It was really hard for me to take down the gallery wall in the formal dining room. It was the first room we ever completed and it had been that way for a number of years. I’m someone that once I get things the way I like them, I don’t really change them. Unless I start to get a new collection but that’s a topic for a different day. I am not over the gallery wall I still love them but I was ready for a change.
I found an incredible painting at blue door in downtown Grand Rapids but it was big and pricy and I couldn’t justify purchasing it without having a specific spot for it to go. Well when I finally decided GALLERY WALL it was gone. Isn’t that how it always goes? I did track it down and another antique store had it for sale for double the price. I just couldn’t do it.
A few weeks later I headed to my friend Mark’s shop Warehouse 55 where I found so many treasures! This gem though was yet to be unpacked and sitting in one of my favorite dealers car from a recent picking adventure. I had to have it. It’s big, it’s floral and it’s now hanging on the wall. A painting this size in the midwest is about $250. It’s an older oil painting on canvas in the original frame. I’m looking forward to having it hang here the next couple of years. (I’m pretty sure).
The next thing to change up was the counsel table under the art. This was the first piece of furniture I have ever bought…ever that wasn’t ikea. The table used to be blue and was in the living room of our old house but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to part with it because it has such memories attached to it. It was my first piece of furniture and also my first piece of vintage furniture. I bought it from my friends shop Rebel when they were just a small shop on Fulton.
The rest of the items on this side of the room are things that i’ve collected from over the years. Some I had hoarded away in the barn and others I pulled from other parts of the house. The whicker chest is holding all of my vintage tablecloths and the tins are full of antique silverware that I just had to have for some reason.
The hollywood regency style candlesticks are from my friend Tracey’s booth at the found cottage. I’m waiting on my taper candles I ordered to arrive to finish it all off together.
The table is simple and ready to serve when we start having friends over again. I’m on the hunt for new dining chairs. I want something a little more lush although these have been great for kids because they just wipe right off. I’m not in a rush just waiting for the right chair/idea to come to me.
This little nut saw me taking photos and of course wanted his photograph taken too haha. A lot of times people ask if he breaks my stuff or if I have to keep things up high. From an early age we’ve learned “GENTLE” and “mommy’s things” and for the most part he leaves them alone. We have not had many antique casualties around here. My most favorite items I do keep at a distance but he’s rearranged my ironstone before without breaking a single piece. He’s a good boy.
It felt good to freshen this room up a bit. I bought two wall mounted sconces that I believe I’m going to hang on each side of this painting but we’ll see. I kind of like the simplicity of it all.
I can’t wait to show you what else I found this weekend!
Love the change…..and the dark moody colors…..and of course, love that sweet Otto !
I love the way this turned out! Your home is so cozy!