Our dining room has morphed a lot over the two years we’ve lived here.
We started with this:
Then I made us a new table:
Then we added the chairs and banquette:
But this summer it truly started:
And now it looks like this:
In the dining room we tore down the wall, removed the pantry and replaced the flooring/wall/ceiling from the demo. We also removed the popcorn ceiling, installed IKEA light fixtures above the table and painted the room white.
On our brand new wall we built a shelving unit using IKEA Expedit shelves. We used one 4×2 unit and two 5×1 units. My husband secured the top 5×1 to the wall using heavy duty brackets. Since we tore out our pantry, I moved all the food into the cupboards and now I can use this shelving unit as my open shelving for my dishes. It makes unloading the dishwasher a breeze. And I love the pops of color from my pyrex, glass bottles and cast iron cookware.
Between the bottom two units he installed a small butcher block desk for my laptop (yay!). We also got an island from the IKEA Varde series. It houses some of our more used things, like cutting boards, sandwich bags, tupperware and (of course) snacks.
The light fixture over the island is one I found at a garage sale for $4. It was ugly brass so I spray painted it Rustoleum Charcoal.
We also repainted the kitchen area, changing it from a leaf green color to Behr’s Cozumel.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
I just love looking at all we’ve accomplished. And by “we” I mostly mean “my husband”. He worked hard. Very hard. Are you all ready to come over and enjoy it? Potluck? Game night? Backyard movie night? Canning day?
I’m now looking forward to cooking, entertaining and enjoying the fruits of our labor.
One last look.
BEFORE:
AFTER:

















I checked FB at just the right time! It’s beautiful. It was nice before, but it is gorgeous now!
You guys are incredible!!! IT looks AMAZING!!!
Amazing!!! You guys did a great job with everything! I’m ready to come see it in person, and I’m up for any of the suggested activities
Wow!!! That looks absolutely amazing!!! You guys did such a great job! I love it!. Brian says, good thing we’re not their neighbor, because I’m coveting it!
it looks so cool! i love all the color! good job guys
Heidi it looks amazing! I love bright colors like those used. LOVE it!
Love it! Gotta love the hubbies getting projects done for us (and I don’t know about you and Colin, but Bryce’s projects are mostly my ideas
). Looks great, enjoy it!
wow, wow, wow – it looks amazing!
Very Beautiful..I love the bright happy colors.. wish I was closer, I would Love to come and do some canning in that kitchen..
What a great job the two of you have done….
Oh by the way the last reply was from your Aunt Bobbi..
Heidi! It is so BEAUTIFUL!!! I am so impressed! I love it!
I have been waiting ever so patiently for the reveal and I LOVE it!!!! You guys did such a great job, Colin is so handy and you have just a fabulous eye for details and color! Can you come do my house next?
Anne
Looks like it hopped right off the pages of a magazine – so fresh and your use of the color white is awesome – it makes all of your dishes and other colors in the room pop, especially that turquoise “Cozumel” on the kitchen walls – your husband is so great to not fear the love of his wife’s color picks! Love that! Congratulations on a fabulous project accomplished!
Loooove it! Great thinkin to remove that wall! Love the colors you chose too.
WOW — you did an awesome job!! I love how open it looks now. And the turquoise and banquette are amazing!
I featured it on my TT&J facebook page
xoxo
Jen
Thank you so much!!
Beautiful! Such “happy” colors!
I love all the color!!! I too am not afraid of color and wow what a difference it made in your beautiful kitchen!!!
Wow! It looks amazing!! I love color!! How did you get the color on your table? Is that tiles? Or is it painted on? So neat!
Thanks! Here’s the link for the table story (it’s the first of three installments). I stenciled on the color with acrylic paint.
http://rushartist.wordpress.com/2011/03/03/table-refab-the-diy-truth/
Looks fabulous! I would love to see how you built the bench seating around your table.
Thank you so much! My husband built that bench and I just love it! Here’s the link to the project post: http://rushartist.wordpress.com/2011/05/14/new-dining-room-banquette/
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This is beautiful! great job!
gorgeous!! that color is amazing.
that is so awesome and makes me tired! but also inspired! wonderful.
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