Spring in the Dining Room
Well, hello there! It has been quite awhile since I have been here! I am happy to pop in today to share with you a little spring/summer vignette in our dining room. Life has been all sorts of crazy over the past year and I have not really focused on the house or decorating or doing much of anything other than chasing kids around and making sure everyone else has what they need.
But as my youngest two gain more independence (and one takes lengthy afternoon naps), and my older two are back to full time school, I am finding time to get back to some of the things I love. The things that bring me joy. The things that make me… me.
I am not even sure if I ever showed you guys our dining room painted black and white. My apologies if not! I will do a before and after at some point. I don’t have much going on in here other than our dining table, chairs and mid century buffet that I scored for $6. It’s one of my favorite finds ever.
I chose some simple pieces to decorate with for the season starting with a jug filled with Dogwood blossoms from our tree out front. Then I went around the house and found some old books, brass candlesticks with dark blue candles and a shallow basket. I filled it with some collected seashells and coral. And finally a little star fish to finish off the vignette.
The only other pieces I have in here so far is the rattan mirror I bought for $15 at Target and a large black and white canvas map of New York City. I am part of a local Buy Nothing group and was the lucky winner of this piece! If you don’t know about Buy Nothing groups, I highly recommend researching to see if you have one in your local town. I have been able to get so many amazing things from community members and all for free! I have even made some new acquaintances and friends around town. It’s a great way to save money and recycle/reuse and reduce waste for the planet! I have given away quite a bit through the group as well, so it helps keep me from turning into a hoarder 😂.
I hope that now that I took the first step to hit publish here after so long, I will feel motivated to continue and share more from our home and my “sometimes” creative life😊 . I miss this space when I am away for so long. It’s one of my favorite creative outlets. I hope this post finds you well and look forward to sharing more soon!
Till next time…
11 Comments
Nancy
Wow, I never thought of a black and white living room. It’s beautiful. What sheen is the black and did you have to Sheetrock finished to super flat before painting?
Alice Wingerden
I believe it was eggshell finish, although afterwards we realized we should have gone with flat since there is a glare and some of the wall imperfections can be seen at certain angles. Oh well 🙂 my motto these days is done is better than perfect! I usually spend too long making decisions and we never get anything done. We removed wallpaper before painting and I believe my husband did do a flat primer before painting the black. Thanks for visiting!
Christine Irvine
It was so nice that see a blog post from you! Thanks for sharing an update. That’s a simple and stylish space. And as always, your photography is beautiful.
Happy Spring and Summer! Hope you and your family stay well.
Christine
New Hampshire
Cris
I love the drama of a black and white room. In my last home, I decorated my living room in black and white and it was such a calming and relaxing space to sit and read.
It is lovely to see you back and I hope you and your family are all happy and healthy during these trying time that we have been through.
Alice Wingerden
Thank you Cris! Life has been hard here, but we are working our way through. I hope you and yours are healthy and happy as well!
Mary
SO glad to have you back in my email inbox!! I love your posts, your home/style, and reading about your family! Welcome back and hope to hear more from you!
Alice Wingerden
Hi Mary! Your comment made my day! Sometimes I wonder if anyone actually cares if I post or not haha, so it’s glad to know someone does! Thanks for taking the time to let me know 🙂
Jessit
So beautiful as always Alice! I would not think to use black, I love to see how beautiful and still bright the room looks! And I think I will carry-on that motto done is better than perfect!! So true!! But it looks pretty close to me😉
Jennifer Z
Welcome back Alice!! So thrilled to see a post from you! LOVE your dining room! I can’t believe you scored that buffet for $6! I just joined a Buy Nothing group too. I hope you keep blogging. I’m anxious to see your creativity again.
Alice Wingerden
Thank you Jennifer! That means so much to me coming from you! 🙂 You have always been such an encouraging blogging friend for me!
Alexandra
Hello Alice, I just discovered you through Jennifer’s blog. I would never dare to paint any of my walls black, but I am amazed how good the contrast with the warm, reddish wood and the white flowers looks. Inspiring, if only to dream of! And isn’t that part of the value of such blogs? We get to enjoy looking without having to put in the practical work or take the risks! (Painting over black might not be easy.) Don’t worry, your blog will be giving pleasure and ideas to many more than get round to writing comments.