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
Love the new wall color and I didn’t even realize the wall was tall before. Love the gallery prints and chairs.
Thank you Kim!
Just so pretty!! Bright and inviting!
Thank you Patty!
Just lovely… love those prints!
Thank you Julie!
Very nice! And I like the chairs. Im going to look at that wall color for my living room.
Thank you Julia!
Great transformation! Funny how certain pieces of clothing can hide in a closet!
I generally love buttery yellow walls, so I may not even have thought to change it up! THe white on white is gorgeous. It all turned out lovely.
Cassandra, I’ve had yellow walls for many years and have loved them so much! They were so scuffed up and in badly need of freshening up so I figured I should make a change but I still love me some yellow. 🙂
Wow I picked up china doll swatch cards today and in my house it doesn’t look white like your walls. You must have a lot of light in this room to bounce the wall color so light. Nice !
Hi Julie! It definitely looks lighter in the photos because of the editing. I would say it goes between being kind of beige-y and kind of gray-y. And it definitely changes with the light in the room!
I’ve had buttery yellow walls for years now….. almost as many years as you’ve been married! Your redo of your dining room has solidified my hunch that I’m ready for a change and a soft white is what I’m wanting. Love your redo….love the new chairs and I think you’re right….tufting makes everything better!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I had buttery yellow walls for many years too and when we realized how badly the walls were needing to be repainted I decided it was time for a change so I totally understand where you’re coming from. Change is hard but good too, right? Blessings to you! 🙂
very pretty and love the chairs and table thank you for sharing
How great it looks. The chairs are really wonderful. I love the color of the paint. What a neat idea the pics are. Very stunning.
BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s beautiful! We did the same thing recently painting our living areas/kitchen alabaster white and love it, too. My inspirations were these bloggers’ homes: Paige Knudsen, Jeanne Oliver, Michele/Sweet Threads, Brittany York, and The White Farmhouse blog. Yours now makes the list-lol. Enjoy your event. You will look beautiful, too.
I love those prints but I cannot get the link to work for the item source…
I love it! The before is really nice, but the after just feels so light and fresh! The wall color is gorgeous! Seems to give the room a sort of glow. Love love love!
Where can I find those pretty gallery prints? The link won’t take me there.
Hi Kathy! I’m so sorry the link isn’t working for you. The prints are from Wayfair and you can search for them under ‘set of botanicals’. So glad you like them!
Love it. It made everything look fresh. It really amazes me how just paint makes such a big difference.