Anyone who gets to know me realizes quickly that I am not a "less is more" type of girl.... :) I love ornate antiques and color. I began painting with lots of color in my home when I lived in Houston, Texas. My first paint project was to paint my formal living room a deep sea-foam green. My formal furniture is white and gold and the shade of the green really made the furniture pop. I was a little hesitant, at first, to make that first green stroke upon my beige wall. Like most people that have never had a deep color in their home, you are a little nervous at first. Your thoughts are...."Will I like it?" or "I hope I am doing the right thing!" I bravely put my brush into the paint and took a long stroke upon the wall with my brush. Then, as the wall began to fill with green, and I stood back to take a break and survey the wall, I realized....."Hmmm----this might look pretty good!" Once the room was completed and I began to put my oil paintings back in place and things started to really stand out in the room and "pop".....I was in love with the room and how the color really brought the items in the room to life. This was the beginning of my love with colored walls. The past three houses I have lived in with my family has been filled with beautiful hues.
Like most new homes that you move into, the walls are painted a very neutral color. We selected a paint from the builder choices which was a light taupe. It was a color that we thought we could live with for a while. We knew we would eventually begin to personalize our home with color. Below is a photo I made of our home in very early fall in 2010....the year we moved into our home. Obviously, this is our dining room....
We have enjoyed living in our little cottage since we downsized in 2010 and moved to Poulsbo from the neighboring town of Silverdale. As you know if you follow my blog, we are just a short walk into town from our new home. We live about a five minute walk from the marina, where we keep our sailboat, and the shops in our little Norwegian community. We have really enjoyed living in our home which we helped the builder to design. However, I was looking at some photos of our past homes over the past few months and realized.....the time has come to paint! So, this past weekend, my husband, Mark, and I selected our paint, donned our work clothes, and took out our brushes and rollers. Time to personalize our home and bring it to life!
All of my dining rooms have been a shade of red or rose. As many know, I am from the South, ya'll, and many of the dining rooms in the old formal southern homes are red. Seems like there is just a code of color in the south....dining rooms are red, old wooden porches are painted white or grey and many have a light blue ceiling. Don't ask me why.....mine is not to question....only to paint! ha I love the old historic homes in Charleston or New Orleans.... I am thinking of all those pretty homes as I am working on my dining room with my husband this past weekend.
Taping is a boring job....takes time....but oh so necessary sometimes. I am anxious to get to the fun part....putting my things back up!
We bought paint that already had a primer in it in an eggshell finish which I love. I really like the sheen of eggshell and many decorators use it. We started with the trim first and then went to the roller. A dark color sometimes take two or three coats to get full coverage. My husband and I kept at the job with only breaks to get a bite to eat or drink. Finally, it was done! Yea! I couldn't wait to start putting up my paintings and getting things back in place. Here are some photos of the finished room.
My dining room is an open area on one side. It is located between my formal living space and my den and kitchen area.
We have nine foot ceilings in our downstairs space. The dark color makes the ceiling seem even higher now which I like. The color of the walls may not be exactly this shade when you actually see it in person as I am taking these photos in the late afternoon. All paints look a little different in the evening. Here is a photo of my medallion on the wall above my chandelier. I bought this medallion when we moved into this house. My sister has the same one! We are both drawn to angels and skies. I have always loved rooms that have a sky with clouds painted on the ceiling. So, when I saw this medallion, I knew I had to have it! It looks just as pretty in my sister's home....
You know how I love bluebirds....Robins...etc. My blog is called "Bluebirds and Butterflies" to honor my Mom and Dad whom I lost in 2008, sadly. My Dad always said it was a "bluebird" day if he had a great day fishing or doing something he enjoyed. He had a car that he raced on a track when he was young and there on the side of the car, was the name "Bluebird." The butterfly is for my Mother. I had a little message when I was going to care for her, along with my siblings, at the end of her life. I was sad that she was going to not be with me much longer due to her cancer. On the plane from Florida, these words came into my head as I looked out the window of the plane thinking "How will I ever live without my Mother?".....the message was "Your Mother will be like a butterfly. Her body is like the cocoon. Her body, like the cocoon, will whither......but her soul will be like the butterfly and live. She will be living but you just wont be able to see her." It brought me peace, and I wrote this into the back of a book I was reading. When I landed in Florida at the airport, my step-daughter, Ashley, picked me up. As soon as I got into the car, she said, "I have a gift for you." Then, she handed me a gift bag which contained a beautiful bracelet. Featured very prominently on the bracelet was a huge butterfly. I have posted photos of this bracelet in a previous blog. Pretty amazing, huh? I have told many people this story. So......you would not find it surprising that throughout my home are touches of this....a bluebird here and a butterfly there. Here is what I have hanging on my chandelier in the dining room....
When I lived in Houston, I attended an auction one night and purchased this blackamoor. It was from an estate sale of a home in the prestigious neighborhood of River Oaks. It was used with candles at one time but was converted over to electric. There was a man who was on his way to buy this blackamoor at the time I bid on it. He was the decorator who had found it for the homeowner. Had he made it to the auction house and bid against me, I might not have this beautiful blackamoor that I treasure today. It really looks lovely lit in the evening and stands guard at our stairway....
The two canes that you see in the corner next to the blackamoor in the photo above belonged to my husband's Mother, Sadie Singer.
You can see a stained glass window in the background. This window faces the street of our home and is located near our front door. We had a window put in our new home to accommodate this piece that I have had for several years. I worked with a stained glass artist who had a business called Fishglass in Houston, Texas, when I lived there. I sat with the artist one afternoon with boxes of pieces of stained glass holding them up to the light. I had a wallpaper that had chrysanthemums on it and the artist recreated the design in the colors you see in the stained glass piece. The artist created a stained glass piece that would work perfectly with my wallpaper border. When it was placed in the house I had in Houston, it was installed so that I could remove it if I moved. This window has been in my last four homes now and in three States...Texas, Florida, and now Washington State. I love the way the light comes through the window each afternoon. My husband is designing the woodwork around the window which he is still working on. The walls around this area will be painted next...
Here is another picture of the room. You can see our Maltese, Sadie Mae, standing in the den off the kitchen. The beveled glass piece that you see in between the archway wall at the top was brought with us from Florida. We were going to install it in our home there but never had the opportunity to do so before relocating here. So, we brought it with us. We worked with our builder to find the perfect spot for it our current home. I like the way it lets a little light through the wall of the archway...
The next photo shows a large....and very heavy, I might add....gold sconce that I bought at an auction when I lived in Houston. My husband wired it so that it dims by the touch. So, you just touch it to get the lighting that you would like. It takes european bulbs which have to be ordered but they burn for a long time. I love sconces and lights that create a nice ambiance.
I love tea carts and actually have two of them. One is a wrought iron that I have for a patio. The second is this one that you see in the next photo. I bought this when I lived in Titusville, Florida. I found it at an antique store. It is perfect for displaying my silver tea service....
The last touch on the dining room will be to put up some white crown molding at the ceiling. After we complete all our painting projects, we will begin working on the crown molding.
Our dining room features two oil paintings that I also purchased at an auction in Houston, Texas, when I lived there several years ago. I love both of these paintings!
Here is the other painting...
I love needlepoint pillows and have two pillows with a touch of black stripe in my dining room in the arm chairs that match my table. I love a hint of black in each room.
The antique china cabinet we have in our dining room is very dear to me because it belonged to my husband's Mother, Sadie Singer. It has "s curve" glass in the doors of the cabinet. China cabinets give you a lot of extra storage, and this one is home to a lot of my Paragon teacup collection...
My dining room table is positioned in the smallest round position. It has a couple of leaves which can be easily installed which enlarges the table to seat 8 to 10 people. Great for a special holiday dinner. On the table is teaset that also belonged to my husband's Mother. This teaset began us on a journey of collecting Paragon teacups and saucers. Initially, we were looking for extra pieces to match the teaset from my husband's Mother. As we began exploring antique stores for Paragon china, however, we discovered that there are many, many different beautiful patterns. We began collecting some of them that we really loved. Paragon was also commissioned by the royal family in England to mark some important events like coronations and weddings or trips to foreign countries by the royal family. I have several pieces that are special royal commemorative selections. A lot of the teacups we have collected over the past few years are housed in my two china cabinets I own. Here is a photo of my mother-in-law's china that started our Paragon collection.
My husband gave me this Brighton night light...
Here is another shot of the room. You can see part of my petit baby grand piano in the photo.
Little Sadie in the den near the kitchen. We also have another larger den with a fireplace upstairs. I'll be featuring this room at some point in the future on my blog.
A couple more looks at the room with the new paint...
I just love the way the room looks painted red! It is very dramatic in the evening. This week, we will be selecting a darker taupe color for our formal living room and begin painting in there. I will post some photos of that room once we finish the paintjob. It is very exciting to me to see the rooms be transformed with color. After we were through painting, my son came in and saw the room with everything back in place. He said, "Mom, it looks fabulous! Now, the room really looks like home." How sweet of him....
I hope that you have enjoyed visiting our dining room today and seeing our paint project. You know, no matter where you live, you just make your nest wherever you go.....but it is the people inside the house that truly make it a home. May your home always be filled with happiness and love. Have a beautiful day today. xoxo Kim
Kim,
Just wanted to tell you I browsed through your pics, but I was going to come by later and take more time to view them all. I have a plumber coming over soon to fix my sink. You know what? That looks very much like the color I chose in my entertainment room back in my old house in Northern Cal. I LOVE IT!!
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley
Posted by: Red Rose Alley | Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 01:29 PM
WOW! What a beautiful room! It looks so vibrant now with the RED! I love it! All of your paintings and furniture are really complimented by the rich color of this red! I love the chandelier and medallion! Exquisite....you have wonderful taste and a beautiful home! We just got back to Florida today so I am unpacking and getting things in order. I just took a walk around the neighborhood. I'll have a new post up in the morning! Thanks for writing! I've missed you! ♥
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 05:07 PM
Hello Kim.
I'm back to visit, and looking at your wonderful photos of your dining room. The red walls are so pretty, and they make everything in the room stand out. I love the china cabinet. I also have one in my dining room that my husband bought me years ago. It's very unique and Italian looking, and I cherish it. I really liked the oil painting of the little angel. I adore angels, and I used to collect them. The medallion on the wall is gorgeous. You really did a wonderful job decorating this room, and I'm so glad you were pleased with the color. I miss my red room that was a loft in my old home. A coat of paint really does wonders. Can't wait to see your next project. Lovely evening,
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley
Posted by: Red Rose Alley | Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 09:54 PM
Hi Kim, I'm glad your back I was getting a little worried about you. I'm going to drop by in the morning when I will have time to sit with a cuppa and read and view all of the amazing pics. Just wanted to say Hi!! xox ;) Trish.
Posted by: Trish Rowley | Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 02:17 AM
Hi Trish, Good to hear from you! Thank you so much for your concern. Nice to know I was missed in blogland! :) My husband's sister left us :( and took a little time off to spend time with my son, Elliott, before he leaves for college again. Year number 4....wow, time flies. 2 years left! Hope you enjoy Elliott's photos from his Mediterranean cruise. How is the patchwork going? Say hello to your group and family. Hope all is well with you, Trish. Love ya, Kim
Posted by: Bluebirds and Butterflies | Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 10:26 AM
Hi Sheri,
I am so glad you liked the red walls in my dining room. I had a feeling with your love of red roses that you would enjoy seeing it. We are picking out paint for our formal living room which is right next to this dining room this week. May start painting on Sunday. I will probably choose a deep taupe as it is so open to the dining room. After that, will work on my kitchen and den off kitchen. I'll post photos as I get each room done. Yes, I totally agree, color makes everything in your room come to life. I am sure your Loft which was painted red was lovely! Thanks for the nice comments. Off to visit you on your blog, now... xoxo Kim
Posted by: Bluebirds and Butterflies | Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 10:37 AM
Hi Diane,
I have some catching up to do on everyone's blogs and will be taking a look at all you have done and seen over the past couple of weeks. Have missed all my blogging friends! Sometimes, you just have to take a few days away from the computer and concentrate on being in the moment with your family. I really enjoy blogging and love all my blogging friends and readers! Seems like you had a really great time while you were gone. It is good to come back "home" though, isn't it? No place like home! I'll be looking forward to your postings. xoxo Kim
Posted by: Bluebirds and Butterflies | Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 10:42 AM
Hi Lori,
I read your comment on the posting with Elliott's Mediterranean cruise to him. He had a big smile on his face. So glad you enjoyed seeing his photos! Love ya and will be seeing you very soon! XOXO Kim
Posted by: Bluebirds and Butterflies | Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 10:44 AM
Hi Kim, I love the colour that you painted your dining room. Actually, my bedroom is a similar colour. When I painted it, everyone said No!! You will make the room look small but I didn't listen, and it looks great. Love your Angels and Bluebirds. I'm going to patchwork this morning I will say Hi to all the girls. Love ya too!!! Trish xox ;)
Posted by: Trish Rowley | Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 02:47 PM
Hi Trish,
I am so glad you loved the color and, you are right, it doesn't really make it look smaller! I am sure your bedroom is beautiful! Thank you for the nice comments and have fun at patchwork. Love, Kim xoxo
Posted by: Bluebirds and Butterflies | Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 03:37 PM
Hi Kim!
It's been awhile since I've been to blog land! Wow! Your dining room is stunning! As you know....red is one of my favorite colors. You couldn't have picked a more perfect color for your dining room. Reds are so warm and cozy. Everything in the room looks grand! Perfect for a nice dinner party or a romantic dinner with just the two of you!
Hope all is well. I hope to take some pics of my home and others that are decorated for the holiday season. I've been so busy that sadly I have neglected my blog for several months. Amy's bridal shower looked like so much fun and your outfit was stunning! Loved the color of your dress!
Love and hugs,
Sandy
Posted by: Sandy | Monday, November 28, 2011 at 09:13 AM
I absolutely love every facet of this room, including the wonderful red shade you selected. Great job! My husband and I are renovating a Victorian home. I'll have to show him what you did. I love all of the special little touches. I'm just amazed! :-)
Posted by: Bobette Bryan | Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at 12:28 PM