Dining Room Update

Those who followed my month long visit to the South of France last October know that I fell in love with this apartment where I stayed in Provence. I was directed to La Madone by the words "the most beautiful place to stay in Provence" and was certainly not disappointed in any way. It was even lovelier than anticipated. The young owners have put heart and soul into restoring their home, and apartments, in a gorgeous old mansion in the town of Apt.

These images were taken in the apartment where DH and I stayed for a few days.

On my return, knowing I needed to get moving on the dining room renovation including ceiling and walls, I knew the direction I wanted to go. It had to remind me somehow of those restful colors and the simple elegance of La Madone.
Although Provence is known for vibrant colors, finding this gentle look which feels like stripped down French Country mixed with Swedish Gustavian, was a huge surprise. The mix of soft paint colors on the walls and old furniture, crystal chandeliers, natural linen upholstery and drapes, delicate old oil paintings without frames, old wood frames without paintings..........I fell for it all. Knowing I couldn't find, or afford, 18th century doors and precious paintings was OK. I knew I could mix paint colors and smoosh them on, sand them off, hopefully they would hold my dream. I could shop for little inexpensive treasures at local antiques and thrift shops, and I did!

This was my inspiration board ~ bits and pieces pulled together in the colors I wanted. I usually make a board before I head helter-skelter into a new project ~ it makes it easier to work this way. Below are the before and after pics of the dining room to date. Still have to recover the chair seats and make drapes.


The Welsh dresser with the colors and objects that gave it the UK Country Living look for many years. Loved it while it lasted.


Same dresser looking more sophisticated and French with blue-gray paint. Added old metal drawer pulls, white Mikasa French Countryside china which I already had, tarnished silver purchased at the Aix-en-Provence market, antique French books from a tiny back street used book store in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.


Bird homes, garden inspired items - still loved - but moved to new homes such as the front porch while new treasures take their place.


The sideboard I fell out of love with some time ago so painting it was easy. The old window with the tulips I will always love ~ the French journal pages are just taped over them in case I ever want to change again.

None of the lighting in this room has been changed as it works quite well all being cream colored. These buffet lamps are still nice with their unusual soft damask shades and look good on the dark painted top. Some day, when I find the perfect sized, affordable one, a crystal chandelier will definitely hang over the dining table.


The farm table I am delighted with. The lighter color suits the room and gives a more casual appearance. The chairs? Well you know by now that painting five chairs (yes, still one more arm chair to go but as it stays upstairs I'm not rushing to do it) was a lot of work. They required three coats, a lot of sanding and waxing to get the desired look - country and casual but still nicely finished, not just a 'whitewashed ' look. When the seats are recovered in a darker fabric they should look great.

Thanks for sticking with me while I did this room. Knowing you were also anxious to see it finished kept me going on the dark, dreary, shoulder aching days!
Upcoming projects will involve cleaning up the garden, revamping the front porch, and cleaning the back deck and gazebo now that Spring is just around the corner. I have some garden ideas using old bricks, shutters, a handmade log trellis, dishes and bric-a-brac galore.
See you in the garden.