The unfinished dining room | How About Orange

November 13, 2013

The unfinished dining room


This weekend we painted the dining room white. It was yellow, which you can see on the one wall we left unpainted. We're waiting for wallpaper to arrive, and then that wall is going to be more exciting. And by exciting, I mean fuschia.


Drapes are in the works, too. Then this room will finally look like it has some clothes on.


There are two windows and five doorways (four with doors). Where they take you: the kitchen, the back stairway, a closet, the hallway to the living room, and outside. I keep picturing the genie from Aladdin saying "In case of emergency, the exits are here, here, here, here, here and here."

Check out that fireplace. It's a bad photo because a UFO was just landing outside, but hopefully you can make out the mottled green tile, which is original Rookwood. I hated it at first, but it's got a weird sort of antique charm and I'm trying to like it. Our IKEA table looks so wrong in this room. Or I should say, the table shape is okay but the finish is not good. It's in fine condition, but the matching sideboard is starting to sag in the middle. I have dreams (and of course, Photoshop mockups) of new light fixtures and pretty furniture... maybe someday.

23 comments:

Lizabeth said...

Nice thing about tablecloths - they hide a lot! Plus the added bonus of being able to change at will

Grandma G said...

Wow, it's bright in there! You need to get those "in the works" drapes done and up soon!

Mum

Jessica Jones said...

Don't I know it. :) I hope they will be quick to sew. For whoever sews them. Hee hee.

Grandma G said...

They WILL be quick to sew. But all those long hems will NOT be quick to press. For whoever presses them before sewing. Hee hee?

Mum

Anonymous said...

Fireplace!!! Ikea table is so insecure right now. It looks like me in highschool:)) beautiful things around it))

Alexis Deise said...

Paint the table! Fuschia wall, huh? Paint the table glossy black and the chairs black with pale pink legs.

The Queen of Fifty Cents said...

I'm in the tablecloth camp, and I find vintage ones all the time at yard sales. Plus I would probably change out the chairs for something older. Can't wait to see the finished room!

Rita from Design Megillah said...

Just sell your dining room furniture on Craig's list and buy second hand antique dining furniture. It's always cheap and would look soooo much better in your room!

Jessica Jones said...

You read my mind, Rita.

mica said...

I read your decorating posts with great interest. We also have a victorian house, but have not done much decorating yet. Current focus in on more pressing needs (fixed roof, chimney, etc.) The inside will come in due time. You have to love the numerous doors in victorian houses though! We have a fairly large kitchen, but since one wall is literally all doors and there is a chimney on the other wall, we have very limited counter space - less than we had in most rental apartments!

Victoria said...

Deglosser and gel stain. Or just look up ikea hacks. I love ikea furniture but I change almost every piece I buy. :)

cassie said...

i thought i was brilliant with my tablecloth idea. clearly i'm in good company! i do love watching your home come together! thank you constantly.

Denette said...

Hi, Just wanted to let you know that I have been enjoying your decorating progress, decisions, challenges, changes, etc, etc. Thanks for sharing the process and pictures with us. It is so interesting to see what you do with an older house that isn't including painting all the wood white like most of the bloggers are doing.

annie dee said...

You have lots of options: sell and buy, paint or stain, cover. The room is great! I love that fireplace - original Rookwood tile? Lucky!

Anonymous said...

totally agree that the "modern" furniture doesn't do all that gorgeous dark wood justice. paint the table/chairs! or a tablecloth and chair covers AND a complimentary "bureau handkerchief" for the sideboard. something with the green from the tile and your new fushia wall will really POP. shoooot, the more that I think about it- "paint" your table cloth on your furniture- I am envisioning a nice geometric design/mosaic in all your fun colors.

Jessica Jones said...

Wow, I'd never thought of painting the table cloth on! That would be really fun!

Blue said...

I totally agree with the "paint your furniture" comments! I mean, if you're NOT going to raise the Interweb's ire by painting all that beautiful trim white, maybe you should cause a stir by painting the furniture instead. :)

Jessica Jones said...

HILARIOUS! The problem is, nobody is going to freak out if I paint the IKEA stuff. It wouldn't really cause a satisfactory public outcry. Just some yawns. Instead I should buy a vintage mid-century credenza and then paint THAT sucker. That would generate some exciting comments.

Crazy Mom! said...

I have the same chandelier. Are you planning to do anything with yours? I have a bigger version in my foyer - and I'd like to replace it. FYI - My foyer is 2 story, the house is traditional.

Jessica Jones said...

YES. Plans I'm contemplating: strip the clear lacquer off and let the brass tarnish. Or, spray paint it a color or a darker metallic finish. Or, get a different light. Haven't decided which of those is my plan yet!

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Anonymous said...

Oh, that feels like home! Beautiful light from lots of big windows and half a dozen doors :)