Dining Room Transformed

When we purchased this home, it was in a sad state... Like many foreclosures on the market, it had taken a serious beating.  I mean - carpets ruined, appliances stolen, holes punched in the walls and just plain filthy - kind of a beating.   But even with all of the "unsightly" issues.  This house had beautiful bones.  Luckily, the pieces all fell into place for us and we got our dream home... and then we began the overhaul.

The dining room was carpeted - something that I will never understand.  The last think I'd ever want with children is carpet in a dining room.  We ripped out the carpet and replaced the flooring first. (More on this project later!).

Next, I hit up my favorite obsession... the "oops" paint at Home Depot and Lowes.  There is not a better deal to be found than a gallon of paint for $5-$8.  You just have to be patient, check often and be flexible on colors.  (Most of my house was painted in "oops" paint  - I got great colors and an even better price on painting my whole house.)

For the dining room, I lucked out with 2 shades of "oops" gray.  For the walls, a perfect blue/gray tone that is warm and inviting.   The other shade was a lighter shade of gray and I opted to use that for the tray ceiling.

The back wall of the dining room is rather large - so I knew decor was going to be costly. What's that mean?  DIY art to the rescue!

I purchased unfinished trim pieces and cut them to make large wall frames.  Each piece was primed and painted to match my existing trim.   I attached each piece to the wall with small finishing nails. In the center of my frames, I purchased discounted picture frames from a craft store and currently have scrapbook paper in each frame.  To give the illusion that the frames are "hanging" I placed a piece of lime green craft ribbon (nice tie in to a buffet, huh?) behind each frame and looped them over a diamond hanger. 

The wall hangers were actually wine bottle toppers that I found at one of my all time favorite stores - Home Goods.   Obsession.  Imagine my surprise when I got home with my latest treasures and found that the diamonds actually unscrewed from the rubber cork leaving me the perfect way to attach them to the wall!

I love my large, inexpensive wall art and get lots of compliments on the look.  Try it, you'll love it!