Dining in Style

Update:  Sorry that the photos for this post are no longer visible.  You can still click on the the link to be taken to the slide show.

I recently received my House Beautiful e-newsletter.  It featured a slide show titled "Fabulous Spaces for Unforgettable Dinners" which contained over 40 photos of dining rooms.  You can click on the title and be taken to the slide show.  There is a good cross-section of styles to view.

Some of the photos inspired me enough to "pin" them to one of my Pinterest boards. I am planning a dining room re-do myself, and collecting ideas is certainly one of the first steps I utilize.

I am going to post several here along with comments from both House Beautiful and myself, about why they seemed worthy to save.

I love the large sunburst on the wall in this photo. One, big statement piece can make a room!



Source: housebeautiful.com via Christine on Pinterest

To me, dark walls always seem appropriate in a dining room. Is it because it feels more intimate? 

Notice that the chairs frame are different. But, by using the same finish & fabric they go well together.

Source: housebeautiful.com via Christine on Pinterest

What's NOT to love about this?  In a room that could have seemed ho-hum, these painted chairs would make me smile every time I looked at them!







Source: housebeautiful.com via Christine on Pinterest

Coral & seafoam green is a favorite combination. Here's another example the use of chairs in a different finish.  They lighten the look, making it possible to use the elegant, dark table in the very light space.



Source: housebeautiful.com via Christine on Pinterest

I'm a sucker for solid fabric with contrast piping.  The gorgeous lantern doesn't hurt either!

There is something in each of these I'd love to incorporate in my make-over.  Those painted chairs are definitely in the running!

To Beautiful Rooms,

Country Up the Kitchen!

I recently read a post on another blog about adding decor elements to the kitchen.  Of course, I began looking at my own space with an eye to refreshing it.

Food & nature go hand-in-hand, don't they?  I always smile over a basket of multi-hued fresh eggs, green apples, bright yellow lemons or a lovely rosemary topiary.  Our kitchens are a perfect place for accesories that show off our decor personalities.

With that in mind, here is a collection of some items I'd love to add to my kitchen (or yours).  I'm thinking about things I'd enjoy in my own country kitchen.  I'll save Tuscan, French Country, Retro and Modern for later posts.

**(In the spirit of full disclosure, these products are from my At Home online store, and the pictures are clickable.)

I'll start with this simple and rustic wood easel.  It would be a great place to rest a cookbook or a red tin tile.

Next, I'd place this braided rug at the sink.  Something about this kind of rug just says "country home" to me.

On the pantry door, or in a window, I would hang this berry wreath with a length or gingham or burlap ribbon.

This great wire tackle box has so many possibilities!  Those eggs, apples or lemons, I spoke of earlier would fit nicely.  But so would coffee mugs and a sugar bowl & creamer, folded cloth napkins or a dried herb arrangement.



Last, not least the dinner bell.  Every good cook need one!

 

 

To Beautiful Rooms,

 

 

Welcome to The Refined Room!

I am excited and proud to be a member of the Interior Redecorators Network! 

My training by Lauri Ward, best-selling author and Founder/President of Use What You Have Interiors®, has provided me with the skills to expand upon my 21 years as a custom picture framer/decorator and color consultant.

Spending time in my client's homes, whether choosing framing materials, art or paint for their walls, allowed me the opportunity to see that there is a need to help families feel more comfortable in and proud of their homes,  Instinctively, many clients know their space isn't "working" for them, but not as many actually know why.

Learning to recognize the 10 Most Common Decorating Mistakes and how to correct them, is the key to redecorating spaces that not only reflect a client's style and respects their budget, but also completes the transformation from House to Haven!

To Beautiful Rooms,