Dining Room Update: New Dining Set

Hi loves – happy beginning of Summer to you!  I don’t know about you, but these long summer nights are wearing me out (and cutting in to my project time)… Even so, summer means no homework and sports practice so we are able to enjoy more family dinners at our new dining table.

This set replaced the antique dining set (seen here) I inherited from my mother – years of neglect followed by daily use had taken its toll on it so I decided to retire it before it was completely ruined.  The chairs were in an awful state so I decided to let go of them, but the table is stored away for now.

About this set: I searched dining sets for a long time, not quite sure which direction I wanted to go design-wise, but also knowing that I needed a quality piece for a good price.  I found this set on Overstock and liked it right away but wanted to be sure it would hold up for our family.  I read a lot of reviews on this set and it solidified my decision.  Then, I waited for the set to go on sale – once it did, I applied my “first purchase” 20% off coupon and got it for an incredible deal, saving almost $500 off the original price.  There was free shipping to boot!

True to the reviews, there was a lot of assembly involved with this set but the instructions were good and there weren’t a ton of different pieces so once Mr. home.made. and I got started, assembly went pretty quickly.  We did have two pieces of chairs that were broken but Overstock sent us replacement parts within a couple of weeks so that was no big deal.

The off white color goes nicely with my Annie Sloan old white painted dining hutch, and the wood adds a nice touch of warmth.  My only complaint about this piece is the distressing – it’s obviously the same on every single chair, no random placement at all which bugs me, but it doesn’t bother me enough to make me want to get rid of this set.  I’m sure we’ll add our own natural distressing in due time…

Overall, I’m pretty pleased with this dining set – I’m even thinking of getting two extra chairs to have on hand for larger gatherings.  It’s a snug fit with three chairs on each side, but its doable.  We’ll see.

Later this week, I’ll be sharing one of my favorite dishes served on this table… stay tuned.

By the way, Overstock did not sponsor this post nor compensate me in any way for this post. I bought this set on my own and this is my honest review. They’re just the lucky ducks I chose.

{Design Inspiration} Peacock Blue

Happy happy Monday lovelies!  We had a great weekend complete with sleeping in on Saturday because there was no soccer this week (yay!) and a family hike on Sunday.  I put away my to-do list this weekend and just enjoyed my family… it was fabulous.  And now I’m ready to get back to that list (HA!), beginning with a sweet little retro desk that I scored last weekend from a swap page.  I’m envisioning a peacock blue makeover with gold accents… here is some of the inspiration for this project.

Guest Bedroom via Young House Love

Nursery via On to Baby

Via Visual Comfort

Via TJAnderson Homes

Via Country Living

So whaddya think?  Peacock Blue for the win?

This week will be filled again with work and soccer and softball, but I have hope that I’ll be able to get started on the desk.  There is a little bit of repair to be done, so maybe I’ll start there.  I’ll keep ya posted… have a great week!

Living Room Update Progress

I gave you a sneak peek last week of some of the updates in my living room, and today I’m sharing a little bit more with you.  I’ve been slowly transforming this room for what feels like forever, and it’s finally starting to feel more like home around here.  Here’s the view you saw last week:

Here’s what it looked like before…

This picture is actually after I painted over the mustard yellow walls – and I have yet to repaint that green trim.  One of my home goals this year is to finally tackle the trim-painting beast.  It’s not something I’m looking forward to,  but it’s long overdue.

All that paint talk aside, here’s how things are looking now:

We sold our leather sofa set on Craigslist and replaced it with the Ektorp chaise sectional from IKEA.  I really like this sofa.  It’s taken some getting use to for my hubby (not quite as cushy as the leather set), but he knows I like it so he doesn’t complain much.  Besides, part of the compromise was his very own man chair… yep, a recliner.

When he asked for a recliner I groaned… literally.  All I could picture was a gargantuan ugly La-Z-Boy from the eighties, so imagine my surprise when I found a recliner that was a normal size and was, *gasp*, pretty too!  This is the Franklin recliner from Plow and Hearth.  It’s gorgeous and it’s comfortable and Mr. home.made. is constantly fighting his three chicks for this chair!

The gallery wall of U’s behind the chair is a constant work in progress.  Do you know how difficult it is to find the letter U?  Seriously.  I find so many cute letters and there seems to rarely be a U.  Crazy.  Trust, us, a couple things I can’t spell without U.  Obviously these retailers don’t listen to the Biebs or they’d know what’s up.

I digress.

I shared my new reading corner with you last month.

And here’s one last view, looking into the kitchen area.

The wicker chair is IKEA, as is the little turquoise cart.  And I know you’re wondering about that fabulous rug, right?  It’s the moroccan trellis rug from Rugs USA and I got it during their 80% off sale during the summer.  It sheds like a friggin alpaca, but other than that, it’s great.  It’s thick and soft and gorgeous and I love the visual texture the pattern provides.

So there it is – our main living space and it’s little makeover.  I still have some things I want to do in here:

• Paint Trim White!!
• Find a smaller round coffee table (maybe glass with brass?)
• Sell coffee and side table
• ??Paint Computer Armoire
• Move in piano from my grandmother
• Plate wall above said piano :)

That’s about it… enough, right?

Hope you’re having a great start to your week.  I’m busy adjusting to my new job and working on last minute details for my 9 year old’s birthday party (in between soccer and softball)… can I get a nap please?!

New IKEA chair and Goings On

Things have been buzzin around the home.made. abode… I’m still in the process of revamping our living room, and I’m so happy with the latest addition to our furniture: this IKEA BYHOLMA wicker chair!

My awesome sister was kind enough to make a trip to IKEA and pick this up for me (since you can’t order online) as I have been kicking myself for not getting it a couple of months ago.

I love this chair.  It’s gorgeous and it adds such a fun mix to my living room furniture.  The cushion and the pillow make it a comfortable spot to curl up – it’ll be even better tomorrow when I’ve got a fire going in the fireplace (thank you cold front!)

The living room makeover is still underway and there’s just a little bit more to do before the full reveal:

Paint Trim

Haul Piano from my Dad’s House

Add Bookcase

Add corner chair

Add wall art

Find round, smaller coffee table

See, doesn’t sound so bad, right?  If any of you have great tips about moving pianos, let me know please!  I don’t want to fork out a lot of money to pay for movers!!

Some other things that have been keeping me busy around here:

I spent a lot of time the past couple of weeks repainting my laundry room cabinets.  If you follow me on Instagram, you were able to see some progress pics.  I’m happy to say they’re finished and hanging and such an improvement – I can’t wait to show you!

I’m also busy prepping to have a booth at an upcoming Christmas event.  It was a last minute decision to do this (and personally, I’m a little intimidated by it) so I’m in mad-crafting mode trying to put together some fun items for my booth.  I have so many ideas that it’s been a challenge to keep my focus small, but I’m trying…

So much going on!  I can’t believe Thanksgiving will be here next week… you for sure wouldn’t be able to tell around here since the only decoration for the occasion are the turkey pumpkins my kiddos decorated for the mantle.  I’ll admit it – I’m a slacker for Thanksgiving this year.  All of the other projects have taken priority and since I’m lucky enough to not have to host Turkey day… I’m not very motivated to decorate.  Heck, I might just even put up my Christmas stuff early this weekend… I’m a rebel like that.

Here’s one final look at that chair for ya… and as if I don’t have enough to do I’m thinking of painting that armoire in the background.  Off white would be good, yes?

Hope you’re having a great Friday – make it a great one!

Living Room Sofa Search and Layout–Help!

Part of my home improvement budget is a new sofa and chair(s) for our living room – our current furniture is a mix of our ten year old gigantor leather sofa and big boy chair and a *gasp* futon.  Wanna see?  You know you do…

Niiiiice, right?  The futon cushion is practically sliding off the frame and there’s kid stuff everywhere too – real life right there.  Now back to the leather monstrosities – we bought these for our first home and this style was pretty popular at the time.  Big furniture was where it was AT, yo.  Seriously, the armrests alone span a good twelve inches.  Each.

The sofa and chair have served us well and made for very easy cleanup of the various things spewed by our children over the past eight years, but their time is up.  I’m done with the leather.  I’m done with brown everything.  I’m ready to get some style in this place!

Here’s my dilemma though – how do you place furniture in an open room like this that’s a decent size, but not huge?

The entry leads to the right side of the living room so it seems odd to have a sofa on that wall.  I’m thinking my grandmother’s piano would be great there if I ever figured out how to move it here or if I happen to find $500 laying around to pay a moving company to bring it to my house…

Since the TV and fireplace are in the center of the room, the placement pretty much needs to be in the center, don’t you think?

I was thinking of going with the EKTORP sectional from IKEA placed facing the fireplace and kitchen.  I love this from My Sweet Savannah.

I’m worried it’d be too big for the space, but who knows…

Looking at this angle however, it might work, especially with the piano behind it (and the plate wall I have daydreams about).

Another thought?  The EKTORP loveseat with chaise on the end and then two chairs flanking the fireplace?  Ugh – I just don’t know!  I’ve searched oodles of Pinterest rooms and can’t find much but here’s one from Hooked on Houses…

I’ve read mixed reviews on the EKTORP, but I’m not worried.  My sister’s had some EKTORP furniture for a long time and hers are still in great shape.  Since my budget is limited and has to last through the other plans I have, I can’t afford to spend a big wad of cash on furniture.  My sister and I might also be stopping by IKEA this weekend so hopefully I’ll get to try these out for myself and can get a better idea of size so I can plan my room.

What are your thoughts on a good furniture layout for this room?  I need help!