Dining Room Updates

I've been spending some time in my dining area this week and I thought I would share some updates. I had a bit of wall space (above) that was bare and I've been meaning to fill it with something but didn't want to go out and buy a piece. So, I dug through my garage and found this old vanity. It was actually my first "steal" at one of my first auctions. I bought it when I was in high school for about $15. This past summer I stripped it and my mother-in-law helped me paint it before I distressed it. It fills the space without adding clutter and compliments the rest of the furniture in my dining area. It also adds some extra storage, which is always a bonus.

I kept the original hardware for now, until I find matching ones to my buffet (which are just small, square glass knobs). They don't look bad dark and actually add a bit of contrast.

I also threw an old rusted egg flat basket under the desk (since I don't want a chair at it) which fills the space underneath in nicely. I had bought it at a garage sale this summer for $5.

So, again, that was $15 for the vanity and the paint was left over from a previous project.

This mirror was a find at an auction this week which I picked up for $5! It's chipped and aged but it has nice patina and it matches the other ornate, large empty frames in my living room.

Above my buffet, I hung 3 simple ironstone plates that I had purchased about 3 years ago when White on White, one of my favourite local shops, had closed. It was fill a box for $25, if I remember, so they worked out to be a couple dollars a plate! It was a really simple way to fill out that wall, which has two small windows on either side.


And finally, my little pail of spring! I took and old white enamel bucket that I had, and used the fourth ironstone plate from the set above as a bottom (since I neither wanted water damage, nor rust damage on my vanity top). I filled it with paper whites that my dad brought me home from the greenhouse. They add such a vibrancy to the room and they will look so lovely when their pretty white blooms are open.


So, all in all, the entire mini-makeover cost me a total of about $35 and took me only an afternoon to arrange.