tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781670590071996754.post6636494774941608198..comments2024-03-18T23:21:52.381-04:00Comments on Thrifty Decor Chick | Thrifty DIY, Decor and Organizing: Transforming an unused dining room Thrifty Decor Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08387609050626968143noreply@blogger.comBlogger244125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781670590071996754.post-15851462311505842782013-11-30T23:01:24.562-05:002013-11-30T23:01:24.562-05:00Love! Love! Love! Love! Love!Love! Love! Love! Love! Love!NeedanewDayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03954974887051091150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781670590071996754.post-81862967210498874482012-02-18T09:54:33.613-05:002012-02-18T09:54:33.613-05:00I say "go for it", too! I am actually p...I say "go for it", too! I am actually planning a similar thing. I really LOVE the look of my dining room, but as much as I wish we used it more, I think we eat in there about 3 times a year, when family comes for holidays. I still need to get rid of my current table, but I got a replacement drop-leaf table that opens up into the same 6' long table I had, and it will sit in the LR against a wall, with the surrounding furniture arranged such that just a couple things need to be moved slightly and BAM, we have a dining space. Then, the "dining room" will become the music room, and will actually get used on a daily basis! Piano, guitars (maybe one day a baby grand), but still the lovely style that the room has been. And now, not wasted space. The trickiest part will actually be arranging the dining chairs around the space such that it doesn't look like a furniture store. By the way, I love your new floors! Such a rich color.Lisa Ghttp://www.lisagallagher.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781670590071996754.post-63584290414968032322012-01-24T16:17:50.215-05:002012-01-24T16:17:50.215-05:00I just read about this as an idea in a clutter cut...I just read about this as an idea in a clutter cutting, space utilizing idea book. One of the ideas mentioned was to put the dining table with benches or chairs against one of the walls. Add other things to the room that will make it more useful to you and your family, but the dining table will still be there if you ever need it.<br /><br />Either way, with dining table or without, I think it's a great idea!Beckihttp://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/AmbientLightsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781670590071996754.post-86293177955700453872012-01-22T17:42:38.193-05:002012-01-22T17:42:38.193-05:00I think this is a wonderful idea! & you remind...I think this is a wonderful idea! & you remind me so much of myself in your decision making process lol! I say go for it! I WISH I could do something similar (but we use our dining table daily) so it's not an option for me :( Good luck!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781670590071996754.post-24951506497581964752012-01-20T11:07:46.182-05:002012-01-20T11:07:46.182-05:00Love the idea! I have, and I mean have, to turn my...Love the idea! I have, and I mean have, to turn my den into a study. We home-school and I'm tired of toting books, crayons and art supplies back and forth to our tables. We actually use them quite frequently, so it's a bit irritating. I can't wait to see how it goes.Tabithahttp://www.debtfreedecorating.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781670590071996754.post-92176073059418649262012-01-19T11:36:01.442-05:002012-01-19T11:36:01.442-05:00Just thought I'd mention that I was just readi...Just thought I'd mention that I was just reading the Feb BHG magazine and the back inside cover blurb is of a lady who did this. it had before and after pics. Good little blurb for inspiration if you need it.A mother hearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15766853933459270549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781670590071996754.post-17628897788279246252012-01-17T12:15:30.663-05:002012-01-17T12:15:30.663-05:00Just wanted to let you know that I linked to your ...Just wanted to let you know that I linked to your site via a post I did on our dining room transformation. I'm new to the blogging thing, so I haven't learned how to do trackbacks yet. Thanks for giving me the boost I needed to go ahead and get the transformation started...love your ideas and LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog. You have given me the courage to use POWER TOOLS!!Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07716599974531757270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781670590071996754.post-76339027418188059872012-01-16T15:37:25.540-05:002012-01-16T15:37:25.540-05:00You've inspired me! I moved our office into o...You've inspired me! I moved our office into our old dr! Now, can you help with paint, window covering and lighting ideas?!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781670590071996754.post-35277116868381662252012-01-15T18:08:46.758-05:002012-01-15T18:08:46.758-05:00We made the formal dining room area in our house i...We made the formal dining room area in our house into a library, and I LOVE it like that. I don't have built-ins in there, though I would love to do them. However, it's a great room to have, and much more useful for our family.The Prudent Homemakerhttp://www.theprudenthomemaker.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781670590071996754.post-37287259312830844592012-01-15T16:36:20.646-05:002012-01-15T16:36:20.646-05:00Just saw a feature in this month's Better Home...Just saw a feature in this month's Better Homes & Gardens where someone transformed their dining room into a library/reading area. Go for it!Louisiana Bellehttp://www.louisianabellelivinginidaho.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781670590071996754.post-671060312314941212012-01-15T14:07:33.841-05:002012-01-15T14:07:33.841-05:00You probably already know this but there is an art...You probably already know this but there is an article in the February issue of Better Homes & Gardens about a woman who changed her dining room to a reading room. It's on page 180. I was reading the magazine in bed the other night and as soon as I saw it, I thought of you!Katienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781670590071996754.post-77075988594621356442012-01-15T01:56:25.057-05:002012-01-15T01:56:25.057-05:00I LOVE it! Our current house has a room off the ki...I LOVE it! Our current house has a room off the kitchen and a small dining room space that is apart of the living room. The room off the kitchen I use as a craft room because that's just what suits us better. I say if it works for you, go for it! If you're worried about the cost, maybe do a slow transition. Put in the built-ins and keep the table and chairs for now until you can afford the comfy chairs. <br />Also, I LOVE the candle display on your dining room table. :)Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16703630449276209732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781670590071996754.post-72684504683374927042012-01-14T17:57:38.017-05:002012-01-14T17:57:38.017-05:00DO IT! We have changed the purposes of our rooms s...DO IT! We have changed the purposes of our rooms so many times that I can't even count anymore. Here are a few: <br />1. Currently, our dining room is a sitting room (I like your furniture idea better: four chairs around a low table)<br />2.Our more formal living room is now the dining room (it has four 7 ft tall bookcases so it qualifies as a library)<br />3. Our kitchen table spent many years as the schoolroom<br />4. Our dining room at one time was the "computer lab" with six computers and tables and desks<br />5. Our family room or den was at one time the dining room<br />6. Our tiny, tiny home office served as the master bedroom for about 18 months (6 ft x 7.5 ft). Really; that's not a joke.<br /><br />My recommendation is to use all the rooms in your house as you want to, not how some archy designed them to be.Adiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11366092592887481823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781670590071996754.post-49354853861028412002012-01-14T12:07:30.298-05:002012-01-14T12:07:30.298-05:00oh, oh, oh.... (vision of Horseshack from Welcome ...oh, oh, oh.... (vision of Horseshack from Welcome back Kotter!)... I know.... How about adding a cushion storage bench in the middle of your bookcase wall, dividing the top shelves into two. Then if you need to put a dining room table (or for staging if you DO ever sell) you can use it as a bench with a table, and add chairs around the other side. oohhh, my juices are flowing... Love it!Sames Blogshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08981673094669207784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781670590071996754.post-90934860845880537902012-01-14T10:46:00.786-05:002012-01-14T10:46:00.786-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Blisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12477357780866991562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781670590071996754.post-39609145684501403542012-01-14T10:45:58.199-05:002012-01-14T10:45:58.199-05:00My first post on your blog (I think) and to show m...My first post on your blog (I think) and to show my addiction I want you to know I read every single reply (all 229) so pretty sure you don't need my 2¢ saying the same thing..... DO IT! I see no reason your "library" can't have a secret life as a dining room when needed. Dining rooms look amazing with wall shelves. Maybe if you go out of the box I'll have the courage to turn my unused formal living-room into an office.<br /><br />~Bliss~Blisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12477357780866991562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781670590071996754.post-14288334810858131612012-01-14T09:51:42.518-05:002012-01-14T09:51:42.518-05:00I love this idea! We are a family of 7 and we do ...I love this idea! We are a family of 7 and we do not have a formal dining room either. With all the little people around we would never use one. We have two "family rooms" also. <br /><br />In the bookcase, you could incorporate a section in the middle that would look/serve as a "buffet". Then for resale, or if you ever really wanted to make it back into a dining room you could set it up to look like it was planned to serve as a dining piece.Beccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00647774895828748789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781670590071996754.post-4439220093861628962012-01-13T15:53:20.840-05:002012-01-13T15:53:20.840-05:00Go for it! We too had a formal dining room and we...Go for it! We too had a formal dining room and we too felt we had to have a formal dining room suite - then real life hit. <br /><br />We got rid of the China Cupboard, table for 12 and all the chairs. We put a small table that will seat 6 tightly. We added book cases and white melamine board on one wall. It's our school room! <br /><br />When you walk in our home, living room is on the right and school room is on the left. I do my best to keep it tidy and pretty. And now it is used every single day. We even occasionally eat in there.<br /><br />Point is to make it fit your life, it's your home so make it up your way! If you do ever plan to sell it, you can just stage it - that seems to be what everyone does anyway.Rhonda S.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781670590071996754.post-75695030283993591502012-01-13T14:53:20.272-05:002012-01-13T14:53:20.272-05:00I say go for it! More and more people are making t...I say go for it! More and more people are making their home, well their's. Just because it's labeled a dining room and there is the expectation you need one doesn't mean you do. As for built-ins have you seen people buying IKEA bookcases, lining them up on a wall and trimming them out to look built in? I love that idea. Lastly, that table would be a lovely craft table... DO IT!Jesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15126788689338039046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781670590071996754.post-79938332382332587982012-01-13T10:15:44.808-05:002012-01-13T10:15:44.808-05:00This is so exciting, Sarah. And here's a litt...This is so exciting, Sarah. And here's a little suggestion just to make you feel even better about the whole thing....<br /><br />When you DIY your shelves with the cabinets beneath, don't make stationary shelves. Do adjustable shelves that rest on little pegs--you know what I mean, don't you? And then, if you ever decide to sell the house and want to stage this as a dining room, you could take out your wooden shelves and replace them with glass shelves, display pretty dishes on the shelves and voila! You've got a dining room with beautiful, enviable built-in cabinets. :)Richella Parhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04353214472648623583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781670590071996754.post-80193342076554286722012-01-13T09:11:54.817-05:002012-01-13T09:11:54.817-05:00Wow, I love this post for so many reasons and I ju...Wow, I love this post for so many reasons and I just feel compelled to comment! I've never commented here before, but WOW. I am going to do the exact same thing and transform my dining room into exactly what you're thinking of! I want to do built-ins just like the pictures you've showed, but have the bottom be cabinets as well (so we can store dishes and misc). I originally was thinking of having a loveseat and 2 chairs with a rug base, but I do love the 4 chairs idea. I'm so excited to see your future posts on this because I've been babbling on like an idiot to my husband and now I feel like I'll be able to show him pictures of what you can accomplish and get him even more on board to my decorating lunacy :) Thank you! (btw I'm in Indiana too)Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05690426315871884510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781670590071996754.post-37033797561669312092012-01-13T05:31:23.351-05:002012-01-13T05:31:23.351-05:00I love the idea, elegant and pretty.
nice place to...I love the idea, elegant and pretty.<br />nice place to liveelenahttp://www.hangimobilya.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781670590071996754.post-12347390156588556482012-01-13T00:03:18.460-05:002012-01-13T00:03:18.460-05:00I don't know if this will work with the layout...I don't know if this will work with the layout of your house, but have you thought about making your dining room into a pool table room? My aunt did that and we, as teenagers, loved it. Her dining room was right off the kitchen, so it was also a good way for her to be around the teenagers without being in our faces.Kearlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13287021404386613711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781670590071996754.post-59554665514339246542012-01-12T23:52:16.266-05:002012-01-12T23:52:16.266-05:00Beautiful pictures and nice ideas of dinning room ...Beautiful pictures and nice ideas of dinning room decoration. Choice of flower pot for central table is amazing.florist Dublinhttp://www.irishflorists.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7781670590071996754.post-22173950862847966122012-01-12T21:03:07.637-05:002012-01-12T21:03:07.637-05:00A month or so ago we brought in my grandfathers dr...A month or so ago we brought in my grandfathers drafting table into what is suppose to be our dining room. It is HUGE a beautiful antique. We never used the dining room at all. We purchased some older tall stools and our kids are now using that space on a regular basis to color, do homework, projects etc. Why should we not use the room for something or than what it is suppose to be used for? You are paying for that room every month in mortgage go use it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com