disclosure: this post was sponsored by Walls Republic
Someone recently asked me how to take a blank canvas of a room and decorate it. They had so many questions about the process like:
Where do you start?
How do you know what colors to use?
How do you know what goes into a space?
How do you know what works together?
You can read articles and look at pictures and study diagrams and watch how-to videos, but at the end of the day, for me it comes down to two guiding rules.
Rules that have never failed me yet.
But before we talk about how I decorated the space and the rules I used and the details on the dining room, let’s go all Julie Andrews and start at the very beginning.
This is where it all began.
48 hours ago, the space looked like this.
We planned on keeping the floors and the wall color and the antique table and the sideboard.
Everything else was about to change.
Here’s another look at the other side of the room.
And now?
Drumroll please.
The room looks like this.
My mother almost cried when she saw it.
First she was speechless. Then she walked around the room slowly taking it all in.
“You listened to me,” she said.
And just between us, I’m going to be honest…..that is a rariety.
You see, I might or might not be the absolute worst at listening to my mother.
But this is different.
This is decorating.
Which leads us to the first rule of decorating according to me:
Listen.
Listen to the space.
I know it sounds corny, but the space truly knows what it wants.
For example, this space felt like it needed to be lightened and brightened up.
So we started with this beautiful wallpaper from Walls Republic. We both fell in love with it. The lightness, the airiness with the birds and the blue and white colors were perfect for the size of the room. We chose to hang the paper on one wall to give the room a focal point.
Then we found this chandelier.
It was kind of like the wallpaper. Airy and light with a little bling.
It drew the eye upward without visually taking up too much space.
And it sparkled.
I,m pretty sure the room mentioned in passing that it wanted something that sparkled.
Next we started looking for fabric.
Enter rule number 2.
Always choose what you love.
I can’t explain this and it might not make sense, but if you buy what you love, somehow the room comes together. Trust your heart.
And make sure the store has a good return policy, just in case your heart might have misspoken.
For example, when we went fabric shopping we planned on purchasing a blue and white fabric for the seats and the windows.
Nothing worked.
We found some blue fabric and tried to make it work, but just between us….
….it looked lame.
Then we found this fabric and we knew it was perfect. Who wouldn’t love this fabric? And even though it wasn’t blue, it worked.
We found these chairs for the end of the table.
They are so comfortable and the slipcovers are removable.
The rug came next to help anchor the floor. One large rug was really expensive, so we opted for two smaller rugs and they ended up fitting the space perfectly.
Long white floor to ceiling panels were hung at the windows and finished off with a simple faux roman shade.
Those roman shades are totally no sew and took about 10 minutes for both.
I made them from a 1 x 2 board and a single curtain panel.
A few accessories and that was it.
The room was done.
Just a little finding what you love and listening to the space.
And of course, your mother. 🙂
PS A wonderful, incredible wise reader asked me if I would list the sources for the room and she is much more brilliant than I am, so I listened to her, too. 🙂
wallpaper: Walls Republic (for more wallpaper inspiration you can follow along with Walls Republic on Twitter….here and Facebook….here.)
rug: Target
lamps: Lowe’s
tray: Target
curtain panel and fabric: Hobby Lobby
chairs: IKEA
chandelier: Lowe’s
disclosure: this post was sponsored by Walls Republic. All opinions on wallpaper and listening to rooms are completely my own. Please see my disclosure page for more information.
Your mother must be in love with this room. It is gorgeous!!!♥♥♥
Lovely, lovely room and so much personality. You did it again. I want to know where you found the orb chandelier please?
Lowes
When you say you used 2 rugs, can you show how you used them? Under the table it looks like one large rug.
How lucky your mom is to have you as her decorator; and now we all have you as our decorator too! Just one question, I can see where you joined the two rugs but was wondering if you would share how you did it? Was there any cutting involved?
What a beautiful place to enjoy a meal! Great job, as always :)
Just Gorgeous Karianne!! I absolutely love it!! Can you tell me how you did the two rugs? Did the pattern work so you couldn't tell? I need a huge dining room rug and this is a great idea. Did you tape the back seems together? Any insight would be helpful on how this worked. Thanks for such a great blog, I look forward to your posts! Beth
Oh my goodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOWOWOWOW..... Love the fabric on those chairs... the whole room just rocks!!!
What a beautiful room. The rug is fantastic.
[clapping!] The room looks absolutely beautiful. Love it! You and your mother are very lucky to have each other! : )
I want to be you when I grow up. The talented, listening, funny, kind, decorating goddess you.
Love!! Could you add a side by side photo?
I meant to say could you add a side by side photo of the before and after of the dining room? It is beautiful!
Oh Karianne, the room is just beautiful!!! I love it all, especially the wallpaper and the chandelier (Lowes rocks!!!). What a wonderful thing to be able to do for your mother. The two of you are so lucky to have each other!!! May she enjoy it for decades to come!!!
KariAnne, what a beautiful decorating job you accomplished in transforming the dining room into a space full of light and cheer. It is a lovely room and guest will feel most comfortable lingering in after a meal. This is a great example of how your creativity and vision will make you a success in your new venture; continued best wishes.
Can't wait to have you help me with my rooms! This is gorgeous, Kari Anne!! My mother almost cried the first time I decorated a room too. I was eleven. And it was a surprise. Nah, she probably wasn't going to cry for the same reason as your mom, come to think of it...
the room looks terrific and that is great advice! I fear, however that my heat may have communication/honesty issues because last time I checked in with it it clearly said "yes! brown faux leather couches that are too small are EXACTLY what I want!" and then later I think I heard it laughing......
I LOVE the room, it is so bright and airy. Good Job!
Beautiful. I love how you buy things at obtainable and economical stores and don't spend a fortune-thanks for the room sources!
Curious about that "2 rugs instead of 1" idea! Large rugs are so expensive but I'm trying to figure out how you put them together? Are they connected somehow? Border looks seamless in the pictures. Beautiful room!!
Wow.
Beautiful job Kari Anne. I love everything about the room. I'm also interested in how you made the two rugs look so seamless. And how did you make the roman shades?
Oh wow, this really is amazing and that dining chair fabric is stunning.
Stunning! You and your Mother are very fortunate to have shared this special opportunity to redecorate her lovely dinning room. It's just beautiful!
Karianne. You did a sensational job!! WOW! PERFECT, IN EVERY WAY.
Burst out laughing at Michelle's mother's tearful response to her efforts at redecorating! That wallpaper is just super, and I can imagine it improving any room, whatever the style, taste and, er, age of the decorator. Off to look at their other wallpapers now.
Lurve the result! What a precious gift for your mom...
It is beautiful!! I am going to see if I can find that fabric! Did you get it recently? Also, where did you find those beautiful pillows? I know your mom just loves it! You did a wonderful job.
Absolutely incredible transformation. You're a magician but more than that so extremely talented. I think I would cry too if it was my room. How very beautiful!! Think it's time for me to change my curtains to white and airy. The room is over the moon, Karianne! Bless you for doing a make over for your Mom.
And all of this made my ❤️ happy!! Love.
Beautiful room! Love the fabric on the chairs. I've combined 2 rugs before but they were solid so no issues with matching design. Yours looks seamless.....great job!
You did such a nice job. Your mother should love her room and I'm sure she is extremely proud of her Kari Anne. And Lowe's will be selling out of this chandalier. I misspelled that.
Really beautiful. I love blue and white. The wallpaper is so fresh! You did a great job!
Saw this on Pinterest first and pinned away! You did a fabulous job. Of course, you know you did. Thanks for the resources too.
Wow! Now I am inspired and motivated! Thank you so much. Love the chair fabric. Did it come from Hobby Lobby as well? Thanks!
Karianne, you are a designing genius! I love the room and blue and white is my favorite color combo! Once again, I'm inspired! Thanks!
What a lovely, classy casual room. Love it!! I'm with several of your other fans and am wondering how did you create one big from 2small rugs. Are they taped together in back?
Oh...my...goodness! Stunning, KariAnne...just BEAUTIFUL! Your mom has to be so pleased. Every element is perfect and classic. You truly have a gift. I've never considered two rugs (8x10's are so expensive). May I ask how you joined them so they don't shift and is the seam clearly visible where it's not hidden by the table and chairs? As soon as my dear hubby gives me the go-ahead to redo a room, I'm going to get on your client waiting list!
Love it! As always!
Ahhh so! You are a room whisperer -- it speaks to you and then you translate its wishes. Makes perfect sense! That is why your rooms turn out with personality. They have their little quirks but that make them adorable and unique. Not everyone has this unique talent. Oh great master, do you think you could teach this little grasshopper to listen to a room when it speaks?? Whatever language it is speaking now is not being understood. :-( Great job on your mom's dining room. I'm surprised she hasn't handed over the keys to her house and told you to go for it!! You Rock!!!!!
Karianne, Absolutely love the room. Your mom is one lucky lady!
I know what you mean when you say the rooms know what they want. I bought a sectional for my living room. Love it in the store but there was something wrong when I brought it home. Finally changed the pillows from red to blue and now it's perfect. Listen to your rooms.
Love everything about this room! FYI...to get black marks off of dishes, use Bar Keepers Friend, found in the sink cleaning section. Thank you for your wonderful posts!
That room is perfection! Please tell more about how you used two smaller rugs. And if you dont mind the source for the white curtains. Thank you and enjoy your beautiful roomm
Love it! Very beautiful! Can I ask what the wall and trim paint colors are?
I love that you give rooms personality and character! A wonderful job! The fabric on the chairs, did that also come from Hobby Lobby? I'm not seeing it on their website. I love that fabric, you always seem to find the neatest accessories, furniture, fabrics, light fixtures, ext. !!!! From one of your many fan club members thanks for sharing!
I love this room. The blue and white looks so nice and clean and crisp, but also warm and inviting. I love it. I'm also interested in the 2 rug idea. Looks fabulous!
Love it! Looks great!
Love, love the transformation KariAnne!!!...the wallpaper, rug and fabric are stunning!....Love seeing the blue and white in the room!
I love the room! For those of us who are decorating challenged, can you tell us how you did the roman shade? Also, where did you find the fabric for the chairs?
Beautiful room. Fantastic advice. Great way to save. Can you tell us how you did the Roman shades. Are they functional? Thanks. Your room is gorgeous! Jane x
Add me to the many who know you are simply *BRILLIANT!* There are no two ways about it! My gosh, girl, it's simply wonderful, and of course, one of my favorites ~ two rugs combined to make one large one! Just because it's such a simple solution, and I never ~ ever ~ in all my many years ~ have thought of doing that to save $$$ ... !!! It's all lovely ~ but that stands out as the "clever take-away" from this one! Thanks for always giving us ideas that are within our "reach" ... As I said yesterday, "Stunning!"
What a beautiful room. Love your blog. Loved seeing you at Chapel Market. Looks like you have some future"how to's" with the rugs and 10 minute roman shades. You have us all interested!
Oh how I love the room!!! I am a blue/white girl through and through. I also would love to know how you did two rugs. You indicated that you purchased them at Target. I am looking for a new rug for my dining room and the rug you picked looks like it would wonderfully in my dining room, but I can't find it on the Target website. Do you know the name of the rug or the company who produced it. Love your blog!!
What a beautiful room! You did an amazing job! Love the blue pillow.
Kari Anne - your mom's dining room is perfect. The room is classic, timeless, and absolutely lovely. Congratulations on putting together a masterpiece for your mom.
Great job...I would love to see a photo of the entire room...;)
Simply Gorgeous!!! My buffet is very similar to your mom's- such a beautiful piece. Love all your choices- well done! Viva Blue & White!
Gorgeous!!! Pleas share a tutorial on how you made the roman shade!
Amazing KariAnne! What an incredible transformation....I love the wallpaper and the light is just beautiful. It doesn't even look like the same room! You have such incredible talent.
Oh my goodness!!! What a dreamy room Kari Anne!!! That wall paper is gorgeous and I love how the white plates stand out against it! The rug, the curtains, the chairs, THAT CHANDELIER ... it's all perfect!
Could you give some specifics on the rug. I went to the Target website be couldn't find it. There are hundreds of rugs so I very likely could have missed it. Do you know the brand or name etc? Thanks so much.
The room is beautiful! I hope you share how to make the faux roman shade. :)
LOVE!!!!! And this will be a great example to pass on to your kids about listening to Mom! ;)
What a beautiful website...and room! Alas, my mind does not operate this way. My DIY-project for today is to put the 4th coat of paint on my daughter's bedroom floor in our 100-year-old farmhouse. It's the 4th because I had to scrape off the first and second. Which were water-based. Which I put, sans primer, over oil-based. Because #idkhowtodiy. :)
This room is beautiful. I was looking for the source for the blue pillow with the white. Where did you get it? I love blue and white! Thank you.
Really lovely!
Have I told you lately...how much I love your blog? You are truely an inspiration not only for blogging but for designing as well! This space turned out so spectacular! The wallpaper may be my favorite, but the advice to take two area rugs and put them together to save money (genius) I am so doing that! I have been in need of a large are rug in my bedroom...so I think I may go buy two! Have a wonderful weekend...thank you for always inspiring me : )
I love the blue and white!!!! Can you tell me how you joined the rugs please! Love all of your Blogs!!!!!!!!
Love it! Classic look! Thanks for posting the stores!
We have the same table and sideboard. I have the China cabinet too. They were my grandmother's and she would appreciate your dining room.
Beautiful! You've done a great job. I'd love to delve in and start decorating the spaces in this house, and I've planned to join you. Mine will be all DIY and I don't really know how soon I can get started, but I have grandiose plans. :) Thanks for sharing your sources! And thanks for joining the Christian Fellowship Friday linkup. Hope to have you again next weekend! Be blessed!
This room is stunning Karianne! Your mom is so lucky to have you as the designer! Just stunning! ;)
I'm so SO in love with everything about this room!!
This room is absolutely beautiful. It makes me want to change up a few things. Thank you for sharing this inspiring project.
I almost cried and it isn't my room!!! It is gorgeous!!!!! My dining room is making me CRAZY. I wish I could copy this whole room....or have you come do it for me!!! I will feed you, hydrate you and cheer you on!!!! AND, I have TONS of blue and white peices you can use!!!! Oh happy day!!
I have looked several times at the rug and can't see how you joined 2 of them??? PLEASE show us!! That is GENIUS!!!!
I love the rugs...where did you buy them? Genius idea!