I’m not exactly sure why.
I can’t really figure it out.
I think it’s as confusing to me as it might be to you.
But, truth?
{gulp}
I’m so hesitant to show you the rooms I’ve been working on in the house.
Maybe because I think they aren’t ready yet. Maybe because I still have so many more things to do. Maybe because it’s the home that I grew up in and I want to honor it and I don’t want to show you a single thing until I think they are absolutely, positively perfect.
I know, right? What am I thinking?
We’re friends. You’re here for the journey.
So I’m stepping out on faith and friendship to show you a before and an after that’s not perfect. And I won’t point out a single thing that isn’t exactly ready.
Maybe. 🙂
So here’s the before.
If I close my eyes, I can smell the turkey from decades of family dinners.
The room is almost square. It’s right off the living room and has the most amazing set of antique french doors that lead into it.
Are you ready?
Are you sitting down?
Here’s the almost-ready after.
Here’s the view through the french doors.
They still need to be painted.
Oh, wait.
I’m not pointing out the imperfections.
Here’s the almost finished space.
And here’s the almost finished dining room with Buddy.
He followed me around for all the pictures.
I guess he wanted his picture taken.
The one big splurge in the room was the dining table.
I wanted something that would be here for generations and seat a lot of my family and give us plenty of space for conversation.
It actually seats 12.
We had dinner around the table the other day. The table was a floor model from Nebraska Furniture Mart that I think is part of the Joanna Gaines’ collection. It was discounted because it was a floor model and about 1/2 the price of other tables that I looked at. It has a butterfly leaf in the center that folds up if you want to make the table smaller.
It was already dented up and scratched a little which some people might have rolled their eyes at.
But for me it was perfect.
The rug under the table came from Wayfair.
It was my Christmas present this year from my husband.
This rug is AMAZING.
Seriously.
It’s layers and layers of thick, plush carpeting. The design on the top is dimensional and it’s a lighter cream gray. It feels like you’re in a castle and your prince is about to show up with a coach and white horses.
This isn’t a sponsored post.
I just love this rug so much. Plus, it’s stain resistant. Buddy already threw up on it and it cleaned right up.
Sherwin-Williams did donate the paint for the walls and trim and I’m so thankful for it.
The walls are painted SW Mindful Gray and the ceiling is painted a darker color.
It was already here when we bought the house. I think my mother painted it. It may be SW Rice Grain.
The trim is painted SW Extra White.
This hutch came from a thrift store and it’s not finished yet, but we’ve already talked about all of that here.
I want to fill it with brown transferware and I’m on the lookout at yard sales and thrift stores.
I love these chairs.
They are super comfortable and I bought them when I bought the table.
They were on sale, too.
The backs are rounded with distressed wood.
And they are covered in a linen fabric.
I’ve never had round chairs before and I love how they look framed by the french doors.
I don’t really have a centerpiece for the room, so I just put this old toolbox there until I can figure out what I’m doing.
The chandelier in the room is my grandmother’s.
I bought these windows at a vintage store downtown.
They were black/brown and I added this finish to them to make them fit in the space.
I’m thinking about hanging a birch bark wreath in front of each of them.
One more time.
Here’s the before.
And here’s the Buddy after.
Thank you for listening.
Thank you for encouraging me.
Thank you for understanding that my rooms are a whole lot like me.
We’re both a work in progress. 🙂
PS In progress news—I just found these handles for the hutch.
I got them at Hobby Lobby.
And in budget news.
Wait for it.
Wait for it.
This was the price.
AND THEN THEY WERE 50% OFF.
The room might not be perfect—but these handles are. 🙂
The room is just as beautiful as you are! Love that huge table. Many beautiful memories will be made around that table. Thanks for sharing your journey as you decorate each room. Just to be able to "live' in your childhood home is a story within itself. I love reading your blog each day to see how your house is coming along and the "neat finds" you share with us.
I knew it would be beautiful:)
Karianne, It's time for a little truth telling - most people could live in this house for 20 years and not make this dining room look so FABULOUS👏😘!!!! I especially love that chandie!! How lucky you are to have a grandmother with such great taste - clearly a genetic thing in your family. Thanks once again for sharing all of your hard work - it's truly a beautiful home in all of its variations😉.
It is beautiful and I love seeing Buddy in your pictures. I hope he is feeling a bit more like his old self.
I love 💕 following along with you on your journey to make this new “old” home your own. It’s beautiful. I love everything about it. Have a wonderful day. Much Love, Rose 🌹
As usual you’ve rocked it. The finishing touches will just be icing on the cake, Hugs to dear Buddy!
You're so talented - love to watch your projects grow and bloom! Have a great day!
Karianne. You are one lucky girl. Even if you never finish the house, it is really beautiful. What fun would we have if we couldn't redecorate all the time. There is always something new and interesting to add to the decor. I am in love with your floors. And everything else too. House envy. LOL.
Its gorgeous!!! I'm so glad you are sharing, I can't wait to see the other rooms, I don't care how finished they are. It's fun to see them now, and to dream with you about what they will be. Also the Buddy rug story, so funny and real! Such a good tester for durability and stain resistant's! haha
It's a beautiful space with all your sweet touches. I love that Buddy matches the curtains! Your rug is gorgeous. Would you mind telling me the name? I'm gathering ideas for a future project and this just might be a part of it. Yes, your ceiling looks to be SW Rice Grain. We had it in our office two houses ago. How nice that you didnt have to paint the ceiling! You ll make lots more wonderful memories in this room. Enjoy!
You can find the rug from Wayfair here! https://www.wayfair.com/rugs/pdp/lark-manor-tilleul-oriental-vintage-persian-distressed-gray-area-rug-lrkm4031.html xo karianne
Thank you for the rug link. However, it says you can't vacuum it. ??!! How on earth are you going to clean it? lol
gorgeous! the room is just like you and Buddy....so close to AMAZING!! ...and oh, yeah, stalkin that rug now...
So pretty friend! I love how everything is coming together. I'm so excited to see what else you have in store for your childhood home!
I love it and you! Please do show us more of the work in progress and and how it evolves. This helps us all as we go through the same thing.
To me, it couldn't be more perfect!! xoxo
You have done a beautiful job. I can't imagine more that you would have to do but will keep checking in to see.
Thanks for sharing! I know how hard it is to share things when you are in progress. Personally I think it looks beautiful-you have all the bones, just add the frosting and it will be AMAZING just like you!!!
I love it! That table is awesome! Thanks for sharing it with us! karen....
Karianne, just so lovely! Sweet Buddy makes it perfect in my eyes! If a rug can handle dog throw-up, it's a keeper for sure! You are Amazing -
Beautiful! Can you please share the name of the rug? Great gift.
You can find the rug from Wayfair here! https://www.wayfair.com/rugs/pdp/lark-manor-tilleul-oriental-vintage-persian-distressed-gray-area-rug-lrkm4031.html xo karianne
Wow, its gorgeous! Where to start...first, I love, love, love the rug. Such a beautiful shade and texture. Every single piece in this room is perfect (yes, I said perfect). And omg, those chairs and that table! Linen is such a timeless classic -- one of my all-time favorites. The burlap drapes look like they were made for the room, just as much as they did in your Kentucky farmhouse. The dinnerware you're on the hunt for will be the perfect jewelry for this room. I can see the table adorned with them in my mind's eye, and many, many, many celebratory dinners in this room filled with laughter and love.
The room is gorgeous, naturally. It’s a Karinne designed beauty. But what I noticed even more? The R O O M in your rooms!! You must be loving your chance to spread out! I truly loved the farmhouse, but I also totally understand why you’re so excited about this house. Can’t wait to see more.
Looking good! Buddy approves, too!
So glad you didn't wait to share! The room is absolutely beautiful! So inspiring!
The room is so lovely. I keep looking at those drapes and think I can make some just like that. I just may :)
Love seeing the pictures as you remodel...someday I want to come for a tour. What are your favorite white paints for furniture...I have a piece I'm about to redo and can't decide on a color.
Oh my this is lovely.
I think I'm not alone when I say that "not finished" is the way I'd love to see ALL your rooms. It's so much fun to see you in action, to see how beautiful things already are even when there's still a bit of work to be done. And you're right: your rooms are like you, because you're not finished yet, but that's also what makes us love them. . . they're like us, too! None of us is finished, and thank God for it. As to details, well. . . that table is gorgeous, the chairs look just right as well as comfortable, the rug looks lovely, and the hutch? Being filled with brown transferware? Awesome! Thank you for being you, KariAnne.
Beautiful! Love everything. The rug!!!!!!
Tres Magnifique....okay I don’t speak French but this warrants a pretty word for a beautiful space! It will be even more gorgeous when you feel like “it’s done.” I’m so happy for you that you were able to return to your childhood home and raise your children in it! P. S. Me thinks Kirkland’s in Lone Tree, Colorado would like you to visit when you begin your tour😉
This room is absolutely gorgeous and I love every inch of it. Those handles are perfect for the hutch.
The room is truly beautiful. I love the rug from Wayfair. What is the name of it?
You can find the rug from Wayfair here! https://www.wayfair.com/rugs/pdp/lark-manor-tilleul-oriental-vintage-persian-distressed-gray-area-rug-lrkm4031.html xo karianne
It's gorgeous!! I love that you painted the ceiling the same color as the walls!! What color is that? And where is it from?? LOVE it!!
I love your dining room and all you do to make it truly yours....but I love that Buddy is in the after shot even more! My own dog is facing aggressive terminal cancer right now, so seeing his beautiful mug warms my heart. May he have many more happy times with you. They give us their whole hearts.
It is beautiful. Love everything! I would love to know where the white beads (I. A separate picture) came from.
Gorgeous just gorgeous. But I knew it would be. Love that you are keeping us posted on your before and after décor. Can't wait to see what you share next.
Love Love Love Everything!!! This home is going to be even more gorgeous than your KY home! Everything is coming together so perfectly! Your table and chairs are beautiful and absolutely perfect! That rug is unbelievably gorgeous! Want Want Want! Your floors are gorgeous! I'm so happy for you!!!
Simply gorgeous! Those french doors are everything!!!!! xoxo @buddy!
The dining room is simply amazing! Not close to amazing, but already there. I am a new subscriber to your blog and I just love your way with words, your style of decorating, and your sweet personality that just shines through. I also want to say your book, "So Close to Amazing" was so good and I've preordered your new one. So excited to follow along on your new journey and grateful for your blog.
Listen, Missy KariAnne!! We are friends and we're your cheerleaders and BFFs and we don't care if your house is not completely done! We don't care if there are spagetti O's on the floor. We are here because we love you. Enough said!! Your house is fanttastic!! Love the work in progress.
Love your new/old home. You’re so lucky! We are getting ready to move from DALLAS to Phoenix with a whole new design aesthetic. Big gulp. There are no old homes....and we are moving to an over 55 golf community so everything is Southwest design. I need help in transitioning! Keep showing your process...it helps so much!
Beautiful! Can’t wait to see more work in progress!
It’s beautiful! All of it. But the part that made me smile was Buddy. So thankful you took his picture in this room.
THIS ROOM!!!!!!!! I love everything about it! Those two pieces you picked up from Dumpster Diva are perfect. Have a happy day friend.
I love your rug....would you mind sharing the link to it....or the name of it on Wayfair?
Hi Lisa! You can find the rug from Wayfair here! https://www.wayfair.com/rugs/pdp/lark-manor-tilleul-oriental-vintage-persian-distressed-gray-area-rug-lrkm4031.html xo karianne
French doors, they make a house beautiful before decorating it. All dining rooms need a Chandelier and grandmothers is perfect. Hardwood floors with a soft rug placed beautifully on them. Girl, you are there. The rest is just icing in the cake.
Love ... love.... love this room !! How did I miss the post about the hutch???!!! I am drooling over that gorgeous piece...Just Look at her gorgeous curves !!!! The table and chairs are a show stopper for sure !!!!!!! Im so excited for you !!!! :) :)
So glad you are sharing again! I’ve missed all your beautiful photos and especially your witty stories! Everything looks great!
I need that table! It’s so difficult to find one that seats that many people that I like. The room is gorgeous and I love seeing it come together! I have a dog, Lady, who looks just like Buddy, who blends beautifully your drapes 😉
Stunning!
Aren't we all a work in progress (homes included)! LOVE the dining room...the table, the chairs, the hutch, windows, Buddy ;)...it's coming together! So happy you shared the in progress pictures. It's very encouraging!
It's so Beautiful
Your home is beautiful. What a joy to live in your childhood home. Thanks for sharing with journey of renovation.
So GLAD to see BUDDY and to hear he is feeling better! Amen!!! Love the look. For some reason, my eye kept looking for a black accent. Maybe too much HGTV and Fixer Upper. Joanna designed a gorgeous set of floating stairs in last night's episode for Jimmy Don's son....Perfection!! Just can't WAIT for the wonderful stories that will be told around that table.
What do you mean not finished?! It's gorgeous! Thank you for sharing. Many blessings.
Love the room. Why do I want to throw everything in my house out and start over? haha
So many beautiful things in this room! If you ever "finished" the house......What would we get to encourage and share your journey with you? Just saying. ;) P.S. I've been thinking of having my son make me a dining room table very similar to yours.
Ahhhh, it can be SO hard to share the progress when the finished space in your head looks so much better, but this space looks so cozy and beautiful KariAnne! LOVE the rustic new table and I'm totally swooning over those new chairs! And that chandelier couldn't be more perfect for the space, especially with the family history it brings. LOVE it all my friend!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the table!! I have an almost square dining room and at Christmas we squeezed 11 people around our oval honey-oak dining table with another table tacked on to the end. It worked, but my dream is a long rectangular table that seats TWELVE!! And comfy chairs!!! It's looking wonderful, friend! Can't wait to see the progress in the other rooms!!
Life is a work in progress and you are doing a fabulous job! Let’s learn to think of everyday as perfect.
Stunning. A warm relaxing room to gather for the holidays or any day. You are rocking it!
Really beautiful, but tool box is a bit chunky and tall for the dining room table. Love the chandelier, paint, darker ceiling, drapes. Rug and table and chairs all are inviting!
OH my,..KariAnne...the room is GORGEOUS. I love everything about it. I can just imagine the memories you will make here...xo
Love your dining room. It is so pretty. I cannot wait to see the finished product. We shop for all of our furniture at the Mart. We live close to Omaha, and that is where the Mart started. They have a huge selection, and any price point that you are comfortable at. And the sales are AMAZING! Love your rug. Would you mind showing us all the link to the rug on Wayfair so we can see if that is something we could use? It looks so pretty! Love your blog!
Hi Susan! You can find the rug from Wayfair here! https://www.wayfair.com/rugs/pdp/lark-manor-tilleul-oriental-vintage-persian-distressed-gray-area-rug-lrkm4031.html xo karianne
This room is incredible!! Love it all. Wish I had nerve to paint a ceiling that color. But the tool box stands out. Too big and too heavy for the room. I know it's not permanent. Maybe a dough bowl? Anyway... AWESOME JOB!!
It's absolutely stunning ! X
That chandelier is saying,"Welcome home!" Your room is lovely, perfect as is.
Just lovely...and Buddy is a perfect prop! :)
It's wonderful and beautiful, just like you!!
Karianne, that is just beautiful. What a lovely room. How nice that It's square or almost square. I read somewhere, some time, something that square rooms for some reason are more inviting. That being said, I am ready to come for dinner, I'll bring an appetizer and dessert, and you can make me peanut butter snd jelly sandwiches and we'll talk decorating and the beauty of not being perfect. Ahhh, dreaming is good. Can't wait for your next decorating before and after. They are always the best. Glad to see Buddy following you around and you making your childhood home your own. Keep up the great work. Just as a side note, I get so excited when i see a post from you; but unlike some, I don't read it first, I just save it for last so I can just savor it all the more. Thanks
Thank you so much for sharing your 'unfinished' masterpiece. I've been struggling for ideas to fill a space on a wall in our dining room and seeing what you've done here has made me even more determined to finish that project. Thank you for the inspiration and for proving that you can have a lovely home without spending a fortune - my philosophy!
I love the chandelier... absolutely gorgeous! And I love the carpet. I bought a carpet for my Mom to have for the holidays from Wayfair and we both loved it. It was blue/cream. The room is lovely, KariAnne. It's so much fun watching and sharing your journey!!!
My first impression...OH! WOW!!! I love it. So beautiful, just like you dear friend. Thanks for sharing.Have a blessed day!
I just love reading your blog!! BUT several years ago I had lazer cataract surgery and in spite of all the follow up visits and "tweaking" surgeries I've had I still don't see as well as I would like. But one MAJOR thing I seem to run up against more and more these days is the trend toward lighter type on the blogs. I'm sure it looks nice. I wouldn't know because I can't see it. I've tried and tried so now I'm officially giving up and deleting all the blogs that have it because it upsets me so much. Your pics are great and I can see them! But I love your stories and want to read those too. But I guess for artistic reasons I won't be able to.
Such a beautiful dining room! I really like those windows on the wall. I really love a good Hobby Lobby sale! That hutch makes me want to go to a thrift store! I'm so glad Buddy is doing so well!
You know...Buddy was just blessing the rug! Love the room! ;)
Perfect. A Home. Love sharing the journey with you. :)
Everything is beautiful! I LOVE your blog, you are the cutest :)
First, we really do love being on the journey with you. Seeing you develop your home is a huge part of what keeps us hanging on each post. Second, Nebraska Furniture Mart? I lived near Omaha for 10 years and NFM was THE place to buy furniture. My living room couch and chair were bought from NFM when my daughter was in 3rd grade and now she's 28 and expecting my first grandbaby (time for new furniture!). I didn't know they were national. I love the table and I'm looking forward to continuing this journey with you.
The pictures didn't load the first time I looked at this post and I was truly bummed. Now I can see them all! Yay! To me, the room looks perfect. I love the round-back chairs--I have a round chair and love how it looks traditional but not stodgy. The beauty of decorating is that you can always change things up when inspiration strikes ... how about thinking of it as "perfect--for now"?
I thought the before picture was a great start! You’re touches make it feel like a home. Love the rug, table and chairs. The chandelier must bring you such joy every time you look at it. Everything is falling into place, all in his good time. Looking. Forward to this Journey with you and your Home.
The room is gorgeous! You make everything beautiful!! Would you mind sharing the name of your lovely rug? Thanks. Looking forward to all your future posts as the adventure begins in your forever home! Have a wonderful day!
Hi Dianne! You can find the rug from Wayfair here! https://www.wayfair.com/rugs/pdp/lark-manor-tilleul-oriental-vintage-persian-distressed-gray-area-rug-lrkm4031.html xo karianne
KariAnne, This room is absolutely stunning! It's fabulous! I love everything about it!
Karianne, I see my curtains (that you are borrowing) looks fabulous. So glad they made the cut. Buddy is precious and thank you for sharing a picture of him. Your dining room is so close to amazing that I’m just going to call it amazing.
Beautiful, but I'd lose that trunk and put a little pop of color there.
I agree, the trunk looks like a small coffin, laid out for mourners to pay their respects. This was a very common practice in Victorian times. I love the trunk, just a little sad to see it on the table like that. Otherwise, the room is beautiful and I am a fan a your blog.
I
Oh, WOW, simply beautiful! I really love your dining room, and the way you juxtaposed the sparkly chandelier, with your lovely tool box on the table. They look awesome together... Always knew you were an amazing designer, but I think you have out done it today! I can't say it enough, WOW...WOW
KA---if you had waited until it was finished we might never have seen it! :-) Thanks for trusting us w/imperfection (beautiful imperfection). I am almost 73 yrs. young---and I will only be perfect when God calls me home!
It's a beautiful dining room KariAnne!! Everything about this dining room makes me swoon, French doors, swoon, gorgeous chairs swoon, beautiful table, swoon, and that rug has been on my wish list for weeks. I just couldn't decide. Now that I see how beautiful it is in your dining room I'm sold.
thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing. I love the direction you are headed with your dining room. and the pulls for the cabinet, swoon! :D (tool box is a bit big for table as a center piece, IMHO ;) Next room, please!!
So amazing when ever everything seems to fall in to place. The more photos you share of your house project progress, the better.
That chandelier would make any room a WIN WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are blessed to have it. Enjoy!
The room is beyond perfect!!!
It looks beautiful!!! I love everything! Wasp the rug... woooo wooooo. 😀
That’s supposed to say especially... not wasp hahahah darn spell check thingy!
Thanks for sharing! We don't really care if the room is finished or not...we won't judge. It looks great and I can't wait to see it all accessorized and ready to party it up. If you ever feel insecure about sharing, just re-read your own words in the intro of the DIY Planner....lol. mic drop. Hugs and Happy Day friend!
It looks just like you, beautiful and alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love it all!
I just love it all. The crown molding, table, hutch, windows and Buddy also. You are so good at what you do. Please don't stop.
It's coming along great! Aren't you exhausted?! It's hard to believe you've done as much as you've done in the short time you've been in your new/old home. I love thrift shopping and wish I could go along on your excursions! You're finding some wonderful things.
It's absolutely beautiful! I love the table, and the room just looks so cozy and welcoming. I LOVE seeing all of the rooms in this new house - it's simply amazing!
Is that turkey I'm smelling?! Love the light in this room and the rug and chandie just add to the sparkle. I have the same french balloon chairs and I love them to pieces. I even change out the back part of the circle with different fabric inserts when I want a seasonal pop of color! So versatile. That hutch is a fabulous find. My eye wants to see a bit of greenery- but that may just me and my spring fever. well done you!
It is Beautiful!!! Love the table. Great hutch that was a awesome find.
I love your grandmother's chandelier!!! It's sparkly and shiny and gorgeous. Sigh! I adore your decorating style, so clean and tasteful and refreshing! Love the lead glass windows you found at the antique store and the table, chairs, china cabinet, Buddy, and the ooh-la-la rug, but most importantly I love you! Thank you for all the time and effort you put into this blog.
I love the room, and your decorations coming together but I LOVE BUDDY THE MOSTEST! Sweet , Sweet, Pretty Buddy !
P S. Please Please Please add more pictures of Buddy ! There are , IAM sure , more animal lovers besides me ....
Thank you for waiting for "perfect". Makes us all feel so much more normal, and able to relate. That is what we love about you. Don't change a thing.
for "not" waiting for perfect. See how imperfect your fans are. Oh goodness.
I love the tool box centerpiece. So pretty. Those doors are amazing.
NOTHING has to be perfect to be beautiful-we and our projects are a beautiful work in progress!!!
LOVE this rug! Wow!
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We all love the process and the progress. It's great watching your childhood home become your family's home. New memories layered over old memories. What could be better!
That table is amazing Karianne!! And the round back chairs make a nice contrast softening up the angular lines of the table. I think it is pretty perfect even if you say it isn't finished.
WOW! You have made wonderful progress! The dining room is so lovely and you will find all the little details (like the handles) when the time is right! You just amaze me for moving, renovating and having at least some rooms so put together already. Be encouraged and enjoy your work in progress! Thanks for letting us take a peak too!
The dining room is looking very good! I really appreciate your sharing your process and the room in its almost perfect state. It gives me courage to begin redoing a room, stepping back and living with it and adding to it "all in good time," You are an inspiration. Thanks for sharing!
Buddy makes every room even better! Great job with this room. The paint is perfect. What great bones you have to work with!
It looks amazing and I love that rug too! Are you willmg to share the name of it?? :)
The room is beautiful! You have done an amazing transformation! I love it all! And it's wonderful that this is the house you grew up in. Priceless.... ;-)
Your Dining Room is absolutely amazing -- just like you, KariAnne! Thanks for allowing us to follow you on this wonderful journey! We love being there with you! Your dining room table and chairs are beautiful and are just waiting for your precious family to gather around it and make lots of precious new memories. Those beautiful antique windows on your wall will look so pretty when you add the birch bark wreaths. I love your birch bark wreath and I have ordered one for our home. They are so pretty! Also, I love your lovely smocked burlap curtains. I have two sets of them in our living room and they look so nice! Everyone comments on how pretty -- and different -- they are! So nice to see your precious Buddy in the picture! Your carpet looks so nice and comfy for him! Blessings! Have a great week, KariAnne!
Just stunning
BRAVO! Love the rug. The handles are perfect. You are a busy woman, decorating and shopping on a budget.
Just lovely, KariAnne! Your room is welcoming and will surely be the setting for many wonderful meals.
The tool box is fantastic! I love it. Also, love the rug. I looked on Wayfair but didn't see it, I just wanted to see up close. Enjoy!
Great work KariAnne! The room looks beautiful. I collect blue and white transfer ware.and was on the hunt yesterday. I decided to do some research at Homegoods. I found some gorgeous plates but I almost started a new addiction when I saw gray and white transfer ware. I have never seen it before. There was a gravy boat with a gorgeous rabbit on it that I picked up and put back many times. I had to be strong! I had a fight going on with the devil on one shoulder and the angel on the other. The angel won.......but today is a new day so we shall see. We love you, have a wonderful day.
Oh, Karianne, to be in your shoes!!! Of course, you make it look so simple!!! Lol
Oh my stars, KariAnne! If that is your after, it's going to be stunning! I'm in love with the table! I'm not really a total farmhouse person. I'm more coastal, but if it has a driftwood, light wood look to it? I'm all about it! Love the chairs too! I was at Hobby Lobby before Christmas and I need to go back! It's just that mine is 20-30 minutes away with lots of traffic. Sigh! But I'm going to make it a priority especially to look in their clearance section. You're amazing!
You always make me laugh! The room looks amazing, but what is it about dogs? Acres of wood floors, but Buddy threw up on the rug. LOL!
Just beautiful, everything! I love the pics with your pets in them. Do you still have the little Yorkie?
Your room is beautiful. I love birchbark wreaths but you might consider using boxwood wreaths instead. I think the greenery would add life and a finishing pop to the room.
KariAnne I had no idea you had moved! We moved too but to Murfreesboro TN south of Nashville the first of November. I guess I somehow missed your moving posts. How so very sweet you are living in your childhood home. I need to get myself caught up in the why so I'll look in the archives. Take careand much love Lori Kursave
WOW - just WOW. This literally took my breath away. It is so beautiful. Don't you love it when it works!!!
As always you rock girl!!!
Always a work in progress when you are a designer! ;-) Love, and looking forward to the evolution of everything!
The FLOOR...oh the FLOOR. I just love it. I love all of it!!
Amazing! And it's not even finished! :D
what a beautiful room!!!
The room is amazing already!! I love everything about it and that chandelier!! I didn't know what brown transfer ware was until I googled it so you've taught me something!! Thanks!
Love the new Dining Room! ..... and everything else you do. I was surprised to hear you got your dining room table from Nebraska Furniture Mart. Are you living in Nebraska or Iowa? I'm from Nebraska and always love hearing something about a Nebraska icon. Just read your 'story' and I applaud you for making the 'jump' from city life to a more rural environment.
Grace, I'm in Dallas, but they have a Nebraska Furniture Mart near Plano here. I love it! It's really big and everything there is really affordable. Sometimes 1/2 the price of other places I've looked! Happy day friend! karianne
Your room is beautiful, I love your blog and I just finished your book. Loved it!
Thanks for sharing before it's perfect. So encouraging to your wanna be followers. That table is too fab and I love that there are 3 chair styles and they look so good together.
I love ya, KariAnne...we go a long way back. But when you say you are hesitant to show us what you've done, how its not finished, I cringe. You drew back a curtain on one of the most beautiful rooms I've seen, even part way "done". This is sad. So many of your readers couldn't afford one single chair in this room. Could only dream of a chandelier like this one. And you feel it's not ready to share? You feel a little shy about it? If I had a table by Joanna Gaines, I'd know it. That statement is just not sitting well with me. Again, I'm a good ten year follower, and I love you immensely. Your writing is top notch. I just think you took a creative side to a story about a room that does't come off as humble as you'd like. Give us the 'before's' and let's follow until the end. Jane x
Jane, I appreciate the perspective. I do, really. I haven't shared the rooms because I feel like they aren't finished. That hutch doesn't have knobs. The windows don't have wreaths. There's a giant toolbox sitting on top where a centerpiece should be. The chandelier is too small and hung too high. There are only two chairs on each side and there should be three. I bought the table right off the floor because it was deeply discounted and the saleslady told me she thought it was in Joanna Gaines' line, but I didn't want to say that for sure because I couldn't find it listed anywhere as a Joanna Gaines' table. And on and on and on. All I have to do to feel insecure is look at other bloggers with dining rooms that are way more finished than mine. They are done with beautiful centerpieces and farmhouse hutches and things in their room that brands gave them that are 1000's of dollars. I shop clearance sales and thrift stores and repurpose family heirlooms. The room has sat like this for two months and I haven't shared it. And when I analyzed why....I realized I just felt insecure about it. There's so much pressure for everything to be done---and I felt like the room isn't. And that's what I wrote. I appreciate you. I appreciate your perspective. I just wanted to share mine. KariAnne
I love your direction, and especially those draperies! One thing though, the brown chair legs really stand out...
Ready for a tome? So appreciate that you’re sharing your progress with us: know that we, your readers, do enjoy seeing the various stages of your decorating prowess...and that, it is, for certain! Do not feel anxious about work which is underway or a need to apologize for not having everything done likety split. My gosh, what you’ve accomplished so far is outstanding and that you’ve addressed so much in such a short time is to be lauded. Also, remember that we all have our certain tastes and we all need to march to the beat of our own drummer. So, consider readers’ comments as suggestions with which you may or may not agree. Now...your earlier blog on the hutch mentioned you planned to distress it further, right? Looking forward to seeing that result. I’m wondering about the curly cues you removed...could any or all of them add even more of a Country French flair, but without seeing them, it’s hard to say? And, cautionary note, if not already in place...you may want to consider Scotchgard (or some other form of fabric protection) for those wonderful white linen chairs, as white (esp. linen), seems to attract food/stains from eating...just sayin! I don’t agree with you that the gorgeous (and loved) chandy is too small...think instead it’s the ceriling mount which is rather small for the space and might benefit from a ceiling medallian around it. Can’t tell about height with the current centerpiece in place; but, from what I’ve read, it should be about 3’ from the tabletop. Though with such a big, wonderful table, the chandy might need to live higher up in order to provide adequate lighting. Those terrific, high ceilings. Can’t tell for certain, but in after pic, it looks as though you’ve enhanced/added additional (trim) depth to them. Either way...just lovely! I’m in sync with those who have suggested a wreath that has some greenery. Maybe later on, a couple of sconces for additional lighting...if found to be needed. And, if you’re considering art on any of the other walls, won’t you look at real pictures vs. sayings? (I’m an art lover.). Maybe there’s an art school nearby (students need the $) - or you could find a catch on an (online) estate sale. So glad to see Buddy...and am looking forward to more pics of him...and Bonzai. I really hope there’s a room where you’ll consider repeating the staining process you used on your dining room floor in the Ky farmhouse - an amazing and inventive look! Looking forward to seeing the brown transferware. Don’t know if it’s available as stoneware vs. earthenware, but ifso, go for the former. Also, you may want to look at estate Louisville Stoneware for some of the older, more coiuntrified/Frenchy patterns. (I have Brown/Green Grape - also previouslu called Vintage. Still love it after 30 years. There’s another older pattern with lots of fruit and veggies...can’t think of the name; but both would be a fine substitute for French Henriott Quimperware or Gien - These made in USA products will help to carry you through with the Provenca’l theme Well, girl, keep up the fantastic work! Happy to be taking the trip along with you... thanks for letting us hitch a ride! Looking forward to other rooms and also, what you end up doing outside, too. PS - is it my new iPad vs. less intense laptop or have you darkened the background blue? It’s so much easier to read. If it’s my (far higher) better iPad pixel count and not a darkening of the background color, maybe would you consider chaning the font color to black instead of white so it’d be easier for those with some visual issues to read?
Forgot...instead of aboxwood wreath, what do you think about faux juniper - more of a blue/green.- with bluish berries - that would meld with your rug? PS - Besides getting sick on rugs, my household pets also like to bring in their food and eat it while lying on the rugs....
It's a magnificent room, KariAnne and I love that you have shared so many memorable moments in each room. It's a dream home to me <3
I LOVE your dinning room and I am in LOVE with the rug :) You have done such a wonderful job, it is so beautiful. I am sure others have asked....can you share the name of the rug. I know it is from wayfair and I have been looking on their site. There are so many rugs. Thanks Love What you Have Done
I Love Love your dinning room. It is so beautiful, you have done an amazing job. Can you share the name of the rug. I am in Love with it too. I have looked on the wayfair site and there are a lot of rugs. Thank you
Oh my goodness sweetie , gorgeous! But, of course I knew it would be. Biggest hugs my friend. P.S. I am so excited for you, you have 155 comments on this post! What a rock star you are my friend
I love it when you and other bloggers show us not quite finished or works in progress or messy days. It makes me feel less inadequate! 😀 And I just LOVE those 5 panel doors. I'm hoping some of those are in my future someday.
We are ALL a work in progress. Thank you for sharing REAL LIFE. It is truly a breath of fresh air
Hi sweet friend! I sure do love your new dining room. It is stunning! So classy! I would have chosen many of the same pieces and color scheme. We have such similar taste. My dining room is my favorite spot in my home because of the sunlight coming in. I sit in there for hours at a time drinking in the inspiration and peace it brings me. I LOVE a neutral room that is incredibly beautiful in it’s own right but also one that can be so easily embellished with pops of color or pattern to usher in the next season with style! I love your giant new dining table, too! Such a special piece! My husband and I just built a new table top for my existing dining table base/legs that I have always loved. I found 150+ year old barn wood through an architectural salvage place and with a little elbow grease I am SO in love and happy with the results! (If only the wood could talk... I’d love to hear the stories. 😊) I’m very proud of all of your hard work! It certainly is hard work isn’t it? Most of all I love how you are looking and planning ahead as you create/rescue/and restore. Future generations are going to treasure your masterful touch for many years to come! ❤️ B