4th Tabletop Tuesday: Dining Room Re-Visit

Welcome to the 4th Tabletop Tuesday!

Are you enjoying Tabletop Tuesday? I sure hope so.  I know I am.

I do need to say something from the heart though....

I just want to say thank you to all the participants who join each week.  I know there are lots and lots of weekly meme events you could join, and I thank you for being part of mine.  Please know I may not always comment at each and every site, but I do visit.  I just wanted you to know that.  :)

I am still not better after my gallbladder surgery.  I have done some research and a little self-diagnosis (the internet is a dangerous thing).  I will be armed with print-outs tomorrow to take to the Surgeon.  Wish me luck....or should I say him.  LOL

I apologize I am not feeling well enough to put together a new post, so I am gonna share the 3rd post I did when I first started my blog.  It only received TWO comments. LOL  This is my Dining Room, and this is pretty much how it looks even now with the exception of my mantle.  It is still bare from the holidays.  ugh!

I hope you enjoy my Dining Room  Re-Visit.

My Home...a Tale of Travels and Trials

My husband retired from the Marine Corps almost 6 years ago after an honorable 30 year career. Our last duty station was in Beautiful Colorado. I was born and raised in Jacksonville, NC.
In the back of my mind, I always knew I wanted to come back home. But, we decided we would explore some options before we planted our roots. After several destinations and explorations across the USA, we made the decision to come back to Jacksonville to be with family and friends, and primarily because I wanted to be near my parents.  We knew without a doubt it was the right thing to do.  We bought a lovely home - but one that needed much work.  It had been on the market over nine months, in a time that homes were selling within 4 hours. Let's just say the previous owner's DIY "abilities" turned off most potential buyers. (eek!) But not me! I saw past the really bad faux finishes, the really bad "crackled"cabinets (and the list goes on) to see the good bones of the home. Almost six years and a 25x25 addition later, we are finally getting this home to the point where we want it. At least for now...... :-) So I invite you to come along and tour my home. I will start with the formal Dining Room because that is the first room you see upon entering our home and looking in through the foyer. It's probably one of my favorite rooms. It speaks of my style, it represents our world travels, and sets the tone for things to come.

Welcome to My Formal Dining Room.....

My home is decorated in the colors of Fall - reds, greens, golds and touches of black. I have yet to name my style...it's such a mixture of looks that I love. I would hope that people consider it inviting and comfortable. Although each room may have a different feel, the colors are carried throughout. This is my formal dining room, what was once the formal living room before we added on a new 25x25 family room addition.

Hanging over the fireplace is a tapestry I purchased in Brugge, Belgium. This storybook town is called the Little Venice of Belgium, known for its lace and tapestries. I found the two cabinets on each side of the fireplace in a second hand store, covered in dust and grime.  The back of the inside cabinet was covered in a horrendous lime green velvet (I did not know they even made a velvet in that color!), which I replaced with a red silk. Both cabinets display some of my collection of pink and white transferware and Staffordshire.

Creating vignettes is one of my favorite things to do. I see it as showcasing the things I love the most.  My vignettes change with the season, sometimes its just a matter of adding in a few simple touches like mini pumpkins in the fall or fresh magnolia during Christmas. The Staffordshire dogs were purchased at one of UK's largest outdoor flea markets, Stoke-on-Trent.  This market is a four-day affair that takes place every other month, and encompasses acres and acres of booths as far as you can see...and stand to walk through. The crystal clock was purchased at the Waterford factory in Waterford, Ireland.

The small chest you see under the print was given to me by a friend. It is a beautiful bow-front chest, and was a perfect fit for this space. The clock you see on the wall came from Parliament in London. These were sold when all the clocks were replaced. My first (and last) major re-upholstery effort are the two red-chintz parsons chairs on each side of the chest. I was living in Belgium, and stayed on the phone with my "seamstress" mother the whole time to get advice. When I got the phone bill, I realized I could have purchased two brand new chairs cheaper. LOL I did these over 10 years ago, and they still look pretty good.

This is a close-up of the fireplace and the tapestry. This is one of the areas of contention that I cannot decide which direction I want to go. I know I dislike the brick - there is way too much of it. I have considered stone, simply painting it, covering it with sheetrock and adding some great mouldings. All in due time....
My mantle vignettes change with the seasons, as well.  But, you will almost always find plates. :)

A wider shot of the Dining Room. This shows how the two china cabinets frame the fireplace.

This is a close-up of the inside of one of the china cabinets, and a glimpse of some of my pink and white pieces. The silk fabric on the back features a mini harlequin pattern.

Featured here is my fave piece of pink and white Staffordshire - a large soup tureen which has the original "spill" platter, ladle and (not shown) lid with a large cabbage rose top.  I have filled it with an overflowing abundance of florals which showcase all the colors of the room - red peonies, golden snapdragons, green fern. This arrangement also changes with seasons.  I can simply add berries or wheat or any number of florals to change the feel of this centerpiece.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my Dining Room.  Please add your link below....and I look forward to seeing all your Tabletops, Vignettes and Favorite Accessories.

Many Blessings! ~Barb