In case you haven’t already figured it out, I am a serial re-doer. No matter how good a job I do the first time around, I am always convinced that — given one more shot — I could do better. Problem is, one more shot turns into twenty really, really fast. I’ve repainted the guest bathroom three times, endlessly rearranged the living room, second fifth guessed myself while renovating the kitchen, and now I’m itching to redo my already redone dining room. Good thing paint is relatively cheap and I am the wizard of Craigslist, otherwise the Hunny would have divorced me long ago. Still, I’m a busy lady with a new baby and can’t afford the time or expense of redecorating 500 hundred times. And so, friends, I am calling on you to help me make this one count.
Problem: The table/chair combo is making me lose my appetite. And the chandelier ain’t helping, either. I am like the furniture collecting equivalent of the quintessential crazy old cat lady. Mid century mod just keeps multiplying at my house… And while the hodegpodge kind of worked in our old dining room because it looks like a crazy old cat lady lived there:
I am not loving it with the new, more understated paint job that went in when we redid the kitchen:
So, I like the things on the black wall. The Karl Springer style console, benches and antique painting are a-ok by me. I’d like to add some sconces, but that’s not a big deal right now. However, I think the table sticks out like a sore thumb. Or is the problem the chairs? I only have four of the Burke chairs, and I have six of the Danish chairs, but most are broken or need to be restrung. And does that chandelier make my ass look big, or is it just me? Help?!
If I move the table to the back office, I could replace it with something different. Something… longer? More oval? Glass or not glass? I actually own this table with an oval glass top, but it’s kind of on the small side:
And this awesome set is currently available on Craigslist, but I’m afraid the proportions are wrong for my room:
Great pic, I know! I love the set, but my room is small and narrow, making me think I need a long, dark table and small chairs flanking the sides. Am I crazy to pass this up?
Oh, and please tell me that burlwood table wasn’t the perfect thing for my room, since I found it and passed it on to a friend…
And here is where I paste in some random dining room eye candy to inspire you to leave witty comments and savvy advice for your old pal, Erin:
via the now defunct Domino. Love love love the chairs!
via Met Home. I like the idea of a long table with chairs on the sides, only. I also like the look of a legless table. Plinths please me.
via Living Etc. Hey all your breeders out there: is glass kid friendly?
Can’t remember where this came from… one of the above sources. Mostly I just like the groovy mood in this one.
Ok, dear readers. Today I live for your comments. Thursday I shall follow up with more dining room pornspiration. Don’t worry. It will be prettier than it sounds.
I’m weeping for the burlwood table that you found and passed along. Damn. It’s gorgeous! I think a glass/chrome table would punch up the space a bit. And love the outsized wicker pendant, but a stunning mod chandelier would make you look extra skinny!
I think it’s the color of the wood that doesn’t seem quite right now. Beyond that I don’t have much to suggest. All your inspiration photos are great, especially the first one.
I’m really commenting just to say how much I love the look of that painting against the black wall. Wow!
yes, it’s the table’s fault. the chairs are great. break the table up for firewood and i’d second Susie’s idea about some smoky glass and chrome.
I LOVE the black wall. I like the idea of the glass but my old glass coffee table was the bane of my existence. With kids I had to opt for a rustic wood dining table (even though I love danish modern) for two reasons: glass almost always looks dirty with kids and rustic wood hides imperfections when they color on it with markers, put stickers on it, scratch it… you get the idea.
First, I love the black wall and everything on/in front of it. I agree that a new table is in order too. My first choice would be the rustic table in the first Domino pic. It would look awesome with the white chairs. Also, with a table like that, I think the light you have would actually work really well. I wouldn’t choose glass myself but I think it could also pull the other pieces together. If you went that way, I’d also switch out the light for something heavier. And I’m a serial re-doer too. Should we start a support group?
First of all, THANK YOU everyone for responding to my cry for help!
Ok, so it’s the table. I’ve also been thinking sort of rustic, or maybe a plank table. Trestle, perhaps? Susieq, I loved that burl table, but I think kids would destroy it. That veneer is so delicate, you know?
So, do you peeps like the tulip chairs? What if I bought the chairs from the chrome and glass set on craigslist and put them with a wooden table?
Oh, and glad you like the black wall! It works in the kitchen. I guess it was a redo well done
yes! keep the chairs!
I like the table and chairs you have. But it is probably the legs of the table with swivel chairs that are bugging you. An oval legless table (center leg) would be great (that’s what I have). And we got rid of a wood table and changed it for glass when we had a baby. Glass is great for spills and not breakable with normal baby dish banging. On a glass table, you can paint watercolors and make a big mess and it always comes clean. You wash the table every meal anyway. A glass coffee table would be annoying to keep clean, but not a dining table. But the loud clanking noise will probably be annoying. We just use a paper towel under baby’s dish at every meal, but you could use a place mat. I got rid of my Danish modern wood table, because that did not like water and spills at all. I would definitely get rid of the black plant stand and planter. That is going to fall on baby’s head once crawling and climbing happens. Even if a dog couldn’t push it over, baby can. Baby can do things you never thought possible. And I think the glass bulb of the chandelier is what is annoying. You should find one that is a solid globe or an up-light bowl (but those are annoying to clean) so you don’t have the glare of the bulb.
P.S. I forgot to say OVAL glass table, because my brother got impaled in the forehead with a table corner when he was a kid.
I love the chairs you have now! Though I adore Danish Modern, it’s the white molded plastic ones that I’m talking about. They look especially great next to your fabulous black wall.
wow, Diana is good.
I don’t think it’s the table. I think it’s the window treatment and the other stuff on the back wall. You need something big and KAPOW over there.
Of course, I don’t have any suggestions.
Diana, thanks for all the kid friendly tips! And I do think all the legs are bothering me.
AB, I’ve had different window treatments over there, but I’m kind of anti curtains. I could do wallpaper, but that’s a lot of look going on with the different paint colors. Oh, and the ceiling adjacent to the dining room has a gold sunburst painted on it…
OH GOD. this would take me hours of agonizing to figure out. and lots of switcheroooing. SHIT. i am no help at all here!!!!!!
I’m with AB. I know you’re anti curtains, but I think something more substantial over there would be good. Even a larger shade mounted outside the window… I dunno.
tough call on the table / chairs. If you get the chrome ones and want to recover them, I’m pretty sure it’s a big job, so keep that in mind. If you’re cool with the fabric, then get those and maybe sweet talk diana into giving you back the burlwood table in exchange for the glass one – which might fit the chairs she’s trying to get rid of
I think you should go with the glass table and white chairs if you love them. Do the white walls a nice grey color, and get a dark rug or stain the floor dark/black. And maybe just go with nothing at all on the window.
Hmmmm… I will think on the back wall. It’s a tough problem because of its surroundings. Wish I could have the crazy palm wallpaper! Or maybe I should just paint the whole room black? Raina… where are you?!
Meanwhile, I think the burl table is out — it looks awesome at D’s house. Not sure I want something so iconic, anyway. And the chrome chairs are covered in white cotton duck, which won’t last long at my house. Maybe I should avoid.
Eiw, the walls are pale gray, although it’s hard to see in the pic.
Girlfriend, I moved house today – that’s where I am. Can it wait about six weeks for a personal consultation?
If not, you have exquisite taste and will make a fab decision.
Oh snap, I forgot! Sorry, babe! I have a super colic situation on hand, and can’t keep my shit straight.
Can’t wait to see your new digs up close and personal!
Ike, be the sweetie pie I know you are and give your momma some peace.
I think your room is great, but the table is the problem. It’s too brown. Maybe try it with a tablecloth or a colourful oilcloth as a cheap experiment to see whether it does the trick?
Table is the source of the issues here? I LOVE the chairs! Although if you painted the table black it could be super hot!!! Add a mod chandelier and it will be perfect!!!
We have SO many things to discuss! First off- I have a chrome and smoked glass dining table with MCM chairs, and I like the dichotomy.
And SINCE you are not chair poor – and you are kinda eh about the chairs and obvs into the table- is it possible to ask the owners to break up the set from and just get the table to mix and match with your current chairs?
So based on your inspiration photos- getting closer to where you want to be- here are some additional thoughts…
Like the matchstick blinds- but I really think you need to add floor to ceiling curtains (even just a double set of white muslin sheers from ikea) and a long rod so that you maximize your one window.
Not loving the plant stand or the corner piece, a simplified layout with fewer small pieces would be nice. and maybe consider putting the rolling stools on each side of the window? OR just leave the stools where they are and just use the 4 burke chairs (One on each side or 2/2 and then use the MCM woven chairs as wall accents on either side of the credenza or window, whichever looks better! I would also like to see how the lamps and the big painting all look together on the credenza table thingee…
Another thought is an idea that I have used on some other projects and could be great here: Use your exisiting MCM dining table- get glass cut for top and paint the underside of the glass- best of both worlds- great surface for sticky fingered chil’rens and also can be scraped with a blade and repainted for a new look whenever you want. It will also preserve the wood top for when you want the MCM- I’m a naturalist” look again. ( I think someone did something similar on a D*S DIY project one time) Ideas for paint colors to paint backside of fictional glass top: black, mustard yellow, olive green or deep teal.
As for the chandy- It could go either way.
My last thought- (and MAN do i have a lot of thoughts when people ask for my opinion- and please tell me to go to hell if this is all rubbish)- Flooring – bare? put the zebra back in? a kilim layered on the sea grass?
Can’t wait to see what AWESOME decisions you make!
Best!
Hi Mise and Susan, thanks for joining in!
I’m with you guys and Amy that the table is mucking things up. Maybe I’ll rearrange the rest of the room and then reconsider what I want to do with it. Susan, love your ideas about the benches and chairs, will work on that. The lamps are too big for the credenza, but I think a pair of sconces would work nicely. I thing everyone is down on the black pieces, so I’ll be rethinking that, as well.
The zebra rug is in our bedroom where it’s less prone to spills and traffic. NEVER buy a pure white wool rug!!!!! The leather rug protects the floor from scratching. Maybe if I did a runner it would satisfy a need for patter over there.
Ok, ok, I hear everyone about the curtains.
Le Bebe is screaming, so I gotta go for now!
I think I have a new twist(tie) for you. I think you need a round table with a mix of chairs, except all wood ones. Those white, late 50′s ones need to go elsewhere, I think.
Round tables are the BEST for conversations and making a room feel
positive, to me anyway.
I would also recommend a glass fixture above the table.
I have to run out the door now! ah, late!
I actually have those chrome/white leather chairs in yellow vinyl that needs to be reupholstered. Want to get rid of them, packing up from Chicago to Dallas right now.
Reuphostering is such a pain for those of us without sewing skills! Otherwise I’d say you’re crazy for getting rid of those awesome chairs.
Good luck with your move!
Erin, your table & chairs are fabulous. I think part of the problem is that there are too many things trying to tell a story, also the black on the left side of the room is detracting from the great black feature wall.
Firstly, the blind and the lampshade are completing with each other, losing the fabulous effect of the lampshade. I would remove the timber blind and add white curtains (or even a white blind) that blends in with the wall. The window is too small to make it’s own feature.
On the left side of the room, the plant stand, the black corner table and the artwork need to go. Put the tall plant (or is a sculpture, it’s hard to tell from the pic)currently on the right side, in the left hand corner.
The end timber chairs, whilst gorgeous, are competing with the fabulous white egg chairs and making the table look too orange. Move the timber chairs to either side of the white sideboard. Then if you need more seating, they are easily added to the table.
The black wall with the side board & stools looks great. I would add a couple of elements to the sideboard to give more character like your plant re-potted in a white pot & the white ornaments currently on the corner table. (Remove the the black ornament & candle sticks)
You could also move the upholstered stools to the left side of the room where the kitchen wall is opened to provide some colour & balance and then use wicker baskets under the sideboard to tie in the lampshade & also give extra storage.
The rug doesn’t look right as the space currently is, but if you make the changes above, it may look better. Otherwise I would put in a slightly smaller rug (one that doesn’t extend too much beyond the table & chairs). Maybe a grey large patterned one, to tie the black & white in together.
Good luck! Your furniture is great as is. I wouldn’t buy any new pieces.
Hiya Erin! I’m joining the party late, but here are my thoughts. I’m so glad you mentioned painting the rest of the room in black. I was going to suggest that very option and then duck in case you were going to throw the paint can squarely at my head. I think the black wall and the items (awesome painting, console, and benches) are perfection and the rest of the room in black would make for a spectacular, cohesive, cozy and inviting space. Next, I agree that a curtained wall on the window side would add a nice soft touch of fabric and echo the cocoon effect. Those West Elm curtains are great. The color would also look fantastic against the black and the white bits would be a terrific counterpoint to the darkness.
I think the corner shelf and possibly the plant stand need to find a home somewhere else in your house. The scale seems off somehow. The the awesome gold tree can stay where it is, but now as another layer in front of the curtain and to the left of the window on the short wall I would hang those oriental(?) pieces of framed art one atop the other.
I think sconces would be a perfect touch on either side of the console. And perhaps the horse head bust (am I seeing it right?)on top of the console overlapping the painting on the right had corner.
As for the table. If another is not in the budget right now or you just haven’t come across the perfect piece, I would let it stay and the rug as well. But hows about reupholstering the tulip chairs in a mustard yellow similar to the settees in the last inspiration shot. I’m thinking it would add to the groovy vibe, look fantastico against your new all black walls ( ;0) ) and play well against the warm would tone of the table and other chairs.
Lastly, the light fixture…hmmm, if you made the changes above I think it would fit in better and I think set against a backdrop of curtains it would make a bigger statement. If all else fails, you can turn to your trusy friends at ebay and round top!
Hope that helps. Hugs to baby Ike!
And please, please ignore all the typos. No coffee yet. That sort of thing drives me ape sh*t!
Nelya, love your suggestions! I think I’m going to do curtains first, and then see what happens. I definitely feel a new table is in the works, but I’m going to take my sweet time about it. The crap on the back wall is already gone (well, it’s back, but it will be gone once I get curtains).
I considered painting the whole room black, BUT the facing wall on the kitchen is gray, and I don’t think black would work against the soapstone counters. It’s a dilemma. I think either the one wall stays black, or the entire space (kitchen and dining room)gets repainted one color.
ps: I’ve discovered that having kids means having typos! Pisses me off, too
I’m loving the last groovy inspiration picture. A lot.
OUAOU! just found you through my friend Aw! snips, i am fan already like the way you write! Hallos from a Greek deco blogger!
Hey there, rdekko! Thanks for visiting and come back soon!
Good Idea,
I love the driftwood dining table! how wonderful! For more detail Info visit: glass dining table
I like finding random nuggets of gold like this in the absolutle mess that is the internet. Just the mention of a glass dining table had me excited. Enjoyed the read.