Dining Room Makeover - Part I

We have a small dining room just off our kitchen. It's our only eating area (no formal dining in our house). I have big plans for it and started the first step of it this weekend. There's a huge empty area that I just had to fill with something over the back door and window. I decided to make a shelf to display my kitchen knick knacks.

Before

After

Before

After

The left side: my vintage enamelware collection

The right side: an old frame with seed packets clipped to it, artwork by Kaleigh, a ceramic rooster planter, a framed vintage spoon I made, an old Borden milk bottle, and a candelabra I repainted from a local thrift shop

I want the entire shelf to just be vintage enamelware but for now I had to fill in with other goodies until I can collect more.

This frame I got from my grandmother. It had a piece of glass that I removed. I clipped seed packets to the old wire and propped up on the shelf. I really like how it turned out.

The shelf itself was simple to create (but a total PITA to hang - God bless my hubby and putting up with my DIY projects LOL). I bought an 8ft. piece of pine at Lowe's and stained with Minwax's *Dark Walnut*. I distressed the edges with a sander and hammer (sanded first and then beat on the edges with the hammer).

I bought the brackets at Hobby Lobby on sale for half off. They were a bronze/brown color and I spray-painted them a flat black finish.
 

Now back to the full room view:

Upcoming projects for this room:
1. I need to make valances for the window and door. I want red ticking stripe fabric to match the curtains I'll be making for the living room. I want either a Roman shade style or a swag style. Not sure yet. I also have a stained glass in an old window frame that I want to hang in the window below the curtain.
2. I want to replace the chandelier with something similar to this.
3. I need to recover the chairs. I bought some old feedsack material already. But we need to replace the wood bottoms of the seats first. The tables and chairs (and buffet in our living room) belonged to hubby's grandmother and all need to be professionally refinished.
4. I want to make placemats for the table.
5. I want to repaint the stools. I think I'll keep the bottoms black, not sure on the tops yet.
6. I want to put metal ceiling tiles on the bar wall in front of the stools. They get dinged up and dirty very easily when people sit there.
7. The hutch on the left wall belonged to my Nanny. It's laminate/particle board so it's nothing fancy but it's sentimental. I want to try and paint it either a creamy white or red. I'd like to replace the glass in the doors with chicken wire.
8. I want to paint the walls a soft buttery yellow.
9. I want to replace the pantry door with an old screen door if I can find one that fits.
10. A big project down the road but we want to replace the floors (which I LOATHE) with probably stained concrete.
11. Then we could get into the kitchen remodel but I'll save that for another post one day. ;)

Thanks for looking!

  

Comments

[Monica Coffman]

Looks great, Shannon! I love to see all your projects...but that list...oh my, I need to take a nap now. lol

[Olivia Brinlee]

I love it. Very nice!

[Diana Fisher]

Love that! Especially the frame with the seed packets!

[Bethany]

holy cripes Shannon! yikes that list makes me tired! LOL!!!
however I ADORE that shelf!!! super cute!! & that frame with the seed packets :eek: OMGosh!!! how do u even come up with these amazing ideas!!! u most have creativity coming out yer ears woman!!! love it!!!

[Lisa (FunkyFairy)]

Shannon, that's made such a difference. I love it! You've done an amazing job. The room looks beautiful : )

[Donica]

Looks so good all put together!! Cant wait to see it when you put up the Valance too!