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!
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!
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 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.
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.
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.
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!
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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