Something A Little Different!

   

Don’t you just love to see alternatives in design that are a bit different than what is normally expected?

Me too!

Today I am going to talk about an alternative to chairs around the dining room/kitchen table.

This is not a new look by any means, but I think it is a look that should be used more often.

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Look at how interesting it looks to use a settee, and two winged chairs instead of 6 matching chairs around this rectangle table.

This is a great use of space. This designer chose to use a sofa pushed right up against what most people would have used as a breakfast bar. Something a bit different than the norm is always fun.

Bench seating is a great look when you are limited on space. You can push it right up against the wall. No need to have room to pull a chair in and out with a bench seat. If you live in a smaller home or have limited space this type of seating is the answer for you.

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A bit larger table but just as attractive.

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Simple!

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Flanking a settee with two storage cabinets is a great use of space and one that I recommend for homeowners when they live in a space that is lacking storage and is on the smaller size.

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This homeowner chose to put a charming seating area in an unused corner.

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This is such a charming area for this conversation area. Such a great backdrop for the settee to sit in front of. Very clever and dramatic design.

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CHARMING!

Do you like this option for your own space? I love it and it has been on my radar for awhile now.

I found a few fun options for this type of seating that were reasonably priced. If you think about it you can get two people on a settee so that is the price of two chairs in one piece.

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This settee is from Ballard designs. It comes in a 36in. or 48in. size. You can choose from many options what upholstery you want it covered in.

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This settee is a bit wider for those of you that have the room. It is from Wayfair.

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This last option is from Crate & Barrel and it is slipcovered for easy maintenance.

Do I have you thinking outside the box?

 

I know this is something I have been thinking about for a very long time, and you just might see it in my dining area in the future!!

 

 

My Kithen Update

When I left you last the kitchen re-do had begun. We had all the cupboards emptied out, and  the contractor was coming to do his thing.

The appliances were removed, the floors were covered and the work began with tearing out the 36 year old tile.

The tile is all gone and now the underlayment is being removed. I was amazed at how small this made my kitchen look.

Look Mom, no tops!!

This is where the trouble began……

(insert scary music)

 

With very careful measuring my contractor discovered that my cabinets were off level from one side of the kitchen to the other by 1 3/4inches. That is more than is within industry standards!

Major discussions ensued on how to remedy this problem.

We decided to sleep on it. My hubby, who is super logical, and tends to be a perfectionist when he does a job, and I (who is beyond a perfectionist) discussed the options, and decided to do it right.

Decision was made....all of the cabinets had to come out on the bottom.

Needless to say, this totally unnerved me! I am not good at the tearing out part. I like the building up, and making pretty part.

I felt as if my kitchen was undergoing surgery.

The cabinets were all leveled with new frames to sit on.

SIDE STORY:

I am sure some of you might be wondering why we are trying so hard to save the 36 year old cabinets, and why don't we just get new.

You see my sweet Hubby's Dad was a cabinet maker and he built these cabinets, and my Hubby helped him. They are more than just cupboards to us. They are a part of Pop, and a very sweet memory for my hubby.

We both remember being a little nervous to show Pop our cabinets after they were painted, he was a lover of wood and it's beautiful grain patterns.

He told us that he thought this was the prettiest kitchen he had ever seen.

Toward the end of his life he did not even remember he had built our kitchen. He suffered with dementia.

He would grin at us and say, " These cupboards? Nah! I didn't build these." "Really?!" We assured him that yes in fact he did build them.

So you see we have to save them!!! 

The cabinets were all put back on their new frames, and the plywood underlayment was put in place and the template was made.

When using a slab of natural stone it is imperative that the cabinets are level. You do not want any strain on any part of the stone or you might get an unwanted CRACK!! Horrors!

I am very fortunate that my contractor is quite the perfectionist, and he reads me well. He checks every little detail with me, he never assumes anything.

It is Monday and we are now back on track. We lost a few days and a few dollars, but it was all fixable. Feeling very thankful and relieved today.

Later today we are going to my contractors shop, and see our slabs again. We will place the template on the stone where we want it to be cut. I think today of all days is really going to make this all seem real to me!!!

Other post about my kitchen redo:
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HERE
HERE
HERE

  

 

 

What Inspired Me This Week

 


It is that time of week again! Are you ready

for?………





ONE:



This blog post had some great ideas on how to get out of your wardrobe rut and become more stylish. In fact it had 9 good points to take into consideration. Just click HERE to go to the blog post!


TWO:


Lauren Leiss gave some great advice on how to relax a formal more traditional home. 

Often times a traditional home can feel a bit pinned-up!! Lauren is a young, fresh designer with a new take on Traditional design. I always am inspired by her. Click HERE to go to her post. You will get some great information and inspiration.
  
THREE:

Melissa Michaels from The Inspired Room had this darling idea for an indoor garden.

With all of the cold weather I know many that are just aching for Spring to get here. Until it does, this is a great way to bring Spring inside your home. She has some more fun ideas for small gardening projects on her post.

Click HERE  to go to her post.

 Now it is your turn to....