10.02
2013

Our Dining Room – Making Progress
Happy October, everyone! I don’t know about you all but this is my favorite time of year! Tonight I thought I would show you the progress we’ve made in our dining room. Just like all of the other rooms I’ve shown you in our new home this one still isn’t finished but I feel like we’ve made enough headway to at least show you what we’ve done in here so far.
Here is what it looked like when we moved in. Fortunately this is one of the rooms where we didn’t really have to undo anything. There wasn’t any wallpaper to remove or any strange features to deal with. It was pretty much a blank canvas. To start with I painted the windows and all the trim. As has been the case with all the rooms so far that is my least favorite part. First I primed it all with Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 primer. Then I did three coats of Simply White in Benjamin Moore’s Aura Paint. I used the semi-gloss finish. After that I painted the upper half of the wall in Gray Owl at 75%. For that I went with the matte finish. After painting so much trim in this house I have to say I get really excited when it gets to the part where I get to paint the walls. I plan on eventually adding a pretty wallpaper to the upper half but haven’t
found the right paper yet so until then figured it would be best to at least have the walls painted. Then after that we had beadboard wallpaper put up on the lower half to help add some character. It is the paintable kind but I actually haven’t painted it yet. I will eventually use the Simply White on that too. I have to say I was really really skeptical about going with a beadboard wallpaper over real beadboard (which we used in our last home) and kind of just did it on a whim and I have to say I was thrilled with how it turned out. We used in in the entry way too and I would highly recommend it and would use it again!

I was really torn the last month or so on what color I was going to paint the doors here in the dining room and the rest of the house (minus the family room/kitchen). I kept going back and forth between Simply White and Mopboard Black. I primed all the doors and then couldn’t make a decision so they looked awful just sitting there primed but unpainted for weeks. I have to admit I finally made my decision based on laziness.  I painted the interior part of our front door black (I knew that was going to be black regardless of what color I chose for the other doors). Well, it only took about one and a half coats (one real coat and one touch up coat) to put the black on and it took me four when I did the Simply White on Lillie and Lola’s closet doors upstairs and because I have to admit, I am getting pretty sick of painting, the thought of so many fewer coats overall tipped the scales in favor of going with black. Even though I made the decision for such a lazy reason I have to say I am so glad I did go with the black. I loved how it looked when I did it earlier this year at Jason’s but was nervous how it was going to flow here in this house but it ended up working out much nicer than I anticipated.

My favorite feature in this room is definitely the chandelier! I am so excited about it. It’s funny because I was pretty torn on making that decision too. I completely copied my Aunt Patty on the chandelier. She has this exact one and I fell in love with it the moment I saw it! I have been swooning over it for the last year now. I knew that I loved it but wasn’t sure if I wanted to go this route or the route of a lantern. I am a huge fan of the Bolton Lantern that Pottery Barn sells and kept trying to decide which way to go. They are completely different looks. I have somewhere else though that I might be able to get the Bolton Lantern for but that project is still a little ways off. I ordered my chandelier through Savvy while they were having a Labor Day Sale. (If you’ve been reading this blog for very long you know is pretty much my favorite shop in Williamsburg). The ladies that work there are all so wonderful to work with and so helpful!

Thank you, Aunt Patty for letting me copy your chandelier! Now I kind of want to copy the wallpaper you have in your powder room…

Although I always do the wiring myself I generally have Jon nearby to help if whatever light fixture I am hanging is heavy and I need help lifting it. He was out of town though the day this arrived and I was so excited to get it hung I decided to try to rig a way to get it up there. Lillie always enjoys watching and she was really helpful passing me each strand of beads so at the end for the first time I let her put one of the bulbs in seeing how Lola was napping. She has always wanted to do that so she was quite excited about climbing up the ladder and putting that last bulb in. (And don’t worry – I had the breaker off for the dining room when she was helping!)

We used the farmhouse table that we made for our last house. (You can read more about that here). I would love to eventually get a different table for in here but for now this is fine. I’ve had these IKEA slipcovered chairs for a while now. I really need to iron them – just ignore that. =) I got the other chairs from Joss and Main using store credit that I had earned so was able to get all four for just $100! The poor clock just keeps getting moved from room to room. First we had it in the study. Then once we got this room painted we we moved it in here, then I switched it to the entryway for a couple of days, and then back in here for a week or two. And then yesterday I moved it back into the entryway again. Haha! I actually am pretty sure now that that is where it’s going to stay but I haven’t decided for sure yet. I think the clock from the kitchen is probably going to get moved in here and go on the wall where the Swedish clock is in these photos because I had to switch things around in the kitchen. (I’ve showed a few pictures of that on Instagram) and will post about that next week as long as I can get some photos taken with my real camera later this week.

This is a horrible shot but you can see here that the wallpaper actually is raised and not just a faux beadboard look.

I also am really excited about this new dinnerware that Mikasa sent me! You can find it here. It is beautiful and really well priced. I will show you lots more photos once I finally find a hutch and can display it better. My mom actually has this same set and has had it for over a year now and is still just as thrilled with it as the day she bought it. It goes with everything and is so nice and simple but still elegant too.

Source List:


Wall Color: Gray Owl at 75% in Matte Finish
Trim Color: Simply White in Semi-gloss Finish
Beadboard Wallpaper: Allen and Roth from Lowe’s
Chandelier: Savvy in Williamsburg, VA
Dinnerware: Mikasa, French Countryside Collection
Chargers: Pottery Barn (seven years ago)
Placemats: Target (probably nine years or so ago)
Slipcovered Chairs: IKEA
Side Chairs: Joss and Main
Farmhouse Table: We made it – more details here
Clock: Savvy in Williamsburg, VA (a couple of years ago)
Mirror: Restoration Hardware (six years ago but I think they still sell it)
Drapery Panels: IKEA Ritva Panels
Drapery Rods: Lowe’s

And for those of you who missed it yesterday we are excited to announce that we are taking wholesale orders for our chalkboard art!

I hope you all are having a wonderful Tuesday evening!

An Oversized Chalkboard and Bench In the Kitchen.
A Little Peek at Our Dining Room and Wholesale
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59 thoughts on “Our Dining Room – Making Progress”

  1. Love the dining room! I keep meaning to visit Savvy during one of our trips to Williamsburg. I'm sure I'll love it. Also, we just purchased two of the IKEA slipcovered chairs to anchor the ends of our antique dining table. Wanted to brighten it up a bit and they definitely did. Hope to share it soon over on the blog. Have a blessed week! (P.S. Caught a glimpse of your girls at the farmers market during parents' weekend. So adorable in their matching stripes! I think they were with your mom – equally beautiful!)

    1. Yes, we go to the Farmer's Market as much as we can. My favorite time is in the fall. I got a ton of hydrangeas there that weekend (parent's weekend). That must have been my mother-in-law you saw. She and my sister-in-law and niece were here last weekend. You should have come over and said hi! It was such a beautiful weekend, wasn't it? And you definitely should visit Savvy. I think you would really enjoy it!

    1. We had a lovely lady named Linda Weeks install it. She did Lillie and Lola's room as well and her prices are so reasonable and we have been so happy with it! Originally I was planning on doing it but the painting is taking me sooooo long and her prices are so good that it just made more sense to hire her and I am so glad we did. I will be using her again when we do our powder room and one of the guest bedrooms.

  7. Lovely! So soft and gorgeous. I can imagine you must be sooo tired of painting!! We moved into a new house about the same time as you did and I haven't painted a single room (or any trim) yet. I'm a little in awe of your energy! 🙂

  8. It looks beautiful! I almost ordered those exact chairs from Joss and Main, but not at $100 for four lol. I do have similar ones in my breakfast room and love them. Your furniture reminds me so much of the European antiques I saw and loved at the Round Top Antique Fair this weekend. I am just amazed at the progress on your house. I feel like I need to go paint a room or something now!

  10. Love how it is coming together!! I think the chandelier is gorgeous. I just put up the Bolton lantern over my kitchen island (you can see it in my last blog post) and I do love it too. I'd definitely recommend it for another area in your house. I get more compliments on it than any other feature in our new kitchen!

  13. Your dining room turned out gorgeous!! I am in love with the chandelier. I am also glad to hear you like the beadboard wallpaper from allen & roth, I ordered two rolls a few months ago for my kids bathroom makeover I am working on, and was feeling hesitant on using it. It looks beautiful, excited to use it now! Thanks for sharing.

    Kimberlee

    1. I was a bit skeptical too while it was in the packaging but it had so many good reviews I figured it couldn't hurt to try it (for about $40-$50 for the wallpaper needed for that room it seemed such a good deal!) And I have to say once it goes up it looks so convincing!

  15. Hi Jennifer! Your house is amazing and love the dining room. A couple questions: why did you use matte instead of eggshell and does the gray owl have a green tint?? I painted my boys bathroom gray owl but at 100% and I am not 100% happy cause it has a green tint. Also how do you decide your colors? That is the hardest part for me. I know you like revere pewter so how do you decide which color in which room? Thanks!

    1. Thank you, Angie! Using Matte is just a personal preference for me. I know 99% of people prefer eggshell but for some reason I have just always liked the matte finish. I don't really see much green in it. I think it definitely has a blue undertone. Colors are so funny though – they can read so many different ways in so many different situations. I generally paint a few swatches on the wall and see which one looks best in that room seeing how a color can look great in one room and not as good in another.

  16. Your house looks amazing. I always love everything you pick out. You must be so excited decorating it all.( and tired) . I know that painting gets old quick. Do you know if Saavy does mail order? Can't wait those more.mi love the chandelier and lantern too.

  17. Jennifer, the dining room is lovely! I love the table with the floor and the "bead molding". Nice job, as always!

  18. The before and after view is amazing. Just goes to show by using various online resources how you can transform your living room into a dream room like you see on HGTV or other TV Shows

  19. GASP! IT'S BEAUTIFUL! Absolutely perfect. I completely love love the chandelier, i think it makes the room… and your colors are all so pretty. I really like the clock in there too… seems like the colors in the clock just do something to the whole effect…

    Cindy

  20. What. A. Difference. WOW!!! Absolutely love the black door too!
    Looks beautiful, Jenni!
    xo
    Leah: )

  21. P.S. ~ If you're still considering the Bolton for another room you might want to nab it now – it's on sale!!!
    xo
    Leah: )

  22. Beautiful, as always!! Love everything! I stopped by my Benjamin moore store to check out the new Williamsburg paint collection!! I am in love with so many of the colors!! can't wait to try them out!! Emily Young

  23. The colors used really brightens things up. Overall there is a light breezy feel to the room but at the same time still has that cozy feeling. I think the table is my favorite piece. I'm a sucker for that old wood look. Great work!

  24. Your hard work is amazing. I feel like you just moved in and I cannot believe all the work you have done. The dining room? Yes I loooove the chandelier but you know what really caught my eye as I gazed at your room?? The doors! The color just popped. And the doors have style if I can see from the side. It's kind of like when I framed and added one of your chalkboard pieces It Is Well with my Soul…mine is the 11×14(?) and so framed, it makes a 'pop' that my otherwise little black room needed. I'm so glad you did the doors black!!!! And hanging that heavy light fixture alone? WOW! God has given you many talents that inspire others to look beyond and see beauty. Your cheerfulness about adapting shows Christ's character.

  26. Jenni – is there anything you can't do?!?! I am amazed you put up the chandelier by yourself – with Lillie's help too. 🙂 Your dining room looks beautiful! And I really like how the beadboard wallpaper turned out – so pretty!

  29. Hi Jennifer, I was wondering how you were able to order the same chandelier that you had admired from your aunt's home over a year ago. Does Savvy permanently stock this particular chandelier, or is it sourced from a particular manufacturer which Savvy has a relationship with so that they could order it on request? Just wondering, as I'm not in the market for a chandelier at the moment, but in six months I may be – trying to figure out what the chances are that I could get ahold of something like this! Thanks!

  31. Hi Jennifer, could you tell me if you used semi-gloss paint for the Mophead black doors also? Love your style and love reading your blog. I'm a big fan!!! Thanks

  32. Hi Jennifer, could you tell me if you used Semi gloss paint for the Mophead Black doors? Love your style and your blog. I'm a big fan!! Thanks

  34. Gorgeous! You did a fantastic job! God truly has gifted you with a creative mind…you're an inspiration to us all! The chandelier is stunning!! I saw a similar (or maybe the same) on Horchow but my, was it a pricey piece! I hope you were able to get a great deal on it…it definitely makes a statement! Blessings to you and your family!!

  35. I love the room Jen! It looks beautiful. I do like the clock there, but it probably looks good anywhere. Totally love the chandelier too. I think we will be carrying those chairs in our store soon, they seem to fit in with many decor styles and I love the simplicity of them. We also used the bead board wallpaper in our dining room two years ago and it really looks like the real thing, and so easy. Lillie looks so cute helping on the projects~mini CEO in the making.

  36. Hi Jennifer– beautiful room. I just painted our dining room and wondered about how you knew to get your paint at 75%. Is that just slightly lighter? What would be the difference between that, and the lighter color on the paint chip (if there was one)? I considered doing that but didn't in the end because I didn't have a sample or paint chip to compare. How did you know??

  37. Hey Jennifer, beautiful room. I just painted our dining room and was wondering how you knew to get your paint at 75%. Is that just slightly lighter? I had considered doing that, but didn't in the end because I felt like I wouldn't know how it was going to turn out, without a sample or paint chip. How did you know?

    1. I knew I loved Gray Owl but it was just a hint darker than I wanted when I painted a sample of it on the walls so I figured if it were just a hair lighter it would be perfect. The colors on a paint chart are not necessarily the same formula. By doing Gray Owl at 75% I knew the color would be what I wanted and it would be just a tiny tiny bit lighter.

  38. Very beautiful!! I was just wondering why you decided to go with Gray Owl vs revere pewter? You've mentioned several times that Revere Pewter was one of your favorite colors and when looking at the pictures of your parents dining room, it appears that the two colors are very similar. Is there a big difference? Both colors are gorgeous but I just wondering how you settled on gray owl. Thank you!

    1. Because my parent's used Revere Pewter in their kitchen, dining room, family room, and hallway and we used in Jason's house in his kitchen and dining room (and may use it in the hallway and extra room as well) and my sister used it in her home I really wanted to do something a bit different. Gray Owl is lighter and has more of a blue undertone. I still LOVE Revere Pewter but just figured it would be more fun to mix it up a bit. =)

  39. Hi Jennifer! I love your blog 🙂 I see there are a few comments about your paint choice – I'm looking for a "greige" and was torn between the London Fog and the Grey Owl… Does the Gray Owl pull blue-ish tones? Looks perfect from your pics! Need to try a sample…

  40. Hi Jennifer, I love your blog as well and I'm a daily visitor…I'm currently in search of those x-back chairs in your dining room…I see that restoration hardware has them on sale but I'm not sure if I like them cause the seat looks like a fragile caned seat…I love yours cause they seem to have more of a tighted woven seat. I know you got them at Josh and Main but do you know who makes them (company name)? Thanks a lot!…keep us the GREAT work in renovating your home…God bless!

    1. Thank you so much! You are so sweet. I do not know the company's name. I just ordered them off of Joss and Main and they don't normally list that info. However, if you look on Wayfair.com you can probably find the exact same ones.

  41. Jennifer your dining room is so gorgeous! I just can't tell you how much I enjoy your blog and how much you inspire me. I'm thinking about trying the gray owl in my home,can you tell me what color you have used on the ceiling? Thank you Elisa

    1. Thanks, Elisa! Unfortunately I don't have any of the information on the white that was used for the ceilings. Its one of the few things we haven't painted!

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