Sunday, July 13, 2008

The Dining Room


BEFORE
This is my best before picture. Ignore 90% of this photo that is showing mostly the kitchen. The dining room starts at the orange carpeting and blond paneling which is just around the corner there. This is what it looked like when we bought the house. This room was an addition put on probably in the 70's or 80's. We actually think it was an old porch entry that they lengthened, therefore resulting in a long, narrow structure.


Here it is from the exterior. As you can see, there was a bay window at the end of the room which we referred to as the 'portal'. It's the submarine look that was all the rage in the early 1970's. On better days, we referred to it as the 'nook'. Nook I've learned is a quaint way to describe a very small room that serves of very little use.

Well, if you can believe it, we were actually going to keep this little appendage thinking that putting in a few new windows would make it feel bigger. But as it goes, it was rotten through and through so in the end it had to be torn down. The contractor in the above photo is holding a beam that mimicks where the new roofline will be with the new addition. The width of this room increased significantly.


This is the new structure going up. Minus the added cost, the up side was that we were getting a much larger dining room (translates into a nice size room that is very useful), completely transforming our eating experience.

The expansion also allowed room for large french doors (I'll show in later post) that open out into an outdoor patio/courtyard (which is still being built). We also put in another set of french doors separating the dining room from the kitchen. Although we have them flanked open most of the time, it really gives it a nice separate but connected feel.

After...


This isn't a complete 'after'...more photos to follow. The fir floors are new and stained to match original fir floors which start at the threshold. The table and chairs were my Great Great Grandparent's dining set. The table is 55 x55 and wouldn't have fit in the original structure - so that was an added bonus. When you're going through the expense (especially unexpected expenses) of renovating a house, I've learned that it is important to remind oneself of these 'bonuses.' : )


Here it is with new chandelier. More photos to follow...

PHOTO UPDATES AS OF SEPTEMBER 2010







You can go HERE to read the post that goes with these latest 'after' photos.


Go here to see more of the outdoor dining patio.

16 comments :

  1. its amazing to see all the pictures, and the taste in all new things is really beautiful.
    the sofa and chairs in the living room looked amazing.
    And how nice to have furniture from late relatives, good luck with everything!

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  2. What a lovely house and a lovely blog as well. We are in the ugly stages of our brownstone reno and it helps to read about people who are farther along & able to put out the family silver and green market flowers. I love the way you have put more formal (yet relaxed!) touches in a casual kitchen. Great inspiration. Oh, I just can't wait! All best to you, your cute hubby and Lucy too.

    -Add

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  3. I have to say that I really have enjoyed looking at you blog. Your house is amazing and you did such a great job!

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  5. The house I grew up in, built in 1910, had french doors between the entry and the livingroom, to keep the heat in in the room, I would assume. They were also open most of the time but beautiful. What did the new owners do after my mother sold it 80 years after it was built (and my grandparents bought it?) Took them out of course.

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  6. Love the dining table. I just bought one very similar in style from a thrift shop. It needs some refinishing and the hubby and I are having a hard time deciding if we want to restain the whole thing or restain the top and paint the legs portion. Any advice in this area would be greatly appreciated! we are beginners, this would be our first piece we are refinishing!
    Thanks!
    Deana

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  7. Just wondering where you might have gotten the chandelier?

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  8. Chandelier comes from an antique store. You can find them quite easily there.
    Trina

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  9. Beautiful and calming....LOVE .... SIGH .....

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  10. My daughter is looking for comfortable slipcovered chairs for her dining room. Any suggestions in the moderately-priced range?

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  11. Anon,
    I got my slipcovers from Target. They are from their Shabby Chic line and I believe that they only carry them online.
    They were $24 each.
    Trina

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  12. I love this site! We are planning to build a new old farmhouse and I use this as inspiration.
    My biggest hurdle is going to be windows. I LOVE old windows but we will have to buy new. What brand did you use for your windows and doors?
    Thanks!

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  13. Our windows are by Marvin. All of our doors (interior and exterior) are Simpson.
    Happy house to you!
    Trina

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  14. That is such a nice looking patio table. I wish I had that to go with my philippe starck ghost chairs.

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  15. Lovely home and blog. Please visit mine at http://thetinsel.com

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  16. Is the paint color Simply White like elsewhere in the house? =)

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Thank you for leaving your thoughts. Kind regards, Catherine

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