Klismos dining chairs...

I am totally obsessed with the Klismos chairs, it seems I am not alone.  The chairs design dates back to the ancient Greeks so I see some staying power.  There are so many styles and types currently available it can be hard to find just the right piece.

 

These are beautiful and the legs are so elegant.

 

Clean and contemporary and I love the boxy feel of the back.

 

Simple and modern with upholstered seats and nail head detailing

.

I love the open rope style seat on these.

 

Contemporary legs and an open back.

These are the beauties that I am waiting on for my own kitchen with a little bit of it all and the contrast in color they are perfect for me!

 


If you would like help creating inspirational spaces for yourself contact us!

Fresh air..

 

I think it is about time we opened up the doors and windows to let the fresh air in.  I am so in need of warmer days, we have had some beautiful teases here in California but I need a little more!  

Things here have been so busy and so amazing I cannot wait to share all of the new pieces we have online and some great upcoming giveaways here on the blog!  It is going to be a great couple of weeks as we ease into Spring, I do hope you will join us for everything!

image via

If you would like help creating inspirational spaces for yourself contact us!

flash back...

 

I spent the better part of the day on Tuesday looking for inspiration to get my point across.   Often times it is the picture that inspires me when I design but sometimes I search for the perfect photo to convey what I am trying to do.  This week it was difficult!!  I did however find A LOT of inspiration in an archived issue of Lonny Magazine from a while back.. These are just a few of my favorites- there  are definitely more in this issue.  I wish each and every magazine came with so much wonderful inspiration to it!

 

all images via Lonny

If you would like help creating inspirational spaces for yourself contact us!

oh my goodness...

 

I have fallen for this little chair!

  oh my goodness, can you imagine how cute it is in person?

I think I need to find something this cute and then find a place for it!

 

images via 

All images from hviturlakkris.blogspot.com

 

Grey bookcases..

 

I have been studying up on grey storage pieces lately for the kitchen and family room.  I came across this piece which I don't think I have shared.  Love this.  I am not sure what it is that makes it seem so right, the monochromatic feel of the books that are slightly askew?

Image source?

 

entertaining ideas

 

Last weekend's dinner got me thinking... there are a lot of great entertaining ideas out there that I think we should be sharing.  What do you think?  Do you have some tips that make your dinners and brunches with family and friends just that little bit more special or just down right perfect?  

Do you want to share them with us?

someone pointed out that those are the bodega glasses in persimmon on the table- some of my favorites!

 

 

Lucite love...

 

I have completely fallen for Lucite.  I love the odd piece or two mixed in with traditional or transitional spaces.  It is just that little bit of fun that some spaces need.  I recently bought myself the lucite cube that we started selling and I love it, even if it is a bit different than my norm.  Do you have the lucite bug? 

Images via

 

Vintage Dining Room Set Makeover: Paint It Black

What a difference a coat of paint can make! 

I've been pining over the look of traditional vintage dining room sets with black chairs and black table bottoms where the table top is left with a natural wood finish. (similar to the table and chairs shown in the photo below)

This photo was my color inspiration:

Inspiration photo

Then I came across an old dining room set that was decent quality and in pretty good shape, but desperately in need of a makeover. The hunter green chairs and table were still living in the 80's! Thankfully the table top was never painted, but left with it's beautiful natural wood finish. I knew then and there that I had found the perfect candidate to transform into the dining set that I always wanted!

Check out the before and after photos:
The old look (hunter green chair in front)
 Versus the new look (chair in back newly painted black)

DIY: The first thing I did was remove the seats from the chairs and painted the chairs black. I used Satin Black Rust-oleum satin paint from a can (classic low-sheen finish smooth protective enamel paint.) I prefer hand painting with a brush as opposed to using cans of spray paint. Not only do I enjoy brush painting because I find it relaxing, but I think brush painting gives you a more finished, professional look. 

If you prefer spray painting, it's available in a spray paint too!

After I painted the four chairs, I painted the bottom portion of the table and the table legs with the same paint. I left the table top as-is, with it's natural wood finish. (you can see the table top in the photos below) I love the look of the natural brown wood against  sleek black! (Don't forget to paint the extra table extension piece!)

The old seat fabric was outdated burgundy and was glued to the seat as opposed to being stapled, so I was able to easily peel the old fabric right off of the seat!

Next I laid out the old chair cover fabric over my new fabric and used it as a template to get the right size of material for each seat. I just cut right around the old fabric, leaving an extra half inch or so. Easy!

Here you can see my new fabric beneath the old fabric.

Next I pulled the new fabric around the seat and stapled with a staple gun. 

The finished seat! 

One of the finished chairs

My newly revamped dining set! (everything that is black used to be hunter green)

I used Waverly "Farmer's Market" decor fabric from Joanne's Fabric store. I was thrilled to find this fabric, which coordinated perfectly with my soon-to-be new dining room paint colors...

(yes I still have to paint!)

This photo was my wall color inspiration for my dining room and kitchen makeover (still a work in progress!)

I wanted sage green walls in the kitchen and dining room (my kitchen leads into my dining room - the previous owners knocked down the wall that separated the rooms) with one opposing dining room wall painted plum.  The paint colors I chose were:
Sherwin William's Expressive Plum:

and
Sherwin Williams Garden Sage:

The painting starts this weekend and after it is finished I will post photos of the completed dining room makeover, so be sure to check back!