Our now blue dining room has gone through quite a transformation in the last few years, from a coat of colored paint to built-ins and more. You can see where we started here when we first moved into our 1930s home in 2017.
As my style evolved and over time I collected treasured items, built a larger library of books, and inherited many family heirlooms, it was fun to evolve this room along with me! This room is currently my favorite room in the house and today I’m breaking down all the details of this colorful and moody dining space!
Custom Built-In Design
First, let’s talk about the biggest visual change (and financial investment): our custom built-ins!
Previously, we had our round table centered in the dining room and while it looked nice, visually it turned out to be not very practical. This is a small room (8ft x 9ft), so every time one of us was seated at the table, it was impossible to get past or around the table because the chairs blocked all paths.
Additionally, while the white shelving we previously had served us very well (highly recommend for anyone looking for a quick and easy shelving solution), we desperately needed more storage and shelving space. This is one of the only walls in the house that does not have a window, door or arch. So, I started thinking about integrated ideas to change the room and maximize our space.
I came up with the idea of ​​making a built-in bench around the corner with storage inside after my best friend did something similar in her small house and said it was changing her life. That would allow us to move the table enough to clear our hallways. and add hidden storage.
Then we decided to build built-in floor-to-ceiling shelving next to it, which gained us a TON of shelf space.
Our amazing handyman built them and even took care of removing the original custom molding, repairing it, and replacing it around the bench for continuity.
I hired an upholsterer to make the bench cushions and then made the back cushions for added comfort along the windowsill. I used this fabric that looks like a woven tapestry but is much more affordable.
Finally, we covered everything with Bell Blue by Dunn Edwards. Continuing to paint all the way to the ceiling was the best decision I made. The room looks like a small jewelry box.
I’m still thinking about adding picture lights to the top of the bookshelf, but I couldn’t decide if it was the right move or not, so I left it as is for now!
DIY Faux Roman Shades and Cushions
I became obsessed with this green Susan Deliss fabric, but it was VERY expensive, so I decided to make faux roman shades instead of real curtains. We already had cellular shades that were still fully functional and allowed me to use a fabric I really loved, but much less so.
I purchased these antique Spanish dining chairs after harassing/begging the seller on Facebook Marketplace. They are comfortable and pretty. I recently added these cushions that I made from an antique Moroccan blanket I found at the flea market.
If you are looking to make cushions, I always recommend looking outside of garden fabric. Many times you can find beautiful fabrics at a much more reasonable cost by using pre-made curtains, blankets, or sheets!
Our blue dining room Art and decoration
Believe it or not, these family silhouettes were made at Disneyland! A reasonably priced souvenir (about $12 for the silhouette and $20 for the frame if you want) for your next trip. (The line can be long, so designate one person to wait while others ride one or two rides.)
The rug is one of my all time favorite vintage rug finds, I LOVE all the pops of color. It’s from moRUGco on Etsy.
Our stunning rattan shade is from one of my favorite lighting companies, Twenty One Tonnes. We used another fixture of yours in our Palm Springs dining room.
I loved the layering pattern in this room so I added a cord cover to the cord and I love how he drawsYou have your eye up.
Our other decor comes from family heirlooms (that trophy above is from my great-great-grandfather from 1918!), keepsakes (we got the face vase on our honeymoon), treasures from local shops and flea markets, and of course, tons of books.
Cost Breakdown
Here is a cost breakdown of what it cost to make this room. I’m including the cost of our table, even though it was from a previous association, to give a more realistic idea of ​​the cost. I’m not including the decor because, as you can see, there’s too much here to tell or remember!
- Custom Built-ins: $5,900 for materials and labor
- Paint: $1,200 for paint (Bell Blue by Dunn Edwards) and labor
- Custom cushions: $265
- Fabric Inserts and Pillows for Back Cushions: $244.93 with Into The Woods Fabric by P. Kauffman and Pillow Inserts by Williams Sonoma
- Faux Roman Blinds: $459 DIY with Susan Deliss Fabric from Nickey Kehoe
- Vintage Moroccan Rug: $2,628 from moRUGco
- Rattan Pendant Lamp: $550 from Twenty One Tonnes
- Cable cover: $55 from Pierce and Ward
- Dining table (gifted): $1,599 from West Elm
- Vintage dining chairs: $250 on Facebook Marketplace
- Chair cushions: $100
For a total total of: $13,250.93
It took me over two years to complete this room due to the costs of making custom pieces and the time it takes to collect the perfect vintage pieces. And I know this room will continue to evolve from here!
That giant pillow on the floor was a garage sale find and it’s the best matching dog bed!
I am very happy with how this blue dining room of ours turned out. It’s so cozy and so much more functional for our family!
Photos by Jeff Mindell
Design by Kelly Mindell
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