The Rest of the Story of the Breakfast Area

Byljanning@dukemanorfarm.com

This poor room had been through a lot… I actually felt sorry for it.
A lot of paint changes, color changes, rug changes, accessory changes and furniture changes.
All for good reason though….see this poor room had a case of mistaken identity. 







When we first built our home, this room was designed as our Family Room. It was right off the kitchen, central to the house and has a nice big fireplace to cozy up on the couch. It completely made sense to us and made us comfortable on that couch in front of the fire, over the course of 7 years in the house. 




And then something happened as we entered into our 8th year. It occurred to us that maybe the room was a design blunder, that maybe it would be better served in the room that was originally designed as our sunroom. You can read about that here.  So we began the transition of creating what once was our family room into an extension of our kitchen, which is now our breakfast area.




During the last few years I have tried to make a space that really wasn’t intended to be a kitchen seem like part of the kitchen. Truthfully it wasn’t easy. Color was a huge challenge and after four  changes (here) I am confident that this color is meant to be in this space. This was the space with the previous color.


 Next it was time for the mantle (here) and built-in cabinets (here) to get freshened up with a lighter color as well. The contrast between the wood floors, ceiling beams and the lighter cabinetry just works in this space.




This is the view looking into the kitchen. I am working on a few other “minor” changes that will help to create more brightness in that area. You can read more about my “quest” for brightness not necessarily whiteness here.




Looking back from where we started, I am beginning to think that this blunder wasn’t so bad after all.




 In fact if blunders can look and act this good, maybe we can hang out and do things more often.





Grateful for~

A husband that just goes with the flow with changes like this. As long as he has a chair and a remote he doesn’t care where the family room is!



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Just a gal that loves to share my family, home decor, design and life around here in the country.... on my real life funny farm at Duke Manor

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61 Comments

  7. I think you've hit the nail on the head with your current design. The colors are perfect and bright…it reminds me of an English home.

  8. I don't want to offend you but that before not even looks like your Home.
    Sorry.
    You're for the Light and romantic and chic accents… So glad you improved the Space SO MUCH and decided to share with us. I think you always had – deep inside – this actual idea all along but other things were priority back then and now you have the time needed to play with what you like and can achieve. Inspiring!!!
    Blessings of Love on Valentine's for you and your loved ones.

  9. Laura,

    Seriously? That first picture looked straight out of Pottery Barn! You go girl! That room is smiling from ear to ear!

    Happy Valentine's Day to you!
    karianne

  11. Laura- It is a perfect transition! It works beautifully and I love that it really seems to have been made for a dining area- Great job!!!! xo Diana

  17. Love that you captured such great "before and after" photos! It looks fabulous … oh to have a fireplace in our breakfast room!

  18. You have such beautiful taste. The room looks gorgeous! Warm, inviting, light filled and full of interesting pieces. I love what you've done 🙂

  20. Wow – Laura it looks fantastic – a perfect storm of blunders! And I love being able to see the view back to the kitchen, I had myself reversed! Take care, Laura

  22. Such an amazing transformation! I love seeing how much of a difference paint can make. I think my family room was once that same shade of red and then it also went to green. Now it's tan, but this is making me want to paint the walls again!

  23. Perfect! Definitely inspiring on the color! I have had a can of the same color but too scared to go to what I felt was a "plain" color! I can't wait now! It is a gorgeous color and gorgeous room! XOXO! Reb

  25. Glad that it turned out to be a blessing in disguise! I know it would feel nice to eat beside a warm fireplace. That's a nice big eating area now.

  30. Holy Cannoli, I can't believe this is the same space!!! It looks awesome! I LOOOOOVE the built ins. And you have them staged perfectly!!! It is all gorgeous. XO, Pinky

  36. Your new breakfast room is so bright and beautiful. Sure makes sense to have it right next to the kitchen. And what a great perk to have the fireplace in the breakfast room!
    Mary Alice

  38. Absolutely gorgeous Laura! That room is just perfect now….I love the warmth of the fireplace, the airiness of the white and the statement of the black furniture! Just perfect! Wishing you a lovey week! Angie xo

  57. You dining room is gorgeous! It is so light and airy, yet it has so much texture and color. I would be honored if you took a chance to share this on my linky party. ttp://suburbsmama.blogspot.com/2013/03/sunday-linky-party-1.html

  59. Very, very clever and beautiful! I love that fireplace I'm sure it's heavenly to have breakfast there on a cold morning! Like your paint color choices, too.

    Just found your blog and love it!

    XO,
    Jane

  60. I just went through this post for the second time today when I saw it on Blogger Homes and was blown away AGAIN! What a difference paint makes. And I adore this space.

    Great job Laura!!!

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