We finally did it. Something we've talked about for years, and seen friends do successfully.
We have a small dining room and fitting 12 around our table is the limit and quite confining.
Once squished into one's seat at the far end of the dining room, there's no further moving
during the meal. Sometimes I don't even sit at the table. And we love to have many
around our table. Thinking of 12 or more at Thanksgiving encouraged us to give it a try.
Yes, we switched the dining room with the adjoining living room.
Our "new" dining room is so spacious I feel like I'm in a banquet hall.
(Well, maybe that's an exaggerating a bit.)
We set up the tree in the new ever-so-cozy "parlor"
and it seeps into the "dining" room which is nice. I'm not about to move the tree,
so I guess we'll keep things this way at least through the holidays.
The "jury's still out" on if this should be a permanent change, but so far I'm
liking it a lot. If it's permanent, the chandelier will be moved. I know it's a woman's
privilege to change her mind, but I've been warned there would be no mind changing after that!
Podso,
ReplyDeleteLOVE, LOVE, L O V E the big switch!!!
Can't wait to see the chandelier over the dining room table!!!
Isn't it amazing how creative one gets during retirement???
Enjoy this new use of your space!!!
Fondly,
Pat
Looks great and such a good idea! I know you will enjoy it so much!!! I need to think about doing this.
ReplyDeleteSmiles, Dottie
Hi Podso,
ReplyDeleteYour new "dining room" looks great! I REALLY love your piano and the charming grandfather clock in the corner. Such a lovely room.
I can relate to your predicament. We have the same problem with our dining room. I like the way it looks, but when you try to have company to eat, even six is a crowd. There's no way we could ever get 12 people in there. Our first house was a 1924 Craftsman bungalow, and the dining room was huge. I think we need a dining room somewhere between the size of the first one and our current one. :)
Thanks so much for your visits and comments. I'm so pleased that you're following my blog; it's always fun to talk with other NC bloggers. I'm now following your blog as well. I look forward to reading your posts! (I'm sorry it's taken me so long to reply to you; I've been extra busy this week with Christmas decorating and a doctor and dentist appt.)
Have a wonderful day.
Denise
I adore it, and am always tickled by your decorative genius!
ReplyDeleteThis is a creative way of making your space work for you. And the great thing is that it can always be changed back. WhooHoo!
ReplyDeleteYour home looks cozy and welcoming.
ReplyDeleteWell, but NOW I want to see the ever so cozy parlor too!
I love looking at pictures of your decor - - - it feels like home. I believe you might feel the same way here in my house. Seems like we have a lot MORE in common than just both being PK's
I think you will ♥ your new dining area...we live in a small house, with a large living room...switched it to the dining room almost 2 years ago...is so nice not being crowded with no room to walk around the table.
ReplyDeleteIt looks wonderful! I've heard of people doing this and it makes sense. I so wish our little home had a dining room, I'd even take small! :)
ReplyDeleteXO,
Jane
P.S. I like your nee blog look!
It looks wonderful! I've heard of people doing this and it makes sense. I so wish our little home had a dining room, I'd even take small! :)
ReplyDeleteXO,
Jane
P.S. I like your nee blog look!
Oh it looks splendid! Does it work equally well as far as the kitchen is concerned? If so, I can't imagine why you'd wish to switch it. Now may we see the new living room? =D
ReplyDeleteDear friend, I hope that there are babies at your church to hold. It was lovely to think of you looking longingly at little babes in arms because you miss working with babies so. Still, I'm not telling my sister of this development.
Very nice! Looks just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWow! I love it!! I'm inspired.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a great idea! I'd like to see the cosy parlour now too.
ReplyDeleteI have thought of doing the same thing!!! I love the idea!! Great change!!!
ReplyDeletexo Kris
Great idea. I'm with Pondside. Would love to see the smaller parlor.
ReplyDeleteWe've been debating it too but for the opposite reason. Our DR is bigger than our LR and we only use the DR for special occasions.
ReplyDeleteLove the look of the tree peeping with the table!
Enjoy your weekend!
Leann
That's a brilliant move Dotsie, one we couldn't do with our room design but I like how your's looks.
ReplyDeleteJudith
It looks fabulous! It looks like it always had been this way. The piano and grandfather clock look charming there and you've given me soem ideas for my new home when I move.
ReplyDeleteI love changing things up around the house! Sometimes making a change results in "Aha! Why didn't we do this a long time ago?" And having enough room at your dining room table seems like a good idea.
ReplyDeleteIt looks beautiful and cozy! Sometimes I want to make changes and I get scared and then I tell myself it's not forever, it can be changed back...lol
ReplyDeleteI LOVE it, Dotsie! I recently tried this too... my soooo traditional daughter vetoed it. And, I caved. Now, I'm back thinking what a wonderful plan for the holiday seasons especially!! =D blessings ~ tanna
ReplyDeleteIt looks great! A couple of years ago I was struggling over how to host a nice dinner in our tiny dining area. We have a nice size eating area in the kitchen but that wasn't going to work either. Going to bed one evening it hit me out of the blue. Switch the living room with the dining area. We have hardwood floors so it was easy! That's what I do now for special dinners. Your right its very cozy incorporating both rooms together. Doesn't that lift a huge annoyance off your shoulders? Enjoy!!!
ReplyDeleteKathy
looks lovely!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I'm your newest follower! I hope you can follow Cranberry Morning. AND, I love the idea of switching rooms. Brilliant. That is definitely thinking outside the box! Hmmm. Makes me wonder...
ReplyDeleteOK. So, I've missed two post here. I think the switching of the dining and living rooms is a great idea. And I can see by your Mosaic Monday post where the living room is now. Very nice! And cozy too! Your tree looks beautiful and it's nice that it can be enjoyed from both rooms. I can imagine the look on your grand's face at seeing the tree all lit up. Such fun.
ReplyDelete