Yesterday I finally rearranged the furniture in our living room. An old cabinet I had in there no longer fit, so I decided to put it in the dining room temporarily until I found the right spot for it.
But after filling the bare corner in the dining room I often talk about, I ended up loving the way it looked (although let's face it, anything would have looked better on this large wall than a short white toy box!).
The truth of the matter is, when it comes to decorating, I really don't feel like I have a clue what I'm doing. I gravitate towards simple and only use things I love or that are meaningful to me. My vignettes usually consist of setting a few of my favorite things together and hoping it looks okay.
The only thing I have hanging on this side of the wall right now is this painting that was done by a friend. She painted it specifically for our dining room and I love it.
I purchased this old cabinet a couple years ago before Rosetta was born. At the time I needed a small cabinet for baby odds and ends that would easily fit in our bedroom. I do believe there was some laughter when I dragged this cabinet home, but I'm always drawn to old furniture, peeling paint and all. I put a couple coats of poly on and called it good. I love the old latch.
This old piano stool is one of my favorite things and always has a place in our dining room. My father-in-law brought it over to our house several years ago when we had our first piano... I believe it was his grandfather's. I'm not sure if we're the technical owners, but I keep hoping nobody will ask for it back (smile). Jillian always drags this stool over to the dining table... I guess now I think of it as hers.
I'm not exactly sure what the right piece would be for the wall yet... maybe an old clock? Or hanging plates? I'm sure I won't mind being on the hunt for something (wink).
It's hard to believe Christmas is around the corner... I've been busy making lists and trying to get some things accomplished. I can't wait. I hope you are having a wonderful week so far!
Sharing at Miss Mustard Seed
Sharing at Miss Mustard Seed
Lovely photos. I don't think it matters what you put where, anything would look great in that cute little house!
ReplyDeleteIt really looks lovely. I do think sometimes simple is best anyway. I LOVE that painting your friend did for you. What a treasure. I think an big old clock (or reproduction one) would be a wonderful addition. Blessings- xo Diana
ReplyDeleteI love your old, white chippy cabinet, and I think it's found a new home in the dining room. Your photos of it are outstanding!
ReplyDeleteLove that cabinet with the peeling paint. That wonderful painting that your friend painted would look good leaning against the wall on top of it, too I bet. I need to start wrapping gifts, but I have Leila all day tomorrow so I guess I will wait till the weekend. Have a good one.
ReplyDeleteI love how this looks in the dining room. Glad you decided to keep it there! I keep hoping I'll "inherit" it someday! :-)
ReplyDeleteLove, Mom.
Really lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteI love the cabinet and the little latch, too.
Total fool for old furniture, doorknobs, key holes, keys... all that.
-Angie
I just love the way you display things - so simple and FRESH. I'm loving that peeling cabinet! It is perfect!
ReplyDeletei usually feel the same way about decorating...but in my experience, the houses i have felt the most comfortable in and that are the most inviting are the ones where people have filled their homes with items they love and items that matter to them. everything tends to work together. :) your house is lovely and clean and very inviting!
ReplyDeleteI love everything here...the old cabinet, the stool, the berries in the pitcher... simple, lovely, perfect!
ReplyDeleteGreat piece !!!!! I love how it looks worn !!!
ReplyDeleteYou may just thow things together, but they look like someone staged the room. You have a real knack, Andrea! Why don't you come over to my house, and just throw some things around!
ReplyDeleteLooks beautiful, just the way you have it.
ReplyDeletei love the cabinet- chippy and perfect and looks great there! love the painting, too!
ReplyDeleteAndrea, you shouldn't second guess yourself. You totally know how to put things together. You home is lovely and sweet and elegant with all it's simple little cabinets, peeling paint and all. I love it. I look at your home and think, hmmmm should I go all white too. My hubby will kill me since I'm painting practically a few times a year. The things we do right? Hee Hee. Your taste is stunning. I'm sure you will find something perfect for your blank canvas (wall) that will tug at your heart. I love chunky vintage frames. Perhaps if you find 2 of them you can find a pretty card and stick it in them and put one on top of each other on the right of your little stool and cabinet and maybe a tiny little butter round dish with a lovely transferware pattern or a little bird or something natural and sweet to layer on top. Decorating is so much fun isn't it?
ReplyDeleteBut I'm sure you'll find your perfect item.
The cabinet is dreamy- I love the patina. And your painting is beautiful- how special it was painted just for that room!
ReplyDeleteYour p hotography skills totally take my breath away. My gosh, we're talking seriously professional. Wow.
ReplyDeleteI am such a crappy photographer, wish I had the patience, understanding, skill and money to be a better one, oh well.
I love your cabinet there, love love love the piano stool (good luck being forever owners,) and ADORE those winter berries! Do you have them in your yard?
simply perfect!
ReplyDeleteWho says you have to choose clock or plates? You have enough space for both. The star of the show will be that wonderful cabinet and whatever you hang above it will be the Sunday hat!
ReplyDeleteAwesome cabinet!!
ReplyDeleteJudy
Oh how I love the paint on your cabinet. All chippy and pretty. I looks amazing against the pop of red from the berries.
ReplyDeleteLove your chippy/shabby little cabinet. I have one almost just like it, but mine does not have that beautiful patina. I have been wanting to paint mine, but then I find myself second quessing on color or feel I am taking away from the originality of the piece, if I do. Hmm. I understand your second quessing dilema. Yours looks wonderful next to that vintage stool. I can just see Jillian twirling around on the stool as your family gathers at the dining table. I'd want to take a twirl too. Your photographs are wonderful as always. You have such a good eye in which you angle your camera for your photos. Your not only "Keeping it Cozy", but keeping it simplistic and always with heart.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great cabinet! I like how it looks in the room, especially with the pitcher of red berries on top. And the dark stool beside it is a wonderful contrast. Merry Christmas to you!
ReplyDeleteClaudia
beautiful!
ReplyDeletedenise
Fabulous cabinet, Andrea!! I can't believe for a minute that you don't know what you're doing when it comes to decorating. Your home always looks so charming!
ReplyDeleteMary Alice
The cabinet is really lovely. The patina is beautiful. I think decorating is all about what you like and makes you happy. Whatever is homey to you and your family. Take care and Merry Christmas. Regena in TN.
ReplyDeleteI think that your new home for your cabinet is perfect. You really actually do have an eye for decorating. I think it is perfectly awesome. To me decorations should be meaningful to you and should speak to your heart. I always think of decor as simply being an extension of your own self. There is no one right way to design or decorate except that it comes from your heart and yours certainly does! I love your home. It is warm and inviting just as I would imagine you to be too. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThat cabinet is so amazing, Andrea :)
ReplyDeleteAnd your simple style is perfect...it appears as though you know exactly what you are doing in the decorating arena...
inspiring to say the least!
Enjoy your Christmas Holiday!
SO pretty. Love you you keep it simple as well as cozy.:)
ReplyDeleteyour friend's painting is lovely! such a sweet corner,andrea:) i have a fondness for piano stools, and chippy cabinets:) great start for your corner! happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteyou don't have a clue how talented you are...I swear...your eye is fantastic...
ReplyDeletegreat photographs - and the simple styling is perfect I think...
you know what I would put on that wall? something like an old dress - like a baby's gown or something like that......on a simple old wire hanger -
a touch of something soft
or like an old black and white picture or religious picture just taped up on the top corners.....
but that's just me ;-)
xo + blessings,
Anne Marie
I love the simplicity of your old chippy cupboard against the white walls with the piano stool keeping it company. A very pretty still life. :@
ReplyDeleteYour way of decorating is the best and I've done it for years. Just fill your house with things you love and it will all work out! I can't imagine doing it any other way. The red berries are perfect.
ReplyDeleteLove all the patina on the chest:) and the antler and white vase is so pretty with the berries. Your home is very festive and the simple decor is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend!
leslie
could it be any more charming and delicious in its chippysexyness? i think not. inspired. totally inspired!
ReplyDeletestop by soon, lovely blogger.
michele
Andrea, I love your cabinet! That latch is so neat. The piano stool is great too! I think an old clock or plates would look fabulous. I don't think you can go wrong with whatever you choose to do. I've been curious for awhile about what kind of camera you use? I'll never be a good photographer and may never be able to afford a nice camera but the blogs with amazing photography like your blog are always the most inspiring. So I guess I'm just curious about the kind you have. :) ~ Jamie
ReplyDeleteIronstone or transfer ware platters would be great hanging over your cabinet. I think the patina on it is lovely. Merry Christmas...
ReplyDeleteYour photos are just wonderful and I love the cabinet...perfectly imperfect!
ReplyDeleteOh I really like your cabinet and it looks wonderful in your dining room!
ReplyDeleteThat cabinet is beautiful! And that latch.... {sigh!} :-) I've never thought of putting poly over chippy paint to preserve it! WOW! What a brilliant idea :-) Thanks for inspiring!!
ReplyDeleteNo worries... you definitely have it in you. ;)
ReplyDeleteLove that cabinet. AND that painting.