Unstuffy-ing!

I have to be honest...I had a completely different room in mind to show you today. My sister told me that one of the best things about starting a blog was that it really motivates you to get all of your projects done and it has been so true...so far. But, this weekend, I got a bad case of the "Blogger's Blah's"!
We had company all last week and then by the weekend I just kind of ran out of steam. I went out shopping with every intention of getting the materials to finish a project so I could have the room ready to reveal and what did I do instead???

Well, instead I went out and bought me a really cute pair of leather riding boots to go with the leggings and skinny jeans I am attempting to wear this fall.

Attempting being the operative word!

On a side note, when I asked my hubby how I looked in my new black leggings with my long grey sweater and cute, silver ballet slippers he told me I looked fabulous! But then he had the audacity to follow it up with "I'll tell Duran Duran you called!" 
The nerve! It's not like I was wearing them with leg-warmers or with 2 pairs of different colored socks!

ANYWAY, so there you have it! I didn't get my project done and instead I am going to show you a room that is continually evolving as I attempt to Un-Stuffy it!

My Dining Room.

This is how it looked before we moved in...

Wow! That is some GREEN carpet!

When you have dark carpet and dark woodwork (fireplace and cabinets) and then you bring in dark furniture, it kind of tends to make a room look, well...Stuffy!

Don't get me wrong, I like a little formality. The whole concept of a Dining Room is thrilling to me and we do actually use this space. But, still, we are a young family and I want our home to reflect that as well.
Here is a peek at how the room looks today.

I took the photos at night so you could see how soft the light is in this space. It is nice and bright during the day but in the evening, it takes on this warm glow. And really, I think we all look better in a lower wattage, don't you? The furniture we have had for 10 years and it still pleases the Traditional heart of this gal!

This is a before that I can't believe I am showing you because it is really quite sad and pitiful...

Just a bit stuffy don't you think? I found some new sconces and spruced this area up a bit and now it looks like this.

Here is a closer look at those sconces...

I think that adding another tone to the room really helped to warm it up a bit.

The back of the sofa sat for quite some time looking like this.

Then I purchased a new table for the family room and it freed up this lovely lady to join this space.

I used some accessories I already had and only added this beauty

She was $12 at Real Deals and since she was already "chippy" I knew that whatever my rascals did to her would just blend right in! I have seen some really gorgeous Dining Room Table centerpieces in Blogland, but I always struggle with this crucial decision! Nothing ever seems quite right to me and I am constantly changing it around.

This is what is currently on display.

 We'll see how long it lasts!

 I decided not to display my china in the cabinet but rather to put a little collection in there instead.

Here, I'll open the doors up so you can get a better look!





This collection has grown over the years and the pieces come from exotic and far away lands! From places like The Bombay Company...and TJ Maxx...and

Ross Dress for Less...and Second-hand stores!
Truly priceless I tell you!

The one really prized possession in there is the tea set sitting in the middle. It was a Wedding gift to my parents and I treasure it!

And, when you have 2 young children and you treasure something...you put it up high and behind closed doors!

In continuing the process of "Un-stuffy-ing" this space, I remembered some pillows that I had purchased at Wal-Mart but never ended up using for long. I thought they might just help give some more color to this side of the room.

Here are the chairs before.

And here they are with the pillows. Don't you just love shopping from around your own home?

 I'm on the hunt for just the right pictures to help maximize the height of that space! I also dream of adding wainscoting to this room to give it just one more layer of depth and warmth.

 Maybe before Christmas???

There will also be a new chandelier somewhere in the distant future.

But for now, I will leave you with one last photo...

Now, that's how you fight the "Blogger Blah's"...

Don't you think?

From this Southern Girl at Heart,

Vanessa

 I'm joining these parties!






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