Do you ever get in a decorating “rut”, where you feel stuck regarding what to do in a particular part of your house? We’ve only been in our house since July 2010 and although it’s coming together nicely, there are still some rooms that need some love and attention. Case in point- our dining room. 
The room has nice mouldings, a pretty table and chairs, but is devoid of any “life”. Which is why we probably hardly ever eat in there. We certainly need drapes, a rug, perhaps a buffet and some artwork or mirrors. (I’m not crazy about the light fixture, but I’m not sure I’m ready to replace it just yet.) After pouring over websites, magazines and blogs in search of inspiration for design ideas, I felt like I needed a fresh perspective. Do you ever feel like you’ve looked at your own room too long and it’s sucked the inspiration right out of you?? I turned to my friend, interior designer and blog author, Emily Hewitt {A Well Dressed Home} for some guidance. Here are a few more shots of the room and its measurements. 
After providing the photos and measurements to Emily, here is what she came up with for me. 
My Dining Room BEFORE 
and AFTER 
I love that Emily was able to use my actual room in her photo, helping me to really visualize the new space. Adding the buffet, lamps and mirrors make a huge difference in the overall look of the room. And the light fixture doesn’t bother me as much with the other accessories filling the space, although Emily did send me lots of other viable chandelier options too. I haven’t incorporated any of the changes yet, as the living room currently has my attention. So, what do you think? If you are interested in Emily’s services, you can email her at: Emily@AWellDressedHome.com
Let's be friends!
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First off, I LOVE your whole house! You have a great style!
Love the dining room too. The additions she made look great especially that buffet! Can't wait to see what you decide to do.
Brandy
Can't wait to see the finished room. The mood board is gorgeous and its great to see all the items in the actual space.
Love, love, love how Emily could do that with just her computer, amazing. Really like all of her suggestions, except I'd love to see some bold color brought in with the drapes. Good luck and have fun with it!
Wendy- so funny, Kyle's dining room was one of my inspiration pictures to show Emily what I liked!! 🙂
I am so with you! We've been in our new home for almost 2 months and I feel like I'm already stuck! Great mood board and I'm loving your blog.
i LOVE the web dining room, it looks much warmer and inviting but it would be simple to pull together!
Loving the changes she suggested and especially the buffet scale and design! The room has great bones, it won't take much to make it WOW!
Just beautiful– I'm dying to know the name of the fabric she suggested for the pillows. LOVE, LOVE!
What a gorgeous space to begin with, love the suggestions that Emily made, the color and patterns make all the difference! Janell
Your home is a beautiful reflection of the love that lives there. I think the mood board is great. If it were me, I'd change out the chandelier for (2) more modern versions maybe with lg drum shades. Your dining room table can handle 2 fixtures. I'd also agree with Natasha – some modern wing back chairs would be awesome at the head of the table. These chgs would make me rethink the lamps on the sideboard option for an actual China cabinet for height. Whatever you decide to do… we'll all be watching. Can't wait.
She really did an amazing moodboard. Cant wait to see what the end result will be.
Mr. Goodwill Hunting
Wow, your home is absolutely beautiful and looks HUGE! I think the dining room will look lovely with her suggestions. I too look forward to seeing it.
By the way, I am following you now. There is so much more to look at lol!
Manymomentsofme.blogspot.com
I too love your home! Your dining table and chairs are lovely! You might enjoy this house tour… the dining room is in the middle of the post… http://knightmovesblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/paint-picks.html
Can't wait to see what you decide!
the moodboard is beautiful…Emily is so talented! what did she choose for the drapes? I know exactly what you mean about being stuck…but at least you're starting with a blank slate, and not having to work with what you've already got!
and your SB party looks yummy and fun…wish I'd been there to sample the chef's chili!!
Beautiful mood board! Follow your instincts. You have done such a great job in the other rooms. I like the idea of bold drapes, too. The bones are so great in that room . . .you can't go wrong.
so cool to get a different perspective on your room! I'm sure it will be amazing when you're done with it!
Londen
gorgeous mood board – it does have great bones, I think you can get something great in there no matter what! I am so wishing I didn't have a matchy/matchy set from 10 years ago… of course we never use it, so of course my hubby won't let me get rid of it! 🙂 Can't wait to see the finished result
"Rut"? I am so in a rut you don't even know! When I married my husband he had a home and lots of good furniture so I didn't really want to ask that he change our home to suit my style. He is very traditional and my style is more of what is seen in your home. My guest room is probably the only room that is more my style, and my craft studio. I was hoping he would say just do whatever you want but he loves to give input, lol. After Ike left a tree in our home we had to redo the two rooms we had just renovated 🙁 Anywho, your home is an inspiration to me for sure and although my home is much much older than yours I hope that one day it will be beautiful. So on the idea board, she did an awesome job! I love her ideas but hope you do something other than all the small mirrors above the buffet and I vote for a little more color too. I'm sure whatever you do will be amazing! hugs from Conroe!
Love it! I think the wall art that she suggested, looks perfect.
x
She did a great job! I can't wait to see how it all turns out! I need to get some of that drapery trim for some bedroom curtains.
Emily did a great job with the mood board. And, to be able to see your actual room with the items is a bonus!! When we purchased new furniture for our dining room, I opted for a buffet console and mini wine bar versus the traditional china hutch/buffet…and am so glad I did. We now tend to use the room more because it is so less formal and much more functional.
WOW that is so cool!
Paula
Sometimes you just need a fresh eye to help point you in the right direction. I love your blog and your home is gorgeous. We just moved into our dream home in November, and sometimes the decorating possibilities can be overwhelming! Might need to give Emily's website a visit!
http://www.evolutionofstyleblog.blogspot.com
Love it! I would totally go for it! Can't wait to see what you go for!
I think it would be fun to add different chairs at the head of the table…like wingback chairs in a fun geometric pattern. It might add some fun interest. But really, you've got some great bones to work with! Emily did a great job. 🙂
Wow! She really did a great job, and it looks like it fits well with your style. 🙂 I love the lamps on the sideboard.
I love her ideas for this space! Do it!!!
http://stilettosanddiaperbags.blogspot.com/
It looks great!! Do you know where the side board/buffet is from? I've been looking for one for my house and absolutely love Emily's choice!!
Wow Megan! That is so beautiful! I can't wait to see what you do with her suggestions! The wall of framed art will be beautiful! She did a great job and that is an incredible room!
What a fun way to visualize your room! I definitely needs color. I love the pop of pink in the flowers. I think red would look good, too.
Love her swanky ideas for your dining room. Definitely looks like a place you can share a romantic dinner or two…
Heather @ REOlisticRenovation
Yes! What a fabulous job she did! She added some colour and lot's of texture!
I love it. I especially love the pink flowers… as simple as they really are, they really add a big pop of color to the room. Love your entire dining room. Beautiful!
I'm so glad I found your blog- via chic coastal living. What a beautiful home and dining space. I can't wait to see the dining room come together!
That is super clever! Its such a blank canvas – you can do anything which is fab really – the pink flowers really do add the colour and i would prob have a bright painting too! Looks great though! Rachie xo
Hmmmmm….your room has lovely architectural features. Have you considered a top treatment for the window instead of drapes? Maybe something soft with texture & color – a breakfront with interesting patterned glass and a mirrored back, wall sconces on either side for light and a softly patterned area rug? The nicest thing about a family dinner is a room that makes people want to stay and talk long after the meal is done. Whatever you do will, it will be stunning.
great board! I would love to know how she used your room to add all the elements. Photoshop? I can't wait to see what you do with her ideas!
xo,
abby
Love it!! I willnever tire seeing pictures of your home. Thanks for sharing and have a great day!
Maureen
Love the ideas! Do you mind me asking where your chairs are from? I am looking for something similar and like the fabric on yours. Thanks!
Its gonna look awesome. Can't wait to see it!
Very nice! My one suggestion is maybe a darker shade of gray on the walls??
Totally random question–do you love your dark hardwood? I had just spec'd them for my new house and I have heard tons of positive and negative. Would love to hear your thoughts!
Jade
What a great mood board, but I love the little mockup with your photo! It's so nice to visualize it like that, can't wait to see what you do!
love what she suggested. That sideboard is a great idea for that space!
Hi just wondering where you bought your chairs from. We recently purchased a dining table and need to find 8 decently-priced chairs.
Looks fabulous! Can't wait to see the end result!
Thanks for posting, Megan! I guess it's hard to tell from the picture, but the items that I selected for over the sideboard are actuallyl squared concave mirrors.
Can't wait to see it come together!
Emily Hewett
A Well Dressed Home
awelldressedhome.com/blog
It's beautiful! I love Emily! I really like idea of some square mirror or picture frames on that back wall. The symmetrical nature of them will help it feel more formal. Can't wait to see it done, Megan!
That dining room has some great bones…I can't wait to see you put Emily's plan into action! I'm completely obsessed with that waverly fabric with the little critters on it…it's such a great palette of colors and just a little different…lovin' it!
Ohh I love what she did to the space!! It definitely needs some life! I can't wait to see this project's process!! =)
Melanie's Randomness
Wow! How am I just discovering your blog? Your home is beautiful! And I love that you are neat freak like me – haha! I LOVE these ideas for your dining room! And haha – Lillie likes boys (a little too much already, I am afraid – we are going to have our hands full when she gets older) so I am sure she would love your adorable son!
megan, this is lovely! i cant wait for you to tackle this project!
I LOVE the colours of your dining room! The "after" looks truly fantastic, especially with the pop of colour with the flowers. CAn't wait to see the real finished room.
I found you over at Mrs. Limestone's blog and had to come visit and let you know your kitchen is amazing! We moved into a 20 room home last April and I still have a couple rooms that need attention. It will happen and you will be happy you took your time. Have fun! Thanks for sharing your home!
Our table and chairs are from Restoration Hardware.
The buffet pictured is from Pottery Barn, but Emily said that there were less expensive options at Overstock as well. She used the PB one because it fit in the picture best.
Emily also suggested that I go with a darker wall color- I forgot to mention that in my post!
I'm in looooove with your dining room chairs!!! Where are those from?! (or did I miss that?)
1) I am obsessed with your dining room table. We just bought a trestle table but I'm not out of 'looking at other tables' mode yet…dangerous.
2) I found mirrors exactly like that (like the ones from C&B/Grandin Road, but not $150-200 a pair) at TJ Maxx/Marshalls for $30 each. Obsessed. Plan on using them in a hallway.
3) Love your blog!
http://alifemoresouthern.wordpress.com/2011/02/07/hunting/ & http://alifemoresouthern.wordpress.com/2011/01/27/dining-room/
First, your home is beautiful so I am certain whatever you do it will look perfect. I like everything Emily put together specifically the drapery trim, zebra rug and lamps. Maybe a little color on the walls (like a silver sage) or a delicate wallpaper or stencil would add that extra touch. I can't wait to see what you decide.