Title Photo Source (How is that for styling inspo?!)
Dear One Room Challenge Diary,
This week made it painfully obvious that my dining room makeover is stretching the budget. My husband still doesn’t know the full tally, and I’m trying to keep it that way for now. I suspect he’ll learn the truth by Week 3 or 4. I also battled a little buyer’s FOMO and nearly made an impulsive late-night purchase during an Anthropologie sale. Thankfully I woke up, cancelled the order, and avoided a regrettable splurge.
On a brighter note, I had a moment of clarity this week: this dining room might actually become my favorite room in the house.
xoxo, Chrissy
Here’s what I’m working with:
It’s pretty empty right now — we’ve been living with this large, open dining room since we moved in over a year ago.
I had questions last week about the grasscloth wallpaper: it’s from York Wallcoverings and this is the pattern. Grasscloth can be tricky to install, so I recommend hiring a professional with experience. Also avoid installing it where small children can reach it, since it can’t be washed.
Now, here’s the week in review:
- After lots of back-and-forth, I finalized the details for the entire room and I am excited about the plan.
- I found the one piece that is inspiring the whole room.
- I purchased the dining table, side chairs, custom shades, a cushion for the foyer bench, some art, and a buffet.
To keep things visual, I started using the Morpholio app. I drop screenshots of products into a design board so I can see how everything will look together. It’s an easy way to stay aligned with the original vision and spot anything that feels off.
That passway between the living room and dining room needed something, so I requested shiplap from my contractor. It’ll add interest to the bar area and feels like the right move — I wish I’d done it sooner.
A tale of two tables:
I was torn between a very affordable table that I like and a pricier Restoration Hardware table I absolutely love. The expensive one was three times the price and would have consumed most of the budget. After a lot of deliberation, I chose the more affordable option so I could allocate funds to other standout pieces.
I really like the table’s wood tone. The base is a touch more ornate than I would prefer, but for the price it’s a great fit. One goal is to use this room often as a family space, so choosing a durable, reasonably priced table makes me less anxious about the kids using it daily.
Saving here allowed me to consider a few higher-impact pieces. I flirted with the idea of a statement shelf but worried about tall furniture around kids. Instead I chose a Noir buffet — it has personality and will be fun to style.
I love woven seagrass details because they keep the look light and textural, which balances the wallpaper’s dramatic tone.
For side chairs I ordered six Vienna chairs in white from Crate & Barrel. They’re wooden and timeless — the natural look suits the room better than metal options.
For the built-in foyer bench that’s visible from the dining room, Tonic Living helped me select a high-performance Olefin fabric that’s easy to clean — it claims to remove stains like red wine, coffee, and even Sharpie. The bench cushion will have a zipper so it can be removed and washed. This bench is a favorite spot for my boys, so durability is crucial.
I’m considering painting the bench base a deep, moody blue to echo the dining room walls, but I haven’t decided if I’m bold enough to commit.
I fell in love with a vintage-style “Don’t Give Up The Ship” flag after seeing it used in other interiors. It feels cool and casual and matches the room’s palette and vibe, so I plan to include it in the final styling.
Here are the remaining tasks:
- Decide on lighting for the walls—sconces or battery-operated art lights.
- Purchase the two end chairs for the table.
- Decide whether to paint the bench base.
- Choose a rug, ideally after a few more pieces arrive so I can gauge scale and color.
- Keep an eye on the budget and how my husband reacts.
In other news, I hired a very earnest assistant: my daughter Sofia. She insists she’s the “Blogger Assistant,” carries a notebook and pencil, and joyfully asks about “blogger business” the moment she’s in the car. She tapes up a sign when we “work” together and takes her role very seriously. It’s adorable and keeps the process fun.
Overall I’ve enjoyed this process, though I wish I had planned a bit more before joining the challenge. Watching other One Room Challenge projects unfold has been inspiring — both the hosts and guest participants are amazingly talented.
