If you haven’t found Melissa at The Inspired Room, your’re missing out (but I’m sure you, like me, started reading her blog long ago!). She has such a great way of making interior design approachable, but also sophisticated. She was probably one of the first home blogs I started reading and her posts continue to be an inspiration – I’m loving following her along on her journey in her new home. I also have her new book, The Inspired Room Book, high on my Christmas list (hint hint to a few folks 😉 and look forward to reading it soon. As part of her book launch, she’s asked her readers to share their Inspired Rooms and I thought I’d join the fun!
The Inspired Room Book Give Away
In thinking about my own home, I realized that room that inspires me most surprised me. I thought for sure it’d be the screened porch, or the kitchen, or even our master bath! But when I gave it some real thought, I realized the dining room is that place. I think it’s largely because it was the first room that had furniture it in that was chosen for this house – not hand-me-downs or previous pieces I was trying to make work. It’s also the place where my husband and I eat dinner most nights – we really enjoy sitting down at the end of the day and even though it’s just the two of us right now, it’s a good tradition to start now. It’s the place our family and friends gather for great meals, wine and laughter. Last year, we hosted our first Thanksgiving as a married couple and since then we’ve done Mother’s Day, birthdays and much more!
The huge picture window that looks into the backyard and lets in tons of morning light.
Plus, the way the light floods the room through the picture window in the mornings brings in gorgeous light. I love the view into the backyard and it brings a little of the outside in. Changing out the dirty and damaged faux wood blinds for the bamboo shades was one of the best decisions we made!
The open concept allows the dining room to flow into the kitchen and creates a great space for entertaining.
From a design perspective, it was one of the first rooms I decorated and one that helped me define my style (though I’m still not finished figuring on what that is!). It was also the first room that helped my husband see my vision for our house and that he could trust me on design decisions – he definitely thought I was maybe a little off when I said we would have mismatching dining room chairs! But, he loved how it came together and reflected our personality and our home. It’s also the room I change most often. Since the room is neutral, it’s become lots of fun to swap out table runners, centerpieces, flowers, etc. and bring more seasonal decor into the room. I also think the rustic wine rack might be one of my favorite decor items in the house. It was a birthday gift from my husband and I continually get compliments on it.
Our rustic wine rack and buffet, that also serves as a bar
In the summer, I like to keep fresh hydrangea on the table, and in the spring, I have a colorful table runner to brighten things up with yellow napkins. And, if you missed it, I also created a football themed tablescape recently for my dad’s birthday last month. I just bought a buffalo check table runner to use for fall and Christmas and I can’t wait to decorate it for the holidays! I’m looking forward to many holidays, birthdays and more in this space!
Fresh flowers last summer from colleagues for my birthday.
[…] up is a tour of my favorite room to decorate, our dining room, along with a quick view of outside. I think between the wine rack/buffet and the table, it’s […]