It’s the holidays and everyone is coming over to your home! Holy shmolly! The house isn’t ready! What will you do? That’s where I found myself a few weeks ago. We have never even used our dining room. It’s been 4 years and that room has just been a storage area and never utilized. Sad isn’t it? I have this big, beautiful home and and I’m using only a fraction of it. Time for a Dining Room Christmas Makeover! It’s time to show how to decorate your dining room so that your family and guests feel warm and welcome this holiday season and all throughout the year.
Here is my dining room “before” in the picture below. Ummm, yah. Not so thrilling is it? No wonder we never used it. I thought the dark colors would invite a more cozy and moodier feel to the room. Let’s just say, that room has never (like ever) been used in the past 4 years and no one had any desire to even go in it…. (sigh).
Let’s make this room fabulous!
Step one: Add a gorgeous chandelier-
CHECK! This is your main focal point that will bring ambiance to the room. This particular chandy is a Pottery Barn knock-off from Overstock.
Step two: brighten the room-
Lift the mood and lighten the space with a white and soft warm pallet. I switched out the dark chocolate brown base for a fresh and light “Ultra White” by Dutch Boy. But now, can we say “HELLO!”? Wake me up. Pour the champagne. Would you like the filet or the salmon ma’am? Make this room bright and inviting, elegant and yet not overly stuffy.
Step 3: Add architectural interest:
I added wainscoting all around the room for architectural detail and interest. The new molding is easy to make and install. (Tutorial coming soon!)
Step 4: New Color Pallet- Instead of yellow and brown, I chose a more modern pallet of yellow and gray. A new rug replaces the traditional flavor with a modern print, which pulls in the gray-blue tones from the adjoining rooms painted in Sea Salt & Comfort Gray.
Now let me tell you a bit about the paint I used. It’s by Dutch Boy. It is the Refresh line that they carry and I’m telling you, if you don’t want to smell any paint fumes then this is one to choose! I’ve done my fair share of painting and I’m telling you, this paint has the lowest VOC emissions that I’ve detected yet. I painted the room and no one could tell from the scent. Usually my family complains, but with Dutch Boy they didn’t! This is an awesome paint to use in kitchen or bathrooms especially. Check out these FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) about the Refresh Paint. It has a convenient handle and no drip pour spout for a no-mess painting experience. Why can’t all paint manufacturers do this? Brilliant!
I painted the lower walls in their Satin paint and the trim work was painted in semi-gloss. I’m a very picky person when it comes to paint. (Ok, I’m a total paint snob). I usually go for the highest end of the paint market options. I was surprised to find how nice the Dutch Boy Refresh Paint leveled and covered. Check it out if you have a chance!
Step 5: Accessorize The colors are lightened and the artwork makes a bold statement. This artwork is “Storm Over the Marsh” by James Way. I absolutely adore it. I’ve had my eye on it for 2 years. Merry Christmas to me! This painting depicts the southern coastal marshes where I live. The other artwork is my own Give Thanks Subway Art, hand painted on bead board, reminding us to give thanks in any situation and in any language.
Set the holiday table with natural and easy to make Glittered Bay Leaf Trees set upon a gold charger with Epsom salt “snow”. This makes a beautiful centerpiece that will last into January.
To build upon the more modern gray and gold theme, add accessories that repeat the colors. Glittered pear wreaths, white candles, and silver and glistening gold bells and baubles all contribute to an elegant ensemble.
Don’t forget the final touches when decorating your dining room. The small things like a coordinating table cloth, easy stoneware, and special accents like these quick and easy DIY jingle bell napkin rings.
All these ideas will ensure that your dining room will be as beautiful as you can make it! Now, I can’t guarantee or vouch for your holiday cooking, so you’re on your own there girlfriend! I’m hosting my entire family on Christmas for the 1st time ever, and to be honest I’m kinda nervous!
How about you?
Are you hosting for the holidays? Tell me about it! I’d love to hear your tips & tricks to a successful shin-dig!
Kim
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Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Dutch Boy and paint supplies were furnished by Dutch Boy. All experiences expressed and opinions are my own.
Kim, can you share what the yellow paint color is?
Ivoire by Sherwin Williams. That color remained.
Wainscoting always makes a room look fabulous! Love the rug, great choice! The room looks so bright and cheery now, great job!
it’s beautiful Kim!
hi, I’m a new follower to S&S; love the dining room redo. Looking forward to the wainscoating tutorial!
It’s absolutely gorgeous. I really like the color you chose and the rug. 🙂
Very elegant, fresh and bright! I love holiday entertaining…getting and staying organizing is the best tip. Make a list and stick to it. When I entertain I enjoy cooking and baking everything.
WOW! Simply Gorgeous!
Beautiful, Kim! Love how fresh and inviting it feels! I’m hosting, too, and because it’s mostly teens, college kids, young adults, it’s gonna be a week of buffet-style eating for us! We will be enjoying our new-to-us family heirloom dining room table, though.
Thanks for the ideas!
xo Heidi
Oh I am loving the white instead of the red. Your new rug and curtains look gorgeous! Love how it all flows and coordinates 🙂
Kim – your “new” dining room is gorgeous! I love the new color palette. These are all great tips! Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.
BEAUTIFUL Kim!! I love the lighter and brighter look!!
The art & rug are my faves, but it is all very pretty!
Great tips and absolutely gorgeous, wish I’d seen this before Christmas…there’s always next year though.
I have a horrible time finding rugs…where did you get this gray one?
Love the gray rug too. I saw the same rug at West Elm. http://www.westelm.com/shop/rugs-windows/rugs-flooring/?
May I ask where you got your drapes and what color/style are they? What beautiful room!
Hi Mary! Thank you so much! I love how the dining room has turned out. I purchased those curtain panels a few years ago from Target. It was from their Target Home collection. I don’t remember what they were called exactly, but they look like raw silk (faux of course) and I think the color was called “butter”. I’m not sure they carry it anymore, but you can check online.
~KIM
Thanks, Kim, just knowing the fabric type helps a bunch!
Where did you purchase the dining room table set.
Hi Thelma, I found the entire dining room table and 4 chairs at a local thrift store for total of $120! No kidding! I purchased 2 more chairs that matched pretty well from Overstock.com.
I’d like to know what you used for the baseboard and chair rail. What is the width and thickness, is it some type of molding also?
Hi Alice! Actually, the baseboard and chair rail were already in the room. We just added the picture frame molding between them. Both the baseboard and chair rail are 4.5 inches wide.
Thanks!
KIM
Love the dining room. Beautifully done. I read you bought the dining de the t thrift and ordered additional chairs at overstock. Are they comfortable and of good quality? They look distressed did they come like that? I also have 3 kids under 12. I have been looking for chairs like that and was apprehensive to buy on line. Your opinion would be appreciated. Thank you.
Kathie
Hi Kathie. Yes, the chairs are sturdy. They have a slight destressed appearance. I have bought several pieces of furniture from Overstock and I’ve always been pleased. The chandelier which was a Pottery Barn knockoff is from Overstock also. The only negative is that you have to assemble most of the pieces. Other than that, it’s worth the extra work. ~KIM