Keri's Dining Room

OK, this is fun...

My girlfriend, Keri, is being a good sport and letting me blog about her dining room.

I was over at her house last week checking out her family room updates 

when she asked my thoughts on her dining room.  

I had a few ideas and thought it would be fun to blog about...

The room:

She has some really great things: 

I love her antique buffet & small china cabinet (not pictured)

The wicker chairs at both ends of the table

A new seagrass rug

The Challenges:

No windows 

Lots of wood tones + dark taupe walls

A small budget, no major changes

What she wants:

Incorporate living room colors

Feel more casual with a French country vibe

So.....

1. Hang mirror vertically

2. Add pretty plates on either side to add color and some pattern

3. Add a pair of matching lamps to add symmetry and balance 

4. Paint buffet and china cupboard ivory or a very light grey with a hint of blue.

5. Bigger chandelier

6. Add FABRIC!!! Consider slipped chairs.

Source: bhg.com via Tessa on Pinterest

See how pretty wicker + slips look together around a table? :)

If the white slips are too scary, you could paint the chairs 

a light turquoise like below

Source: myhomeideas.com via Tessa on Pinterest

And add little box pleated chair slips like these...

traditional kitchen design by media and blogs The Lettered Cottage

I'd also have some of your pretty family pics enlarged, made B&W,
matted in big light green mats and thin silver frames to create a family photo gallery
on the wall that you plan to one day knock down to connect the dining room to the kitchen.

Source: simplyseleta.com via Rene Zieg on Pinterest

Hope that sparked a few ideas for you, Keri!
Thanks for letting me share this!
Of course you don't have to do a single one,
but I do think if nothing else, the room needs a little fabric
somewhere to soften and cozy it up.
Can't wait to see what you do!!

(Plates: Anthropologie, Lamp: Cost Plus Wold Market,
Green Shade & Chandelier: Ballard, Chairs: Ikea)