I thought it would be fun to take a look back from how four rooms looked when we moved into this house 4 years ago (yes it’s been that long) and how they look today.
BREAKFAST ROOM
Let’s start in the breakfast room. As far as furniture goes, the only change is the chairs. Everything else is the same.
I think the space looks lighter and brighter. How did we do that?
- Limited color palette – The plates in the plate racks were all colors, and I’ve gone with mainly lavender and white.
- White tablecloth – The white made the table look more fresh and clean.
- White and Blue rug – It’s difficult to keep clean, but it does add freshness to the space.
- More dishes in the armoire – Well I’m not sure it’s an improvement; I just have more dishes.
DINING ROOM
Here I have my old table that I wanted to sell. I finally got the courage up to sell it, and out it went. I was able to find a new table I loved and paid for it with the money I made on the old table.
As you can see the space looks much warmer with the addition of the curtains, the shades, and the rug. I’ve also added the bench in front of the table. I think the bench makes the room look less crowded because it doesn’t block the view of the front of the table. I also added the slips to the chairs. The pillows also make it look more inviting. There is a lot more fabric in the room now.
KITCHEN
The kitchen feels so bare to me in the first photo. If you look in the cabinets, the dishes are much more colorful than they are in the after photo. I changed them out for a magazine photo. You can read about that HERE.
I felt the tole tray was too dark, so I took it down. I added a bread board above the stove. You can see all of the white dishes below. Probably the biggest change was adding the counter stools to the island. I really love the way they look . We actually eat in here quite a lot, and the stools are quite comfy. Note I went with the same tile behind the stove rather than decorative tile. I love the simple, clean look.
STUDY
In here, I had two French leather chairs that you can barely see. I moved those out. I also added a pediment to the top of the bookcase. It’s totally removable.
The other two big changes are the rug change out, and the new chairs and ottoman. The rug was in the dining room for awhile. I also removed a lot from the bookcase, but somehow things manage to creep back in.
I wanted you to see how adding rugs or changing out rugs really changed the feel of a room. You can also see how going more neutral changed the feel of the kitchen and breakfast room.
It’s fun moving things around. Do you make lots of changes or keep things mainly the same?
It is fun to move things around. Sometimes it is also hard. LOL I’m still working on my kitchen. A work in progress. I love my kitchen. My biggest challenge in my home is my sewing room. It is my formal living room. I have to much furniture in the room. What to get rid of what to keep?
Thanks for a great post. I love the chairs in your office area.
Thanks Denise
ENCLOSE YOUR SEWING AREA IN A CABINET. DROP DOWN SHELF FOR MACHINE. SHELVES FOR SUPPLIES. CLOSE WHEN NOT IN USE. CHOSE STYLE OF ROOM TO LOOK COHESIVE. WORKED FOR ME.
BEST OF LUCK
LINDA
My favorites are the dining room and kitchen after. Both rooms just beckon you to com on in!
Love all the changes. Changes provide us with great inspiration in our daily rounds. Inspiration to try new things and move forward. Thanks for your great work and for being such a source of inspiration for so many !
Your kitchen and dining room are so inviting.I love the changes you have done. Thank you for sharing with us blog folowers the changes in your lovely home.
Love your kitchen stools! Can you share where you got them? We are right in the middle of a farmhouse redo, as well! Thank you- Susan Harper
Susan they are from restoration hardware.
Love the changes. Love your new table
Anita, Thanks for this perfect timing post. I just finished changing something in every room, mainly with things I already had. Added a few new rugs and throw pillows and also added new flowers to the existing flower arrangements.
I also wanted you to know how much I am enjoying the giveaway Black and Decker sweeper you gifted me. Thank you again so much.
Thanks for showing office. That’s what I’m working on.
I love that china armoire in your breakfast area…actually, I love that whole room. My husband is going to build me a plate rack and we are using yours as examples. I love your home.
Have a great weekend!
❤Beth
Your dining room is my favorite – it’s so warm and inviting. I just recently have been “warming up” my rooms with more fabric also. I got very tired of the starkness of just blinds and no rugs on the hard floors. It makes such a difference and I love it. Thanks, as always, for all your inspiring ideas.
Love them all!
Question: Do you still have the previous (alpha – typeface) rug from the study? Is it a rug? Or wood? Are you interested in selling? I may be interested in buying. 🙂 Please email me at nearathand@hotmail.com. Thanx so much!
Judy, I moved it to a new room, but it has some damage on one side any way from my chair wheels. Yes it’s a rug.
Your home is lovely…everything you do is just wonderful…but my most favorite of all are the plate racks.
Wow! I really love the kitchen best and a bit envious of the space and cupboards etc. Twenty yrs. ago I downsized from a huge farm kitchen when we moved from the county to town so gave up that option.
I love the white, grays with just a splash of color now and then. Yes, I am one who moves stuff about from room to room and most recently have done that with lamps giving each room a different feel. Good job, Anita
Your armoire is still my favorite of all! And your kitchen is stunning! Love it all. ?
I like the changes you made. I think your blue and white chairs and ottoman with the buffalo check material are so pretty. I change things around quite a bit from room to room in my home and I always enjoy the new look because of the changes.
Anita, I enjoyed seeing the changes in these rooms. I would like to know about the woven shades you have in your dining room and office. I want to encourage my daughter to use this type of window treatment. What is the source information about yours, please? Thanks, Linda
I feel your office and dining room had the most impactful changes. The dining room feels so much more welcoming with the softer touches of upholstery/drapery. I love the color of the carpet and upholstery of the chairs in the office, although I really liked the carpet that was in the office before. The pediment you added over the bookcase made it look more like a piece of furniture than a builtin, it looks so much better.
I love those glass cabinet doors in kitchen- I would change them constantly.
I love all the changes you made. The results are amazing!
I love your plate racks! They’re perfect.
Amazing how fabric warms up a room! The rooms were beautiful before you made the changes. Now they are even more gorgeous! You did a wonderful job!
Beautiful changes Anita. It’s exciting to change things occasionally. It’s a great reminder not to get stuck in a rut, either with decorating or living!
Love the changes you made!
Wow! Every room is so gorgeous even before the remodeling.Perfect taste! Wish I had the no-how to be that creative and yes I also move things around.Sometimes my hubby can’t find what he’s looking for, especially in the garage.hahaha Thanks for giving me new ideas and sending me on a new creative journey. Love ya
Thank you Mariann!!
Would you mind sharing your paint colors in the dining room?
I absolutely love your home!
Thanks Amorey! You can get all of my paint colors HERE.
I am lovin it all. Nice job!
Hi Anita,
Are those chandeliers in your Kitchen? Tried to enlarge picture, but, was unable to. Would love to see them. Where did you find them? Trying to add a little bling to my kitchen.
Thanks,
Bonnie
They are from build.com.