Published
Several factors have force us to come up with a new design plan for our formal living and dining room area. Today I’m showing you a quick look at some of what I have planned. I want it to be a very comfortable place and need it to fit a smaller budget since we’ve done this room once and it didn’t work out. Don’t worry. Our pretty little settee and chair will have a new home within our house, somewhere where little cat claws won’t destroy the fabric.
We currently use the space for playing all the time with our active toddler so I really didn’t want a table with sharp edges or anything that could easily be destroyed by children or cats.
We went with the pretty and budget-friendly (plus the only white table I could find) Liatorp table from Ikea. I really had my eye on a West Elm table a while back but they discontinued it.
For kid-friendly/pet-friendly rugs, I chose these inexpensive IKEA rugs even though I had my eye on their beautiful Stockholm Rug. And with the messes toddlers make, this low pile less expensive option would give me peace of mind under our table.
While I’m showing a white sofa, we would probably have two covers for the sofa, one being grey to be safe.
This design is clearly not to scale, but it gives you a sense for some of the changes that will be coming. And while I’m showing things like a gorgeous $2,400 mirror behind the sofa, expensive throw pillows (that I may DIY) and more, some specific things will not be making it into our home for budget reasons. I’m not even sure we’ll spend more than $20 on the mirror, but we’ll see.
What do you think?
Keep in mind that this room get a ton of light from all of the windows so the paint color looks much much lighter. We’ll be reusing the curtains, throw pillows and some art we already own.
Paint color-Mindful grey by Sherwin Williams (our actual wall color, but it’s much lighter in our home with many windows and natural light).
White buffet ($799) My favorite piece in this room. I just love it!
Walnut side chairs ($139)
Black and cream rugs ($99)
White dining table ($279)
White dining chairs (no longer available, but we have these lovelies!)
Wood Drum pendant ($149)
Gold curtains ($188 each). We actually went with a much less expensive West Elm option.
White sofa ($429) and an extra white cover is only $39 if needed.
Sofa table ($199)
Cute as a button chair ($279.99)
White faux-leather pouf ($79) or if you prefer leather, you can go for this Serena and Lily version.
Grey pouf ($34.99)
Walnut nesting tables ($279)
White textured side tables ($149.99)
Lamps Plus Colors Plus Coral lamps ($99-$199) Technically the color is called Antique Red and I love it. I’ve been avoiding red for several years as I just haven’t been drawn to it, but I love this reddish, pinkish color and think it adds a slight feminine touch to the room. And I’m a “pop of color” fan in any room.
Mirror ($2,400)
Brass sconces ($217)
Painting from Cocoa and Hearts ($NA)
Hello Sunshine pillow ($120)
Life is Beauty Full elephant pillow ($120)
Gold dot pillow ($70)
Spell it out & pillow ($55)
Striped pillow ($72)
Small Hex Nut Natural wood candle holder ($53)
White tube vase on sofa table ($26)
You are my Sunshine print ($24)
Watercolor Zebra painting ($18) or silver or gold foil zebra print ($14)
Disclaimer: Some affiliate links included.
I love it! Is this the room that had “our” rug in it? How has it held up for you? Also, do you have the couch already? Is it comfortable? I’m looking for an inexpensive grey couch.
Nope, our rug is in the family room and I actually still really love our rug. I just want to switch the curtains to white in the family room someday in the semi-distant future. I don’t have the sofa. It’s a loveseat. I would much prefer Ikea’s stockholm sofa, but it’s too long so we are going with their Kivik loveseat. The pricetag is much more manageable as well and I love that I can replace the cover for as little as $39.
I really love the redesign! Those IKEA rugs are gorgeous. I think they are a great idea. Lots of pattern but in black and white which works so well with all the neutrals you are working. Those walnut side chairs are incredible too! Can’t wait to see it all in your space!
Glad you like! I originally had the completely overused, but so lovely, stockholm rug in there, but with a toddler eating on it, it’s just not a good idea. Yes, I have to work in some walnut. I’m about to write a post about being a schizophrenic when it comes to home design style. I love so many different styles.
ok totally stalking this thread–I can’t wait to read your post because I feel like that’s my problem also! It’s a problem for me anyway…I think you do a great job of incorporating different styles but being consistently “you,”…. I talked a bit about it in this post–in fact I actually used “design schizo” ha! http://thetastefulllife.blogspot.com/2013/04/model-home-decor-inspiration.html …. ok…butting out now. ;)
So hard, right? I love midcentury modern, I love industrial modern, I love new traditional (also called chic traditional on Apartment Therapy, I believe) and I appreciate more eclectic styles (Anthropologie-esque). And in the end, I’m obsessed with white. Lots and lots of white, so there’s that issue as well. I need to go back and read that post, Tiffany! I thought I read it, but now I’m wondering if I missed that mention. If so, I feel like I would’ve texted you immediately. :)
Love that dining room table! So cute!
Isn’t it the cutest! Someday we’ll have something more grand in there, but it’s just not practical right now with a toddler. Thanks for stopping by!
I love it Jes!
I really liked the fabric you used for covering the chairs. It really goes well with the surroundings.