In my newspaper column, 'Ask Deb Nelson', I had a question about how to add more colour to a dining room. The homeowner had an oak pedestal table they were planning on painting white. I found the image above as 'inspiration' for the room. I thought the addition of a modern, graphic wallpaper would look be a great backdrop to the room. I suggested this paper in green, because I thought it looked so fresh with the white, but any colour paper would work to add a burst of pattern. I also suggested these chairs in white, they are affordable and can be easily wiped clean in case of spills. I also like these chairs because they can be stacked, so it's easy to store a couple of extras elsewhere and bring them out for additional seating as needed. A large piece of artwork or a mirror can be a great way to add a focal point on one wall. And last but not least, the addition of a drum shade chandelier really works well above the round table.
DIY: lamp for $9.99
This lamp underwent a dramatic transformation and cost less than $10. Back when I was doing a segment on CBC TV called, "Deb on a Dime", I was always looking for affordable and stylish DIY ideas. You can create some great looking lighting if you think outside the box and are willing to get your hands dirty. I picked up a pair of these lamps at a second hand store for $4.99 each. I liked them right away because of the shape and size. I used white primer spray paint to cover the colour and pattern, this gave them a perfect matte white finish. Here I am getting ready to spray:
Then I was able to pick up two shades in an 'as is' section of a big box store; each shade was $5.00, for a grand total of $9.99 for each lamp. I think they look pretty good considering the price tag.
Here's how the second lamp looked on the other end of the room.
Large greenery displays in decor
I always like branches, greenery and trees used in decor. Like in the image above, a pop of greenery in any room can really look amazing. I love the fiddle leaf fig tree in the large basket in the room above. At home it can be as simple as cutting large branches and putting them in a big vase – easy to do yourself. Here are a couple of more great examples. If you're lucky enough to have branches with blossoms that looks even better.
Before & After: dining room
This image above of a dining room (and the kitchen in the background), is an old shot from my last home in Toronto. Naturally, I embarked on a huge renovation in this house. I just happened to come across these "before" pictures, and I had to share them. I removed a wall between the kitchen and dining room, so the wall in the "before" is the one on the left that was removed. Oh how I love to renovate!
Fringed towels
Fringed, or hammam towels, are cotton turkish towels that come in a variety of colours, sizes and patterns. I love the casual look of these towels. As you can see in the above image, I have them on hooks in my bathroom. I find this works well because it shows off the style and the hooks make it easy for everyone to hang them. I have several styles and colours, but I like the blue and white in the summer for a nautical and beach-y vibe. They also make fantastic beach towels, throws or even a runner for a table. Here are a few other displays of these beautiful towels:
And here is another one of my favourites over the back of a dining room chair.
