Hi, friends! I'm excited to share with you the final room tour in my home today. This room has been through quite a few evolutions. When we first moved in, we were working from my home, and we used this room as our studio (mostly storage for our craft supplies). So we put up this fun Instax wallpaper.
After we moved our work to a separate location, this room became kind of awkward. I didn't redecorate it for quite a while. It just became a nothing space.
Last summer I decided to redecorate it and I made a plan. We noticed that we never had enough seating at parties, and especially at parties where children were invited (most of our close friends have children, so it's not uncommon to have a party with 5+ kiddos running around). We decided to make this room into a second dining room because, for us, it was the most functional way to stop wasting this big open space.
I started with a table I loved from West Elm. We considered trying to build something similar, but ultimately decided that, when you factor in their frequent sales, it would be cheaper (and for sure what we wanted) to purchase it new (we love it!). I found our rug on Turkish Kilim Etsy, and we decorated the rest of the room around those two pieces.
The thing I spent the most time on for this room was picking out all the art for this gallery wall. I wanted to pick pieces in a similar color scheme that felt airy and light. I had so much fun picking out abstract pieces, I could do it all day. (Anyone need me to pick out art all day? I kid.)
Print sources: (top left) Lola Donoghue, (top right) Found via Society 6, (bottom left) Kelly Ventura Found via Society 6, weaving by Rachel Denbow, (bottom right) Found via Society 6. *note: I couldn't find the specific artists on Society 6. If you know their names, please share in the comments and I'll get this updated right away!
Say hello to our new wine cabinet. Josh built this custom for our space. It's one of my favorite things he built during his time with ABM. This wall was previously home to our crate storage (seen here and in our book A Beautiful Mess Happy Handmade Home
), so once that was taken down, it felt pretty empty. We chose to build this long side table to both fill the space and provide some much needed storage. Plus, I love pretty storage for wine bottles!
We decided to move our spirits collection to the top of this shelf because it wasn't as child-safe as we needed on our bar cart (again, even though we don't have kids, we have children in our home often, and anything that stresses out their parents, stresses us out too).
I minimized our collection to just the things we use most often and plan to continue keeping a smaller collection on hand from now on. Less is more (well, not always, but with liquor bottles I think it is!).
This Jonathan Adler vase was a gift from Jeremy's late grandmother, and it makes me think of her every time I refill it with a new single bloom (which is often). The little things in our home that were gifts or have memories tied to them are by far the most special.
Since we moved this record player here from the front living room, we've used it quite a bit more. My niece, Penelope, now knows how to play records and which ones are her favorites (Katy Perry and Nirvana!). I love having it in a more central location in the house and right by the kitchen.
This record wall was a recent DIY addition. I've done this type of wall in previous homes and would definitely do it again. I like the grid for random memories.
Since this room has great lighting and the record player, I have been using it to paint in nearly every Sunday afternoon. I don't really have an official painting space anymore, but I kind of like just moving it around with me wherever there are good vibes. I don't keep too many supplies on hand anymore, so I just store what I have in the record cabinet.
I bought this chair from Sarah (a set, actually) right before they moved. I think it will be an outdoor chair in the future, but for now I am enjoying it in here. What do you think—paint it? Leave it? Upholster it? Just add cushions and call it good?
These two blueprint copies fill up the space opposite the gallery wall and complete the room nicely. Love the neutral texture!
Thanks for taking a tour of our new dining room! I had fun sharing my home with you! xx. Elsie
More links and resources: Our book—A Beautiful Mess Happy Handmade Home. View my entire home tour here. Or take a video tour here.
Credits// Author: Elsie Larson, Photography: Janae Hardy. Photos edited with Color Pop of The Signature Collection.
Hi Natalie,
reclaimed timber isn’t always textured or rustic, it just depends on how the surface was finished sanding wise. You could speak to the retailer for what oil / wax product they recommend for the piece as applying a coat of this regularly may hasten the development of a lovely patina.
Absolutely in love with all the bright colours used in this space! I’m a little afraid of it myself but will use you gorgeous wall of artworks as my inspiration in my own home!
Thank you so much for including my artwork in your beautiful home Elsie! I absolutely LOVE the bar & gallery wall combo, such a fun space!!
Emily
http://society6.com/emilyrickard
I really looove the record shelf. Did you build it or purchase it somewhere? I’m looking for something like that for my own record collection and would love some tips!!
omg I love the rug and your pictures, so colorful :))
bottom left Emily rickard
http://society6.com/product/library-ii-txe_print#1=45
do you have the links for the art on the walls? wouldn’t you be able to look about at purchases on Society6?
great taste!
what is all that beautiful art hiding on the ground!!!
Very beautiful room – so filled with your spirit.
Nope, sorry. We felt like it was too custom to make a good tutorial. Feel free to use our photos as inspiration to make your own!
xx- Elsie
Hi Britta!
It’s from Urban Outfitters and I think they still carry them. Quality is good (I’ve machine washed it a bunch already because of my dogs)
XOXO! Elsie
I’ve been looking into picking up a few Mexican blankets for yoga + around the house and LOVE the one you have on the chair. Do you have a favorite source or brand for it?
Fantastic tour! I’m officially head-over-heels in love with that table. GAH!
Awesome. Love it, Els. Especially the table.
Carrie
www.wearwherewell.com
Absolutely stunning!
Absolutely stunning!
Hi Kristen! I’m sorry, but there isn’t a tutorial for that one! – Jacki
Is there a tutorial for the wine cabinet?? We’ve been looking for something like that for our house for ages!
so perfect! love that long cabinet!
xx nikki
http://www.dream-in-neon.com
Will there be a tutorial for the wine bottle storage piece? It’s lovely! 🙂
I got them from Target a few years ago. My niece, Penelope, loves them. :))
xx- Elsie