I love cooking and eating and congregating with friends and family, so it’s no surprise that I get excited by a great dining room. I’m so happy that the apartment we’ll probably get has a decent size dining area (with a fireplace! fun!)
It’s a good thing too, because I already bought that huge farm house dining table that, as it turns out, looks a lot like Tia Zolden’s here:
I can’t decide if I will paint out the wood, ebonize it or keep the current dark stain.
There are a couple of key items that we’re planning on spending a little money on after the move and good dining chairs are right at the top of the list. I want something really comfortable and really kid-friendly (and really gorgeous).
I’ve decided that a straight-back Louis chair is the winner. Probably with some different, bigger host chairs:
I have plans for upholstering the seats in faux ostrich and the chair backs will get a fun print probably, or at least a contrasting color.
Sort of like this Emma Jane Pilkington dining room. I love the colors here.
I don’t want to jinx it, but I think I found a local furniture manufacturer that will make my chairs (well, actually will just alter a current design they already produce) and use my ostrich+print for the initial upholstery. All for less than half of the cost of the Ballard chairs. I’m going to check out the warehouse next week I think, so I’ll keep you all posted.
Elle Decor
Christopher Maya via Cote de Texas
House Beautiful
Elle Decor
Renovation Style via La Dolce Vida
Are you moving to NYC? If so, I would love to get together with you. I have children as well and could offer help in learning the ropes of raising kids in the city which is SO completely different than raising kids anywhere else. There is some really good things about it and some not so good things. Come over to my blog or email me at raktwins@optonline.net if I can help in any way.
My blog is Color and Light Atelier.
Sounds wonderful- look forward to seeing your dining room dream in reality!
pve
i love how this is coming along! can't wait to see more… xo
I am a huge fan of a big, separate dining space.. your will be stunning of course! There are so many gorgeous examples of the chairs there, I really like your ideas so far, and the patterned material on the back looks fab.
:) Flick
LOVE those chairs. I agree that that is the winner– when you have people who need to have their dining chairs wiped living in your house and you love fabric, too! Hope you get the ones you tweeted about!
Oh my gosh, it is going to be beautiful! Every picture you posted is gorgeous and I want to sit and have a meal in each one. Can't wait to see pics!
I love where you are going with this, Jenny. When you first posted your thoughts about your DR and were considering bentwood chairs, I was a little worried that they wouldn't be the most kid-friendly & comfortable. While I ADORE them, they are not that sturdy for little one's to climb on! Anyway, I love the straight back Louis chairs. Quick question – when you say 'ebonize' your table, I assume you mean just stain it a darker color? I'd be curious as to what stain/color you'd use? I love Tia Zoldan's DR.
yes they are gorgeous chairs! I love the idea of a surprise fun pattern on the back.
oh my, I just love it. is that your actual apartment? its beautiful.
How amazing to have a fireplace in your dining area. I love the dining room you've described and look forward to seeing the finished product. Best of luck with your move.
JEALOUS of that gorge fireplace! You're going to make this dining room absolutely stunning, and I can't wait for the final pictures!
Just lovely Jenny! I can't wait to see it in person…hint hint please invite me over for dinner! :)
Jenny,
who's the "local furniture manufacturer" of the Louis chairs you mentioned???
Cant wait to see it all come together!
How do you "ebonize" the table?? I love my dining room table, but it is looking a little worse for wear and I'm trying to decide whether to do the agonizing job of refinishing it this summer in the Texas heat or paint it. I love a hand-rubbed black finish, but don't know if I can pull it off!
So fun! What NYC neighborhood are you moving to?
And I have to ask…who's the local furniture maker? I'm in the market for dining chairs as well….
Cannot way to see!
wow, the pilkington room is amazing. what fun.
I like the funkier fabrics in the samples you've shown…makes them a little more hip and fun in the traditional style of the chair.
i love seeing people's inspiration and thought process and then seeing the big reveal–i can't wait, it all sounds lovely. good luck!
Love those chairs! I have them saved in my "future house" file AND would use a faux leather on them too. A perfect kid friendly chair for sure. I cant wait to see how yours come out- crossing my fingers that your custom ones work out!
you always seem to find the yummiest inspiration pics! Love your ideas! hope they work out!
How funny, I'm looking at Tia Zolden's table(first images) and it looks EXACTLY like ours! Its made from teak and we had it shipped all the way from Africa, I remember how in the end it took SIX men to carry it into our dining room! I wonder what hers is made from……All the best wishes with your new dining space! x
Fun! I love the idea of the backs different than the fronts! I just re-did a chair…and toyed with it…but no go with this style!
I love the chairs you've chosen but I have to say that I really hate "host chairs". it just makes me think of making your guests drink out of plastic cups while you are drinking out of crystal… I always remember my mom sitting on a folding chair when she entertained because we were one chair short because someone that will remain nameless broke it! (uhhh that'd be me)
say yes to the straight back chair no to the hostess chair
Can't go wrong with those chairs! I actually got mine from Wisteria when they were having a sale and then had them reupholstered. good luck!
you always find the best pictures! good luck on your warehouse search.
I love dining rooms with fireplaces! Your plan with the table and the chairs sounds amazing, and the inspiration pictures are great! Can't wait to see it all come together!
Beautiful choice! I love a separate dining room as well.
I'm super jealous that you get to start over fresh in your new apartment :) That's a designers dream!
I'm sure you've already thought of this, but is the faux ostrich going to be comfortable to sit on for long meals? Will it leave little indentations on the backs of bare legs?
I am struggling with the same design issue right now. I have a huge table (just like the first pic you posted) and no chairs. This is perfect! You've given me ideas and a direction to look. Thank you sooo much!
Love this idea – you have inspired me. I was going to do a traditional farmhouse trestle table with modern chairs but now i'm thinking I love these Louis chairs and do a really sleek contemporary table. My husband even signed onto the idea! Check out my blog once I get them installed http://eaglesnestdesign.blogspot.com/
Such a perfect post for me, it's almost crazy! I am finally getting my dining room table this weekend, and I am now on the hunt for some pretty chairs!!! Thanks for the inspiration :)
Nancy
You cant go wrong with those chairs!
I also live in NYC… and I have a toddler, fun and frustrating! If you need anything, hop on over to my blog and let me know!
Hey Jenny,
Melina Smith is my best friend in the world, and I was just in NYC staying with her and helping our other friends move out of your new apartment! We are praying that the church works it all out for you to get the place, and I can't wait to see what amazing things you do with the space up there.
I'm your biggest fan!
Liza Koch
I've been on the hunt for some dining chairs like these as well – I want to do something similar to your idea for the different front and back. They aren't in the budget now, but I keep hoping to come across some great craigslist find that is! So glad you got that table – I love it!
Good luck with your search! looking all good!
Can't wait to have you in the neighborhood!
Happy Mother's Day!
xx
Victoria
This post is so timely, as I am also needing/ wanting to replace my dining room chairs and had come to a similar conclusion as to the style I want. I also looked at the Ballard chairs and all together, they are more than I can spend right now. Please keep us posted on your chair journey!!
I need to send you a pic of my dining room. We have a table almost identical to the one in the first pic with the chunky turned legs and our dining chair seats are upholstered in a Pindler faux ostrich vinyl. We love it! Plus, with kids it is so durable and.
I would love to know who you are having manufactuer the dining chairs. I have been stalking the Ballard's chair for a long time, just too expensive at the moment. I can't wait to see your dining room when it is finished!
There's nothing better than a fireplace in a dining room! I love the pattered fabric idea! Can't wait to see how everything turns out!
Melissa
There's nothing better than a fireplace in a dining room! I love the pattered fabric idea! Can't wait to see how everything turns out!
Melissa
What really caught my attention are the centerpieces that were used in the photos. They are all so beautiful.
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