Friday, February 21, 2014

defining spaces


Interior spaces are important to me.  Not only because here in the midwest we are inside for half of the year {due to ridiculously cold temperatures!} but because it's where life happens.  Textures, colors, and collections can all transport the mind to a place that feels good.  Nostalgia if you will!


nos·tal·gia
näˈstaljə,nə-/
noun
  1. 1.
    a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations.


When you live in a small home I find that being creative with how you make your space function is key.  Now couple that with a layout that is primarily open, and we are left with spaces that all sort of run together.  With most of our happenings taking place around the dinner table, we knew that we wanted to make this space more defined.  We don't have a dining room, so when we entertain, this is it.






We decided to put in cabinets by the table that will go around our window which looks out onto our garden room.  Good for storage and serving food.


 Here is what I came up with....



Hardware for the cabinets...


overstock.com



Inspiration for the space...

I have always been moved by interiors that give a nod to the past in some way.  Whether through finishes or woodwork I find these spaces warm and inviting.

 via~HighStreetMarket

 Via~DesignSponge

Via~BirchandBird

{I hope to share some updates later this spring}

Coming from a family of six kids, the dinner table was the most important place of our home growing up.  In the end, it will define the space and create an ambience for many meals to come.

 My little brother sings it best in his song "Home"


New recipe to try this week from my Aunt Tina's cookbook---Vegetable Alfredo Sauce

I hope that wherever you are this weekend, you have a good time around the table!!


54 comments:

  1. Cabinet is a Brilliant idea.looking forward to.more up dates :))

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  2. I love the design of the built in units and a fantastic idea. Your inspirations are gorgeous so I can't wait to see your finished product. You are right, it is essential in small spaces to be creative and make the space work for you and your family :) Your Brother is awesome btw x

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  3. Oh wow! I love your brother's song. He's really cool, Nicole. Can we see more? The dining table has always been important to me too. It's kind of like the hub of our home. Love the look of the drawing you did for your new additions. Look forward to seeing it when it's all happening:) x

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  4. we have open plan living, its not very functional though, would love a separate dining area!

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  5. That will be gorgeous Nicole! Can't wait to see how it turns out! Have a great weekend!

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  6. The plans and hardware are amazing! Can't wait to see more! Have a fantastic weekend!!!

    Angela @ Number Fifty-Three

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  7. I can't wait to see your wall of cabinets. It will be interesting to watch the room change as the Beans grow up.

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  8. No way. That is soooo exciting! It's going to look AMAZING. Can't wait to see it all come together. And what time is dinner? :)

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  9. I am sure that you will make it beautiful Nicole!!! The cabinets will be lovely and will store so much safely away yet easily to hand! You are so creative!! xx

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  10. I so agree with the beginning of your post. Coming into your home must feel like a warm hug.
    I will be following your project closely as we are currently measuring up the living room for shelving on two wall.

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  11. You made a beautiful design for the cabinets. Looking forward seeing it when finished. Dinner time with family and/or friends is also most important for us, we love sitting around the table, eating, chatting and having fun together.

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  12. Nicole, I am blown away by your drawing of the kitchen cabinets! The detail and schematics are impressive! It is going to be fun watching you create / build it all. :)

    We do not have a formal dining room either, so being creative about storage and the flow / energy of everything is important. ;)

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  13. What fantastic inspirational pictures you've found. Your room's going to look beautiful, I know. I shall look forward to seeing it when it's finished.

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  14. This sure looks like a great redo! The hardware you picked is right up my alley too! No matter how busy our kids schedules got, we always tried to sit down for supper. Even if sometimes it was 9 at night! Can't wait to see the end results!
    Liz

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  15. ooh, a wall of cabinets! fabulous! love your inspiration pics :)

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  16. That is going to be wonderful...absolutely fabulous when all is said and done- xo Diana

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  17. Very anxious to see your new cabinets Nicole. I bet you're anxious too. Your inspiration photos are stunning. I love construction, watching it and doing it. I should have been a guy. If I was, I probably would have been a carpenter like my Dad and ex-husband. It always fascinates me, although it is sometimes hard to live in the mess and be patient to get to the finished product. It's always worth the wait though.
    Cindy

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  18. wow! this project is going to be amazing, you have such great inspirations. My grandparents lived in old inn, about 200 years old, and the dining room was filled with amazing cupboards that always captured my imagination when we had family dinners there. I always pictured a cross between the Narnia wardrobe and an ancient treasure trove of whatnots must be hidden behind those doors. Happy building! Can't wait to see how it turns out

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  19. Nicole, this is going to be wonderful! I think it's a great idea. I have a hutch and a buffet, and they provide good storage, but it never seems like enough. This is an addition which can grow with your family and provide good organization as you collect more dishes and china too. I can't wait to see it when it's all done.

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  20. Fantastic new cupboards, I am jealous! We have a very small hut and I sure could use the space. I have a hard time visualizing what I want to change, so for now, we have the status quo. Can't wait to see your renovations. Your brother's video was great, I really enjoyed it!

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  21. It looks great, I live in smaller house too & you definitely have to be creative.

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  22. Ummm I could do with those cabinets, I have an old Welsh Dresser that I stained with acrylic paint and my late cat used the doors to sharpen his claws even at the grand old age of 22 he was doing it!

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  23. Ohhhh! How exciting! Your design is beautiful and so were your inspirations pics. What a change that will make to your space. Go you! Still hoping to see a recipe for your favorite red sauce. Have a blessed Sunday!

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  24. Wonderful design, Nicole--can't wait to see the end result. I love built-ins and would enjoy a similar design around my fireplace. Happy Sunday! Diana

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  25. I LOVE when you put videos of your brother on here!!!!! And I know you will carry through with your incredible plans for that room, and it will turn out spectacular (OK, the table made from the door is KICK-ASS!) Happy week, my friend! Love to you and those Beans!

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  26. This is such an inspiring post!! I would love to add more storage/shelving around our table as well. I love setting the table and enjoying a meal together every evening. It becomes such a pleasant part of the day (always scheduled activity together). With this winter, I love our table time even more!

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  27. Its gonna be fab! Love the plans and the inspiration, can't wait to see how it turns out.

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  28. Helo Nicole, I love built in cabinets.. I have three old pieces I had been storing I took off my dad's truck.. I just recently moved them into my flat.. It's funny on one side the piece is missing because they were built in pieces.. but I love them anyways and hope to use them in the future properly.. can't wait to see the finished product.. Have a great Sunday with love Janice..p.s. thank you for your visit..

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  29. I love your inspiration, Nicole, what a great way to use the space! So beautiful and functional - I do hope this dream comes true for you. I love your stories of the family table - it is true - that is the place where the best memories are made. Good good, good wine, family, laughter, memories. The fondest memories are always around the kitchen table.
    You have a very talented brother. xo Hugs, Karen

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  30. P.s.s. would love to hear about that recipe from aunt Tina's cookbook...

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  31. Wow Nicole, what a talented brother you have, what a beautiful song! Also... loving your plans for your dining room defined space, looking forward to updates on these, I do so love shelves and cupboards, dressers and cabinets! Have a good week my friend, x

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  32. Holy cow!! Amazing design!! I love it, and the inspiration pictures are so perfect, you are totally going to have a space that you will LOVE!! I am so stinkin excited for you, seriously!! We spend a lot of time around the table too, it is a great place for the family to gather. And I loved your brothers song too!

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  33. Loving your inspiration pictures - I think these are what I call modern country, a mix of old, traditional and modern pieces. Exactly how I'd like my home to look - next house one day ... maybe.

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  34. Love that corner of your dining space I can see. I think that this and your other inspirational photos are what I call modern country - a lovely mix of old, recycled, traditional and new - together they turn a house into a home and express your personality.

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  35. It's going to look so good when it's done, the dinner table was so important part of my home life.

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  36. Your design is beautiful and will be so functional! I'll be anxious to see how it progresses. Also, let us know how your aunt's veggie alfredo sauce turns out. It sounds delicious!

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  37. It's a great look! Homey, yet very classy looking. I like the ladder.

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  38. OMG! I love the drawings of those cabinets... that is going to look just awesome! Those inspiration photos have me drooling and the little hamsters on their wheels in my brain have started racing around with ideas for my house. I've been in a nostalgic mood for months now... seems like a lot of people are in that place... hmmm! I plan on doing some redecorating this spring/summer/fall - nothing as grand as your cabinets, mostly slipcovering sofa, new pillows and so on. Very much looking forward to photos of your project!
    Hugs my sweet blogging sister,
    Beth P

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  39. This sounds like it will be a great decorative and functional renovation! Looking forward too seeing your updates on the space! Since I live in a 1BR apt. in NYC, getting creative with storage space is a constant challenge :) Have a fantastic week Nicole!

    Rowena @ rolala loves

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  40. I've spent the week painting..it feels so lovely to get work done around your home, doesn't it? Being on a farm, a lot of our energy if often poured into the outdoors, so it's very satisfying to get some indoor work done!
    You've got some lovely inspiration Nicole, I'm sure your space will look lovely! I love open plan kitchens and dining areas, as it is the main place in a home. I find it nice that everybody can be around, having conversation whilst a meal is prepared :-)

    Have a lovely week!
    Sarah x

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  41. I love your design and all those lovely inspiration pics!! Our dining area is where we hang out too...such an important part of the home and I love having cabinets there too, so handy.

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  42. Love the ideas! I have a really tiny home with an open floor plan so I can relate. What I am lacking in though is the ability to be creative!!! That's where you come in. :-) I just love your blog.

    Have a wonderful week.

    eli

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  43. Oh my...this will be GORGEOUS when it is done!

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  44. You have such a great eye for design! I love the cabinetry you came up with.

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  45. Wow, Nicole--you have some wonderful plans for your living space. I really like the design you came up with, and what pretty cabinet hardware you've selected! In our kitchen, and really throughout the house, a vintage touch was added through the light fixtures. They were not inexpensive, but I adore them every time I look at them and they give a classic vintage vibe to all the living spaces.

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  46. Hi Nicole,

    Love the ideas for your new cabinets in the dinning room - look forward to seeing your finished look.
    Hope that you are enjoying the week
    hugs
    Carolyn

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  47. Those cabinets are going to look amazing! I agree the dining area is such an important part of a home - lots of good conversations with loved ones take part around the dining table. have a great week :)

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  48. Your cabinet sketch for your dining space looks very well thought out, friend! I really wish we had more furniture for our dining areas. I think it really pulls a room together.

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  49. You definitely have a talent for this sort of thing.

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  50. Cant wait to see it all done. Love the idea and agree so much about creating a treasured family space x

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  51. Your inspiration photos all look amazing. Can't wait to see what you come up with!

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  52. Love the ideas you have and can't wait to see what you do with the space. I grew up in a family of ten and our dining room table was the favorite spot for homework as well as meals. Our kids were able to grow up with that same family gathering spot and now have that in their own homes with their families.

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  53. This is going to look so amazing! I can't wait to see the progress and I love the inspiration photos. I grew up in an 1890s Victorian style home and it had built ins and reminds me of that ;) Xoxo I hope you're well!

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