The Family Dining Room Grows Up

I see many homes that have everyday dining spaces that can sometimes seem like an after-thought...

You may use it everyday - but you may not think about making it more stylish...Doing that does not have to break the bank...Plus, it can be something you do over time.  You can de-clutter, paint walls, get a new table, then get new chairs later on, add some lighting details and new artwork, etc...As you have money to add to the project - you can add to it or you can get it done all at once...

For this project, the first step was adding color to the walls.  The bead board was painted a crisp white and the walls were painted a warm sand tone that is an eco-friendly paint from Mythic Paint called "Golden Valley."

The room took on a sunnier feel once that color was added.

For a quick change on the lighting, I simply added shades.  Sometimes being creative with your existing lighting can be an easy way to change up the look.  I added small shades to each bulb and gave the old fixture new life.   You could even spray paint the fixture to give it a new color too.  An easy and inexpensive change...You could also update the whole fixture and replace it with a new one...

I chose a farmhouse table from Broyhill to give the dining space a more grown up feel.  A place for everyone to gather.  I also wanted the room to be changeable when the mood strikes.   So in the image above - you see the table in one position with chairs gathered around it.

If your mood changes or you want to give the room a new look for awhile - you can move the table into a new position - with the same chairs - but this time you can add the dining bench on one side...A great way to make the space more casual and give you informal seating options...

A dining bench is always a favorite addition to any eating area in my book.  You could easily do two dining benches on either side of the table with two chairs on each end...

This table does has a leaf to extend it out even further for larger gatherings...

Adding the final touches of the area rug, the matchstick shades on the windows and simple artwork make the space feel finished without being overly done...

The final layer of fall-themed accents makes an everyday space take on a whole new feeling...The space can now go from family gathering time to casual dinners with friends easily and in a very inviting way...

To see this table and chairs visit - Broyhill Furniture for more inspiration...

Home Front Entrance Makeover

• It's the time of year when I'm thinking about creative ways to say "welcome home."   In the fall, it's all about creating a mood when you enter your home through the front door (or kitchen door)...So I decided to focus on a makeover about just that - the doors you enter through everyday as you come home...

 

• On a recent makeover project, I wanted to take something that is a classic home accent - a screen door - and make it the centerpiece of an entrance door redesign for both a main front door and a kitchen or mud room entrance door...

• Adding a screen door is something you can do with many style homes - it's not just for a classic farmhouse style - like the home of my client shown here.  

• It is also something that can be quite useful at this time of year - when many of us are experiencing Indian Summer.  You can have your doors open to allow the fresh air in for a little longer this season...Personally, I just like the way they look and the way they sound...Plus, in summer months - they are a "green" way of cooling your home...

• I made notes on these images so you can see what I was looking to change from the before areas...removing landscaping details to open up the area, removing pavers for the path to make room for gravel, painting the black doors to warm them up a little with a rich green tone...Even changing out the existing light fixtures to make more of a statement for the entrance...Creating a good focal point for the home overall...

• The changes do not require major construction - yet can truly make a visual impact on what you see as you approach the home...A simple, new look that can truly go a long way...

• It's all about doing it stages and it can be done over a weekend...Clean up is key and getting the area ready...Setting the stage for the final details that can make it come to life...

• As you progress, you start to feel motivated about the changes you are making.  This is a great family project too...

• Always document - take before and after pictures.  A great thing for your own records and memories, but also a great tool to have on hand should you ever sell your home.  All the changes show how you upgraded the house...

• I shopped Lowes for the door I was looking for.  There you will find finished and unfinished wood door choices and vinyl ones too.  Also I found a great selection of special order products too.  Your options are many and you can find something that will suit your style.  

• I chose a Screen Tight screen door with extra frame support at the bottom - because the homeowners had dogs and kids.  I wanted to be sure they were not pushing through the screen.  There are even special order screens that are reinforced for that very reason with special screen material.   Plus, many screens even allow the screening to be removed and replaced - so that you can paint the door easily...

• Next - it's was all about finding the right hardware for the doors...You definitely want something that allows the door to close automatically behind you...Don't want the dog getting out without your knowing it...Plus, most of the handles you get for the door knobs are "faux" knobs - so install is easy...

• I chose a very nice copper-looking finish that was perfect for the project.  The hinges actually have springs inside to make the door close (and make that great screen door sound that I have always loved)...

• With the doors in place, I could already see how they were going to change the look of these entrances...I had measured the door openings exactly - so I was able to find doors that fit my opening.  Measuring is key for the best fit...

• A simple, classic addition that adds a welcoming layer to any door....

• After the install was complete, I gathered some fall harvest decorations and set the stage for this family to come home to a whole new look...

• This is the time of year when you can focus in on your entrances...Make a focal point out of them...As the holidays approach - you have a stage to display things - but also draw the eye into those areas...

• So maybe you are not going to spend lots of money on a major home renovation or major paint job on your home's exterior this year - so take advantage of what you can do in smaller ways and give yourself the most impact...

• Have fun with it and I look forward to hearing and seeing your own makeovers...