My Dining Room Overhaul

It's been a while since I posted to the blog. That's because things have been chaotic, hectic, 24/7 crazy! The time between March and May is one of our busiest seasons, so that's my excuse and I'm sticking with it! But it's almost the end of July now and I've come up for some air. I've even had a little time to do something for myself...a small overhaul of my dining room to lighten and brighten things a bit. Nothing that required any heavy lifting. No construction projects this time! I spent about $1,150.00 in all. Take a peek...

Most of what I have is an eclectic mix of things that were either handed down to me or, more often than not, salvaged from the giveaway pile. Mom gave me her teak dining table and two distressed side chairs when she inherited an heirloom table from my grandfather. The shelves were part of an old armoire TV cabinet set -- you know, the kind designed to house the old style TVs -- headed to the Goodwill. I "rescued" it and pushed the two side pieces together to make a quasi china cabinet of sorts. The ipswich pine color played off the 12"pine plank floors -- with authentic "cut" nails -- that we installed ourselves during our initial remodel.

My LOVE (obsession) with teal blue was my inspiration for the art and the overall color scheme. I did these leaf paintings to pick up both the teal blue color and the green tones from the foliage outside (visit listing). I wanted to bring a little of the outdoors inside. I also used one of my favorite pieces -- Bless the food before us, the family beside us and the love between us -- over the shelves.

The dishes came from my great grandmother Josephine. The simple, sweet floral pattern makes me smile! I think about her every time I use them. I mixed in the new teal blue fabric chairs and the antique white end chairs to play off the dishes.

The tobacco basket -- one of our recent finds at Woodstock Rustic -- is so versatile. Its long, thin shape with the handles makes it the perfect center piece for the dining table. I can change the floral/greenery arrangement whenever I feel the urge!