When the ornaments propel themselves off the Christmas tree – scaring the crap out of the dog as they bristle and thistle through the dried out needles, landing with a thud on the floor – it’s a sure sign that it’s overdue time to take down the holiday decorations …
It’s also a plus of having a real, once-live tree at Christmas. You see, even though our thoroughly dried out tree was a few short days from bursting into flames from the heat of those tiny twinkle lights, it was still able to communicate from the great beyond with a “hey lazy, get your butt off the couch and get these heavy ornaments off my branches. I mean it. I dropped the wood ornament as a warning. Next time it’ll be one of those delicate glass ornaments that will splinter into a million tiny shards of glass …”
So with that wood-ornament-dropping-warning on Sunday, the tree was dismantled and tossed into the alley with the misguided hope that the garbage men might pick it up sometime before summer.
And once everything was packed away, I was hit with the overwhelming inspiration to remodel the dining room …
My inspirational sources can be found by clicking here …
Inspiration that includes crisp, white board and batten. Topped off with a rich navy . And accented with some bold oranges and turquoise blues …
So my half-finished master bedroom will remain half-finished as I tackle the first floor. Starting with the dining room. Followed closely behind by the living room, which will also carry the white board and batten topped with navy theme …
P.S. I knew this design was meant to be when the Nate Berkus-inspired striped rug (below) that I’d been eying for weeks went on sale for 65% off at rugsusa.com. It was a killer deal that I just couldn’t pass up …
P.P.S. Check out my living room remodel plans here …
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Hi there! My name is Linda and I’m a Jersey-born-and-bred Midwestern transplant who lives in Chicago with my husband and two children. We've lived in our home since 1995 and over the years our style has changed and evolved. I wouldn't call my home a work-in-progress -- more like a rework-in-progress as I refresh and remodel things around here ... one room at a time.
Love your mood board. Can’t wait to see the finished room! I’ve always wanted to go bold with a bright orange buffet…maybe I can live vicariously through you? (even though that’s not in your mood board….)
Gorgeous mood board! Can’t wait to see the transformation.
Linda, I love that rug, too. Trying to decide which rug I want! Your inspiration board looks great, love the fresh color combo!
Haha, you are so hilarious!
Hi Linda. Thanks for stopping by the Cottage and I thought I would return the favor. Your room will be so bright and beautiful and fresh and anything having to do with that cutie pie Nate has my OK..Happy Wednesday..Judy
Oh I just love your ideas for the dining room. Can’t wait to see you put it all together!
love the plans and cant’ wait to see it through with you!
Yowza, you do NOT mess around! That is one gorgeous plan… fresh, fresh, fresh. You go, girl!
xo Heidi
Really like the orange with different shades of blue. And that light fixture. And abandoning the master bedroom because you’re feeling inspired elsewhere. I mean, it’s not like that bedroom is going anywhere, right?
LOVE it! I cant wait to see it all finished. By the way, I actually just ordered that very same rug yesterday from Rugs USA for my son’s room. He loved it because he thinks it looks like an optical illusion.
Angela
Great design plan! I love using navy in rooms! Such a beautiful, rich color!! Can’t wait to see the finished product!!
Jenna @ rainonatinroof.com
I so don’t blame you…that rug is awesome! I’m also a HUGE fan of that color combination. Have you seen Pier1′s new catalog? Swoon! Can’t wait to see the finished room!
Oooh that’s so pretty. I love that pic in the top left of the navy with warm wood. YUM.
Oh you’re so organized. I’m going to have to decide if I like you. Oh you win, I like you!
So since I started blogging a year ago to redo my dining room, I guess I should of left my tree up longer.
Bliss
I can’t wait to see the finished room, I love that octopus art work on your mood board. I have been mulling over creating some octopus artwork of my own. Love your navy and white choice.
I too suffer the not quite finished room syndrome ..where I move onto the next space. However I actually added a piece of art work to my dining room today, it completes the series of blue/green abstracts here http://www.creativeinchicago.com/2012/02/art-for-dining-room.html and looking at the post when I first shared my dining room makeover http://www.creativeinchicago.com/2012/01/decorating-dining-room-before-and-after.html , it has only taken me a year. It will probably take me another year to share the new art on my blog.
You were not alone. My poor tree was crispy with a capital C. When I took the lights off, the branches all just kind of broke off. We’ve never had such a crispy tree. Anyways, wish I could also nod in agreement that I am looking to redo my dining room but sadly, I am not. I’ll just watch yours instead
Wow Linda LOVE your inspiration photos! It’s going to look beautiful! I am still taking down Christmas and I barley put anything up! Talk about lazy LOL!
xx
Anne
Linda,
I LOVE that rug! Seriously! It is going to make the whole room! You seriously have the best taste!
Have a great day rock star!
me
PS Glad your Christmas tree made it!
I was very encouraged to find this site. I wanted to thank you for this special read. I definitely savored every little bit of it and I have bookmarked you to check out new stuff you post.
Burun Estetiği
i would love, love , love to have any sort of board and batten. Can’t wait to see yours. The choice of navy is perfect too!
Well, it looks like the Christmas tree’s plan worked!
Love the idea board, can’t wait to see it all together. You are the master of the orange.
Ooo, I love your mood board – gorgeous!
Linda, your inspiration board is absolutely YUMMY!!! Can’t wait to see your plans become your finished product!
Love the deep navy, white and coral! Your mood board is absolutely gorgeous! Love it!
Cool Linda! I can’t wait to see what you do – that rug is great!
do it, do it, do it! I can’t wait to see!
Such a great Room Board!!! You have a very similar style design to the style I am creating in our house. Thanks for sharing!