Dining Room Changes & a Dreamboard (Farmhouse Coastal Cottage)

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It’s time for a bit of change. 
Do you ever get that way? I know you do. ;)
It’s easy to roll along and keep things as they are for long periods of time. (trust me, I know!) 
But how great does it feel once you’ve made the changes! 
And it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to do it.

That’s what I like to show…and share here on the blog.
How to decorate on a budget.
I’ll be doing this ‘change’ budget friendly just like every room in this house.

I’ve been wanting to redecorate (and paint, etc) the Dining Room for a while now.
I’m so excited to finally get moving on it.

The first step (and biggest motivator!) were these two chairs I recently picked up at TJ Maxx.
(also budget priced)

Dining Room Dreaming - Changes and a Dream Board - new chairs #diningroom #dreamboard #coastal #farmhouse artsychicksrule.com

My plans are to turn this room into a more neutral, more casual space.
A bit of “Farmhouse”, a bit of “Coastal” and a bit of “Cottage”.

I’m really loving the new chairs and the texture, color and dimension they bring to the room.

Dining Room Dreaming - Changes and a Dream Board - love the new chairs #diningroom #dreamboard #coastal #farmhouse artsychicksrule.com
I was thinking I wanted to put benches on the sides of the table but I really like it with the other chairs instead. What do you think?
I’m also enjoying the “mixed” look. I don’t love matchy – matchy anyway so this works for me.

Dining Room Dreaming - Changes and a Dream Board - new chair #diningroom #dreamboard #coastal #farmhouse artsychicksrule.com

So what’s in store for the rest of the room?

I’m not positive but I’m thinking I will remove the top half of my china cabinet and add a large rectangular chalkboard over top (on the wall). Or a mirror. 

I also might switch places with the Coffee Bar  and Bar Cabinet
We use the Coffee Bar much more often and it’d be nice if it was a little closer to the kitchen area.
Here’s where they are now…..

Dining Room Dreaming - Changes and a Dream Board - left side #diningroom #dreamboard #coastal #farmhouse artsychicksrule.com

I also might replace the bar cabinet with this other sideboard I painted recently.
And I may remove that extra cabinet above the bar and add shelves instead.

I’ll also be repainting. I love, and have enjoyed, the yellow but it’s time for it to go.
(it’s Blonde, Sherwin Williams SW6128)

Here’s the other side of the room.

Dining Room Dreaming - Changes and a Dream Board - right side #diningroom #dreamboard #coastal #farmhouse artsychicksrule.com

(this shot shows the yellow paint color most accurately)

All of these ideas are just that, ideas, for now. ;) 

Except for the paint. That I am definitely re-doing in Navajo White.
I have Navajo White (Sherwin Williams SW6126) in my Study and Laundry Room. 

Here you can see the Navajo White in my Study…..

Christmas Home Tour Part 1 - Aubusson Blue Dresser and Lexi - #Christmastour #hometour #aubussonblue #holidays #holidaydecor #artsychicksrule artsychicksrule.com

And in my laundry room…

Christmas Home Tour 2014 - Red and Teal Themed - Laundry Room  - #christmas #hometour #holidays #holidaydecor #redandteal artsychicksrule.com

It’s a great “off white” or “white beach sand” shade I just love. 
I want (and am looking forward to!) having a more neutral background in the Dining Room.
I might even half the paint color with white to lighten it a bit more.

(I’m also repainting those yellow cabinets in the laundry room but that’s another post…and project. ;) )

Here’s the feel I’m sort of going for in the Dining Room…..

Dining Room Dreaming - Farmhouse Coastal Cottage Dreamboard - #diningroom #dreamboard #coastal #farmhouse artsychicksrule.com

Farmhouse Coastal Cottage

Kind of a Coastal Cottage with a bit of Farmhouse flair.
A little more texture and more wood tones.

What do you all think?
I would LOVE some feedback, ideas or thoughts.
Any and all feedback is welcome. :) 
I’m not positive on any of the changes (except the paint) so could always use fresh eyes and ideas!

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28 Comments

  1. Love you dining room and the Blonde color. Maybe only remove the shelves to the lrft of the china cabinet and change out the chandelier for something more coastal. Maybe with roping. Suggest concentrating on the laundry room first. But anything you do is beautiful!!

    1. Thank you Maria!
      I do really get that laundry room done! I want to brighten it up with lighter paint color. (I already have the paint too!)
      Thanks so much for the feedback!
      xo
      Nancy

  2. Hi Nancy~
    We recently redid our dining room and I took the hutch out.
    The room is not as big as your D/R.
    We only have one wall in our D/R so I used a large mirror which made sense for my space.
    I really wanted to put a bench on one side of the table, which I may still do, but have not found the right one yet.
    I think one bench would look wonderful in your D/R ~ I love the new chairs.
    Good luck with your new adventure. Can’t wait to see what you have decided.
    Much love,
    Rose

    1. Hi Rose,
      I really like the idea of a mirror also. I will probably do that or the chalkboard.
      Thanks for the input!
      It’s fun changing things up! :)
      xo
      Nancy

  3. Benches seem clumsy to me. A person rising from the table doesn’t have the ability to push the seat back and has to slide out sideways. Maybe discomfiting the other person on the bench. If the bench is long enough to seat three, the middle person is trapped in place unless everyone rises to provide room to move. But maybe someone knows something about benches I’ve never learned…….

    And…I can’t quite see those two dark chairs in the pale room you contemplate. I expect that eventually you will want to brush on a coat of something light./white….or make slipcovers……

    I love the feel of a coastal cottage and seeing them sometimes makes me homesick for Cape Cod, but mostly I don’t care for restrictive “theme” decorating. Too old, I guess. Good luck with carrying out your own vision, which is how it should be…….you decide and we watch……..bon chance……

    1. Hi MJ,
      I hadn’t thought about that with the benches. Good thoughts.
      Cape Cod is wonderful. My Dad’s side is up in MA and we used to go every summer there (and to Cape Cod)! Great memories. :)
      I too don’t love restrictive theme decorating. I would say my style is a bit farmhouse, french country, cottage-y with with a coastal feel.
      AND with a bit of whimsy and eclectic thrown in! ;) I don’t follow any rules…I just use what I love.
      Thank you so much for the input! :)
      xo
      Nancy

  4. Hi Nancy,

    Thank you for your blog and inspiration. I love your creativity and taste. It is very similar to mine, except for the beach side but maybe it’s because I am in Colorado. :)
    My family and I moved to our current home about a year ago, and I have been trying to redo our D/R ever since. I have a table the same color as yours and I am currently looking for a bench and two different chairs. I also don’t like things to be too matchy. I like your new chairs, but I think you should still try a bench on one side. I think once you paint the Navajo White, the new chairs will look even better. I agree with you about getting rid of the cabinets in there, they make your space look cluttered. I never understood cabinets in a dinning room. I also agree that you should take the top off the China Cabinet. I don’t know about the giant chalk board yet, but I’m sure you will make it work. I also think you should change up the coffee bar and the bar area. I didn’t realize you have that other hutch on the other side, I thought it was in your kitchen. I think you should take out everything you have now, and slowly put things back, maybe try different spots. It looks a bit cluttered in the pictures. Perhaps the white paint will help with that, as well as the China cabinet makeover and removing the cabinets. Good luck!! I can’t wait to see what you do. :) P.S. I love your study, and the laundry room.

    1. Hi Elena,

      Aw thanks so much! :)
      I might do the one side bench. That’s a good idea!
      I think the chairs will be a nice contrast to the new color also. And yes, we added that cabinet to house the wine glasses, etc. We took out the half wall in the kitchen so had leftover cabinets and used one of those.
      It was a great storage choice but I’m really tired of looking at it now! ;)
      I like the idea of removing it all and adding back in slowly. Will be a good time to do after painting since it will all get moved anyway.
      Thank you SO much for the input and ideas! :)
      xo
      Nancy

  5. Hi, I love your dining room and what brought me to your blog was pinning the coffee bar. Please don’t change it! I love the color and the sign over it. I love your style and I am sure it will look great. Like someone above said I support you keeping the chairs and not switching to benches. Benches look ok in the right space but they are bulky and I prefer chairs. And I love cottage style but yellow is not my fave so I think your plan to repaint is awesome. Again I think whatever you do will look great. Just don’t change the coffee bar lol. My favorite part.

    1. Hi Marisa!
      Thank you so much!
      And how neat the coffee bar brought you here! :) That is actually my most pinned item. (I think it is still anyway!)
      So I guess people like that one! ;)
      Great, yes, I am really tired of the paint so I’m happy to hear most people agree on that point!
      I might just move the coffee bar…not change it. But we will have to see! ;)
      Thanks so much for your thoughts and ideas!
      xo
      Nancy

  6. I love the dining table with the new chairs! I have a bench with my dining table….and although I do love the look, it’s kind of a pain getting in and out of. It’s heavy and cumbersome, but great for the extra room it provides for our kids. I love your coffee bar too! It seems like the perfect placement, but I understand wanting to move things around – I get antsy after a while and want some changes. :) Whatever you decide, I’m sure it will look beautiful….I love big old mirrors too, they’re wonderful! Blessings to you and yours, Jayne

    1. Hi Jayne,

      Thank you! :)
      And thanks for the insight on the benches. Things I didn’t consider!
      My thinking is having it a bit closer to the kitchen (which makes me sound lazy! ;) But when you walk it multiple times, filling the pot, getting the coffee, tea later etc) I think having a few steps closer would be nicer for guests also.
      And yep, I’m undecided on mirror or chalkboard. We’ll see how it pans out! ;)
      Thanks so much for the help!! I appreciate it!
      xo
      Nancy

  7. Oooh I love how the chairs add texture and ground the space. I’m liking your idea of removing the upper part of the hutch and adding a chalk board – just think of all the fun your inner chalk goddess will have! The Navajo White will really brighten up the room – I’m liking the warmth of the color. Moving your fabulous coffee bar closer to the kitchen makes sense and adding open shelving above will look so much better. Can’t wait to see this room finished – I know it’ll be fabulous!

    1. Thank you Marie!
      I love the texture they add to the space too! :) Oh I know, I do love chalkboards!
      I too think getting rid of that cabinet and adding shelves will be so much better.
      Can’t wait to get it all done!
      xo
      Nancy

  8. Nancy, I love your ideas for your dining room. I love your new chairs and like the contrast between them and your current chairs. I would keep them if I were you. I prefer chairs to a bench. I like your choice of new paint color, too. I recently downsized from a large country home to an antique home in a nearby town. The new owners of my home painted over my golden yellow walls with a more contemporary gray. I am painting some of the rooms in my “new” home with the Sherwin Williams HGTV palette of grays, some of which have been used by Joanna Gaines of “Fixer Upper” in the homes she has done. With your home being near the beach, I think that a beach country cottage theme is perfect! Happy decorating!

    1. Hi Lynda,

      Thanks! That is the way I am leaning. I am loving the contrast between them. I think the new paint color will help with that nice contrast too.
      Oh your new rooms sound like they will be beautiful. I love just about everything Joanna does! :)
      Thank you so much for the input! I really appreciate it. :)
      xo
      Nancy

  9. I love your style! I love the new chairs you’ve added, and also the inspiration ideas you have for this room. Can’t wait to see it finished! I stumbled upon your website/blog after painting my kitchen cabinets this week with 2 coats of Old White chalk paint and feeling a tiny twinge in my heart that they are not “white” enough. I’m heading out now to buy some Pure White, just like you did. Hoping for only one coat of the Pure White to finish this up. :) Thanks for all your tips!

    1. Thank you Angie! :) Oh too funny on the cabinets. The thing with Chalk Paint is it always looks darker once dry. So in the can it looks to be about the perfect color. Until it’s up on those cabinets and dry! ;) Hoping your Pure White fixed it for you!
      xo
      Nancy

  10. I am in the middle of a renovating change as well. Living and dining room had dark wood wall with beige wal color. We moved into the house 6 yrs ago and have not changed the appearance of it. I have grown tired of the heavy feeling that comes with all the wood .painting walls white using Satin paint with a light grey trim. It is giving the rooms more of a beach cottage feeling so far. Will let you know the outcome. Love your decorating ideas!

    1. Hi Suzanne,

      Oh, yes, it sounds lovely! I would love to see photos of it finished. Sounds like it’s right up my alley! ;)
      xo
      Nancy

  11. Yep! I like the look you’re going for in the dining room – especially the buffet and the galvanized bucket/planter! Can’t wait to see the end result.

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