Dining Room Dreaming

So you all know that I am perennially redesigning my house in my mind. Recently I've gotten back to what I'd like to do with the dining room when Collin moves out of it and it can be a dining room again. This time, I've been looking at Kitchen Tables that would fit into my eclectic, sort of vintage, especially Mid-Century Modern decorating scheme.

The Modus Hudson X-Base Dining Table fits into that whole groovy Mid-Century Modern scheme. I absolutely love the styling of it, although it may be a bit Too modern for my tastes.

The way I usually go with a dining room table is something well made, expandable (this one has a butterfly leaf), with a Shaker Style. This way the dining room table doesn't dominate the room and the focus can be on an amazing sideboard or piece of art. The Hillsdale Plainview Dining Table in Brown totally fits the bill.

I had to include this table because it is so elegant. Can you imagine having a candlelit dinner at this gorgeous piece of furniture? Unfortunately for this family, we need a larger table. Last Thanksgiving there were 10 of us, and I don't even have grandchildren yet! When I get my mansion with multiple dining areas, I'll definitely have to have the Hooker Furniture Linden Hill Round Dining Table.

And then I found it. The perfect amalgam of vintage look that is simple enough to fit into my MOM home and is just, well, beautiful (I must warn you, it has a beautiful price tag to match). I am telling you, the heavens opened and the angels sang to me when I saw the Stanley Hudson Street Warm Cocoa Riverside Oval Dining Table. Then I showed it to my daughter, who said "It looks like a table. I don't get it." Well, dear daughter, you don't have to get it. I am in love.

All of this goodness can be found on CSN, from whom I've always gotten great service and have become a loyal shopper. In about a week I will have a product to review for you (not sure what the product will be at this point, but am excited nonetheless). If you haven't shopped CSN, go and have a look around. They've got some wonderful things.

Giveaway and Dining Room Dreaming

Currently, our dining room is our middle son's bedroom. It hurt to give up that room. We actually used it, sat down as a family to eat Sunday meals, did the whole Norman Rockwell thing.

I've been fantasizing about decorating the room when we get it back. Pale yellow walls, my grandparent's secretary, and a few pieces of carefully chosen dining room furniture.

So I got myself over to CSN's Dining Room and found a few items that I could stand to live with!

I've always wanted an Oriental Sideboard. The Ming Dynasty Sideboard is a thing of beauty, understated, yet oriental in feel, and that great Oriental red mahogany color.

We need new chairs. Our table has two leaves and can seat 8, but the chairs are loose, squeaky, and I'm sure they are going to break out from underneath us any day now. I love the glamorous styling of the Woodbridge Home Designs 5312 Series Side Chair, and the color would match my existing antique table well.

And I found something for my kitchen. Remember, my kitchen is vintage, pink, and aluminum. And it is really large. With the table out of the center of the kitchen, I'll be able to place an island, something I've wanted since I moved into this house almost 10 years ago. I am totally in love with the John Boos American Heritage Grazzi Butcher Block Kitchen Island. I could just marry it.

CSN has more than 200 stores selling everything from pet accessories to bath towels, furniture to light fixtures. And right now they are giving away a $40 gift card through my site!

There are several ways to enter the giveaway:
1) Leave me a comment below about the giveaway.
2] Follow me - if you already follow, this counts, too - and let me know about it in a separate comment.
2) Post something about this giveaway on your blog and let me know in another comment.
3) Post about the giveaway on Twitter (I'm erinswallace on Twitter) and let me know in another comment

I'll be determining the winner by random number generator next Thursday, June 30, at noon. Good luck!

I Want a Gustavian Home

I'm thinking I want a classic Swedish home. I love blue and white, especially the icy blue of Gustavian design.

Who wouldn't want to live in a home so light and airy?

I love the mix of newer antiques with the classic colors. I could live here; go on, twist my arm.



When I saw this picture of a coffee shop in Sweden I thought "That would be a beautiful kitchen."



These living rooms are sublime.





Wouldn't you love to see these spaces in your home?







I'm afraid if I had these bedrooms, I'd never leave them.




(Aren't these headboards beautiful? They are $749 each on Wisteria.)

Check out this site for more beautiful Gustavian design.

Photos from Google.