Welcome to my home! (again) Today I’m excited to share a tour of our dining room.
Before I share all of the details, here’s a “before” peek. These photos are from our house listing and this is exactly what it looked like the first time we viewed (and fell in love with) our home.I always knew the dining room would feel very different, very quickly. We fell in love with this room for the high ceilings, large open doorways, big windows and size. The border, green trim and overall darker color scheme were things we knew we wanted to update right away.
When we moved in we hired a painter to paint the entire downstairs. We chose a soft white color (Valspar’s Thistle Seed). When it came to furniture we knew we wanted the biggest table the room could fit. We created a DIY table that we’ve enjoyed more than words can say this past year. It was definitely one of my favorite DIY projects of all time, because I really don’t think we could have found a table we love more at any price!
The yellow chairs started out as a temporary solution. I had my eye on some pricey fiberglass chairs, but wasn’t ready to pull the plug. I purchased all of these chairs from thrift shops and flea markets one week and painted them all yellow to match. A year later, I still think the fiberglass chairs are pretty, but I’m strangely attached to these for now. I highly recommend this project if you like the mismatched look and are trying to find ways to cut expenses while settling into a new home. Moving is SO expensive. It’s nice to find ways to save hundreds (if not thousands) with little tricks like this.
On a side note, you can see in these photos how bare our dining room was. It was like that for the longest time, until we decided to add the hooks all the way around the room.Oh Suki!Β
Our cocktail cart was a great investment! It’s been awesome for parties and dinners and I enjoy keeping it stocked with fun ingredients throughout the year. When we have guests I love mixing them custom drinks from the flavors and spirits that they love most. I’m so glad we created a designated display area for my little cocktail hobby!The light fixture was the final project that really made this room feel complete (for now, at least)! I loved the chandelier, but this fixture fits our style much better. We have a dimmer switch for nighttime. It looks so cute turned down low for a cozy dinner.We recently added these gold and bronze stars (made from contact paper) to our white piano for the holidays. This design is 100% inspired by a cute star ceiling I love from Little Green Notebook. I plan to keep this design on until the new year.I usually post a source list at the end of my home tours, but I just realized that nearly everything in this room was homemade except for our rug (from Urban Outfitters). That’s pretty crazy, right?
I’m excited to see how this room evolves over the years. I’ve been thinking about sanding and refinishing the tabletop in a darker color after the business moves to the new studio. I would love to add more to this room over time, but a part of me really likes the simplicity too. It’s a great blank canvas for dinner parties! Speaking of, wish you could all come over for a party. Thanks for taking a look at our space!Β xo. Elsie
PS. If you’d like to see more rooms in our home you can see the living room here and the kitchen here.
103 Comments
I love your home because there is the touch yellow everywhere and it’s my favourite’s colour !
the piano is amazing !
Thank you for sharing !
i love this space!! its so bright and airy! love the mis matched yellow chairs!!
Wow, I had seen a few photos you had posted before, but what a transformation from the before pics! So airy and bright. And you put stars on the white piano! Gives it that POP.
Really really LOVE it. π
Kristin at CallHomeDear.com
i think a big dining room table is probably the best piece of furniture a house can have.
Absolutely beautiful, Elsie! I’m in the middle of searching for a home and can’t wait to redecorate + renovate the place! π
This gorgeous. I love the light fixture and the yellow chairs.
I really love the addition of the piano and bat cart to your dining room. It feels like the perfect party room
Gosh, I love the bright colors, the yellow and green are so fun! And the piano is too cute:)
i’m just so crazy about the mix and match chair idea. genius!
xxoo,
nikki
http://www.dreaminneon.blogspot.com
That piano is just awesome! x
holljc.blogspot.co.uk
Ohh, It’s beautiful
http://thinkworkandgo.blogspot.com/
This room is one of my favorites. I have mismatched dining room chairs, too, and I just adore it. I don’t know if I’ll ever change that. It’s definitely inspiring to see how the room looked when you moved in and how it looks now, it helps me broaden my own vision for looking at homes.
That’s awesome that it is almost all homemade or vintage!
I love the fact that everything is totally home made except for the rug, that is fantastic! Every time you post your house it makes me realise how totally achievable it is to have a beautiful handmade home.
http://charlotteeileen.blogspot.co.uk/
Still in love with those chairs! I wish you had a more ‘overall’ shot for the after. All the snapshots are great, but it’s hard to get an overall feel for how the piano, table, and everything look in relation. It would also look great paired next to the before, such a huge change!
http://viperpapercompany.etsy.com
What kind of paint did you use to paint your chairs and piano? We are moving into our new home at the moment and are doing lots of DIY as well… I painted our piano yesterday and am worried it may not hold up well. Thanks!
I’ve loved this since you first shared earlier this year. I’m using the idea of mismatched chairs painted the same color for my new apartment. As always, thanks for the inspiration.
– tianna π
The piano is so cool, and this house is so cute , love the different types of chairs.
woah. the before and after are so powerful. you totally changed the vibes so perfectly. and i’m obsessed with your yellow chairs.
What a lovely place and want that beautiful table in my home now too! xx
http://www.creativityandchocolate.com
Everything looks so great! Random question but where did you buy that jacket it is so awesome…I love the pattern on the sleeves!!!
Have to ask, do you know what color nail polish you’re wearing? I’m having trouble finding a peachy color that works well with pale skin, and that color looks great! And I love the table and hooks around the room.
Elsie, The light fixture is just amazing! What a cute idea for the piano! I love how the small gold detail just adds the right bit of wow to a simple white color. π Love it all!
While I love how your dining room is now, it’s kind of nice to hear that it was more unfinished for a while too and see the pictures without the hooks- I have been struggling as I see beautifully designed and finished rooms in the online world and then looking at my own space which still needs a lot of work. I haven’t put anything up on the walls after 4 months of living here, but then I have to remind myself…it’s only been 4 months! All that to say, thank you for also showing the progress of your beautiful home!
Love the transformation with the splashes of color and light fixtures! It looks amaze
Loving the light fixtures, hooks, and mis-matched chairs! Your room transformations are simply amazing!
Nice inspiration.
xx
http://www.fashiondenis.com/
Those lights are DIVINE!
http://talisatalksbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/illamaqua-cameo.html
You have such a beautiful home! Stunning dining room and just LOVE your lighting!
Lulu xx
http://luluslittlewonderland.blogspot.com
What a wonderful space!
Where did you get the hooks? They are a great addition!
It looks so airy! Lovely transformation… and those stars on the piano! wonderful…
lovely! and your jacket, omg, LOVE!!!!
I LOVE your dinning room! It is so clean and fresh, yet welcoming. The yellow chairs are so cute. I will be moving within the next two months and these chairs are such a cute way to cut cost but also add a unique touch.
Thanks for sharing!
Erica
sweet-endeavors.com
Your living room is just so darn cute!
I feel like I’ve been anticipating an Elsie home tour forever.. and it’s finally time! And I’m so excited! And your home is looking absolutely marvelous, so fresh and bold and inspiring! I wish we could all come for a dinner party too! Thanks for the tour! Can’t wait to see the rest π and then, in a little while, THE STUDIO HOME! EEEK!
http://www.bitsfashion.blogspot.ca
When I see the “before” pictures I feel like the room is very small and there’s absolutely no space whatsoever once everyone’s sat at the table, but then I see your pictures and it seems like the biggest dining room ever?! WITCHCRAFT.
So lovely! I’d love to see an evening shot and see that light fixture in action…
I love how open that space looks! Much improved from the before photos! So gorgeous! π
http://sometimesgracefully.com
I love it! I love the yellow chairs. It’s a refreshing pop of color.
x Sara from andalittlechaos.blogspot.com
Love the mismatched yellow chairs. I wouldn’t change that. Everything looks awesome.
I especially love the hooks you guys added around the room – what a brilliant way to add different hanging decorations!
Bailey
so the boyfriend isn’t totally sold on the idea of mismatched chairs, but I think he’s warming to the idea of having his piano painted white!
So freakin cool. I’m smitten with your place!
Wow! You made that house look so much better! Congrats! You have great style, girl!
Stunning! Along with that adorable coat.
Ashley
http://www.letteraphotography.com
I am in love with those chairs! I’m so glad you decided to keep them π
I’ve never loved a piano so much! It’s beautiful!
β₯ Naomi {Starry Eyes + Coffee Cups}
I love your dining room, it’s made me excited to move into my own place (which won’t happen for many years, probably!)
Elsie,
Dyiiing to know where you found the light fixtures and bulbs. Please help!
Love the hooks on the wall – what a great way to add some simple dimension and allow you to easily change things up over time! I might have to steal that when I (eventually!) redo our dining room.
Thanks for sharing!
It’s so bright and beautiful! Great jacket by the way!
obsessed!!! LOVE THE LIGHT FIXTURES!! seriously inspiring. and you look so happy π
i love mismatched chairs and the light. the room looks so bright and fresh!
I agree! It’s definitely the most used piece in our home! π
elsie
LOVE the piano! I’ve been dying to get my hands on one to paint (I won’t dare actually paint the one we play), but I love this idea of using contact paper!
Hi Harper!
Here’s my posts about the piano- http://abeautifulmess.com/2013/09/elsies-fresh-piano-makeover.html
and the chairs- http://abeautifulmess.com/2012/12/nes.html
thanks so much! elsie
Hi Ashley-
It’s from Shop Sosie! π
elsie
Hi Alison,
It’s Tart Deco by Essie. π
elsie
Hi Jenni-
Oh yes, four months is nothing! You’re doing great!
elsie
Hi Kate,
They’re from Lowe’s. We’ll be posting about how we did that addition soon. π
elsie
Eeek! Thank you SO much. That means a lot because the new table actually seats more people.
π
elsie
Damaris,
Hi! My dad helped me make it. We shared details here- http://abeautifulmess.com/2013/09/elsies-dream-diy-light-fixture.html
xo! Elsie
The piano is so beautiful and I especially love the cocktail cart! π
your piano is dreamy! meow x
The yellow chairs looks amazing! I love them! I can’t imagine any other chair as these are so perfect. Isn’t it wonderful when something you think is temporary ends up being the best choice? Thank you for sharing!
amazing, I love the differents chairs
kisses
AJS
Wow!! the before & after shots say it all – it looks amazing, well done!! I love the creativity and inspiration. thanks for sharing all these gorgeous things to do and make on your FAB blog!
Love your yellow chairs!
I love the yellow chairs! x
http://moiraparton.blogspot.co.uk/
This dining room looks perfect for dinner parties! An idea that I would do, would to take pictures of the dinner parties and then hang them around the room.
Elsie, u inspire me! I read tour blog for a long time now, and i love to see your happy and sucess with your work. I never post a coment But i’m always cheering 4you. Xoxo
LOVE love the wrap around hooks!
I love your dining room & where did u get that aztec anorak from?
π
the piano looks awesome π
Yellow chairs the best!
You have the prettiest home ever!!! Everything is fun, adorable and bright! I would love to live there!!! If you want to switch homes, I’m all for it! π
xx,
E.
http://www.theslowpace.com
I love the yellow chairs! I’m not sure if will ever be able to paint my piano though, other than that I think a home made of DIY’s is really lovely, shows hardwork and you can put your own touch into it, afterall that is the point of having your own place π
You have a fabulous sense of style, love the yellow chairs and the high ceilings and the lights and …well everything
Love this SO much, Elsie!
Cx http://mixedmediumstheatre.blogspot.co.uk/
Awesome (as always)! xx
Kaisa // kaisaphoto.com
This is breathtaking! What a transformation from what it used to be! I’m obsessed with your missmatched yellow chairs against the white walls. So so good.
Jaclyn
Los Dos Aiko’s
http://losdosaikos.com/
Love your house so much… And would love to know where you got your jacket!
Fantastic! Thanks so much. I think I have some redoing to get to. π
everything about these pictures are so dreamy! love it!
{lisa}
nightingalejunelove.blogspot.com
Wow! Beautiful transformation.
http://www.kierramakayla.blogspot.com
xoxo
so nice and bright!
just wanted to let you know that somehow
the blog post with your kitchen home tour went missing…
when i open the link there’s just a blank space.
the same happened on my friends computer.
love your blog!
lisa
so nice and bright!
just wanted to let you know that somehow
the blog post with your kitchen home tour went missing…
when i open the link there’s just a blank space.
the same happened on my friends computer.
love your blog!
lisa
I love everything about this room. Speechless π
Everytime i see you dining room, i’m amazed! Love these chairs, every since you show them for the first time here on the blog, i’ve been obsessed with neon yellow furniture! And what’s you’ve done with the piano…Hats off! Just gorgeous!
xoxo
Melodie
http://sevenlivesandmore.blogspot.fr/
I love have bright and simple this room is, and I think the hooks are a great idea for revolving decor. People have a tendency to fill big rooms with stuff, but most of the time we just want big rooms for their airy quality. I love the lace curtains over the windows, and every time I see your dining table and chairs I can’t wait to have an actual dining room (we have an eat-in kitchen now) where I’ll be able to have a big table and a bar cart. Things to look forward to!
I followed the link to the kitchen post, but it seems the page is missing? Bummer! Just letting you know! π
A beautiful mess indeed! I fell in love with all the colour and words you had to share since I first saw you last week and I am still inspired. Than-you for brightening my weekdays!
I love the simplicity, and the mismatched yellow chairs!
But am wondering if the ladder is part of the decor? It kind of looks like you’re about to adjust the curtains, or something…?
Gorgeous! Totally agree with the mismatched chairs and the giant table – we have a 2.3mtr refectory table made from 100 year old Karri Pine, that used to be a science lab bench. It’s my most loved and prized possession (my Dad made it), and having a big table is so useful!
Sarah π
LOVE the piano! Did you cut out all the stars yourself using a stencil or did you buy them online?
Totally loving your dining room Elsie. It’s so bright and wonderful.
Rosie x | Every Word Handwritten
I really, really must know your nail polish color. π
Pretty please?
I don’t even like the color yellow, and I’m sooooo IN LOVE with this room!! It is amazing. PERIOD!!
Love your dining room Elsie! Love the white walls and yellow chairs especially. The cocktail cart is a great addition. What you did to the piano is so cool. Love your decor style and I cannot wait for the book next year!
I love your curtains! What sort of rods/fabric did you use?
THANK U SO MUCH
WHAT AN IDEA
Hi Elsie,
I have been looking at your “pegs” in your kitchen for a long time. They are lovely!! I would really love to find some similar “pegs” for my new home.
Could you help me, where I can find them on the internet? I live in Denmark.
Just love them, and is not able to find them on my own π
Love your home and style π Keep up the good work!
Greetings from Lene