Restaging ~ Our Country French Dining Room

• By Barb
• Posted in Celebrate the creativity of featured artists, Home decor
• On November 10, 2013
• 4 Comments.

Did you ever just feel like a change? After a decade of using the same kitchen valances, in our last home and this one too, I wanted something different! And, while I liked our country-style dining room, a more Country French look was what I was really after. Lucky for me, one of my best girlfriends, Lorraine Edwards, is a designer who does amazing room restagings on a small budget!

Let me tell you, Lorraine is amazing. She just “sees” your room for what it could be. We tied her hands a bit, but she was very understanding when I explained that there were certain things we couldn’t part with. My Grandmother’s bowls, Great-Grandfather’s electrified oil lamp from the 1800’s and our newish furniture were keepers. Also, since the kitchen was recently painted, she would have to work her magic with fabric and accessories only. Paint was not in the budget.

Somehow, Lorraine saw through my current “heavy on the tchotchkes” style to the Country French waiting to be revealed. The first order of business she decreed was changing out the window treatments. A trip to a nearby Country Curtains shop turned up lovely yellow and white buffalo- checked valances and “Tree of Life” designed lace panels. I was set on buying from Country Curtains again because the ones I was replacing still look like new after ten years!

French Country is all about yellows, blues and reds intermixed with lots of white. Lorraine searched the internet for a large picture accent piece that would make a statement in this small room and sent us a whole list of options from Overstock.com. Looking through her recommendations, Len and I just fell in love with a country scene surrounded by a field of sunflowers. On sale for $99, including free shipping, helped us make a quick decision and the order was placed. Delivered in just four days, we now had everything needed to start the room transformation. Our total budget came to just $300 for what, I think you’ll agree, were some major changes!

Clearing the hutch, walls and built-ins yielded a blank slate. Lorraine took decorating command. Putting the new painting up made a major impact, followed by white accents grouped on the hutch. A French country lady’s working kitchen was her inspiration as Lorraine stocked the shelves of the built-ins. Grandmother’s bowls came out of the hutch and are highlighted now. Yellow, white and blue pieces emerged from the kitchen cabinets and were given new life.

Beauty is in the details, and the new staging of our dining room personifies that idea. Even on a cloudy day, the cheerful yellow creates a warm, cozy feel. I smile each morning as I put on the coffee and take it all in once again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lorraine Edwards of “Your Surroundings …And Mine” offers affordable redecorating for your home! Click on her picture for her website link!

 

 

See more of Lorraine’s restaging / redecorating in our home here!