Dining Room Pics

As promised, today I'm sharing with you pics of my Dining Room!

It is not "finished", but is a good example of budget decorating!!

Our home has an open floor plan, and this is the view from the central hallway.

To the left is our "library" (what we say for the formal living room--it holds bookcases and piano), and to the right our kitchen.

We would like to paint this room a cafe' color above the chair rail, and do wainscot panelling below (painted the same color as the trim).

I just love this tray ceiling! I'm going to do a super pale champagne leaf/color dry-brush finish in there!

The chandelier was put in by the builders. Maybe someday I'll change it out, but for now it's just fine! That's a lesson you learn when choosing to decorate on a budget! Not everything HAS to be done right away! Make a list of what you NEED to do, and what you WANT to do, then check items off the list as the budget allows!

I added the black chandie shades, and black cord scrunchie cover. I have black accents throughout the house, so this ties in well. Also got the lamps with black shades at Kirklands for $19 apiece!!

The silk drapes were from LinensNThings on sale.

Here's my fall centerpiece! The silver tray on the bottom came from the thrift store! The vintage glass cake stand and candy (?) dish, along with the milk glass candleholders were my hubby's grandparents. His grandmother passed away this July, so these items on display are a nice reminder of such a special lady! I dressed them up for fall with some pinecones from our neighborhood and baby pumpkins. I also added a chocolate and gold sparkly bird that matches the ones on the autumn/winter arrangement on the "buffet".

The lace tablecloth was a gift from my sister when she was studying in Europe in college. I have a cream colored tablecloth under it now, but for the holidays use a red tablecloth under. You can see the color through the lacy cut-outs on top!

These candle sconces used to hold oil lamps in the Victorian era! They were only $16 at the flea market!! How did I learn about these? Saw them in a magazine, and clipped the pic for my inspiration/decorating files!! Had this in my file for several years before I found them this summer!!

I personally would rather wait to find what I'm looking for and live with a bare wall for a while, than fill it up with something I don't really like just to have something "there". This is just wasteful of your money! Have patience! :)

I bought this china cabinet 10 years ago when we lived in Texas. I got it from friends of ours that were moving and didn't want to take it with them, so I got it pretty inexpensively! The wood matches the tone of our dining set fairly well, and it holds a LOT!

I'd eventually like a antique piece, or hutch, but is this a priority? No! It works well, and is paid for, so for now it stays!!

Here's some of our formal china, which we use several times throughout the year! We really do use our china and silver and this dining room often. When we have family over or entertain, it's in here! Why not?! :) I figure if something gets broken, so what? It's just a plate, right?! Creating memories with family and friends is more important than a broken plate. Enjoy the things you've been blessed with!!!

Also in here are some family items. Carnival glass dishes from my Grammy. A special blue bottle from my Grandpop's collection. Teacups from hubby's Grandmothers, and a silver baby cup from his great-great Uncle!

Our "buffet" is actually a 1920's dresser with original finish! I got it several years ago at a flea market. It was our entry table at our old home, but didn't fit in the entry space here. It got new life as a dining room buffet, and now holds our table linens!! Gotta love pieces that are versatile! :)

This rug was FREE from my sister! It's nothing great, just something to hold us over until we can afford to get a new rug, but it'll do! :) New rug = expensive. This rug = FREE. I'll take it!
We received our dining table and chairs when we were newlyweds 11 years ago! It belonged to Hubby's grand (or great grand) parents! It is very old, and very beautiful! It's also getting a little wobbly and the seat bottoms are cracking, but we'll never get rid of it!!

I've recovered the seats on here several times. This is left over from about 8 years ago when I went through a French Country phase. Guess what I used for the fabric? Sheets! hehe :)

This will get changed out for a cream slipcover-skirt!

My antique brown transferware collection! I'm collecting this a piece at a time. Waiting for one special plate to go at the top!

Lessons here: Decorate over time. Make a list of Needs and Wants. Take freebies gladly. Use what you have. Add items with special meaning. Buy on sale. Mix new and old pieces. Wait patiently. Enjoy your blessings!

What "lesson" are you taking away with you today?! :)