I made a terrarium last week that I will share with you soon, but this isn’t it. This is a little premade guy that I picked up at Sprout Home while I was gathering supplies to make my own. The fern was supposed to go inside the one I made too, but it was too big for the container so I’m trying it in the dining room. Apparently it’s a high maintenance plant, a lover of humidity that will require a daily mist. It is also particularly appealing to the cats, so I don’t think it’s going to last long. I’ve had that tree stump planter forever though, tucked away behind the computer on my desk, and it’s nice to give it center stage with a new plant in it.

And how many trends can I gather in one setting? If you were playing a decorating drinking game, you’d be pretty smashed! Birds, a terrarium, a tree stump (painted silver for a bonus!), an agate geode, a big hunk of rose quartz…

© 2012, published by Making it Lovely as Mini Terrarium and Fern Centerpiece | 30 comments

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As I mentioned, I spent the weekend painting the ceiling in the dining room. I had intended to do so years ago, but I’d never gotten around to it until now. I chose a dark color to bring the ceiling down a bit, and the effect contrasts nicely with the living room’s higher ceiling and lighter paint color. It’s a trick that Frank Lloyd Wright used a lot; I just borrowed it.

Everything in Chicago is greening up and Easter is almost here, so I set the table with a nod to spring. Corals and pinks, plus the requisite eggs, chicks, and bunnies.

The sequined animals were from west elm, several Christmases ago (they were part of a line to benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital). The dishes and bowls were also from west elm, the napkins and silverware from Crate & Barrel (from nearly eight years ago when Brandon and I got married), the glasses from CB2, and the runner by Chilewich. It reminded me of eggs. And speaking of eggs, the egg cups are vintage melamine.

I usually stick to white for dinnerware, and I still do like it as a foundation, but those coral bowls are so cheery.

Cute place settings, colorful dinnerware, and a little fresh paint. The dining room is feeling good, and all set for spring. Have you done anything to freshen up your dining room lately too?

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© 2012, published by Making it Lovely as The Dining Room, Set for Easter | 51 comments

I wanted to match the wallpaper background, but go a shade darker. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what color the background is though. It’s gray, yes, but it’s kind of a pinkish purpley warm taupey gray. I chose as best I could, and as it was going on, it looked decidedly purple. Not good. It turned gray as it dried though, so I think I’m committing to it, at least for a little while. I have to roll the ceiling, and then do an entire second coat (at least), but I think it’s going to be worth the effort.

© 2012, published by Making it Lovely as Painting the Dining Room Ceiling | 21 comments

You’re in luck!

They’re huge, and believe me, I know that not all of you like them. But I do. And I think I still prefer them in the living room, but we need some art above the sofa to balance their size. So maybe they’ll live in the dining room for a while? It will be great for when I totally lose my marbles. Instant dinner party guests!

© 2011, published by Making it Lovely as Hipster Chia Pets in the Dining Room | 45 comments

The kids and the cats have both been doing a number on our beautiful vintage table, but it does still clean up nicely. My mother-in-law gave me a Tibet Almond Stick for the surface scratches in the wood that the cats are so fond of creating. It’s basically an oily bunch of cloth in a tube, but it does help.

© 2011, published by Making it Lovely as Tibet Almond Stick | 26 comments

I’ve always liked the Strut Table from Blu Dot. I’ve found one for half-off, and I’m strongly considering it for the dining room. What do you think?

© 2011, published by Making it Lovely as Strut X-Large Table | 58 comments

1. PB White Soup Bowl, Pottery Barn

2. Scalloped Bowl, Target

3. Wood-Slices Organic Dinner Plate, David Stark for west elm

4. Wood-Slices Organic Bowl, David Stark for west elm

5. Silver Charger, Pier 1

6. PB White Salad Plate, Pottery Barn

7. Wood-Slices Organic Salad Plate, David Stark for west elm

8. Lotus Bowl, Cost Plus World Market

9. Dazzle Dinner Plate, Crate & Barrel

10. PB White Dinner Plate, Pottery Barn

Here are just a few of the possible combinations (and no, I don’t mind mixing silver and gold).

The Marimekko Lumimarja tablecloth was a gift from my mom last year, but it is available this year in gold. I also mixed in bird napkin rings and plain white napkins, along with our everyday flatware.

© 2010, published by Making it Lovely as Setting a Holiday Table | 39 comments

Here’s why I decided to paint the wood trim, and here’s what the room looked like before. Still to do:

• Paint the wall above the picture rail and the ceiling. Probably the same color as the background of the wallpaper.
• Paint the doors.
• Paint the trim in my office and in the living room.
• Find new window treatments. Maybe simple white shades?
• Either get new chairs or reupholster the ones we have. The fabric isn’t very practical for our expanding family.
• Remember to flip the handles on the buffet back the right way before taking pictures next time. Eleanor likes to flip them all up, and I hadn’t noticed until I was editing the photos!

Before and after shots:

© 2010, published by Making it Lovely as The Dining Room with Painted White Trim | 133 comments

Obviously I have such a hodgepodge of items that a symmetrical layout isn’t an option for me (though I do love symmetry). I work around that by making sure that the overall layout is visually balanced. For example, see that open lattice-work square in the bottom left? That gets balanced out by the votive holders on the right middle shelf and the scallops of the vintage cake stand on the top left.

I add all the little bits and bobbins that I love at the end. Admittedly they can make the arrangement a little cluttered, so I do edit them down some. Not all of my pieces made it back in, but I tend to rearrange things often so they’ll be back next time.

I love having the built-in hutch to display everything. I wasn’t so sure about it when we moved in, but I’ve since embraced it. I’m still undecided about the beadboard (paint it or leave it natural?), but I’m going to live with it for a while before I choose. It ties in the wood floors and our wood dining set, and the contrast is nice with all of the white. I’ve pinned fabric to the back many times before, so that’s always an option as well. Besides, closing the doors gives the whole thing a bit more polish. Doesn’t everything always look better behind glass?

© 2010, published by Making it Lovely as Arranging a Collection | 43 comments

I left the beadboard backing untouched because I thought it might be a nice contrast to the white (and nice to maintain just a touch of the original wood). I like it, and I think I’ll leave it, but what about the shelves? Do you think they should go white or stay natural? I can’t quite decide, and I would love to finish painting soon.

© 2010, published by Making it Lovely as Painting the Built-in Hutch | 164 comments