and the what to do in our moody blue dining room
KILL
This bright red bar was one of my first ever DIY projects and has been with me for three moves. I bought it for maybe $15, spray painted it cherry red, and gold leaf-stenciled the top to read BAR. Honestly, I still love this old project, but I think it's time for a more grown up piece (way harsh, Tai). I promise I'll share some full pictures of it before i get rid of it.
The good, the bad, and the what to do in our moody blue dining room
MARRY
I love the layered blues we have going on in this room. The rug (from Rugs USA) is super soft and a great color. The dining chairs were another rescue from Edward's parents' basement. They were originally covered in a lemon yellow naugahyde which was... something. My sister-in-law and I spent an afternoon watching Mystic Pizza and reupholstering them in this gorgeous blue fabric. 

And of course, I've got to mention my floor. This beauty is original to our 150-year old home, and it pretty great condition considering. It was helpful that along the way, some crackpot covered the entire first floor in black and white checkered linoleum, protecting the floors even if they were offending our sensibilities. The floor boards are of different sizes, and there are char marks in some spots from a fire about a hundred years ago. That's some character right there.

So what do you think? And do you ever play a version of MKF in your own home? Let's hear it!
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16 Comments
Cassie @ primitive & proper link
6/8/2016 11:24:46 am

i think you need a huge dramatic piece of art to replace the others and a modern-vintage brass bar cart!

Reply
Arielle link
6/8/2016 07:06:59 pm

I'm inclined to agree! I'm thinking a tapestry or wall hanging there. Something BIG. You'll have to let me know if you find any on your thrift score Thursday hunts!

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Maggie Overby Studios link
6/8/2016 11:34:15 pm

My whole life in every home is a game of MKF. I'm with Cassie on a large scale piece of art even if it's one large abstract as apposed to the several smaller ones. I do kind of love the contrast of warm and cool but maybe without the white and a grown up brassy bar cart would go great against the blue too. You have great bones to work with here, sometimes it just means a few swap outs even if it's something from another room.

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Arielle link
6/9/2016 07:18:19 am

Yeah, the white needs to go. Guess I better get busy at the thrift stores looking for bar carts and wall hangings. Thanks Maggie!

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Marianne | Basil & Bubbly link
6/9/2016 09:23:28 am

Next time you come to Charleston, will you please just come do this in my house? Prepare to kill everything.... Seriously, though, I love those blues ( and RugsUSA is the only reason my house has rugs at all ), and those FLOORS are spectacular! I must say, I like the bright red bar cart, but I have a beautiful classic mahogany butler's cart that was my great grandmothers ( and actually still rolls around, albeit begrudgingly ) that I wouldn't give up for anything.

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Arielle link
6/9/2016 09:21:28 pm

It really is the most fun game. I mean, if you're into this kind of thing...

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Dena link
6/9/2016 10:34:04 am

So pretty!

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Arielle link
6/9/2016 09:22:00 pm

Thanks Dena!

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Ellen
6/9/2016 05:25:11 pm

I've just discovered your site and it's terrific! I've noticed in so many moody, romantic rooms that they just paint the trim the same color as the walls. Sometimes there is a texture difference, say eggshell walls and semigloss trim but other times it looks to be all the same. I know you will do something wonderful.

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Arielle link
6/9/2016 09:25:07 pm

Thank you so much, Ellen! We painted the trim and walls in our library in a dark green and I love the look. Definitely an option in this room! I'm also kind of feeling the color block look...

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jessica link
6/14/2016 02:06:06 am

Oh Arielle, I love that bar cart. I think it is pretty cool. I know what you mean about the art. I feel that way at times, but I typically wait until my heart has found the right piece or diy idea to spruce it up. Hope I could help.

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Arielle link
6/19/2016 08:19:36 am

Thanks Jessica! I love it too, even though I don't think it's right for the space. And I agree, art always takes time, which I have to remind myself when I'm feeling impatient.

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sarah link
6/16/2016 09:56:58 am

Why do I want to see a big collection of gilded antique mirrors in here? It may have something to do with the fact that I hoard them on an epic scale; but I think they'd be a lovely way to mix in some drama. Those floors, by the way, are killer.

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Arielle link
6/19/2016 08:37:03 am

Oh, I love a gilded antique mirror! Thanks Sarah!

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Britt Kingery link
6/16/2016 10:01:01 pm

I love this game! It's hilarious! And so useful. I'm with Maggie--I'm pretty much doing this all the time. I don't have too many pieces anymore that I would kill but I definitely have some that I would divorce amicably if something better came along. ;)

Reply
Arielle link
6/19/2016 07:19:02 pm

Each round I play there are fewer items to kill, but rehomed doesn't have the same ring. Thanks Britt!

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    THE NONSENSE

    Welcome! I'm Arielle, and this is Scotch & Nonsense. Whether you've come for the home projects, the recipes, or the cocktails, I'm thrilled you're here and I hope you'll stay a bit.

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