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Here I am, playing hostess. |
This was my favorite room when we first saw our house. I love the wood floors and that there are french doors opening onto the conservatory, letting in tons of light. There were no design challenges, really, beyond needing specific things– like a dining table! That took a while, and while I like our table now, it’s not big enough for future ambitions– with an added leaf, it cozily seats six. The two end chairs we bought for five euros at a flohmarkt in Germany, and the wooden folding chairs we found along the side of the road in a nearby village with a £10 price tag. Sold!
It’s always kind of tricky to convey a whole room in photos, but I’ll give you a couple angles…
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On the left is an antique print of Amberg! It was originally in our German guest room. On the right is a print from Italy given to me by a friend. Please do not confuse my attempts to figure out what color to paint the frame as my trying to be “artsy.” Turns out, none of the colors are right, and I’m taking my time! |
Here is a little tip: If you like to use tablecloths and you have children living with you, do not wait almost six years before investing in a black, or very dark table cloth (and napkins!!) This recent purchase has improved my quality of life.
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My favorite thing in this corner is the Mothering Day (celebrated yesterday) card with “MUM” spelled out in tinsel glitter. |
Here’s a favorite “corner.” I love this convex antique mirror we found somewhere here in Bury. On the bottom right is a piece with an interesting story: Jeff actually found it in our apartment dumpster about seven years ago– but I knew the artist and loved her work! There had been a big mistake, it was not meant to be thrown away– but it landed in safe and admiring hands, and she let me keep it. So that was a good day.
The little piece above it is new. My niece made it for us as a Christmas gift– isn’t it so sweet?!
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Here’s another housekeeping tip: no matter how messy that pile of papers and junk in your basket is, you can get away with it if you put something pretty and colorful on top of it all. |
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There we all are! |
Now, here’s a real luxury item! Since this is the first spring we have witnessed in our garden, we have been enjoying all of the surprises. These needed to be pruned way back, so I waited until I could have them with flowers on. The antique crock is from Germany, and was turned over as an end table in our old bedroom.
So, that’s that! Wish I could serve you dinner too, but this will have to do:
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Hot Pink Chicken and Vegetable Soup (The Secret: Beet Juice!) |
Tomorrow, I’ll show you the living room, or the kitchen. Or maybe the raised beds we just put in. Thanks for coming over… Looking forward to showing you around some more this week!
hello! I found your blog through Sarah’s self-portrait link-up. I love your dining room, especially the wallpaper, the convex mirror, and the two end chairs from Germany. So pretty!
Hi Katie Elaine– thanks for introducing yourself, and for paying me a visit!