There is always that one room that I don’t get along with.
It never likes anything I do. It never feels quite right.
I will rearrange furniture, add this accessory, take away this, paint that – and it always ends with me throwing my hands in the air, saying screw it, and having a drink.
The dining room was that room.
Emphasis on the was.
Once I finally decided to stop worrying so much about it, it evolved into a space that I love.
It now has that same Vintage-Modern-Rustic vibe that the rest of the house has.
Let’s take a step back and remember where we started.
The first time you saw this space was in my first home tour and it looked like this:
It wasn’t bad, but it was kind of blah and definitely not me.
And then in my second house tour, I added in the buffet, mirror, other wall decor, and the rug.
It was getting there, but still not quite there.
Now, we are here.
It has definitely came a long way.
The biggest thing that always bugged me about this room was that I wanted it to feel more formal – like a real dining room.
I am a southern girl and most of us believe in the value of a formal dining room.
When we bought the rancher, the dining room, kitchen, and living room were each their own rooms. However, they were very small. We tore down walls and combined all three spaces. I loved the open floor plan – but I missed the formality of a dining room.
I wanted to make this space more formal, so I defined it with an accent wall.
It was a total game changer. The tutorial for the accent wall is here.
I kept my existing table and chairs, but I painted the chairs white to match the table. I finally decided to leave my ghost chairs as the host chairs to bring in a modern vibe.
The hutch is a piece I never plan to part with – we have a history.
I changed up the decor in the middle. I decided to pull out my great-grandfather’s hat and place it there along with some books, a bowl of vintage matchbooks, and a vintage clock that I think also came from my grandparent’s house.
I do want to change up the wrapping paper I have on the back of the hutch, but I haven’t found any I love yet – I’m learning to be patient – its not my strong suit.
The buffet is still one of my favorite makeovers. It gave us some much needed extra storage.
I also minimized all the accessories crap on the buffet. There was just way too much going on there. I scored the snakeskin lamps at Bargain Hunt – one for $5 and one for $10 on two separate trips. The clam shell was a thrift store find I painted.
I did a little makeover on the mirror as well. The shape of it was exactly what I had always wanted for the space, but the old colors just weren’t working.
The chairs’ DIY waterproof upholstery stayed the same as well and I can’t believe how much better it looks against the white chairs.
Sometimes the best makeovers aren’t the ones that are meticulously plotted out.
Its the ones that evolve and have no real plan that are sometimes the best.
Only freaks can do those.
You know you don’t wanna miss any of this crazy.
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Jenna: was your table always white? I have a rather blah (no it’s ugly!!) oak table with chairs to match. Kinda of country looking. I do not like it! What is your opinion about painting it?
No, it wasn’t always white. Both the chairs and table were stained, however it wasn’t oak, maybe pine or something? I painted the table white and chairs black, but as you know painted the chairs white now too. I know what you mean about the oak tables and chairs and how country looking they can look. I’m the same way – not a fan! I would totally paint it if I were you. I have painted an oak piece before and sometimes it takes quite a few coats to keep that grain pattern from showing through. Be sure to sand or use a liquid deglosser, a good primer and good paint! I think Gina from The Shabby Creek Cottage painted an oak table recently and it turned out gorgeous!
Hey, To answer Paula’s question more fully the table & chairs are solid maple. Dad.
Thank you, Dad!
Paula, my dad (who had my dining room table before me) said it was originally maple. Well, its still maple, just painted maple. 🙂
It’s absolutely fabulous. It’s not just formal but very interesting! Normally, formal dinning rooms make me yawn but this one is just too fun!
Thank you, Selene! Yes, I totally know what you mean – sometimes they can be TOO formal!! That definitely would not be me!
jenna all the rooms in your house i love, well maybe not your office so much, i love your dining room the best, love every single thing in it xx
haha! Thanks, Chris! My office / guest room is definitely an acquired taste for some! I knew that when I made it over! I am very fond of my dining room as well – now anyway!
Honey, Love the touch with Hey Bud’s hat. I look forward to seeing my Granddaughter wear my Granddaddy’s hat sometime like you used to. Love You! Dad
Thanks, Dad! I like having it out! And she has already pulled it off and played with it!
Wow. Uh-MAZing! The lamps are so substantial and wonderful reptile. The mirror, I didn’t even realize it was the same one! The wall!! And are the striped drapes new? With so much black and white going on the chairs really do look better white. I have a made-over French Provential triple dresser for dish storage also. They hold so much. I did mine red and gold. I think the fedora hat and travel alarm clock within the sophisticated box is such good styling. You hit this one outta the park.
Thank you, Pamela!! I love those lamps – such an awesome score! And the striped drapes aren’t new – I just haven’t really ever photographed them! Aren’t those dressers the best for storage?! Oh my goodness when I scored that sucker for $10, I thought I had hit the jackpot. Of course, I don’t think they really wanted to haul it back in their house either – those suckers are heavy!! Red and gold is such a great combo – I bet yours is gorgeous! Is that little clock a travel alarm clock? I was never for sure, but thought it may be that. I have another one around here somewhere…
I love your bold style! I would never know how to incorporate all of that and make it look good, but you have such a way of doing it and it looks amazing!
Thanks, Katie! Honestly, I never know what I’m doing – I just throw stuff together and move it around until it looks right!
The striped wall really is the finishing touch on the room. It’s the wow factor! I’m digging the fedora too. I recently put similar wrapping paper on the back of my bookcases too. The same except the polka dots are smaller. Your dining room is so fun! It turned out great!
Thanks, Elizabeth! Yep, I agree – that wall is the wow factor! I can’t believe it turned out that well!
Nailed it!!!! Love love love the wall! And I am actually in the process of painting a big old thrift store clam but hadn’t thought of a gold interior- totally doing that! Thx for the inspiration!
Thanks, Heather!! It took me forever to figure out what to paint the inside of that clam shell! I had it pink and first and it looked awful. Finally, I was just like white and gold has never failed me!
Love this room and that accent wall is fabulous.
Thank you, Marty! The accent wall totally made the space!
Love it! You’re definitely developing a stronger sense of your design style—I can see an image now and just know it’s yours. Thanks for the inspiration. I think sometimes having patience and not really embracing my style hold me back a bit.
Thank you, Jennifer! Trust me, patience is not always my strong suit! But with this room, I just couldn’t pull anything together that worked right!
I love your dining room! You have such skill for making a room bright, beautiful, exciting and pulled together. Thank you for sharing your home and design ideas. Reading your blog makes my day:)
No, Michelle your comment just made my day!!! Thank you! Seriously, thank you. And honestly, I don’t have that great of skills – I just play around and move stuff until I like it!
Awesome! All the black and white patterns give the space a fun, glam look, great job!
Thank you, Stephanie!
Mixing strong patterns is what I am trying to master in my own projects 🙂 Your result is a cover of interior design magazine candidat!
You are too nice, Ania!! Thank you!
Love it all, Jenna!! Your dining room looks aaahhhhmazing 🙂
Thanks, Emily!
Jenna, this room is unbelievable! So much eye candy between that fabulous mirror, the walls, the lucite chairs…. Awesome!
Thanks, Kris! It took me so long to finally get this room right, but now I am so happy with it!