Thursday, January 6, 2011

Blogger McSicky

I'm sick. Very sick. And it doesn't matter how much medicine I take, or sleep I get, I still wake up feeling worse than I did the day before. I'm not sure how much longer I'll feel (or look) like Blogger McSicky, but til' I get to feeling better - please bare with me.

I've decided (probably within the last month or so) that my absolute favorite color combination is gray and brown. It doesn't matter how many times I see it - or what type of design it is, i.e., traditional, transitional, modern, or country - I'm in love.










Aren't they lovely? So, of course that's sorta where I'm heading with CDLV. The color palette anyway. It's not incredibly difficult, seeing as how there was so much brown in our house to begin with. The dining room is probably going to see the most change ... as the table will go round, and the chairs will go french. Do you remember when I set my dining room up as a library?

I absolutely fell in love with the round table in the room, and knew that eventually we'd move to a round pedestal table at some point.

Our current table (above) is beautiful, but completely useless! You can make out (to the left-center) the leg of the table, and vaguely the leg trussel under neath. The leaves are stored under the table, and pull out from the end - meaning that you can only put 1 chair on the long side of the table comfortably. Everyone else has to straddle a table leg or gets 10" of table top to balance a plate. I figure a round table (on a pedestal) with a leaf making it oval when needed with a skirt is the perfect alternative and will let me keep my existing buffet and cabinet (in living room) which I love.

This room already looks much different with just the paint change. The rugs are gone, in favor of simple seagrass with chocolate brown banding and I'm hoping that I'll get my energy and health back soon enough to finish it all up and show it off to you! Til then, what do you think about round tables?

23 comments:

  1. I love round tables, but my own is very rectangled. :-) I just think round is cozy, even if it's just two.

    I can't wait to see the finished product! I'd also love to read the books...it's killing me that I can't see all the titles. Ha!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have a large round table I absolutely love- everyone stays at the table after dinner much longer as it so much more friendly for conversation. I, too LOVE gray and brown together although to see it written sounds so drab.

    I'll send you an email with a pic of my DR.

    B.T.W. I have made 2 visits to La Maison in Chadds Ford because of your features on them- what a bad influence you are (ha)!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh Artie, I had the same sicky business late fall and it totally wiped me out of energy for a good month, which was a killer going into blog/holiday season! I do hope you feel better soon -- I suspect this is from being run down with all your projects this fall (sorry if I sound like a mother, just empathizing!) Can't wait to see the transformation ahead, especially the rug, as I'm thinking of doing that myself. Take care!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hope you feel better soon I had some bug last week and finally feeling better...take care of yourself!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have a round dining room table, with extensions (2) it seats eight comfortably. I wish it had a pedestal base, the legs are always in the way of someone!

    Get well soon, we need you operating at peak efficiency!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh-Artie- I am sooo sorry that you are ill. There is a lot of nasty stuff going around out there right now. There are several variations of influenza that are really knocking people off their feet. Well, maybe you can do some dreaming while you are resting...some planning and mental preparing. Hope you get well soon and I hope Scott doesn't get it! UGH!

    I have always loved a round dining room table...and when we built this house we were orginally going to go with a dining room that would accomodate 2 large round tables...but ended up dividing the room into a sitting room and a smaller dining room that are separated by a fireplace and built in hutches. I still sometimes wish I had done the two tables. Hugs- Diana

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sorry to hear you are under the weather Artie. It's cedar season here, so everyone is miserable! I love gray and brown too, can't wait to see what you do with the dining room. I love round tables, I think they are so much more conducive to conversation and just feel more intimate. Feel better soon! Kat

    ReplyDelete
  8. Artie, I hope you feel better very soon!!

    Love all of you plans and images!!!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hope you feel better soon. I love the grey and brown combo too. Very elegant and earthy at the same time. I have a round table with leaves to open to 8' and have been thinking of switching to an Anthro style rustic rectangle. (Home made, not purchased since I don't have $2000 laying around to replace my table) Hmmm, now I may rethink...

    ReplyDelete
  10. wishing you a speedy healing..
    bless your heart I know it must be making you miserable..

    love love the grey and brown...it looks so rich and elegant, even when only a few items are in it...

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm sorry to hear you are sick, hope you feel better soon.

    Brown and gray are two colors I was programmed for years to think didn't go together. The more I see, the more I wonder why I ever thought that!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I used to have a table like that and the current one i have is not much better. but boy I love the table anyway! Hey, a decorator friend suggested something over a year ago and I finally did it.. kind of slow! I was going to have to come get that buffet if you were going to replace it.. it's one gorgeous piece!!! Please get better, there is some nasty crud popping around. So sorry you are sick!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hope you are feeling better soon. I too love grey and brown. It is such a sophisticated combo.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Artie sweetie I hope you get well very soon. Ive been administering medicine all week to my family. Lets hope I dont get it. Love, Love Love grey and brown. Im redesigning and actually moving my bedroom and thinking a light grey with white trim and possibly lavender or brown. I posted a gorgeous pick on my blog...chocolate brown accents its delicious! Get well soon! xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hope you feel better soon!

    I never thought about gray and brown together, but your images are quite inspiring! I love round tables as they are more conducive to lively conversation. And, you are right to go with a pedestal base. I don't like to have to straddle a table leg or be uncomfortable not knowing exactly where to put my feet or legs.

    Karen T.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am not a big fan of gray...guess it's because I always feel depressed on gray, rainy days. Hey...I'm a sunny FL girl! The photos you shared show some gorgeous rooms...for someone else, not me!

    Hope you feel better soon! I am writing at 3:48am because I cannot sleep...or breath...that "bug" has hit here,too.
    Hugs,
    Jane (Artfully graced)

    ReplyDelete
  17. I hope you feel McBetter soon! Can't wait to see how you use your new favorite colors.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I have a round table, which can only sit 4, and it is cramped for dining (Dec 15 post), BUT I usually have it so there are NO chairs around it and I love decorating the top. Plates will fit, but not serving dishes. It is much easier to walk around a round table and makes the room appear larger. I applaud you painting the room gray because I find that it is the most difficult color to work with, especially with wood!! looking forward to seeing how it all comes together....and I absolutely LOVED how you turned your chairs outwards in that post and I have shard that idea with many of my friends - such a unique way to decorate - Hope you feel well soon because we are all anxious for you to get "posting"!! patti

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh Artie...my favorite as well! I'd love to do it, but so afraid that my love of color would make me regret it. I think it's the perfect setting for the vintage european look that I love and that are featured so often in Romantic Homes magazine. Two people to check out...Elizabeth Maxson and Debbie Dunesberry. In my opinion, pretty much experts in this color combination.
    So sorry you aren't feeling well! Make sure that you see a Dr. if you don't improve. Nothing to fool around with.
    Hope all is well...Happy New Year!
    **Tami

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oops...typo in my previous comment..that should be Debbie Dusenberry of Curious Sofa... Oh, and I didn't mention...I LOVE that trestle desk in the photo above! All that wonderful texture and the color...just love it!
    **Tami

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love the look of your front hall bench and framed pictures! Its so clean and inviting. Thanks for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I certainly love all of those grey rooms.

    Mr. Goodwill Hunting

    ReplyDelete
  23. We inherited my husband's great grandmother's round dining table which seats 6 with the leaves in. I love it! Everyone can sit comfortably and tablescaping is tremendous fun. I'm a color person versus neutrals but can't wait to see what you have done. Get well soon.

    ReplyDelete