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Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Romancing The Dining Room





There's nothing like soft focus, backlighting, and roses for romancing just about anything. But I've also been wanting to lighten things up in my dining room.




I love farmhouse style, and would die for an enormous eat in kitchen instead of what I've got. But I'll just have to use my imagination.









 Since the room is small, I took almost everything off of the walls to make the space seem less busy. A freshly painted vintage frame lightens things up. The shutters were moved from against the left wall to the corner, further opening up the space. I plan to gradually add more white painted finishes. But don't hold your breath. . . .




Before





The room breathes so much better now.










Left of the new frame is the business side of the room. People often laugh when they see a photo of what is here. What else is there to do? In the past I have tried different obvious things to camouflage the switchplates. But this corner of the wall is a high movement area, and is better left free. There are some things we just choose to live with. With all due respect to you male designers out there, there is no way around the fact that some "practical"  man is responsible. So much for romance. . . . 













Vintage Quaker lace.





This is how my vintage high chair usually looks, but it gets dressed differently now and then. . .






A little Italian sconce adds romance.












The chippy pink bench gets moved around a lot.















 









It feels so good to lighten things up for the summer!
Thanks for stopping by for a look.
I'm hooking up over at
See you there!


Jacqueline 

38 comments:

  1. You did a beautiful job opening up your dining room. Your lovely touches really make it your "own".
    Blessings & hugs,
    Karen

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  2. I love your artist's eye. And I love the needlework hanging on the basket! Everything is special....

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  3. Love all your ironstone and the wonderful brick flooring.

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  4. Everything is really bright, light, and serene. Love that sun shining in! You do have a way of making an already beautiful space even more lovely! Kay

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  5. Your lighter kitchen and dining room looks like it came right out of a french country home!!!!! I love the chippy bench, Quaker lace runner... I love it all!

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  6. You always make the most of every inch, Jacqueline. I love each feature in here! And I didn't even notice those 'practical' things on the wall until you mentioned them. I should take your idea and try to hide my eyesore red oil burner switches in our kitchen. :)

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  7. I really like what you've done to lighten up your dining room. Your lovely ironstone, enamelware, and linens with your pretty roses make any room look beautiful!
    Mary Alice

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  8. Ahh Jacqueline, You have the softest touch when it comes to decorating your home. You have such romantic style and I love your dining room.

    hugs
    Sissie

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  9. Jacqueline,
    Oh, this is heavenly, dear friend!I adore the white frame! I would, however, love to see more of that china cabinet in the background of your photo!The photos of the sun streaming through is ethereal! Gorgeously romantic dining, indeed!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  10. A room does not have to be big to have impact.Your room is beautiful.You have such a lovely way of putting things together.I find it so charming.
    ((Hugs))
    Anne

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  11. All beautiful!!! I especially love the second last photo. I am enjoying your roses too.

    Carolyn

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  12. It's all so pretty but I am mostly happy to see the china cupboard again. I just love it. Deb

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  13. Beautiful room! love the wall,

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  14. O.K so I hated my dining room before I saw this post....now I really HATE my dining room....do you feel bad!?!?!??! Love yours..x0x0

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  15. Love the new lighter look....your floor is just GORGEOUS too!!!! I have a few odd ball light switches and etc. that make me a little crazy at times....I keep telling myself those little quirks are what make an old home so charming!!! LOL...Of course the sloping floors tend to keep visitors watching where they are going and less focused on the walls so it's all good right??!! LOL
    ~Des

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  16. SO pretty, Jacqueline! LOVE the Italian sconce...and the huge basket especially!

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  17. I have some switch plates at eye level and it drives me nuts. What were they thinking? My house was built in 1928 so some of the switches and plugs were added later, but come on - down low please!

    I love, love, love the big basket with the lace lining. It doesn't go with my decor, but I would use it anyway.

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  18. Lovely collections (some pics were blank, did you know?) And your pink roses..pretty

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  19. OOh I'm in love with those free standing cabinets and your gorgeous brick floor. It's amazing what you can do with little space and imagination isn't it? xx

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  20. i love those floors, they look like bricks? i love the coziness of small rooms, mine are so large they are like a bowling alley.

    i got white roses for mothers day and never had a chance to take a picture of them! :(

    if the switches are something you don't use very much, i take a small book with the cover torn off, open half way, drill a hole on each side then put right over the switch and cover that puppy up. even if you could do that to one of the switches would help. like i said not sure if you use them often or not.

    have a great day!

    tot

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  21. The dining room looks lovely, Jacqueline! I love all the natural wood, and the white. And you're right, it's nice to lighten things up at this time of year. What if you found something like this wire card holder to put on the wall near the switch plates. (scroll down a bit to see the photo) http://curioussofa.blogspot.com/2011/04/update.html It wouldn't stick out any more than the plate or clock does already. Just a thought!

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  22. Jacqueline: You always make everything shine. The lighting is just beautiful on your whites and dark bits of wood..Very pretty..Happy Wednesday..Judy

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  23. Hi Jacqueline...I love the look of your "fresh" room. but a thought did occur to me.....I would put another picture frame around your switch plate and thermostat....turn them into a statement of art. LOL LOL

    Jo

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  24. I've always loved your kitchen area Jacqueline! I love how you have lightened the space up.
    I loved reading your two previous posts too. I love it when family comes home to visit. I am so happy to hear that you had such a great time.
    sending hugs....

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  25. Its amazing as always. Looks like a dreamy farm house dining area to me!

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  26. I feel that if I peer out one of these windows I could see clear across the prairie ~ love your farmhouse style!

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  27. Beautiful images. Looks very peaceful and relaxing. Love the lace on the table

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  28. It doesn't have to be big to be beautiful Jacqueline... your dining room looks divine. Love the lace table cloth and curtain.

    I's love for you to pop on over to Shabbilcious Friday this week.

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  29. Beautiful room Jacqueline!

    Hugs,
    Judy

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  30. charming room, jacqueline! enjoy your weekend!

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  31. I'm just loving your lightened up look, Jacqueline! The pail with roses, the pretty white pitcher, the basket with the linen......beautiful!!! It looks nice and summery in there now! :)

    xoxo laurie

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  32. I like the new look for your dining room, it looks fresh and airy. Love that basket of linens too.

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  33. Beautiful post!! I love that basket and your flooring is wonderful!! Very pretty Summery look!! Thanks for linking up at FNF! :)

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  34. I love the new look. Simple, and beautiful.

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  35. I always love to come to your blog to see your beautiful images. Your dining room is so lovely. I love your lace runner atop your tablecloth with all the ironstone. So beautiful!

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  36. you always inspire me, J!! I'll be featuring this post on Vintage Inspiration tomorrow! thanks for always being there!

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