Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Our Dining Room: Update 1

First, I want to thank everyone who commented and emailed with sincere words over the depressing news of yesterday's post. It's behind us now, and the first coat of primer has been applied to the porch, washing away history of the event entirely. So moving onto brighter, more beautiful things ... the dining room is starting to shape up! There are still things to do, and strings to tie, but it's semi-photo ready and I want you all to see the progress.


My Asian porcelains are among my most favorite things. They're interesting and patterned, and I love the sophisticated look you get from one or groupings of them ... especially on dark furniture or hardwood floors. My temple jars made great vases for blossoming tree branches. The brass candlesticks were collected in Turkey, and the lamps are a new find.

Initially, I thought that lamps wouldn't work on the sideboard, given that there is sconce light directly to either side of the window above. But when I took a good look around the very inspiring home of Scot Wood, I noticed that he layered up his lamps directly under hardwired sconces, and it looked amazing! So, inspired and invigorated, I went out shopping and was so happy to find these simple brass buffet lamps with silk shades! The difference of the diffused light from the lamps, outfitted with nightlight bulbs and the dimmed chandelier and wall sconces is remarkable, and it adds a romantic layer to the dining room. Proof in the pudding here folks: Layering lighting is NEVER a bad idea!

Don't you agree? Sconces, candles, lamps, chandeliers. They all provide a different type of light, cast a different shadow, and invigorate a different sense. The small brass bowl and decorative tray were $3.00 TOTAL for both at two different thrift stores. I couldn't be happier with the home they've made here, nestled between my double happiness ginger jars.

Now, I still have a beautiful braided trim to stitch to curtains - a custom detail I'm doing myself allowing me to save hundreds of dollars, pillows to make for the two side chairs from a wonderful velvet mohair in the most lovely shade of pale sea blue, upholstery of the three other dining room chairs in my sage/brown cheetah print fabric ... odd, I know - but it looks so amazing, and just a few more decorative touches.

It's humming right along and I couldn't be happier! Check out the false transoms up in the top right hand corner! Don't they look perfect? And yes, there is a glaring new addition to the room. The vintage zebra hide rug was a long-awaited find that I think fits perfectly here, layered atop the Persian rug. I know some of you are anti-zebra, for design and animal-loving reasons, and I understand! Please know, my hide is vintage - NOT NEW - and has been lovingly used for more than 50 years prior to my getting it.

I hope you've enjoyed the mini-tour. It's about all I could manage for this evening after working late, and painting immediately after arriving home. As soon as we're ready for another update installment - you can rest assured it'll be right here, waiting for you! I've linked up to Marty's tabletop Tuesday posts today and welcome everyone who stops by from there! If you haven't been to Marty's A Stroll Thru Life, hop on over! It's an inspiring blog you can't miss!

27 comments:

  1. Artie, the vignette on the sideboard is beautiful, and I am loving those draperies. Can't wait to see them after you add trim. They look gorgeous right now. laurie

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  2. Artie, you did not disappoint- GORGEOUS!! I absolutely love the zebra hide- OMG! Lucky you to find one vintage!! SO glad you're going back to your roots- it fits your homr perfectly!
    xoxo Pattie

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  3. The room looks lovely...Your buffet is a beautiful piece of furniture! What's the little white box up in the corner of the room?

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  4. What a lovely room -- I love the blue and white -- of course, you know I LOVE blue and white but the grouping looks really good!!!! -- I love the branches in the jars and those little lamps look stunning! I sometimes do that on my buffet -- I have sconces but add lamps to it as well -- yes it is different light!

    Your dining room is amazing and so warm and cozy!

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  5. Your buffet vignette is beautiful! (and if you ever tire of that zebra rug I know someone who would wants one....bad!)~Cindy

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  6. Beautiful-I love your porcelin vases-they are stunning!

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  7. Hey, Artie, looks fantastic! I love the wall color and all the layering you did. You have such a good eye for these things. Did you ever post the finale of the bathroom project?? I looked back, but only saw the mostly finished posts. I do adore what you've done in that bathroom, it is truly wonderful.

    Thanks for stopping by to see my little project too!

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  8. Hi Artie and I'm so glad you've joined us at Marty's for Tabletop Tuesday! Oh, look at all you've been doing! Your dining room is smashing! Now I love your porcelains - I guess I didn't know what these were called - I've just always called them 'ginger jars'. The blue and white looks stunning on your chest. I do love your little lamps - their simplicity and size are just perfect here. I love your lushness of drapes and can't wait to see them trimmed out. Oh, I smiled when I saw your zebra rug! Leave it to Artie to add some 'wild thing' to his elegant room! You're so good, Dear One!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  9. Thanks for stopping by. Your dining room looks great already and I am sure the finishing touches will just add that "wow" factor. Look forward to seeing the finished room.

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  10. Beautiful! I always feel that you can't go wrong with blue and white and so artfully arranged. I've always loved layering so you couldn't go wrong with layering lighting too!

    - the Tablescaper

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  11. O dear heart...this is absolutely STUNNING as only YOU can do. Everything is just perfect....Your lamps..your drapes...THAT RUG...omg, I have always wanted one, too. Just love it all, Artie. You have done a magnificent job.
    xo bj

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  12. Artie you always do such a wonderful job. I was painfully waiting for this preview and felt so bad about your vandalism as well as your mental anguish. Glad all is well now. This room is beautiful. Layers add to anything in my life!

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  13. Wow Artie, I love the room and the buffet vignette is truly stunning. Now I would have never thought of layering the lighting, but you are so right, it creates the most amazing glow. I love your beautiful ginger jars, they are so pretty grouped together. Everything is just gorgeous. Thanks so much for joining the party and I can't wait to see more. Great inspiration. Hugs, Marty

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  14. It's lovely. I agree, I like the lamps under the sconces. I just adore that sideboard (is that still what they are called?)or buffet. What a beautiful piece. I am going to shop my house for a lamp for my dining room. I also think the temple jars are very elegant. I like the 'statement' the zebra rug makes. I think recycle these 'hides' is a much better idea that destroying them and does homage to the animal.

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  15. Hi Artie, I tried to leave a comment about your vandalism issue...what a mess. People are so screwed up sometimes. One word...Karma!

    Love your zebra, it is perfect. I do agree about your love of RL. It shows in your design work and is really at the core of your home.

    xxoo kelley

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  16. This room is so warm and beautiful! The vignette on the server looks great. So sorry you had that bad incident.

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  17. Artie, everything looks so beautiful. I wouldn't have thought to layer the lighting but I LOVE IT!!!! Thanks for thre idea! I collect blue and white oriental porcelains too so LOOOOVE this grouping! Also love the zebra rug. Pinky

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  18. It looks fabulous and the lighting works really well.

    I am loving the blue and white too-very classic and timeless.

    Best wishes,
    Natasha.

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  19. Love the look of the sideboard...great info about layering the lighting. Can't wait to see more:)

    Sue

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  20. Ooh Artie, this is coming along beautifully! I love the way you have lots of stuff arranged on the buffet table. Sometimes more is just fabulous!

    I'm going to be honest, 'cause you know I can't help it. I just don't get the look of the zebra over the Persian. I don't see anything that ties them together in any way. Can you maybe enlighten me as to why I don't see what you see? I think I need help!

    Justine :o )

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  21. STUNNING!! I'm love, love, loving this, Artie. It's so you and so fabulous. You are right, the zebra is amazing, your blue and whites are gorgeous, and I love the window project and the cheetah print!!! LOVE it. I'll be right over for a late dinner. =)
    xo Isa

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  22. ...i am so glad that you found your way home...you have a beautiful sense of the timeless...stay on the path...you may be giving others the security to follow their on unique roads home...

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  23. Seriously love the blue & white collection!

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  24. i LOVE the zebra!!! you are so marty! hehe.

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  25. Just found your blog and had to comment on your incredible images in this post. Such style! Unlike a previous commenter regarding the zebra hide over the persian rug, I do get it! I found a vintage zebra skin a few months ago at an incredible price & also layered it over a persian rug already on my floor. I had originally planned to lay it on bare hardwood in another room of my home, but temporarily (I thought) put it on top of the persian rug when I got home just to admire & further inspect the rug. It just made sense to me & I liked it so well that it has remained there. I guess great minds think alike!!!

    Karen T.

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  26. Custom double wall tray boxes are one of the most comfortable boxes from every aspect because they are extremely wonderful at being the best packaging. Also, they can be used both as a box as well as a tray so it is very easy to use them in every way.

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