Thank y’all for being as excited about my coral dining room as I am! I still get giddy when I see the before and after pictures.
The first photo is how the room appeared when we moved in. It was all sheet wood paneling. Don’t be afraid of it–paint it! The second photo is prior to the coral; I did a fresh white two years ago. The third photo is the bright coral!
From White to Bright
I really enjoyed the crisp white walls for the short time we had them. It provided a blank slate for me to play around with the furniture layout (this is an odd shaped, walk through room) and see decor clearly.
As I’ve admired and studied more traditional dining rooms from designers I love and shopped more estate sales, I realized what I really wanted my dining room to be. It’s a large room and I wanted it to feel cozier, homier. I wanted to walk in and feel like I stepped slightly back in time like I do when I walk into a gorgeous estate sale. I felt like I’d done a good job of collecting vintage and combining them with new items and arranging in a way that felt “fresh traditional,” but the stark white walls felt a little modern and cold next to the warmth of the furnishings. So I went bright!
Charisma by Sherwin Williams
I have coral in other areas of my home: coral drapes in the den, coral door in the entrance, and coral cabinets in the kitchen. I knew I didn’t want quite that exact color, but I got pretty close and I think it all flows well in these living areas of our home. It’s quite impactful upon immediately seeing the bold color so I am working on those transition areas and how that can help the flow even better.
The asian screen really pops now! The antiqued beige and warm colors of it felt drab next to the bright white walls. Now it feels like a complete vignette on this wall. Well, almost complete; I’m toying with the idea of adding plates above the screen and I need to reinvent the small green needlepoint pillow. This wall is lacking the turquoise and teal so I want to incorporate those tones.
We will label this vintage Dixie Shangrila dresser as “I bought with intention to sell in my booth, but it’s too pretty to sell.” It’s one of my best bargains and you know how much I love the Chinese chippendale fretwork on the feet and the brass hardware and the asian fretwork between the drawers. I balanced this with traditional gold artichoke lamps and pieces from my silver collection. I was worried the turquoise against the coral would be too much, but it’s really not. If this was a dark wood buffet, I think it would feel too heavy. It’s that unexpected colored piece that works!
This might be my favorite decorated wall space in my home; probably because it’s the only completely decorated wall space, ha! The mirror was another estate sale score as was the hunt board. I just love how you walk in this room, turn the corner and this wall greets you reflecting the chandelier, fireplace, and art.
My favorite style of lamp is a modern gourd lamp topped with a traditional pleated shade and oriental finial. They balance all the old stuff. The plates were a gift and they absolutely make this plate wall–perfect color coordination! The wheat sconces were from a dear follower; she knew I wanted some and sold me a pair she wasn’t using.
Next Project
I have a huge blank wall that needs something on it; it’s a coral abyss right now, ha! It cannot handle furniture because it’s walkway area and it needs big art! I’d like to see large framed chinoiserie panels on this wall. I’ll be on the hunt for them!
