How to make old dining set fit into transitional setting?
7 years ago
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Design Challenge Old House Addition - How to make it fit
Comments (6)I think an architect will be able to give you the visual appearance that you are looking for. Experienced contractors are good to have, but an architect looks at more than how to remove a load-bearing wall--they look at how to make the rooms look as if the load-bearing wall was never there. My brother ended up hiring an architect to design an addition on his house--one that included a family room, mudroom, and an accessible bedroom and bath for a disabled family member. The architect managed to copy the style of the rest of the house, down to the post and beam construction, trim moldings, etc. Once the outside of the addition was painted, you really cannot tell that the house was added on to. The only way you can tell inside is that they couldn't exactly match the wood flooring. Otherwise, the addition looks as if it was always part of the house. The best place to put the addition was right off the dining room--but that would leave the dining room without any windows. So the architect solved that problem by putting french doors from the dining room to the new family room and adding skylights to the family room, so that there is a ton of natural light in the dining room and you really don't notice there are no windows. My brother would have just put a regular doorway with a regular solid door between the two rooms. The architect also suggested adding a second stairway in the addition, and punching through a wall on the second floor (the addition is one story, but the ceiling is vaulted) so that in case the parents needed to get down to the child's bedroom fast, they wouldn't be running to one end of the house to get downstairs and then running the length of the house to get to the child's bedroom in the addition. I think it is the details like that--noticing that a room won't get as much sun and working out a way around that--or realizing that a second stairway is necessary--that you pay the architect for. They are in the business of planning rooms and houses that work and that look good. For what it's worth, my brother and SIL had wanted to buy a house with an accessible bedroom and bath, but found that the houses that were available had made awkward choices in adapting the existing house--an accessible bathroom immediately off the dining room, you had to walk through the accessible bedroom to get from one part of the house to another, the accessible bedroom and bath could only be entered by leaving the house, things like that. If the architect will fit in your budget, I'd say use one....See MoreHow to transition kitchen with formal dining room? (Long)
Comments (25)Okay, now that you've explained all that, I think I understand. I live in a open plan and everyone still crowds into the kitchen! I am a believer that function comes first and form should follow. You'll end up with a hybrid look, but it will be better for living I am sure. I was also thinking how nice it is that the sink and DW will be right there. We have a similar set-up from the patio, we can pass dishes through a sliding window right onto the sink deck. It's great. Getting back to your original questions...I don't know a lot about soapstone, but I think if you can find a "clean" one it will be okay. You mean for in the kitchen, right? I was thinking about wood for the bar surface. Then as I read back, I think you have already considered that. Don't rule out quartz, btw. Not sure why you don't like granite...maybe just because you love soapstone! Also, do get a quote on custom (not the brand...the concept!) because it might price out better than you think and you'll get exactly what you want. Maybe you can make a trade-off somewhere. Contractors in some areas are slow with the decline in the market. People I know have been getting fast service and better prices. I think the biggie is finding fridge panels and slab doors that really look nice with your DR furniture. Counter material is less important IMO. I don't like the white as much as I like the Custom doors...wood with black, especially for the fridge. Mixing in some painted black units could give you the unfitted look suggested above. And maybe you could even find frameless cabs to paint black to go with whatever you have to do to get the black/wood look on some of them. (Yes, leave it to me to make things as difficult as possible!) Have you thought about color? I know Allison's F&B French Gray appeals to you. Maybe there is a color in the Bird of P fabric you could use, a dark gray/green or something. Often, one way to ease a style transition is through color. Like even when the style is different (a less formal kitchen) if there is a color connection, it makes sense to the eye/brain on a deeper level. I do it all over my house...because I have no style! ;-) One last thing to think about... I am a huge fan of frameless cabs and will never "go back" if I don't have to. But, I also find that I can get along fine with very little in the kitchen in the way of food and equipment. I have satellite storage (pantry shelves in the nearby laundry room and a linen closet I borrowed for seldom used dishes, candles, napkins, etc.) and find I really only need about 20-30% of what I have (equipment and food) on a daily basis. Just something to think about...aesthetics vs. storage. Which matters the most, etc......See Moreopinions please asap on this cl dining room set?
Comments (22)fillagirl: I understand the attraction of the shieldback chairs, at the same time I find some of your comments contradictory. The CL set is in vintage mahogany. It is a very traditional classic design in the Duncan Phyfe style. I also prefer this style over Queen Anne and have incorporated several other Duncan Phyfe pieces throughout my home. Regarding the specifics of the set you are looking at, I would NOT gel stain it as that will alter the original finish. The reason that some of the leaves are darker is that they were most likely stored away in a closet or under a bed and the mahogany faded a bit from the sun. My leaves are the same way. You can safely use Restore-A-Finish in a mahogany stain on this piece. I have done several pieces with RAF from this time period (1940's-1950's) with excellent results. There are several old posts on the topic which you may find if you do a search on Restore-A-Finish or RAF. It is not like sanding, stripping, etc. off an original finish, just enhancing the beauty and luster of the original finish as well as filling in any scratches, removing water rings, etc. This is what my DR set looked like when I first bought it: This is what it looks like now. I have done RAF on the chairs and replaced the chair cushions. I have not touched the table as yet. My leaves are also darker but when I use the leaves I always use a tablecloth so it does not bother me. However, if you are interested in a transitional look, this is not the set for you. I agree with lyban on her suggestion to update the drapes as to me, that what makes your DR look dated. Your chandelier is also very formal and could be another area you could consider changing. The DR set you have right now looks very good quality, probably has sturdier chairs, but has a "generic" look with the white cushions. There is a lot you can do simply by updating the cushions, drapes, adding a table runner, etc. If you've not redone cushions before, it is quite a simple DIY task with fabric, batting and a staple gun. The reason I am cautioning you to think about it very carefully is that while I see several Duncan Phyfe DR sets on CL for the price range you mentioned, I think yours is worth more and may be difficult to get a similar one like it should you be dissatisfied with the CL one. In my case, I didn't already have a dining set, but if I had one like yours I think I would first start with the chair cushions and other changes to the DR first....See MoreRecognize this modern looking dining set? Need dimensions! Help!
Comments (1)Link? Picture?...See MoreRelated Professionals
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- 7 years ago
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