23 April 2012

Before & After: Client's Dining Room

Last year, we began working with our clients who were undergoing a major renovation to their home.  The renovation was a thoughtful reworking of the existing space with the only addition to the house's footprint being the new screened-in porch.  The entire floorplan of the first floor was reworked and my clients created a massive open kitchen with an attached dining room and entry out of what once was the kitchen, dining room, living room and entry.  The wife likes bold fresh colors & has slightly modern taste while the husband is pretty traditional so we were really after a blending of the two.

We did the full house but I thought I'd start out by sharing the dining room with you.  Here's a photo of the dining room "before" which was at the back of the house:


And here's the dining room now:


Like me, my client loves botanicals & we couldn't resist these two massive ones by Natural Curiosities.  I flanked them with large bright green lamps to balance out their size.  The trestle table is paired with lighter carved chairs and I love the detail on the seat backs.   We found the neutral Greek key rug at Stark.  On the table, I used modern garden cloches on the table filled with ferns and orchids.  

We had the existing sideboard laquered white and my client had the GENIUS idea of adding a wooden board painted with chalkboard paint to the top of it:



It looks like slate but was super-inexpensive.  (I know, I know, chalkboard is EVERYWHERE... but I still love it in enexpected places!!)  We had planned to use honed granite or concrete & I'm so happy she did this instead!!!  It's so convenient now to label food & drinks set out on the bar.



For curtains, we used an overscale blue paisley by Schumacher and throughout the house we used a combination of bright blues & greens.  This project was particularly special for us to work on for a number of reasons and the "big reveal" had me teary... I want to thank my clients so much for letting us into your home &  your lives. 

I'm off for the day- am having contractions and am heading in to doc to check it out & am doubting this is "it" but they make you come in anyway so we'll see.  I'll keep you posted!!
UPDATE:  I'm home from doc and all is good & contractions will be coming & going but they aren't painful enough yet to be very productive!  Will keep you posted & hopefully I still have a couple mroe weeks to go :)


xoxo, Lauren

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

68 comments:

  1. Beautiful! And Best Wishes for an easy delivery and healthy baby, Mom!

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  2. You are the ultimate multi-tasker. Blogging and being in labor (maybe) :) I love the dining room, Lauren. The botanicals are amazing!

    Good luck at your appointment.

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  3. AMAZING. Love the chandelier/botanicals/lamp combo, really stunning. Great job!

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  4. OMG, totally swooning over this makeover! Love the green and I have one of those chairs!

    Blogging and having contractions, you are good!

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  5. LOVE everything about this room. I just have to know where that chandelier is from?!?!

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  6. Really Beautiful Work, Lauren!
    I love how changing the use of of black, white and wood tones ups the sophistication of this room.
    I am still so in love with chalkboard paint, too!

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  7. Looks beautiful! Green's my favorite color so I could definitely have something like this in my house. I love the light fixture over the table as well!

    Laura
    www.HappyroostBlog.com

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  8. Great pics, Lauren. I once considered that chandelier for our dining room, and I thought I had crossed it off the list, but AHHH, I don't know now! It looks fantastic in that dining room. And keep running....those contractions won't stop and you can be done (jk).
    Have a great day!
    Tawna

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  9. Beautiful. Such a striking modern/traditional combination. So glad you got it done before the baby!

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  10. I just found your blog and what a treasure! I am so happy to be here. Hope you have a wonderful day... oh, and I am your newest follower! Jalon

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  11. You really have an amazing eye, and know how to bring a room together with all your selections! Great job!! Good luck at your appointment:)

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  12. OMGosh, Lauren! The transformation is incredible!! I love how stylish, transitional, warm, and updated the room looks. And, the chalk board top is brilliant. Thank you for sharing. Loi

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  13. Beautiful! Love your color choices and the drapes! Very nice idea with the chalkboard! Best wishes for you and baby!

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  14. I love the space. Your really revitalized it!

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  15. The Schumacher drames are gorgeous. I love it all.

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  16. This is fantastic Lauren, I absolutely love the dining room, and pops of intense green! Brilliant lighting and overall design!
    Have a great week.
    Nancy
    Powellbrowerhome.com

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  17. Omgosh, bless your heart, contractions, blogging, taking care of little ones and home, Amazing, that is what YOU are!!
    Love love the transformation. You have a wonderful design aesthetic and one that I could recognize if I saw a room you did. Love the over sized botanicals. I have had my eyes on the Wisteria ferns for awhile now! Take care sweet Lauren, Happy Monday,
    Kathsyue

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  18. The chandelier is fantastic! It is something I was looking for.
    Where is it from?

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  19. Of course you're having contractions and blogging. You're hilarious Lauren! Love the dining room and the bold prints and colors. As always..fantastic job!

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  20. Amazing amazing amazing room. Everything compliments so well without being too matched up. Love it. Good luck with the contractions!
    Tiffany
    thedesignerlifestyle.blogspot.com

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  21. Gorgeous! And chalkboard paint!? Who knew. Good luck today!

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  22. That is a really beautiful room! Love the blues and greens, and the way you merged the couple's styles. I squealed with excitement when I saw MY dining room chairs used in this room! I bought four of the same at an estate sale a couple of months ago, and just love them.
    Great job, and good luck at the doc!

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  23. The chalkboard paint on the top of the sideboard is genius, I love that idea!!

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  24. This dining room is absolutely gorgeous! I want it!

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  25. Lauren..such a beautiful and dramatic after photo! Love the idea of the chalkboard counter. Good luck at your appointment : ) Exciting times

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  26. Lauren..such a beautiful and dramatic after photo! Love the idea of the chalkboard counter. Good luck at your appointment : ) Exciting times

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  27. love this room...everything about it.

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  28. Loving the before and afters of this dining room. Feels very fresh and relaxing!

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  29. Love this space! The pops of green are really gorgeous. And I love the unexpected idea of chalkboard paint on the sideboard. It will make for a great wine and cheese party! And glad to hear all is well with you. :)

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  30. What is the color of chalkboard paint? It doesn't look like a traditional black. Certain brand?

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  31. I actually gasped when I saw the AFTER photo! I adore the huge art and lamps. Such a difference. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  32. I mean - WOW! Love the before and after - you made it a completely different space. I'm sure they're going to have many happy meals here. It's a very friendly room.
    -SF

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  33. Lauren, I love this room!! Perfection. Get some rest.

    Londen

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  34. You are so talented and a super baby mama!
    Love you.
    xo xo

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  35. The room makeover is beautiful Lauren. I love the botanicals and the chalkboard treatment is wonderful, love the lamps and the drapery fabric too! Best wishes for a very smooth delivery.

    Kat

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  36. I love the dining room and you balanced everything out beautifully. Looks like you were able to make everyone happy with that room.

    Contractions?? You couldn't possibly be nine months already. Brooke over at Velvet & linen just showed a picture of you and you look small...it's a girl...;)

    Good luck!
    XX
    Debra~

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  37. i was actually planning to do the same chalkboard treatment to the top of a floating credenza in our dining room. i loved the idea of labeling the dishes when entertaining. even though chalkboard paint it overdone i still love it. what color did you use? and how do you avoid glass domes like that fogging up from moisture underneath? i want to know your tricks!;)

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  38. Love this Lauren! You are a smart cookie and one talented designer! Love using the chalkboard on the top of the piece, genius!

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  39. You are so talented....that room is gorgeous! Thinking of you as you are close to childbirth...God bless!

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  40. Lauren,
    This is one of the prettiest dining rooms ever! I love the botanical prints and the green lamps. Also, love your clever centerpiece.

    Can't wait to hear about the new baby!!!
    xoxo Elizabeth

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  41. there is nothing quite like a before and after - and this one is stunning. Congrats on a gorgeous job.

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  42. The lamps and the prints on the wall are totally the focal for me ...beautiful.

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  43. Gorgeous, Lauren! I love it all, but those oversized botanicals are to die for!!! So excited about the upcoming arrival of Adorable Liess Baby #3!!!

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  44. I'm loving those botanicals! Love this transformation, and what a difference. I can't believe you are already due! Wishing you a smooth, easy birth. ~Delores

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  45. Absolutely loving the transformation Lauren!! The green of the lamps and botanicals is gorgeous.
    Angex

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  46. What a fun surprise to see this post! I have to fess up that at the moment our chalkboard buffet currently has the following written on it:
    "Max is awesome" Then Max is crossed out and "Alex" is written above it.

    Hang in there, Lauren!!

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  47. so warm & inviting.
    you have such a sense of style lauren that i am recognizing your rooms and think i could pick them out in a line up. all meant in a really good way. each room of yours has such depth, texture and color used magnificently! really adore your style.

    well wishes sent your way for an easy peasey delivery!
    xoxo
    debra

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  48. WOW! This looks so beautiful!!! I love it!

    I hope that you are feeling good, wishes and prayers for an easy delivery.

    Elizabeth

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  49. The room is amazing! What a difference you made!! Sending peaceful labor vibes your way!!! :)

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  50. Lauren- The sense of scale in the new dining room is right on - it practically sings! They must be thrilled.

    Best wishes with those doctors visits - you never know!

    Loretta

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  51. Gorgeous and Green! I love this.

    Congratulations on your baby whenever he/she arrives!

    xoxo
    Alicia

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  52. WONDERFUL job! And you have inspired me for a new client I hope to get!

    Iam sending all my best wishes for your new family member!!!!

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  53. WONDERFUL job! And you have inspired me for a new client I hope to get!

    Iam sending all my best wishes for your new family member!!!!

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  54. this is soooo gorgeous!! Great job Lauren! I am super sure your clients are very, very happy!

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  55. Very nice colours and beautiful textures! :)

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  56. Beautiful transformation! I am in the process of refurbishing an old consol with a freshly constructed top. Never thought of chalkboard paint but what a great idea!! Good luck with the baby : )

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  57. Lauren,
    Never ever underestimate the power of a pregnant woman! You and your nesting instincts must be in full mode....Let us know when the baby arrives in your nest...chirp chirp!
    pve

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  58. The chandelier is by Arteriors Home! :)

    xoxo,
    Lauren

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  59. Lauren, all your designs are so beautiful and this gorgeous dining room is no exception.

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  60. The design is really nice! Simple yet classy!

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  61. I am using that chandelier in a law office conference room...great to see it hanging. Love the room...time for a dinner party!

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  62. LOVE the room. Where is the gorgeous lamp from?

    sourabha@gmail.com

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  63. I love the balance of light and dark and the large scale items to give the room that little zing. Love your stuff! Good luck with this delivery!

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  64. This dining room is beautiful, Lauren. I love the large botanicals that are framed, and the chalkboard top of the sideboard is so great. Love that they can write on it with their different offerings for guests.

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  65. I love this room! May I ask the color or brand of chalkboard paint that you used?

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I love hearing from you- thank you for taking the time to write!! :)

*If you have a specific question, I'll try to answer it in the comments section so be sure to check back! If you're looking at an older post, email me directly. Thanks!
~Lauren