CURATING A LAID-BACK LOOK IN YOUR DINING ROOM + SOME CHANGES!
I don’t know about your dining room, but ours is in constant rotation almost year round. Between a new tablescape that I may be working on for a post, and the ‘catch-all’ space it turns into where I can pile up my accessories as I’m decorating and planning a new season, this space is very often in disarray. Sometimes I like to leave a full table setting on display for a couple of weeks – it’s always an elegant and welcoming look. Other times, I like to display my favorite pieces arranged as a collection for a curated look. This summer is one of those times. Today I’ll walk you through how and why I used this approach, and I also have some new updates coming to this space I’ll be talking about. They’re only a few, but they’re sure to make a huge difference in here.
*Affiliate links are provided throughout, or at the bottom of this post for your shopping convenience – see my full disclosure policy here.
Before I get into how I chose to style our table this summer – I want to take a look back at our dining room in last year’s summer tour (click here to read the full post), which was somewhat similar in approach, with some of the same pieces. There’s something about a curated collection on display that speaks to me. Our dining room does not get daily use, so it gives me the perfect opportunity to display my favorite pieces arranged as a curated collection. Sometimes I’ll use stacks of books and candles, sometimes stacks of dishes and glassware. 
Above is last year’s dining room – I used my striped throws with fringe detail over the table, to create a casual, summery feeling in this space but also to lighten the look of the room. Our table is a mahogany/cherry finish, which I really don’t love at all – I’ll get to that a little later. I used these same throws layered on our sofas this summer for the same reason – to create a relaxed look and to lighten up the room, which is a quick and easy trick if you have dark furniture and you’d like a lighter look – click here to see more of our summer living room, and get loads of great decorating tips for the season.
Here’s a look at this year’s table. I went with another casual tablecloth, this one is a blue chambray look, with a striped border and fringe trim. It was one of those lucky finds at HomeSense. I knew I wanted to bring in a light blue tablecloth for summer, and I love that this has a look that’s almost denim. Chambray is one of my favorite staples in my wardrobe – why not decorate with it in my dining room too?
We moved our white ratan chairs to the living room (see the image below) and swapped them with our upholstered stools. Using these stools is another way to make the room more relaxed and laid back. The only issue is, I love those chairs in the living room so much, I’ll need something else in here! I might bring our brown velvet oval-back chairs back in here, which have found their way to the basement office nook. I’m just not sold on bringing back dark brown in here, so I’ll have to wait and see…more on that a little further down!
Since I love to display my favorite pieces, these gorgeous new striped pillows from Tonic Living, new favorites of mine, help to bring in a coastal feel I wanted to bring in to the space. I love stripes and can’t get enough of them – I used these pillows, along with other several striped pillows in our living room this season. You can shop all of the different pillows I’m using this season right here, on my SHOP page. Click the link below to shop this striped pillow.
LIDO INDOOR/OUTDOOR, INDIGO
If you saw my summer tablescape that I shared in May (see the full post here), then you’ll recognize the dishes and some table accessories from that post. I’ve been crazy for woven accents throughout our home this summer, and these woven chargers and napkin rings that I have stacked on the table help me to add that natural element in here. Sometimes just a small touch to reinforce your theme is all you need.
Another beautiful coastal element I used are these jute woven pillows I found for the settee – more woven pieces I threw into the mix and I’m loving the David Hicks inspired pattern. These were another lucky find, and I’ll be able to use these on our patio as well.
By the way, don’t forget to say hi to Oscar, our lion head bunny! If you’ve never seen him before, he loves to make an appearance when I’m shooting for the blog. He’s such a busybody and always loves to get in on the action ;)
I gathered a small collection of my favorite blue and white bowls, vases and ginger jars to add to my curated collection on the table, as well as some added greenery, both fresh and faux. Since summer entertaining is all about the outdoors, I’m happy to display my favorite pieces arranged as a collection in here. Plus, I really love the relaxed look it brings.
If you read along with me regularly, you may have noticed that I’ve been rotating all of my lamps throughout our home this season. These brass lamps, which have lived on our buffet in the living room since last fall, found their way over here, and I love the navy shades against the black walls for a rich, sophisticated look. These were also a lucky HomeSense find…it’s so hard for me to share links to some of these pieces, but I always try and find something similar for you if I can.
About our black walls. And our dark table. I’m ready to finally take the plunge and paint this room a different color. I know what you’re thinking – so many of you have told me how much you love the black walls, how different they are, what a statement they make, and so much more. I love these walls, and although I’m going to have a hard time changing them, I am ready for a new look in here. Besides, I can always change is back if I miss it that much! I’m always looking for new projects and ways to improve our home and I’ve decided this space is my new project. I’m thinking we’ll go with a mid-tone grey to lighten and brighten, but something with enough contrast against the white moldings and trim.
The table is another project I’m planning on tackling. I’ve gone from painting it, to stripping it down to the natural finish, but both feel very overwhelming to me so, fingers crossed, we’re replacing it with a new one. I’m really hoping the one I have my eye on is the one I can get..I’ll keep yo posted with more details as soon as I can!
In a perfect world, a new rug, chandelier, and possibly two new chairs are also on my wish list, but I think we may need to take baby steps to get the look I want. So, the biggest change that costs the least amount of money? Paint. Get ready, I’ll be back with some color choices and an inspiration board of the look I’m dreaming of.
Thank you Candy, you are so kind! I actually purposely went for an over scale light fixture…I’m all about making big impact with lighting haha! I do have a little makeover coming to this room in the next few months and will hopefully be changing that chandelier for something else! Stay tuned ;) Thanks for stopping by to say hi! xo
I love your sophisticated style. I love everything you do, especially the kitchen (the golden handles are to die for). I will say though that I think the chandelier in the dining room is too large in proportion to the size of the room.
I love the look you’ve created in the dining room. Funny that you are repainting that room, I just yesterday finished painting my master bathroom navy on two walls and white on the others. It is so dramatic! I’m also like you though– always creating and I enjoy keeping it fresh and experimenting with my ideas. My house will never be “done” which is great. Creativity is fluid and shouldn’t just stagnate.
I absolutely love your style. I’m anxiously waiting to see what cool design you come up with next!
Your design looks great, as always! Are the lamps with the gold base and blue shades, new?! Nice! Moving from the dark brown chairs to the lighter stools was a nice move for summer.I also don’t know why blue reminds me of Easter and spring/summer, but it does…so I think it goes very well with your new summer decor!