My Dining Room and What It Means to Me

For the first time in my life, I finally have my own dining room! I’ve always dreamed of the day I could play around with centerpieces and tablescapes. Now I finally have my chance and I am taking full advantage of the opportunity.

From the moment we saw this house, my mind was swirling with ideas for this room. I never thought it would evolve into what it’s become but I am definitely pleased with the results.

I’ll admit, I don’t know the first thing about how to set a formal table and host a dinner party…but I am more than ready to learn!

It’s My Creative Outlet

Within weeks of moving in, I started to make plans for our new dining room. This was going to be the first room you see when you walk into our home and I want it to make a statement.

Initially, I didn’t plan on doing much to it other than furnish and update the wall sconces. One thing led to another and here we are! I get a serious kick out of having a vision come to life.

It Signifies Change

The past 6 months have been a whirlwind of changes. We decided to put our starter home on the market this past spring and sold it within 24 hrs.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have it quite as easy looking for a home to buy. As you may have heard, the real estate market is crazy competitive these days!

I completely forgot how stressful it is to transition from one home to the next. There was a point during the buying process we thought we lost the house. Not to mention, we lived in a hotel for six weeks. Fun times…

Finally, we closed on our new home in April. It was worth all the sweat and tears! Can’t begin to tell you how much I love living here.

This home has been a stepping stone toward improving my family’s life and I believe this dining room will help make things happen!

I mentioned in previous posts that I experienced a personal trauma about 18 months ago.

From that point on, there was no way of going “back to normal”. No matter how hard I tried to keep things the same, it just wasn’t going to happen. Everything had changed. I had changed.

It was time to make a move and say goodbye to everything that kept reminding me of the pain I experienced. I needed to move forward and make the best of my new situation.

It Will Cultivate Connection

To be honest, I was very tempted to solely talk about how this room was styled. The truth is, this dining room means so much more to me than making a good impression on my guests.

As I was writing out this post, I was debating whether or not to spill some of my heart. It feels vulnerable to tell you this but I’m at a point in my life where I crave connection.

I want to open every door of opportunity that allows me to form relationships. This dining room is one of those doors. It’s my way of putting on the pressure to invite people into my home. Make sense?

I wasn’t always this eager to build friendships. Since having tragedy impose on my life, I’ve come to place a high value on community.

I wouldn’t have been able to stand if it weren’t for a group of friends and family members to support me.

I am so appreciative of the encouragement I received and want to pass it on. An huge part of my recovery is getting past the point where all I am doing is taking. Now it’s my turn to give the love!

It Will Capture Memories

Some of my fondest childhood memories took place around a dining room table. In the years my dad pastored, my family was privileged to host countless missionaries, evangelists and families from church into our home.

My mom would slave away in the kitchen and prepare a delicious meal complete with warm, homemade dinner rolls. We’d squeeze everyone we could around the dinner table to “break bread”… which also turned out to be the ultimate ice breaker!

I want my children to have a similar experience. My biggest hope of all is to eat around the dining room table with their families someday! Maybe I’m getting a little bit ahead of myself but a girl can dream, right?

So Basically…

My desire for this dining room is that it warms the hearts of everyone that enters!

There’s no technology to distract. Everyone is forced to make eye contact and verbally communicate. Its the perfect recipe for true connection.

This dining room holds a special spot in my heart because of what it represents: Fellowship.

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SOURCES

Black paint: Tricorn Black from Sherwin Williams

Table and chairs: Second-hand Pottery Barn set (for only $200!)

Dinner plates: Walmart

Salad plates: eBay

Napkins: Pier1 Imports

Napkin rings: Pier1 Imports

Chargers: Hobby Lobby

Painting: an original found on eBay

Wall sconces: Amazon

Area Rug: Overstock

Candlesticks: Target, Etsy, and Hobby Lobby

Table runner: Amazon

Garland: Hobby Lobby