The holiday season is upon us!
And I can’t stop dreaming about dining rooms and how to fill them full of PRETTY!
(Ideally, as inexpensively as possible ;-)
So, yes... Your budget is tight, yet you still want to impress your holiday guests with some style come dinner time.
Are you enjoying CarlaAston.com/DESIGNED?
If so, click LIKE to subscribe to future posts!
Oh, and time is also a factor. It's the busiest part of the year and you don't have any free moments to hunt down the perfect look that can be purchased at a perfect price.
What's a host to do?!
You hire an interior designer!
(Wink, wink, smile ;-)
Nooooo, I'm only kidding. We'll work together another day. For now -- because 'tis the season to be giving -- you can consider the guide below to be a gift to you and yours from Aston Design Studio. Enjoy!
DESIGNED by Carla, Furnished by YOU!
An Easy, Affordable, DIY Holiday Dining Room
Okay, before we start shopping, I have a quick disclaimer to run by you...
The items below might not last a lifetime. You probably won't ever refinish or reupholster them. And, more than likely, your children won't be receiving them as hand-me-downs.
BUT... If you need some furniture FAST, and you can't afford to spend a fortune (the prices are amazing), then -- IMO -- these are some of the best looking, best designed finds a tight budget can buy.
Now let’s design a dining room!
Linen Lydia Dining Chairs
This chair has some pretty curves and tufting, giving it a nice, comfy look.
I like that it’s all upholstered, except for the legs in a linen type fabric. I also like the white fabric with the dark legs. It's very crisp and up to date.
Concrete Hayden Dining Banquette
So you wanted some style, right? How about pairing those chairs with this great banquette? While I’m sooooo not partial to “microsuede”, I do like the grey with the white chairs, and I love the high back.
Trendy? Yes. And for $450, you can be a little trendy too!
Now for the table
So, your dining room isn’t big and you hardly ever use it. When you do, it’s for holidays and special occasions where you need to sit eight people, not four! A table that extends out to accommodate more guests is ideal, but it’s hard to find a good looking, budget-friendly one.
Well, I think the best idea is to go simple, and a parson’s style table is my all-time favorite (I’ve written about it HERE). It’s generic, it can adapt to any interior’s style, and it’s such a classic. You can pair it with a carved, antique chair in a damask fabric, or an iron stool - Or BOTH!
You just can't go wrong with this table.
Parsons Expandable Dining Table
The one pictured to the left, from West Elm, is only $599. That price cannot be beat.
Chocolate brown stain and it’s made of oak veneers, so it has some grain and looks like real wood.
It extends to 96” long and will accommodate eight people!
Hello, Christmas dinner!
Lighting
You want to change out that really ugly, cheap lighting thing that came with the house, don't you?
Replace it with this:
Rectangle Hanging Capiz Pendant
From West Elm, this piece provides some shimmer and movement to the room. It's a bit feminine, but strong in shape to repeat the simple form of the table and hint at the rectangular shape of the banquette.
Mirror
We have to have something pretty, gold and reflective on the wall, right?
Italian Iron Sun Mirror
How about this beautiful sunburst mirror from Layla Grace?
(Okay, there's one more major item we need before we get to the really fun stuff.)
What else do you think we need?
Pattern
So far, do things look a little too sophisticated? A little too much like something your mother might have designed?
Let's fix that... With stripes!
Olin Grey Rug
Lay down this Olin Grey Rug from Crate & Barrel to make the space feel young, fresh and pulled together.
Now for the details.
Decorative Pillows
Add a few of these gold pillows from Target on the banquette for a little polish.
OMG, who wouldn’t want to sit there!
I can just see Grandma and some wee grandkids sitting there posing for some photos, can’t you?
Your sister and her boyfriend, smooching.
Your rather large uncle and his skinny wife.
Dinnerware
Some classic, crisp, white dishes that Grandpa will inevitably roll his eyes over ("Huh? A square plate?")
You’ve got to pick up on these boxy shapes we’re going with here and carry it through. They're available at Target.
Gold Vase
Let's throw in some brassy pieces from Target for the table just to make sure you’re really on trend.
Find a few tall, leafless branches and strategically place them in at least three of these (five would be better). Oh, and if you’re crafty, spray paint those branches white.
I love mixing metals, especially at Christmas ;-)
Napkin Rings
Oh, and don’t forget the napkin rings! We’re taking this all the way, Baby.
And anything chalkboard is soooo hot right now.
Viola!
Your holiday dinner is ready to be served in your newly decorated dining room!
And you only had to spend...
$3,343.48
...to make it all happen ;-)