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North Carolina Home

Before and Now: Take a Seat In The Dining Room

December 6, 2023

We have lived in this house for 2 1/2 years now, and the dining room has slowly evolved into what it is today. This room has taken many twists and turns since the beginning, and more specifically, we've played an accidental game of musical tables until we found THE one. Suddenly, the dining room feels much more put together. Unfortunately, it didn't arrive in time for Thanksgiving, but we're so grateful to enjoy it for years and years to come!

Today

Dining Table | Chairs (vintage) | Marble Cake Stand | Taper Candles | Chandelier | Gallery Wall | Taper Sconces | Flameless Candles

This new table extends up to 152", which can seat 14-16 people—something we've desperately been needing. When I think about how many people usually come for dinner, it equates to 10-12 almost every time. But aside from being functional, I'm so impressed with the quality and details. Call me crazy, but suddenly, I get why people put those clear vinyl coverings over their furniture!

Now, let’s rewind back to what this room looked like when we first moved in, then revisit the evolution of how we got to what it looks like today.

Before - July 2021

Raise your hand if you remember this shocking view before we installed a cased opening into the kitchen and moved over the hallway entrance!

Initial Setup - October 2021

Dining Table | Dining Chairs | Captain Chairs | Tapestry | Brass Mills

Do you remember this dining room table? I loved it so much, but it was too matchy with the flooring so I ended up selling it to someone who gave it home. At the time, I knew I wasn't ready to buy my forever chairs, but we really needed a place to sit, so I bought these placeholder chairs to tide us over.

Table Swap - December 2021

Round Dining Table | Dining Chairs | Lantern Pendant | Urn | Tree Art

Swapping in our old table from our Idaho house was exactly what we needed at the time! Hanging some art and swapping the light fixture didn't hurt either.

Vintage Chairs - June 2022

Chairs (vintage | Rug (vintage) | Black Pot

The day that I found these vintage chairs, I thanked the placeholder chairs and sent them on their way because I was completely smitten!

New Wallpaper - November 2022

Wallpaper | Rug | Black Vase

Ever since we added the cased opening to make it feel more enclosed, I wanted to add wallpaper, and wow, I'm so glad we did.

New Chandelier - July 2023

Chandelier | Black Vase | Marble Cake Stand

Let there be light! When we launched our Shades of Light collection, I was so excited to swap in a new chandelier in the dining room because dinnertime with the lantern was like eating in the dark!

Today - December 2023

Shop the dining room

Which leads us to today! If you give a mouse a cookie Julia a table, chances are she'll want to hang a gallery wall and sconces to go with it ;). The good news is the antique chairs match the wood astonishingly well. The bad news is THEY ARE TOO TALL for the table. Ha! Like, Chris and I have to straighten our legs to scoot our chairs in. It hasn’t been a huge deal, but we figured we’d need to get new chairs once we got a new table anyway. If you want a sneak peek at the options I'm considering, here's a link!

As of right now, I've never been more excited to invite somebody over for dinner!

The moral of the story is that if it’s not coming together, don’t rush it. The inspiration will come when the time is right!

If you, too are looking to extend your table for guests and love the oval look, I've gathered some of my favorites at every price point. Happy hosting!

  1. Hollins Extendable Dining Table $1199
  2. Laudine Extendable Dining Table $1400
  3. Leesburg Extendable Oval Dining Table $1919
  4. Cheval Expandable Oval Dining Table $2339
  5. Carrington Wood Oval Extendable Dining Table $2869
  6. Hughes Oak Extension Dining Table $3800
  7. Radius Oval Dining Table $3995
  8. Monarch Extendable Self-Storing Leaf Dining Table $5243
  9. Tuscany Oval Extension Dining Table $5299

Shop Extendable Oval Dining Tables

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  1. I absolutely love that you show the evolution of this - I think everyone feels things have to stay put once they're in, but the truth is you can evolve a room over and over until it feels the most right for that point in your life. I'm lucky enough to have a little disposable income and I love evolving my space - I spend so much of my free time at home by choice that I want to truly love the space I'm in. I think a lot of us grew up in spaces that were decorated and left alone for decades, but I love that you show how you can make changes and updates as you live through and within a home!

  2. really love the new table! It is a perfect fit for your home.

    When you extend it with the leaves, is there a "third" table leg to make it sturdy?

  3. If I were to search for chairs like the vintage ones you currently have (which I am madly in love with), what terms would I use to find something similar, if not exactly the same?
    Thank you!

  4. …But those chairs are SO wonderful!! I love the chunky frames, notch detail, and those top nobs! I do understand, about the seat height, though. Your dining room is dreamy. Swooning over the Perigold table, wallpaper, and gallery wall. Love how you added a few silver frames to elevate the grouping. Your style speaks to my soul!

  5. Looks great and a good lesson in letting a room evolve.
    Are you planning to add a rug? Your Merlot would look fabulous with the woods and wallpaper.

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