Adding Molding to the Dining Room

Welcome to the 19th Metamorphosis Monday!

Back in January, I posted about some changes/renovations I had just finished in my dining room. I received a good many comments and quickly realized that everyone really enjoys seeing a good Before and After. That post ended up being the catalyst for that start of our blog party, Metamorphosis Monday, so I thought I’d share it again for this Met Monday.

This pic below wasn’t in the original “Before and After” post; I recently took it from an old VHS tape we made when we were just walking through this house many years ago and were thinking of making an offer. As you can see, the walls were kind of an off-white and the trim was a dark mustard gold color. The carpet (not visible in this pic) was burnt orange. The chandelier was a basic builder grade fixture…you’ll see the chandelier with which I replaced it, in the upcoming pics. So, the pic below is really a Before pic…as in 18 years before!

Quite a while back, I decided I was tired of my dining room being painted all red above and below the chair rail. The room isn’t overly large, so all that red made the room feel even smaller. This is the only pic I have that shows it prior to this little renovation. The decorations were for a birthday party I was giving the following day for a friend. I think this light fixture is a definite improvement over the old one.

Once I made the decision to paint beneath the chair rail, I decided to have picture molding installed, also. This pic was taken right after installation. Are you just loving the two-tone action here?  What’s say we leave it just like this?

Ok, maybe not. This was pretty painful to look at every day until I finally got a few days off from work and could start caulking all this new molding. (The red is actually a deeper red and not as bright as this picture indicates.)

Once I finally got the caulking done, it was time to prime over the Benjamin Moore “Raspberry Truffle” I’d just painted this room with a year ago. I know, I’m fickle. But sometimes you just have to try it one way, to know you don’t like it that way. Right?

I have to admit, I was getting pretty excited by this point…definitely liking the change. I was also a bit horrified that the primer wasn’t covering any better than it was….UGH. I foresaw another coat of primer before I could even start with the white paint.

Another coat of primer…looking better…

Finally…getting to put the good stuff on…the white paint. Not sure if this pic was after the first or second coat of white paint. Still didn’t have the outlet covers back in place yet.

The sideboard is still pulled out from the wall in this pic. Note the high-tech furniture moving equipment…dish towels under each leg. Hey, it works.  Yep…definitely liking the white below the chair rail.

Ignore the table…how’s the wall look?

I can’t imagine this tablescape with an all red wall behind it. I think the additional molding and white paint were a good change…but what do you think? Was it worth all the work?

Hope you enjoyed this re-post of the post that spawned Metamorphosis Mondays. 🙂 Have a wonderful Memorial Day!

 

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Comments

  1. Cottage Contessa says

    Hi Susan! I love your blog, which I’ve just recently discovered,and your metamorphosis’ are always just so amazing! Wishing you a wonderful week!
    Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)

  2. Lady Katherine says

    I do remember this post, I still do not know how you do all you do with working full time! Your work turned out beautiful! Love seeing the before photo. when you were putting in the offer! What a lovely day that was! For you have truly made your home yours!

  3. Susan, I remember this post and loved it then and now! I love your dining room with the white! So lovely. I remember you’re beautifully decorated table too!
    Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend,
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

  4. It is simply beautiful!

  5. Susan, I love the white below the chairrail and I also love the pitctue frame molding. Such a gorgeous room. I know what you mean about red. I painted one wall in a small library den red all the while telling my DH who didn’t want it red that it was only paint. lol Then when it was all done, I felt like it was too much also. He loved it, but I had to paint below the chair rail too. It just overpowered me. Your Dining room is stunning. Hugs. Marty

  6. Suzann @ Lavender and Roses says

    I LOVE this transformation.

  7. Hi Susan
    First I want to tell you, I love love your blog. Your dining room is beautiful. I too have the colored walls with the chair rail. I am trying to convince my husband to do the same thing as you did. I feel it does brighten up the room and make it look bigger. Wish me luck on this one.
    You have a beautiful home. Very talented in the interior design.
    Very inspirational.
    Take take

    Jean (Connecticut)

  8. Peg @ Bloomfield Farm says

    What a difference your project made! I loved the red walls but they look so much better with the white below the chair rail. It’s good to see someone else struggling to find the perfect paint color; the guy at the paint store once told me I was too “picky.” I’m glad to know there are others who want things to be just right. I really enjoy your blog and Metamorphosis Mondays!

  9. Definitely a change for the better. You did good adding the picture molding. Would have been too blank without that.

  10. i love it just the way it is, the white makes much more sophisticated and rich looking.absolutely gorgeous but everyhing you do its beautiful;o)be back later hope you r having a great day tomorrow..

    silvia..

  11. Cottage Rose says

    Hello Susan; I never get tired of seeing your home. I just love how your dinning room turned out, it is just beautiful. I love the picture molding, when I start my dinning room I had planned on doing that on the bottom as well…

    Hope you are enjoying you long weekend…

    Hugs;
    Alaura

  12. Sarah @ Thrifty Decor Chick says

    LOVE the white! It looks perfect!

  13. I think I remember this post! I definitely like with the white below the chair rail. Brightens up the room some and adds contrast.

  14. DesignTies says

    I LOVE the white wainscoting with the red walls!! Definitely a great call 🙂 And I love Raspberry Truffle too — I used it to paint the accent wall in the family room.

    The chandelier and the mirror above the sideboard are gorgeous. So elegant and sparkly 🙂

    Kelly @ DesignTies

  15. Great redo with the paint job! I haven’t seen that so it’s a new post for me to enjoy!

  16. Diane @ Four Paws and Co says

    Susan, I love your dining room! Actually, I love your whole house & would love to see more of it! ☺ Diane

  17. Your dining room is very glamorous, I love it!…Christine

  18. Susan!
    I DO like that white…way better….lightens up the room visually! We have the same in our home but my DR walls are olive green which I do like!
    Have a great week!
    Blessings…

  19. Tamara Jansen says

    I LOVE the white! It really makes the perfect contrast and brings out the wood detail you did 🙂

  20. Mary @ Boogieboard Cottage says

    Hi Susan, you have the most gorgeous house! I do really like the white paneling you did. Once upon a time, Boogieboard Cottage was decorated in red. The kitchen had red kitchen cabinets, the family room walls were red and my bedroom and quest bathroom walls were red (Ralph Lauren Barn Red). I love red, it’s so rich. Now I’ve gone all white and light, but I like that I can add red accessories if I want to. White and red are a great combo and your dinning room is just beautiful. :O)

  21. Shari @ My Cottage of Bliss says

    Susan, thank you for allowing me to participate in MM again this week. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing from all the visitors I had last week and, in turn, I got to visit a lot of blogs that were new to me.

  22. The wall looks amazing! I LOVE it. Definitely worth the time and effort! Great job! And as always – your table is gorgeous too!

  23. Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda says

    Hi Susan, I simply adore your dining room! It is so southern and so very pretty! 🙂

    Hope you are having a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend! ~hugs, Rhonda 🙂

  24. I love the chair rail. mishelle

  25. What a huge difference the white paint made. Your room is so elegant!… Donna @ An Enchanted Cottage

  26. Hello Dearheart…

    So happy that you joined in with the fun of Sunday Favorites…you couldn’t have chosen a better post to reshare with all of us! I just can’t get over the transformation…I love it!!! You know, I loved your “all” red dining room but adding the white under the chair rail and the moulding…my friend, it’s absolutely stunning!!! Your fabulous dining room is one of my “all time” favorites!!! You’re such a talented and creative designer/decorator!!! I adore your home…it’s soooo beautiful!!!

    Just curious…how far up from the floor is your chair rail? I really like the overall proportions of where the chair rail is to the scale of your room!

    I sure did enjoy seeing all of your pretty tables again too! What a great post, Darlin’! It’s so much fun to think that this is the post that “kicked off” Met Monday! Your Met Monday meme has been so successful and so much fun! I love seeing all of the “before” and “after” photos!!!

    I hope that you’re having a wonderful holiday weekend!!! Thanks so much for coming by and taking another peek of my Swiss Alp trip!

    Love ya,
    Chari

  27. The finished white chair rail and waynes coating are gorgeous, but I really liked the stage where the waynes coating was still red with the white trim boxes outlining the spaces too. Did you, by chance, leave that stage up for a while before you painted all white?

    I came here via Chari’s Sunday Faves.

  28. Looks great Susan. I have been looking for a good red for our study and have always admired the red of your dining room. Thanks for sharing the Raspberry Truffle color with us. I will get a little sample and try it out.
    Hugs,
    Sue

  29. The Summer Kitchen Interiors says

    It’s just beautiful! As well as your tablescape…very Williamsburg – our mom would love it!

  30. The Raggedy Girl says

    What a lovely change.

    The Raggedy Girl

  31. I love bold colours. The dining room is a good place for red because it increases the appetite.

  32. French Cupboard says

    The white definitely brightens up the room. We just painted our kitchen cabinets white and it’s sooo much brighter in there now.

    Hope you have a wonderful Memorial day.

    Blessings… Polly

  33. Hi Susan!

    First of all, I want to thank you for hosting this awesome makeover event – what incredibly inspiring and fun ideas in abundance…thanks for making it all happen!! This is my first time to particiapte and I am so excited…but it is certainly not my first time here…I've been admiring your blog, your home, your tablescapes for a while now! What a gorgeous place you have…and what incredible tablescapes…wow!

    I love this dining room re-do…the white was a smart move…the hard work definitely paid off!!!

    Thanks again Susan!!(btw, I am finally adding your blog to my blogroll under "Cottage Inspiration"…been meaning to for a while now)

    Have a great week!!

    Hugs & Blessings,
    Becky S.

  34. Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960 says

    Yes, I love it! My dining room walls are somewhat similar. I have wallpaper on top and the same white molding but I painted the walls a soft yellow. My DH hates the wallpaper but I love it! I’m in the planning stages of making some changes with window treatments and new upholstered seats. God Bless you today! Lauralu 🙂

  35. Rona's Home Page says

    What an elegant room.
    Thanks to Quincy Cottage for providing a link to your blog.

  36. LuLo Designs/Blue Eyed Tango says

    Just simply gorgeous!

  37. LuLo Designs/Blue Eyed Tango says

    I tried to link but I guess I missed it according to your directions….by 10:00 P.M. sorry, but I still mentioned your blog anyway today on my new decorating blog! Thanks for hosting and I’ll be prepared next time!

  38. Cass @ That Old House says

    Lovely! My only problem is MY dining room is all red, above and below the white chair rail… so I showed my husband your post with the new moldings and paint, and now he has run away.

    Plus — I am late to the Met Monday and Mr Linky has disappeared! Is he taking the day off after noon?

    Thanks!
    Cass

  39. Ooh I love your dining room – it looks gorgeous – we had a little makeover in the hall today – will post the link 🙂 Debbie

  40. I still remember this post. It left an impression in my mind for a future project I want to do in my dining room! I showed my DH this posting and was able to give him a visual of the possiblities in our dining room. He really enjoyed your photos! Have a great Memorial Day!

  41. It' an Evolution says

    Your energy is just amazing…I love love love the bold red!
    Janet

  42. Linda at Lime in the Coconut! says

    What a beautiful room….Just LOVE the white wainscotting….also love that pineapple centerpiece. Lovely!!

  43. Allidink says

    Yah I like the white a lot 🙂 I like picture molding. It looks great!

    All the best,
    Allison

  44. girl,you amaze me.the last time i looked i think you had like 400 followers and now i think it said 750 or close.wowow.you go girl go…………….soon,you’ll have your own tv show….ann

  45. Fifi Flowers says

    That looks GREAT!!!

  46. Hi Susan! Thanks for popping in to see my roosters. The funniest thing…this was supposed to post in the morning at 6:00 am! Blogger is up to some funny business!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉
    P. S. I never knew you liked white wicker ! 🙂 wink wink LOL

  47. Cass @ That Old House says

    Hi Susan! I’m back to say thank you for linking me up this evening! 🙂

    Also, the template I use is Minima Stretch — one of the standard Blogger templates. For LARGE photos, you need to edit the HTML, but it is really easy. If you want more info, just ask! I’m very flattered that you like the blog format!

    Best wishes… Cass

  48. Love your dining room so bold and inviting!!!

  49. ButterYum says

    The white wainscoting under the chair rail definitely looks more substantial, more up-scale. I’m drooling over the mirror and silver lamps on your buffet. LOVELY!

  50. Charli and me says

    I remember this post too. Your dinning room is absolutely beautiful ♥

  51. Oh, yes..I loved it back then and love it today. It is just beautiful. I like the white beneath MUCH better. Lots of character added here.
    You are so good at what you do, dear one…
    xo bj
    I am still trying to decide on what flatware, if any, I will be buying. Right now, i am buying the vintage, retired golden yellow flatware that I already have a few pieces of…it is hard to find in good condition…but oh, so fun to hunt for…

  52. Life on Bonnie Lane says

    I most definitely like it better painted white! That is some beautiful molding. I think red is so lovely for a dining room. It brings that warmth that makes everyone want to stick around and socialize!

    Kady

  53. Life on Bonnie Lane says

    I most definitely like it better painted white! That is some beautiful molding. I think red is so lovely for a dining room. It brings that warmth that makes everyone want to stick around and socialize!

    Kady

  54. The Muse says

    What comes to mind..the musical phrase…
    Slow Southern Style.

    Susan, there is a beauty here..a crispness which nods to the possibility of tomorrow…yet there is a lingering memory…one of classical traditions…

    A home filled with memories of yesteryear and home with hope for the tomorrows!

    Superb call on the Metamorphosis!

  55. I absolutely ADORE the red! How bold! The molding is stunning… You did a wonderful job.

    I have linked up with my “Ugly Duckling Kitchen Table”.

    Thanks for the inspiration!

    xoxoxox

  56. niartist says

    Oh Susan, it’s gorgeous. I think I’ve seen this flatware before – but not until today had it hit me that I have the SAME stuff, just darker. Well, I say the same … it might not be, but it’s sure close! Thanks so much for hosting and giving us all something to aspire too!

  57. Oh my gosh! I have often looked at your blog/dining room and thought for sure that this was paneled wall at the bottom! Fantastic look and great idea. Thanks!!!

  58. Gardening in Atascocita says

    Just lovely!

  59. Gardening in Atascocita says

    Just lovely!

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