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You are here: Home / Dining Room / Dining Room Decorating

Dining Room Decorating

May 17, 2015 By Layla

“Think about making do, and doing what you can with what you have. Think about finding value in what already is.”
–Carmella Rayone

Diamond

I found some value in what already was this weekend. 🙂

Coastal Plain by Sherwin Williams | Secretary | Dining Room | The Lettered Cottage

That secretary that used to be in our kitchen? I dragged it into the dining room. It was just the right height, depth and width for that spot next to the front door, so over it went.

It used to be painted “Layla’s Mint“- which was so pretty in the kitchen, but I wanted it to be a little deeper (and grayer) in the dining room, so now it’s Sherwin-Williams “Coastal Plain”.

Farm Decor | Farmhouse | Country | Cottage | Decorating

I filled it back up with things from around the house. I never did show you the hay bale painting I got from Donna Tucker, did I?

Painting by Donna Tucker | Country | Farmhouse | Cottage Decorating

Oh- and Coolwhip the Cow! She’s a new-ish addition, too:

Cow Print Photograph | Etsy | Farmhouse Decorating

Found her in a shop called Apples & Oats on Etsy.

Farmhouse Decorating | Painting by David Owen | Alabama | Country | Cottage

Secretary | Coastal Plain by Sherwin Williams | Cottage Country Decorating

Chicken Statue | Country | Cottage | Decorating

Compendium Cards | Live Inspired Dot Com | Country Cottage Decorating

Hope you have a great Monday…don’t forget to invent some imaginary letters this week!

PS- The Compendium giveaway winner is Mary Feagley! 😀

Giveaway Winner

Congrats, Mary! I’ll send you an email today!

Filed Under: Dining Room

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marsha

    May 17, 2015 at 11:31 pm

    I love the new addition to your dining room. Green is my favorite color. Girl, I love your style!

  2. Marisa Franca @ All Our Way

    May 18, 2015 at 7:07 am

    Thank you for the inspiration. We have a solid oak dining room set (which I hate) that we dragged from our house in the country to our much smaller ranch in the city. It is totally too large for the room and all that oak makes me cringe. I think a coat of paint on some of it might improve. Hubby is balking at getting rid of this set and buying another. 🙁

  3. mary beth @ www.mbzinteriors.com

    May 18, 2015 at 7:25 am

    I love moving furniture from room to room. So many people say, oh you have a new piece. Um, Nope, just moved it from this room to the next. Happy Monday

  4. Amy

    May 18, 2015 at 7:40 am

    Hi, Layla! I love the wire basket on the side of your secretary and your beautiful styling. Where did you find the basket?

    • Susan

      May 18, 2015 at 12:02 pm

      I, too, would love to know where you found the great basket on the side of the secretary!

  5. Donna Tucker

    May 18, 2015 at 7:47 am

    Layla, Thank you for sharing my art with your fans. I just love the white frame on the Hay Field painting. You elevate my art, now it is picture-perfect. I would have never thought of placing it in a light frame. Thank you for opening my eyes to other possibilities.

  6. Mary Feagley

    May 18, 2015 at 7:53 am

    Yay! Layla, you’re the best!

  7. Toni

    May 18, 2015 at 8:19 am

    Love your style! Was antiquing yesterday and saw lots of paint by numbers – thought of you each time!

  8. kristin

    May 18, 2015 at 8:57 am

    Thank you for sharing where you found the cow art! I have looked so many times at Etsy and never saw this artist! We used to live on the top of a mountain, on 64 acres, surrounded by open fields, trees, and farms. I now have many beautiful choices for my gallery wall–thank you!

  9. Claudia Phillips

    May 18, 2015 at 9:45 am

    So beautifully done!

  10. Chris

    May 18, 2015 at 10:42 am

    I love what you have done with this secretary! The magazine rack on the side is a wonderful idea. I’ve been looking for a way to store my cook books!

    Chris

  11. Melissa

    May 18, 2015 at 12:10 pm

    Beautiful piece (both times) I adore both colors! ~mla

  12. Julia

    May 18, 2015 at 1:07 pm

    I’m in love with Coolwhip the Cow!

  13. Pamela-FromMyFrontPorchToYours

    May 18, 2015 at 5:02 pm

    Just beautiful Layla!

  14. Mindy

    May 18, 2015 at 6:51 pm

    Love it and especially love how you used what you had ?

  15. Robin

    May 18, 2015 at 8:19 pm

    Layla, that’s one of the things I admire most about your decorating style! You find new spots for things in your home, use simple updates, handmade meaningful pieces……all while keeping it SO clean, never cluttered looking! Love the new place (and color!) for your secretary!

  16. Amanda

    May 18, 2015 at 9:36 pm

    I love how clean and fresh this space feels! That’s the sort of space a creative, too-many-thoughts-at-once girl like me needs. Thanks for sharing!

  17. Danielle

    May 19, 2015 at 6:31 am

    Beautiful, Layla. x

  18. Suzi

    May 19, 2015 at 9:48 am

    Was the SW Coastal Plain paint flat or semi gloss? Did you apply a finish over the paint?
    Were you able to paint right over the MMSMP? Your piece looks great!! Please tell us more.

    • Layla

      May 19, 2015 at 10:09 am

      Yep- just slapped on a coat from a little sample pot we had. I think it’s a satin finish?

  19. Mary Jo

    May 19, 2015 at 4:30 pm

    Thank you for continuing to inspire “amateur designers” with fresh ideas and affordable remakes. You don’t constantly “remind” us that you are “partnering” with companies or “representing” companies that supplied you with donated items in order for you to mention them in your posts. So many of us respect you and Kevin for keeping “The Lettered Cottage” a solid source of inspiration and refusing to seek followers for the sake of analytics.

  20. Carly Tatum

    May 20, 2015 at 8:08 am

    My mom always used a quote very similar to Carmella’s when I was young so when you couple this great quote with one of my favorite furniture pieces and add to that my favorite color…you’ve got one very close to my heart post. Thanks as always Layla!! 🙂

  21. Sunny

    May 20, 2015 at 10:34 am

    just charming Layla..and thanks for the reminder to look at what we have and make something wonderful..

  22. Molly

    May 20, 2015 at 11:07 am

    Hi Layla, I love reading your blog. Love your decorating and painting talent. And I love pictures of your kitties and pup. I have a question about your dining room post today. Where did you get the wire basket hanging from the side of the secretary? I could really use something similar at my home. Thanks so much!

    P.S. You and Kevin are in my prayers regarding your soon-to-be-adopted son. Think of you guys often.

  23. Bertie DeWane

    May 20, 2015 at 1:14 pm

    I love the secretary!!! I also want to know where you got the wire basket that’s hanging on the side.

  24. Jolene

    May 22, 2015 at 1:48 am

    I saw the “3” and then the “SP” and thought they were both reminiscent of little Sweet Pea coming home soon….. Then the closer shot revealed salt and pepper shakers – ha! But, “Sweet Pea” – why not??? 🙂

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