Finishing up the history of our kitchen leads us to the eat-in part of the kitchen. When we moved in there was a chandelier (the one threatening to decapitate G) in the center of the space and vertical blinds on the sliding doors leading out to the deck (pictured below).
Both had to go.
The chandelier was moved to the dining room, and later to Craigslist. The vertical blinds found their new home in the trash and were replaced with inexpensive tab-top panels from Wal-Mart.
We actually lived without a kitchen table for about a year. We had a breakfast bar island in the kitchen so we usually ate there. Or we just ate in the living room, but only when American Idol, Biggest Loser, Grey’s Anatomy, Lost, The Bachelor, Prison Break, Desperate Housewives, October Road, America’s Next Top Model, the State of the Union Address and yesterday’s news was on. We got so used to having that space open that when we got a table we agreed we didn’t want it centered in the middle, and instead angled it in a corner leaving plenty of room to walk through.
I love this table—it’s counter-height and has a butterfly leaf in the center so it opens to seat 6. We went with counter height instead of pub height so we could pull up the counter-height stools at the island when needed. And we went with counter-height instead of standard table height so we could still see the TV over the loveseat. True story.
I was trying to decide between the matching wood chairs or these woven chairs when G informed me he hated the woven chairs. G trusts my tastes and usually lets me do whatever I want decor-wise, however, he does have veto power. There have been a few times when he’s not crazy about something I picked out or did but he agrees he can live with it or it’ll grow on him. And then there are the rare occasions when he flat-out hates something. The woven chairs fell into the flat-out hate category and were promptly returned.
I came across these grommet-top ivory and chocolate linen panels in a West Elm catalog and had to have them. They bring color and texture into the space and I just love them.
Next up—the tablescape. Since all the flat surfaces in the kitchen were now counter-height I decided to do a really tall centerpiece to bring the eye upward. I found these Nate Berkus vases on clearance at Linens & Things which were perfect. They have a chocolate brown band at the bottom which mimics the curtain panels. The curly willow filler is from Pier 1. Since we eat here daily I decided I wanted to keep chargers on the table to protect it from getting scratched. I got these neat wooden chargers at Target—I love the pattern on them.
My current headache spot in the kitchen is this wall, which is opposite the kitchen table. It’s so hard to find something that looks nice here because the thermostat and light switch are in the way (damn heat and illumination). I bought these tin tile wall hangings at an At Home America show. They came in a set of 4, but only 3 would fit. I had them here for a few months before I decided they’re a little too traditional for my tastes. Next, I jumped on the Empire West ceiling tile craze that swept The Nest a few months ago. I got these 3 tiles in white. I love the style and size of them, but wasn’t feeling the white. So I painted them the same brown as the arch in the living room/dining room, but they were still missing the mark. In a last-ditch attempt to make them work I topped them with a coat of bronze paint. Nope, didn’t do it. I still love the tiles, but didn’t have another spot in our home for them so I gave them to my friend Jill and they now look gorgeous in her fabulous new blue and brown master bedroom. So for now this wall is blank, but I’m on the lookout—let me know if you have any great ideas!
Our kitchen today:
UPDATE: I now have a beautiful seagrass rug under our kitchen table. CLICK HERE to check it out!
The dreaded small wall that nothing fits on – good luck! My MIL gave me a faded painting of tulips that I hung on our awkward small wall in the kitchen to appease her. I repainted this weekend and somehow misplaced the tulips — I am IN LOVE with that blank wall now after almost a year of that thing!
I’m loving your blog. Your bio has always been one of my favorites and I’m love reading your thought process!
KariandTom
GIRL, you are crazy (in an absolutely wonderful way)!
I LOVE your blog and have it bookmarked to keep up on all the latest in your life!
Your house is looking wonderful I wish I took that much pride in finding the perfect decor for each wall, shelf, table, & shelf! No time anymore!
Sorry those pieces from At Home America didn’t work out for you!
We need to get togehter soon for dinner or something (I know easy to say, hard to do)!
Hope all is well with yourself and G!
I’m loving your blog! Your bio has always been my favorite. Thanks for your inspiration!
-mrs.keith
Hi Dusty! I like the tall center piece! How do you feel about mirrors? You may be able to find a unique mirror to go on your wall that will reflect the tall centerpiece and the light from outside? When are coming over to help me with my house? I tested 3 paint colors yesterday… getting closer!
Kadi
This is beautiful! You have done an amazing job with the house so far, can’t wait to see what else you do!
Re: Husband Vetoing the Seagrass Chair — Have you found G to dislike woven grassy things in general? I just found out (to my shock and dismay) that my husband detests chairs, ottomans, and even baskets (?!) fitting this general description. I came across this older post and wondered if it were a guy thing. So strange…
@Val–Hmm, that’s a good question. I think he just dislikes it if it’s on something that should be comfortable–like chairs and ottomans. He doesn’t mind the baskets at all. I can understand the furniture thing, but I’m so surprised about your husband’s dislike of the baskets too! So weird, lol!
Hi! I just found your blog and I love your house! Where is your kitchen table from? It’s exactly what I’ve been searching for!
Thanks Emily! I got it online from Target (www.target.com). Search on there for “gathering height table” or “butterfly leaf table” and if they still have it it should pop up. Good luck!
Something round like an over sized clock or decorative piece of metal art might do the trick on that wall.