August 2, 2011

My friends, I've been keeping a secret from you. It took me over five years to finish my dining room, and when I say 'finish' I mean install a much needed countertop, a backsplash, and some hardware on the built in cabinets. Truth be told, there was just a piece of plywood as a countertop sitting in this little nook for many years that I would cover up when company came. Seasons passed, I procrastinated and procrastinated until just a few weeks ago. The time had finally come to finish the job.

Here's a peek of how it looks today.

One of the reasons I even started this blog was to document the progress on our house remodel that we started oh, six years ago. I can't believe finishing this part of a major space in our home actually took me this long.

 

Sadly, I'd been hiding the ugly plywood counter for years under a tacky piece of contact paper. Yep, you read that right. Contact paper. *hangs head in shame*

 

Well now it's a part of my past, and we shall speak of it no more.

 

Here's how it went down. I got a recommendation from a guy who knows a guy with a fabrication shop. That guy told me that the other guy had remnants and I should go check it out. Well I did. I spied a crema marfil marble remnant and made the guy an offer he couldn't refuse. $50 bucks. He said, 'OK lady' and then quoted me $200 more to measure, fabricate, and install. That's a price I was willing to pay. $250 total. Done.

I ordered new pulls and knobs from my local True Value, but when they arrived they were a little too black in the ridges, so I used a little Rub n Buff in 'Pewter' to fix that.

 

I also painted the inside of the cabinets the same color as the walls which is Ben Moore's 'Camouflage' – the same as in my kitchen and family room. Notice how I didn't paint the outside!

See, I don't paint everything white, although it's tempting at times. Actually, I think the wood cabinets are really beautiful.

 

I found the glass tile at a local shop and instantly fell in love. It was a little pricey (I paid $13 a sheet) but I loved it so much I had to have it. Now I can't take my eyes off of it. It's Jeffery Court glass tile in 'Whitewater'. Here's the link if you love it to. We installed it yesterday, isn't it purtay? The tiles vary in color between gray/green and taupe, which is pure perfection for this space, and especially complements the wall color. If I had the extra cash, I'd be tempted to redo my kitchen in it too, it's that lovely.

 

Our dining room sits right in the middle of the house and is a major multitasking space. We use it for everything from art projects to an impromptu laptop station, also for both casual and formal dining, and as a buffet during the holidays.

 

The double pedestal table comfortably seats six, but expands to eight. We found it in perfect condition at an antique shop when we were first married. I'm not a fan of matching sets, so over the years I've switched up the seating. These slipcovered chairs I bought from Ballard sooooo many years ago (I'm gonna guess eight). Ballard still carries them, they are the upholstered Couture Chairs and they are fabulous.

Years ago I had a glass top specially cut for the top to protect the surface so I don't have to stress about the top getting scratched, and it's much easier to clean that way.

 

Diamond print rug by Dash & Albert.

Mariestad chandelier from Ballard, I installed it a few months ago. I like its grayish taupe color too that goes with everything, plus it's a simple and classic style.

 

Sometimes I bring in the nailhead trim trestle bench I refinished last year to mix up the seating even more. The linen slipcovered armchairs I found on vacay down in the Solana Beach shopping district on Cedros Avenue a month ago for 50% off.

 

But these days I'm loving my slipcovered chairs with all my heart and soul. Mostly because they come upholstered in whatever color you want, but you can mix it up with fitted slipcovers with the seasons. Mine are the ecru velvet slipcovers, cozy in winter, white in summer. I think I'll pick up the spa blue or sage linen versions someday, if they ever go on sale, just to add a pop of color to this neutral space.

 

There you go, finally, the official grand tour of the dining room space. I love it!

Oh, one more thing before I go.

My glass tile backsplash is totally rad.

 

There, I said it. I'm done now.

Hope you like it too.

True Value Blog Squad legalese: "I was one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program as well as my writing about my experience. I have also been compensated for the materials needed for my DIY project. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments."