Friday, August 6, 2010

5 super simple things to update your dining room

Inspiration Board

Ever wonder what simple things you can do to update one of the spaces in your home? As a big "D" wading through the mud of a fabulous and inspiring new economy, I am approached with this question pretty much everyday. How can I get an incredible new look, on a shoestring budget?
After meeting with a client that I adore, we decided to do just this. She has a wonderful loft space here in downtown Nashville, and she was tired of her existing traditional space. To spice things up I decided on a very eclectic, and collected look based on the
 inspiration board she created. (shown above)
She has wonderful built-in bookshelves, like the ones shown below, but many of her pieces were dated and did not suit her lifestyle or personality. Her board was fun, imaginative, and spicy. And if you knew her, you would see that this board suited her perfectly. Karen is a free thinking, singer song writing rock and roll junkie, with twigs in her jet black hair, and in my book a modern day Jean Harlow hippie. Freaking awesome!


Her jumping off point was this Valentino photo above. This photo encompasses everything she loves. In her words to describe it: High Fashion, Titillating couture, Old world, Valentino red, Style, Sophistication, Chic chic, Glamour, and relaxed luxury.

One of the most exciting things about her space is the wall to ceiling bookshelves. It adds an unexpected focal point, that is dramatic and eye catching. Libraries are essentially a collection of books that add sophistication, refinement, and exude culture and experience, just like Valentino. So we combined her library and dining area into one large space so the table could double for a book research surface, and a fabulous dining experience. 


So what are 5 super simple things you can do to update your dining room?
1) Replace your captains chairs with something fresh. Either reupholster the ones you have 
or purchase new ones.
2) Add a new chandelier. The one above adds an incredible pop of color, and va-va voom for less
than $400 bucks.
3) Add candle light to your table top. Hurricanes are gorgeous accessories in the day time and create a 
wonderful glow in the evening when the candles are lit. And remember the AB HOME credo: 
Go Big or Go Home. Buy hurricanes that make a statement, and add tremendous weight to your table!
4) Purchase a new rug or layer a new rug on top of your existing one. Both will add a new element
 of depth and texture, and bring in some much needed color and style.
5) Fresh flowers. I cannot say enough about fresh flowers. Your home is your haven, make it inviting. 
There is no better way to welcome your guests, then to add fresh roses, lillies, peonies or 
any one of your favorite flowers on the table. 


Like what you see above? Here is our shopping list of items we used:

Items in this set

Amazon.com: Gaiam Recycled Plastic Reversible All-Weather Indoor/Outdoor Rug (9'L x 6'W) Aqua & Orange Turkish Pattern: Kitchen & Dining
Beach Rug AT064 Black / Ivory Boardwalk Stripes Rug - AT064BKIY
smoke chair
Roxy Euphoria 9 Light Polished Chrome Chandelier with Red Lucite Jewel Light Drops - 299190/9RD at The Home Depot
dining tables
Williams-Sonoma Home | Campo De Fiori Aged Terracotta Hurricanes
book lovers never go to bed alone
Elegant Flower Arrangements, Orchid Arrangements, Unique Floral Arrangement By Katrina

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18 comments:

  1. Thanks for the great ideas!
    Teresa (Splendid Sass)

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  2. Excellent tips Amanda!

    Come and join my latest Great Giveaway!!

    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  3. I needed this inspiration - thank you! And that Valentino photo? Yummy, just yummy.

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  4. Sounds like you had lots of fun...

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  5. Amazing! I love everything about it.I really like combing a dining room & library.

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  6. Fun blog you have! I love those RED dresses!
    Thanks for dropping by to see me!

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  7. Great tips! I am definitely all for fresh flowers. They make me so happy when I have them around the house.

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  8. Wow ~ great bookcase and I love the idea of the area being used as a dining room and library. I'd love to do that in a "traditional" house some day. Surprised to see that chandy is from Home Depot ~ good for them!

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  9. Great post! The mood board to dining room images are awesome! Love that you listed the sources here.

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  10. Great ideas- I am currently gearing up to redo my chandalier with some spray paint-

    I need a new rug too!

    Nice to 'meet' you!

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  11. She sounds like a cool chic to hang out with! I would LOVE to see the space you create for her. Please post it so we can oooh and ahhh over it. Thanks for visiting my little blog. I love getting new visitors!
    ~Misti

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  12. Thanks so much for the visiting my place Ms. AB. I was in a house in June with one of those chandeliers. Well I don't know if it was the one you feature. Anyway, it was in a very big open area over a big table. It caught my eye no matter where I was.

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  13. These tips inspire me!
    Have a great Sunday!




    LOVE!

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  14. I pretty much want to remodel my dining room around that chandelier!

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  15. Thank you so much for stopping by:) Loving your blog!!

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  16. I love your blog! everytime I come here I learn something new- and make me want to decorate my place to be more hip

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