Dining Room Makeover and Paint Color Reveal!

So, my husband and I are attending a banquet this week and I realized that I don’t really have anything that qualifies as ‘cocktail party’ attire. So, yesterday I found myself in the Macy’s dressing room with an armload of dresses and quickly became aware that since I am neither a ‘mother-of-the-bride’ or a teenager (praise Jesus!), my options for fancy dresses were dwindling rapidly. Nothing fit quite right. They were either too fancy or too poofy or too beady or too short (for the love of all that is good and holy how do these girls get out the door in dresses that are THAT short?!) and as I exited the mall I was fairly certain that I was just going to wear my sweats to the banquet and call it good. Elastic waistbands for the win!

I was really looking for that elusive ‘just right’. And, while I may not have found it in the Macy’s dressing room, I’m pretty sure I’ve found it in my dining room. Because ever since we had it painted and freshened up, I can’t help but think that this how it was always meant to look.

Like finding the perfect dress, it’s flattering in all the right places. It hugs the curves and shows off the best sides. It’s effortless.

But, let’s take a quick peek at how it looked before.

I think it was in need of a pair control top pantyhose and some Spanx.

//BEFORE//

And here it is AFTER!!

While everything was off the walls, I decided it was time to really make the most of the height in the room. So I purchased this set of botanical prints (sources listed at the end of the post) and I cannot believe what a difference it makes!

Our dining room table was purchased the year we got married (19 years ago in October!) and for awhile now I’ve been debating about whether or not to replace it but, you guys, dining room sets are EXPENSIVE!

So, I decided that I would freshen it up with new chairs instead and I cannot believe what a difference it made. I already had the two captain’s chairs on the ends, so I selected side chairs to go with them and I think it dramatically changed how it looks.

I’m pretty sure tufting makes everything look better.

Let’s take a look now at this side of the room. Here’s how it looked BEFORE.

And here it is AFTER!

Simple changes, but big impact, don’t you think?

Whether it’s a dress or a room, figuring out what works best for you and being comfortable in it is such a freeing feeling.

Just like working with my figure instead of against it, working with my home rather than trying to make it something it isn’t (cough…cough…it will never be a farmhouse) has actually helped me to experience a glorious sense of freedom.

And, speaking of freedom, I got home from Macy’s and took another glance in my closet. There, in the way back, I spotted something I had totally forgotten about. A dress I purchased on clearance at Target last winter that still had the tags on it! Lacy, long-sleeves, not too short, not too long, not too tight…just right.

And, I think it even has a little bit of carefully hidden elastic in the waistband! Elastic for the win!

I can’t wait to reveal how the living room looks now as well (I’ll even share a photo of us at the banquet!) but, in the meantime, thank you for letting me share with you my dining room makeover and for meeting me right here at the picket fence!

Sources:

Paint color – ‘China Doll’ by Sherwin Williams

Tufted Dining Chairs – Amazon

Botanical Prints – Wayfair