So yesterday I revealed yet another thorn in my side, the dopey dinette area. It’s really wee and oddly shaped and it sports hideous tile and the light fixture makes me want to vomit khaki green paint into my cheerios. It’s an appetite killer, for sure.
My eyes! I’m pretty sure that square beige tile is the eighth level of hell. The suburban pinata light fixture is even more offensive, but far easier to remove — we’ll call it Level Four.
As I said yesterday, when we redo the adjoining kitchen the tile will get sledgehammered into a fine dust and kicked to the curb, making way for the wood flooring to move on in. But until that day, this is what I have to work with. Did I mention that this is to be our one and only dinner table?
You can exhale now.
So I think a rug would help, but the inset on the window wall is really throwing a wrench into the works. I put the 6×9 leopard rug in there just to see how it would fit, and you can see that it butts up against the wall. I could see doing a custom cut carpet that fit exactly into that space, except that this isn’t wide enough…
When I centered the rug under the table, it ran into the walkway, which I think looks kinda funny. Am I crazy? Also, six feet really isn’t wide enough for a full size table and chairs. I think seven is minimum, which would create even more issues in terms of the odd window wall and walkway.
What to do?
Mockups, duh.
I painted Board #1 in living room wall color, left the table unpainted, used chairs from Copenhagen, and threw in a hide rug so I could sidestep rug dimension issues. But I have to tell you, I kind of hate hide rugs. They feel so gross… and they are giant dead cows. But I have also heard how durable! and amazing! they are. What do you think?
For Board #2 I painted the room in Gray Gardens, left the table unpainted, added black wishbone chairs, and threw caution to the woven wind with a Nain rug. I did 8000 variations and I’m not sure I’m digging the rug on this one, but I threw it in for variety’s sake.
For Board #3 I switched up almost everything… Les Touches knockoff fabric for the roman shades, painted table, Anthropologie chairs, and a more antiquey light fixture to balance the polka dot bizness. I used a warmer rug because I want something natural in there — be it table, chairs or rug.
So, what do you dudes think? Are there any bits or pieces you love/hate? And fresh new combos you want to see? We’ve only just begun…
ps: here was my inspiration photo, which looks almost nothing like any of my mockups:
Gotta love Molly Luetkemeyer.
Maybe the solution to all my problems is a kick ass Henri Rousseau inspired mural?
Most likely.
Well, somebody’s up and at ‘em today! I understand your tile woes…I have them too…with no promise of ever fixing them. Sigh.
I have a cowhide rug in our bedroom, and I have to tell you…it just wants to bunch up and be uncooperative. I can only imagine what said specimen would do in a high-traffic area with chairs constantly sliding around. I wonder if there are any viable options in an oval shape?
Love the wishbone chairs. Overstock has highly-rated knockoffs…but I’m sure you know that already!
I had one hide rug and it never looked smooth and flat – made me crazy!
Board #3 is my fave but I really like them all.
Like you, I love me some Molly Loot as well!
I don’t like dead animal parts underfoot – but then I wear leather shoes so maybe that’s hypocritical. On the practical side, would it be a pain to be pulling chairs in and out over a rug like that?
I don’t think the leopard pulled out is so bad – unless you are in and out of that adjoining room a million times a day and will be tripping on the corner?
The wishbone chairs look good, but do you find them comfortable? Like the table painted – lot of work though.
Long time ago my cousin painted a mural on our kitchen wall – it was great. Sad I couldn’t take it with me.
I’m super feeling mockup #3. I love those pink chairs & I think a neutral rug is the way to go! I think it will feel more open.
Wow you’re good. I love them all, although none of the chairs looks that comfy. But more importantly, what is the fabric on the shades in the first few boards? That is exactly what I need for a valance/cornice whatever it’s called that I’m building. Please let me know, even if the price will kill me…
Oh the agony to stupid shapely rooms and ugly tile.
How high are the windows? Could you do a settee on the back wall? Could Matt build you a bench that follows the curve, allowing you to pull the table closer to the windows?
Will a natural rug look good with your tile? I know my pink tile looks horrific with seagrass, sadly. If it does work, you can totally have a sea grass/sisal bound to whatever size you want. Maybe something squarish is better.
Hi Jenny, it’s a non existent fabric I invented from google images…
(hangs head in shame)
If I come across anything similar, I’ll let you know! A flamestitch/bargello in similar colors should be easy to find — the scale won’t be, though.
And thanks for the feedback, everyone. Nixing the hide, considering chair comfort… I thought the wishbone chairs were supposedly comfy, but in Molly L’s image it looks like you can’t pull them under the table.
Anyone have the lowdown on the wishbone chairs and care to report?
Just wondering how everything relates to the rest of the room (the part we don’t see in the photo). Is it kicthen on the right? How does the flow actually work?
I tried some knock-off wishbone chairs at HomeGoods, they were super comfy BUT you can’t pull them under a table. Also, the paint chipped really easy
Love all the ideas!
Yes, the kitchen is to the right — you can just see the edge of the bar in one of the pictures. The walkway to the right of the table is pretty narrow at the entrance of the room, due to an mf load bearing wall I can’t knock down.
Sure wish my home goods had knockoff wishbones to test drive!!!
On another note, I read this info on a help forum once and saved it in my ‘ideas’ folder. Not sure if it is of any interest to you/your situation:
“Ceramic Tile will stain. I resurfaced a concrete patio with a water based stain. It was bordered around a swimming pool with ceramic tile. We were careful to clean any stain that splashed on the ceramic tile with water immediately. However a few small drops were not cleaned and in 10 minutes time it could not be removed. So, yes ceramic tile will most certainly stain.
If you go to signature-concrete-stain.com you will find information on an Ardex self leveling floor compound that can be applied over ceramic tile. It can be integrally colored, topically colored with concrete stains, water based stains and dyes, acid stains. It can be saw cut back into a pattern of choice, grouted and sealed.”
Take care
#3 looks fantastic to me! i esp like the black painted table with the gray paint. i too have ugly beige tile and dream of wood floors one day. they are not easy to work with & i wish you luck!!
#3 for sure
When people say things “wear” really well, I don’t think they mean that you can get milk soaked cheerios and chewed up vegetables off them. And that is usually what I’m looking for in a dining room rug.
On the wishbones….Measure armrest height compared to your table lip–that is a huge problem I’m embarrassed to say I’ve lived with for 2 years. SO annoying. But not returnable. I’ve tried wishbones (but they aren’t my problematic chairs), and found them in the middle on comfort–if you are used to cushy upholstered chairs, you might like them less. And will depend on where the back hits you–I’m tall, and can see them being annoying for those closer to the 5 foot mark.
Banquette is genius idea. As is staining ceramic tile–who knew? I like number three, but I think mostly due to paint, light, etc. You’ll know about painting the table when you find the right chair. And I do not mind the rug encroaching on your walk way. Although it might be super annoying to pull chairs in and out over the edge of the rug.
I’m about 1000% on board with #3. I was thinking about how you might integrate those chairs and you totally pulled it off. I love it all…black table, fun cornice, richer wall color, natural rug. Really, really good, Erin!!!
The M.Loot room is amazing. Would you dare? I totally would!
Lessee…I love the coral Anthropologie chairs. I agree that you need a huge, almost lurid nature mural. This totally amuses me: http://totalwallcovering.com/p37795/Nature-s-Harmony.aspx?cid=35. This is fun and not so insane and might almost match your walls, plus there’s a greater chance of you being able to off-center it (since it looks like the only wall you’d really have for a mural is the little one with the doorway and the switchplate, and it isn’t that wide): http://totalwallcovering.com/p34687/Tree-Hugger.aspx?cid=35. And this almost evokes a similar feeling to that really cool mural in your inspiration photo: http://totalwallcovering.com/p34723/Wildflower.aspx?cid=35. Finally, I adore this paper and was really hoping to use it in my dining room above the chair rail and that tragically did not work out: http://muralsuperstore.com/catalog/peacocks_4763354.htm. (I’m a little obsessed with wallpaper murals. I may have a problem.)
Finally, it is clear to me that there is a simple solution to all (yes, all) of your problems: you need a lovely banquette seat built into that bay window. Then, the table will fit, and you’ll have a lovely place to read a book in the sun in all your free time.
#3 rocks.
If you still want to look for Wishbone chairs, Wisteria outlet has them from time to time. Erin, have you been up to Dallas to shop at their outlet? Thursday-Saturday. Like them on Facebook and keep up with what they are going to put in the sales. They have a ton of stuff that is not in their catalog. And then you could also go to Again and Again warehouse. You need to like them too on Facebook.
Could you do wall to wall seagrass? On top of the tile that is. Why not. Or how about gluing wall to wall burlap onto the tile and then paint it. Pattern or not.
The wall mural is fabulous. Could you paint one? Do it girl.
Erin, if you opted for the glued down burlap painted… look at the first photo in my Pinterest DIY. It could be so great to do a version of that on top.
http://pinterest.com/mbsreid/d-i-y/
I am not pimping my site.
Off to find food for my fridge.
Marybeth
I dislike carpet, in general, but I’d definitely make those tiles disappear under a chunk of lovely, low-pile, kid-food-friendly, custom-cut carpet.
Immediately.
And, wow, that lush mural would exonerate a multitude of sins!
I feel your square tile pain. Dealing with some identical stuff in our rental.
LOVE that rug you got though! I have to say from the pic it doesn’t look awkward at all. But as an alternative, I love #3.
can you remove that soffit? then build a banquette and move everything over? the light too…shift it all toward the window.
some delicious banquette inspiration on pinterest…
That’s a good question, Jenny. The kitchen was renovated about 8 or 9 years ago and they left cut out soffits everywhere. I’m guessing there are metal ducts inside them with no place else to go (this is a two story house), but we’ll find out when we redo the kitchen in a year or two because getting rid of those fuckers is job #1.
Until then, leaving the soffit. I can investigate the baquette idea and move the light.
Yup. You have metal ducts inside the soffit. Air vent right smack in the middle.
I like the leopard carpet centered in the space over the tile and think those dark grey walls (in one of the mockups) with your existing chairs (maybe re-cover the seats in black or darker grey fabric — charcoal?) would be the thrifty yet stylish way to go.
I only have two of those chairs, or I would definitely consider that option.
And I’m pretty sure you’re right about the metal duct, MB. Not sure if those can be moved up into the ceiling or not???
God, I hope so. The one in the dinette is not that bothersome, but I loathe the soffit ring a round in the kitchen. Tragic.
I adore #3. The chandelier, the pink chairs, the rug , the table. It all works! Also, Tonic Living has fabric called Diamond Maze that’s very similar to the one you show for the window treatment, except theirs is in yellows and grays. And I’ve seen it in my local fabric store for $10 per yard in pinks and yellows. Not exact but darn close!
Hey hey! Thanks for the tip!!!
The last pic has convinced me to paint my bedside tables yellow. Love your blog!
I vote for a tablecloth that goes all the way to the floor, in addition to the rug.
If you want self leveling floor compound information? Expertise and installations can be found at this website /page
http://www.signature-concrete-stain.com/self-leveling-floor-compound.html
This looks like the fabric in #3.
http://www.shopfurbish.com/servlet/the-1167/Dalmation-Print/Detail?category=Fabric+and+Wallpaper
It is! But you can get it much cheaper elsewhere (no offense, furbish).
I’ll tell you right now, I doubt that those ducts can be shifted. Sorry. The Misfit has some good ideas about the banquette. I really think that is the way to make that space work.
Going to need your advice on this mess, if it works. Put an offer in yesterday.
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=htdyz6&s=5
I am confident that no one would possibly outbid me in this rural spot.
5 acres, a view and this. We’ll see. I probably have to start my own blog, and while I’ve totally hijacked your blog, I need you guys. Designers can tell others what to do, but I’ve got too many damn ideas.
Current plan is 40′s Connecticut Country by way of Hollywood Movies and Rustic Modern Simplicity.
It could be fun, right?
For those who think the wishbone chair aren’t so comfy, ever thought of throwing a simple pillow/pad on them. Not only would this help your tush but it may bring in some color.