My Dad's Dining Room: Finally {Almost} Finished!

You might remember this project from way-back-when but my dad's dining room at the lake cottage started out looking like this:


The room was actually taken down to its studs prior to this picture being taken but I don't have any shots of that. 


Over the years, we added the table & light fixure & built-in cabinetry.  It's finally almost totally finished (with the exception of maybe a rug for the cooler months and shades on the windows) so I wanted to share a few pics I took:

{The boys use the table more than anyone for coloring & projects and of course eating (ie making a HUGE mess with food for Justin.)

I wanted the kitchen & dining room to feel simple & practical and carry a bit of nostalgia for my Grandma (who died 20 years ago but is still somehow a driving force in my family) with it.  It cleans up so easily & there's no stress with messes.   (Crayons came right off of the chairs- don't worry Dad!) 

I used my Live Paisley linen in dusty blue on the curtains because of the colors of my Grandma's china (now displayed in the built-in cabinetry)



Here's a very crooked picture of the cabinetry:

{I forgot to get a straight photo of this spot with the new hardware on- oops!- atleast you get the idea}

This cottage has been in our family since 1958, with the dining room & open kitchen at its heart.  So many meals have taken place here and for my family, eating is a BIG deal.  In reality, any room is just the backdrop for the life that's going on there, but it makes me so happy that the backdrop here finally feels right.  My Grandma & Nanoo loved this house and truly made it into a home.  My Grandma had a very disctinct style:  She loved flowery details and was pretty frilly, but also a very simple woman.  Function & practicality were always first.  I like to think of the house as an updated, tiny-bit-more-masculine version of my Grandma and I think she'd love it if she could see it now.  

{Queen Anne's lace on the table thrills me to no end...  seriously.}

One of my favorite things about visiting the old house is picking flowers from our field and bringing them inside.  My grandma always used to ask me to pick flowers & bring them in when I was a little girl.  It's such a simple thing, but when we go out & pick flowers, I'm in Heaven. 




Also, I've received a lot of questions about my textile line & how to order, so I just wanted to clarify a little bit. In September, I will be selling the fabrics online (in my new online store - Pure Style Home) for those who don't live in Virginia or those who don't have access to the Design Center of Northern Virginia.  It's an online store where you will be able to view all of the fabrics & colorways, and purchase sample memos & yardage right there at the site if you need to.  (I'm waiting until September to debut the line because the fabrics have not yet been photographed so without, pictures, there's no way for me to really sell them online.  My good friend & photographer Helen Norman and my family & I are doing a photoshoot at Helen's farm for the fabrics in a couple of weeks and I can't wait to share them with you!!  Not only will we be photographing the fabrics themselves but we're putting them in lifestyle settings that embody the feeling I hope that the fabrics convey: classic fresh, simple & carefree, and in some cases a little vintage or bohemian.)

If you are in the DC metro area, you can view my fabric line at the Design Center of Northern Virginia.

Thanks for the support & have a great weekend!!  (Can you believe summer's almost over?? wa wa wa)


xoxo, Lauren

If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.

28 comments:

helen tilston said...

Hi Lauren

Wishing you much success and joy in your new venture. I shall look forward to seeing the images from your photo shoot

You look beautiful in the garden picking flowers
Helen xx

Carolyn@Sweet Chaos Home said...

Love your style, and eagerly await your online shop! The dining room looks beautiful. I'm sure your Grandma would be very proud :)

Pam said...

I'm a Queen Anne's Lace fan myself. It reminds me I have a painting of it put away that I should bring out and take a look at... Love the fabrics and can't wait to see the photos! The house looks great by the way :)

Julie Taylor and Danni Greenwalt said...

Lauren, I cant wait to see your new line of fabrics. Congrats on all your success.

Flavia @ Estilo Home said...

The room is looking great, and I can't wait to see all of your fabrics! Congrats!

Barbara Bussey {The Treasured Home} said...

It's turning out beautifully! What a tribute to your grandparents and a great family meeting place!

Barbara Matson said...

The house is looking so amazing. Your grandma would be proud. Yay- to fabrics online :)

Lynda @ Happenstance Home said...

Your father's dining room looks fantastic. My grandma was also really special to me, and I like how you have honored your Grandma in the house. I also like that you have left your personal mark with your unique fabrics. They are all stunning!!!

The Buzz Blog @ Diane James Home said...

Such a pretty room! I love the white chairs echoing the crisp trim - so fresh. Can't wait to look at your beautiful fabrics online - I've been holding out buying curtains for my bedroom until I see yours!

Unknown said...

It is so beautiful! It's a room I wish I could be in. Looking forward to seeing your textile line : )

katiedid said...

Loving all of your fabrics Lauren! And the white chairs in the dining room....fantastic!

Annie said...

Those chairs look great! And crayon wipes off?!?! Please share where you got them!

kayce hughes said...

It looks beautiful and I can't wait to see your fabrics and the shoot.

The enchanted home said...

Well done and I bet those chairs are mighty forgiving!

Kellie Collis said...

Lovely dining area! Gorgeous pendant light! Have a wonderful weekend, Kellie xx

Unknown said...

The dining area looksbeautiful I love how you have mixed white chairs with the dark table it works really well & that chandelier is gorgeous. Its a very fresh & comfortable feeling space & it flows wonderfully with the kitchen

simply brookes: said...

so lovely. light. bright. and inviting.

well done. i know your dad must be so appreciative.

under spanish moss said...

The dining room turned out so lovely. We love the built in cabinets with your grandmother's china!
Angela and Renee

vignette design said...

Your Dad's dining room is beautiful. How nice you have your Grandmother's china to display. Great job! Is your Dad happy with it? ~Delores

Karen said...

Lauren,
It's so pretty. I love the bulit-in china cupboard. Very nice.
I hope you and your family are not in the terrible weather. Stay safe.
Karen at http://gardenhomeandparty.com

Erin Southwell said...

it is such a beautiful room, lauren. i cannot wait for your fabric to be available come september!!

erin

My Galveston Cottage said...

It's so nice you're keeping memories alive in this sweet cottage. I plant Cosmos in every house we've owned. My grandmother had them in her yard, and I just love them. Happy to say that they're doing well were we are now, except for the occasional deer that likes them, too. So happy to see that you are doing well!! My best, -susan

debra @ 5th and state said...

it is a perfect cottage dining room lauren and that shot of the boys using the dining room is precious.

cannot wait to see your fabrics, all so exciting!
xo
debra

Nuha said...

this is such a gorgeous space! i am in love with the ceiling :)

The SilverLyne said...

Wow, the fabrics are beautiful, that linen with true to nature colors and shapes---can't wait for the photo shoot.

Samual said...

This is really wonderful post. I enjoyed it. There could be times when you are required to move your furniture from one place to another. The normal furniture items in any household would consist of the beds, chairs, tables, sofas, and cabinets. The requirements of moving the furniture could be various.

Furniture removal company

Shannon said...

I'd also love to find out where those chairs came from. I have at least three tear sheets/pins with them and haven't been able to find where they came from. Spray painting my own chairs white is really just a placeholder until I find these!!! Its a beautiful room & I don't see how your Grandma couldn't love it.

Lindsey said...

Lauren, do you know what china pattern the blue and gold plate is? I love it!