There’s no time quite like the present (i.e. pandemic stay-at-home crisis) to do some home dreaming, amiright?
A few months ago, I started drawing up vision boards for our home but never got around to sharing them here. I envisioned a round table with black oak “Ruthie” chairs — traditional and coastal, with clean lines and a pop of brass. Hugh Forte’s beach photography is stunning, and I love investing in art whenever I can. The potted olive tree is fake, because let’s be honest, I have enough to keep alive with my kids; let’s not add plants into the mix.
When I found a Restoration Hardware vintage French fluted expandable dining table (the dinner parties!) on Facebook Marketplace in a black wash for $200, I scooped it up and revisited my design plan. I still love the contrast of black with white oak or a natural hardwood, and these chairs offset the curves of the table and add texture with the woven element on the seat. The chandelier feels clean and modern, balancing the vintage-ness and density of the black table with a lighter, minimal piece that carries the black all the way up visually.
However (isn’t there alway a “however”?), budget still dictates decor plans, and for one of the McGee Eloise chairs, I could buy three of these Target Project 62 chairs (as soon as they restock). I bought one that was in stock at a local Target to try it out, and I love how the curves of the chair mimic the curves of the table while still offsetting the ornate details with clean lines. Juniper Print Shop makes prints that can be framed in IKEA frames, and I could keep the large format art look with this and this.
Just like with fashion, I love mixing high-low elements — pricey pieces with more affordable ones. Right now our dining room (and most of our house) is a weird brown-beige, but I’m looking forward to fresh white walls and hopefully a quick restock of these chairs in order to “finish” our dining room.
In the meantime, I’m still dreaming. Living room, piano room, and entryway vision boards up next.