2 Royal Purple Quirky Dining Rooms

Candadian House and Home purple dining room

I don’t think I own anything purple when it comes to home decor. I only own a few purple clothing items. I like the color but it is a shade I find intimidating to work with. I don’t know why. I’ve found 2 very fun and slightly formal purple dining rooms that help me see the potential of purple.

This first dining room is from Canadian House to Home. This room is a deep, royal purple shade. It feels light and airy against the white trim and the white wall. I love the mix of white accessories, including a thrifty white paper lantern. The colors paired with this royal purple make this color workable. I love it paired with that 70’s goldenrod shade and cool purpley cement gray. And and don’t forget the temporary pop of fuchsia from the fresh flowers on the table.This room is purple room that I can see easily replicated in a “real” home. Now to the other room…

The other room I found on the blog, Roomenvy. This room is a bit more “busy” than the Canadian House and Home one. I love a bold and obnoxious wallpaper. So does the owner of this dining room. There is purple printed wallpaper on the ceiling. This isn’t that innovative, being that is a very old-fashioned thing to do. And may I add a bitch to remove. It too us forever in our dining nook to remove layers and layers of wallpaper off a small part of the ceiling. Anyways, I like this dining room because it is over the top, right down to the royal purple rug. This isn’t fitting for my home and I’m sick of seeing bold colored shaggy things. Do you remember our blue faux fur covered cabinets? Well, I do and I’ll

Patterned purple dining room

never see shag as something quirky or retro again. So, this room isn’t something that I see easily being replicated in a “real” home but it is fun to look at. I could easily see a “real” dining room incorporating this bold print on fabrics and maybe having a yellow/goldenrod painted walls.

Sorry about the lack of posts lately. I’m doing what I can to wrap up some of these projects before I go back to work. That’s keeping me very busy. And they’re boring projects too. Like cleaning, scrapping, touching up projects. These aren’t those creative projects that I crave.

-Victoria

Read Full Post »

2 Black Mantels

Why do I find mantels so intimidating? Oh, maybe because we don’t have one. Sometime during this home’s life, somebody ripped it off and paneled over it. What a shame! Since we have never had to think of mantels before, I’ve been searching for one to love. I found 2 black mantels online. I like them but I don’t love them enough for my own home. They are share worthy.

Woman's Day black mantel

The 1st one is from Woman’s Day magazine (how did I ever come across this?). I liked it because it is both moody and romantic. The black and lilac really go well together. It’s a pretty picture into this space. But, let’s be real here. That is one killer mantel and it has some amazing details. This thing would look stunning with any room. I’m not going to be a purist and get all my granny panties in a wad, but could you imagine how beautiful this thing was underneath that poorly applied coat of black paint? I love painted furniture but I’m trying to only use that as a way to make something work that couldn’t otherwise. Wood is a beautiful thing. It brings nature into the home. But, I’m not being a purist. I have no idea what that mantel looked like before and the black adds a certain drama that this room needs or else it would be too shabby chic and predictable.

The other room is from House Beautiful magazine. It isn’t exactly a black mantel but this space packs the drama. This is a beautiful space but I fear it is only photogenic. I’m always attracted to these dark rooms in photos but I rarely see them in person so I haven’t been able to form a rational opinion of the black room. But, anyways. As far as eye candy goes, this room is it. What luxury! What mystery! The light from the fireplace plays with the black glossiness. The accessories are nice, maybe not what I would pick but nice. Well, I would pick them but the symmetry makes it hard to breathe in there. Does vintage modern apply to this art deco modern approach of decorating? But, once again. This is a lovely mantel and I’m sure it would work with any room, even one with a more traditional color.

House Beautiful mantel

I am having the hardest time deciding on a mantel. My dad’s friend will be making us one and he says he can use mahogany. I love the richness of mahogany and will not paint over this (not even with black). I just can’t find a style that I like. So when all else fails, go simple, I guess.

-Victoria

Read Full Post »