Monday, August 27, 2012

Old and New

I am making a few minor tweaks in the dining room, trying to merge 2 looks I love: clean and fresh, old and timeworn. It is something that I think may be my biggest stumbling block... I truly do love clean, modern design, but I can't seem to embrace it. Individually, I love many different modern pieces and looks but I could never live in a totally 'modern' home. I love texture, warmth, age, charm and old things wayyyy too much. I think this duality may be part of my inability to feel 'done' with designing some parts of our home. 

So I am determined to make a few small changes in that direction, while maintaining the qualities I love about what I've already come up with. Sounds crazy, but I feel better going in to it with a plan.

Step 1: I brought these Ikea dining chairs in here. I bought the set off Kijiji for super cheap a couple years back. They were brown at the time, but I painted the seats white and keep them on hand for extra seating. They are fresh, crisp and clean looking and a fun mix with the rest of my white, upholstered seating (I decided to only flank the buffet, not bring them around the table as well).
 

Step 2: We are going to be painting the walls! I am undecided on whether to tackle it alone (hello, I am a painter!!) but there are some really high ceilings in here and I may just see if it is worth the investment to save myself some trouble and hire it out. I still love the white in here (Seed Pearl by Pratt & Lambert), but there are days and months when it doesn't translate as a creamy, warm white. The reality of living in a cold climate is that half the year my warm cream looks like a blue-white. I have narrowed down the selection but I have about 4 shades of warm, clay-like taupes and tans that I am deciding between. I cannot wait to see the white furniture pop off the warmer walls!
 
Hopefully this will put an end to my multiple-design-personalities for a little bit!



And as a reminder, today is the LAST DAY to enter the amazing SaSea Decor pillow giveaway!!! As I mentioned, about 50 comments went missing the first day and while many of you have re-entered please check to make sure your comment wasn't one of the unfortunate missing ones!

6 comments:

Brie @ A Slice of Brie said...

Wow! I'm so excited to see the transformation - that is going to be a big job!

Kelly @ A Swell Place to Dwell said...

Is that navy chair with the Lion on the back from Homesense? I saw one similar a few months ago and looked at it, and looked at it, but didn't end up buying - which I now regret.

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

I am so excited to see the painted walls. I think you are right, the white furniture is going to pop! It is going to look so fabulous!!

{ L } said...

You know what you like, and that's all you need. Just go with it! I'm excited to see the new paint. I agree, your whites will pop! The contrast will probably make you love all your beautiful whites even more. I've always been a fan of buttery walls. A soft warm butter color (but not pastel) is warm yet still fresh.

beachcomber said...

hi, i love your blog! is it too late to enter the giveaway?
i just headed over to sa sea etsy shop & bought the anchor pillow after seeing this. would love to win this to go with it!
cheryl x

Anonymous said...

Your home is beautiful! I look forward to seeing the paint colour you choose.

PS. I nonominated you for the versatile blogger award on my last post:)

 
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