The dining room was the first room I ever updated when we moved into our home back in December 2012. This is what the space looks like today:
It has certainly come a long ways since we first saw the house. The lime green walls were what pained me the most – which is weird because I had considered painting a room in our last home the same color. But for some reason it really bothered me in here. So, on Christmas Day, three days after we moved in, I painted the original space that once looked like this:
You can read more about the original room makeover here {which also includes a full source list}. Painting the walls was a good, immediate relief and I moved on from the room shortly after we moved in and I made the updates.
However, for the past year and a half, something has always felt ‘off’ to me. I couldn’t quite place it {and I’m still not sure that I can} but I think it comes down to a few things: it feels a little too dark for my style {although I love the wall color}, it’s lacking any color and feels very monochromatic to me, I’ve never really accessorized the space legitimately, and it lacks a chandelier {there are only four can lights in the room}.
I think with a few very affordable and simple updates I can help bring this room up another notch. The chandelier will have to wait {since it will require an electrician} but the other updates are completely doable for us.
First up? I’m thinking some additional board and batten treatments. We have it in virtually ever other room in our home so why not here?! The added white would also help to lighten the space and I could then keep the existing wall color {Restoration Hardware’s Slate} above the treatment. I also need to bring in some accessories to liven up the space and add some color. I have no idea at this point which route I’ll go, but I’m hoping creativity will strike me soon so that this refreshed space can be revealed for this month’s year of change project. If I don’t wrap it up in time, we all know I have far too many projects to count that have yet to be finished that I can use instead.
Here are some b&b ideas I’m leaning towards. With all the windows in our dining room, this space should be a breeze to install. The hardest part may be convincing my husband to help out 😉
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This would also be an amazing and unique idea:
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Do you like the board and batten idea? If so, the standard or the square on rectangle {my very technical term for the first inspiration photo above}? What color do you think would be fun to add to this space? Let’s hope I can make some decisions and pull something off this weekend!
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Such a beautiful space…but board and batten I think would be a great idea for here! Looking forward to seeing how it all turns out.
Deb
@Seeking Lavender Lane
hands down picture #1…hmmmmm…my thought…I love the board & batter…are you going into a French country look? Just a thought.
http://frugaliciouschick.blogspot.com
I vote for picture #3! 🙂
I vote for option #1. I am thinking about doing this same treatment in my VERY small laundry room and wrap into the dining room! I say you use green (like the color of bushes/trees) with some larger black & white stripe fabric on the chairs.
I love board and batten so very much! I say go for the more traditional look – I think it’s timeless, classic and beautiful!
I think the board and batten would add architectural detail. Maybe add seasonal color with lumbar pillows, seat covers and table runners? Good luck – I can’t wait to see your transformation.
Given you furnishings, I would say go with the more traditional board and batten. It will definitely open up the space. And yes, a colorful table runner and some pillows in the head chairs would add a bit of fun color.
Either one would look fab Sarah! I myself have had the dining room plans stagnant for the longest time… Actually the execution part is what’s really stalled, I have the plan in my head, but with all the things going on, mine will have to wait. Perfect though, I can be inspired with yours! Good luck!
Your dining room looks amazing. I love the idea of adding molding!
I just was talking to my plumber (who recently fixed a leak in my house) about remodeling my kitchen and I mentioned saving my tiled backsplash. He said something to me that stuck with me. He said “That’s the lowest item on the budget”. So maybe the chandelier and the electrician to install it is too. Just a thought.
Love board and batten. I would go with the more traditional style!
I love your style and I think your dining room looks great as it is. With so much of the wall area covered with the windows and the glass door and the buffet I’m not sure that the board and batten will be the answer you are looking for in this room. If you were to add any more architecture to the room perhaps a bold and simple crown molding would work. I hope you leave the paint color as it is, I think it really works.
With so many straight lines in the room I would first try softening the look with some billowy white curtains and then maybe remove the wine glass shelves and add a large art piece with soft colors from which to draw inspiration for color elsewhere in the dining room. If money is no object and there is room, a lighter colored round or oval dining table would also soften the lines and the feel of the room.
If you really don’t want to hire an electrician, you can look into the idea of using a “screw-in” adapter for one of your can lights that will allow you to adapt and power a ceiling fixture and “swag” it into place over your table where you can install a hook for hanging. The success of this would depend on the placement of your can lights and of course they would all be on the same switch as your “swag light” – just a novel idea. 🙂
I love your style and would have no trouble handing you the keys to my house and my debit card and asking you to surprise me. Your home is so classy and fresh. I love it.
That last photo is so cool. Did you see Brother vs. Brother on HGTV? In the season finale, one team put wainscoting like that in a bedroom and it looked killer! I just did a quick search for it, but couldn’t find it. 🙁
I Love the 3rd picture! I would embellish with pink accents.
#3! It is just so different. A great take on a classic idea!
I love the board and batten and have it in my current dining room. I think it would for sure lighten it up, but I will tell you that hanging mirrors or art is tricky with such tall molding. I think added crown molding and a chandelier would add the sparkle and touch you are looking for.
Love your home and blog! Thanks for sharing.
when I first looked at your dining room I thought it looked great, but after reading your comments I had to agree that it does need “something” – it’s lovely but somehow looks a little flat. The board and batten idea is very nice but I am just wondering if you could lift the room just by changing the curtains to bring in some colour. See how nicely those Roman blinds fit into the windows? Looks very neat. Or perhaps relace the curtains but have them from the top of the windows. I’m not sure I like the curtains going from the ceiling on those narrow windows. Anyway, I hope my suggestions help. You have done an amazing job so far.
All your room needs is Bling. Add the Chandelier. It’s formal, lovely & glamorous. Don’t undo!
Thank you! Adding a chandelier is definitely my first priority, because I totally agree!