Room Tour: Blue and White Dining Room Makeover
Friends, Happy Friday! Is it true that the week has finally ended? This weekend, I need some relaxation. Even though I am fortunate enough to be able to work from home on some days, I still wish I could recharge. This week was one of those weeks. Nothing major happened, but there were a lot of small mishaps. It feels like my life has been a comedy, between a computer that is temperamental and my hard drive failing, to break a few items around the house and stumbling over my toes. Hey, it’s just life. Everybody has those weeks when everything seems out of sync.
Let’s be honest, life isn’t always perfect. You might think the photos on my blog are polished and well-put together, but what’s going on behind the scenes? The reality is often more chaotic. That’s fine! The key is to embrace the messiness and keep it real. I know that I am not the only person who experiences moments when things don’t turn out as planned. I want to create an environment where we can laugh and have fun.
Let’s move on from my clumsy weekend and get to what I am excited about sharing with you today. You’re going to get a tour of my dining room. I can’t show you my vintage blue and white dishes in action. This has been a labour of love, and I am thrilled with the results. Grab a cup and join us on the journey.
Blue and White: A Classic Combination with a Modern Touch
When I decided to update my dining room I knew that I wanted to display my collection of white and blue dishes. You know that I love collecting vintage treasures. This set of blue-and-white plates has been my favourite for many years. Each of these dishes has a unique story. Some of the dishes were purchased at thrift stores, while others came from online vintage shops or flea markets. I find it even more appealing that they aren’t all the same, as they each have their personality.
Don’t worry, this is not your grandmother’s dining area. Although I love to incorporate vintage elements, I have updated the look by adding a modern touch. The key is to blend the old and the new, in a way that feels stylish and fresh but still has warmth and character. This space was meant to be a place of tradition and contemporary flair. I believe I have achieved this beautifully.
Paper napkins were used to make blue and white floral paper chargers, which I have shared with you. The possibilities are endless, as there are so many beautiful patterns available. It is a simple and inexpensive craft. Decoupage allows you to create one-of-a-kind pieces that are unique and fit in perfectly with your collection. It’s a simple and fun project that I recommend you try if you haven’t already.
Recently, I shared a tutorial for creating a vintage-style plate wreath. I cannot tell you how much this piece means to me! This is a wonderful way to showcase your plates and create a focal point on your wall. The plates are all different but when they’re arranged together, the visual is stunning. This wreath is always a hit. It’s an example of how vintage pieces can be used to make a statement in any space.
The addition of these vintage blue and white dishes to my dining area has brought it to life. This is a warm, welcoming room that has a nostalgic feel, but also reflects a contemporary style, which was exactly what I wanted. Of course, to make the room more vibrant and interesting, I added some pops of colour. Who doesn’t like a surprise?
Bring the room to life with faux flowers.
The vintage dishes in the room are beautiful, but I wanted to add some colour and life to the room. This meant adding some gorgeous faux flowers to the room. Fresh flowers are beautiful but can be high-maintenance and don’t always last as long as you’d like. Faux flowers are the perfect solution! Today, fake florals look so real that it’s hard to tell them apart from the real thing.
These gorgeous, lifelike tulips are one of my favourite floral accents for the dining room. You may have already seen them in my bird’s-nest centrepiece or spring mantel decor. Amazon sells them in a 30-stem pack. What a deal! They are flexible and can be bent into any shape you want. They look exactly like the real thing. They are so easy to style and I don’t need to worry about them dying or needing constant maintenance.
But the fun doesn’t end with tulips. For my centrepiece, I used faux hot pink flowers in a rustic stone-like pot. The craft was so easy to do and took less than one hour. It also produced stunning results. The hydrangeas bring a splash of colour to my table and the rustic pot adds a handmade, earthy feel. It fits in with the vintage look I am going for. You can watch the video tutorial to learn how I made this pot. It’s an inexpensive way to add personality to your home.
The Art of Layering – Creating a Beautiful Dining Table Setting
Let’s start by talking about how to set the table. I think that’s when the magic happens. The key to creating a stunning and inviting table is to layer. By layering textures, colors and patterns you can create a visually appealing table.
The natural wood tones of my dining table have been refinished a few times now. They are warm and inviting and make the perfect base for any décor. But I don’t like traditional tablecloths. Table runners are more my style because they can feel formal. In this setting, I used an old canvas runner I made myself. This was before I started blogging. The ruffles at both ends give it a soft texture that is perfect for special occasions or everyday meals. This runner’s best feature is its versatility. It can be used in any season and styled sin o many ways.
To add visual interest to the table, I placed a blue ticking runner over the canvas runner. The classic ticking stripes add a touch of country chic to the table. The ruffles of the drop cloth peek out from under the shorter-length striped runner, giving it a relaxed yet elegant look. This is the perfect combination of textures and patterns.
Then, I placed some chargers underneath the plates to add depth. I chose inexpensive chargers from the dollar store with beaded edges that I spray-painted white to match the theme of blue and white in the room. I also used blue-and-white flower chargers that I made out of paper napkins. It’s great that vintage plates don’t need to match perfectly. Each plate is different, but the blue and white colour scheme ties it all together.
Napkins are a must for any table! Home Goods had the perfect set. As a lover of polka-dots, it’s no surprise that these navy napkins had white polka-dots. I knew then they would be perfect in this setting. The set also included floral napkins to match my vintage dishes. At only $6.99, it was a steal. April Cornell made these napkins, which are luxurious and soft.
Each napkin was tied in a loose, textured knot. I placed it on each plate for a little colour and texture. The knot gives the table a relaxed and effortless look, while the polka dot pattern keeps it fresh and modern. The table is a great balance between vintage charm and modern style. I love the way it all looks.
Create a Space that is Inviting for Friends and Family
In the spirit of nostalgia, don’t you remember family dinners with your grandmother when you see a table like this? Sunday dinners are among my favourite memories. It’s so special to spend time with family and friends while enjoying a tasty meal. My kids often wish that I could make the magical meals my grandmother used to prepare, but I honestly don’t think I could do it as well. She made everything look so easy!
What I could do is create an area that feels as warm and welcoming as those Sunday Dinners. Now, my dining room feels like a place to create memories. Family and friends can gather at the table and share each other’s company. That’s really what counts.
This space is now uniquely mine, with vintage charm, a modern touch, and warmth that makes it feel special. This is a space where we can gather, tell stories, laugh and make new traditions. Isn’t this what decorating your house is all about?
Final Thoughts – Make your space Your own
Decorating your home is a deeply personal experience. It doesn’t matter if you like vintage pieces, contemporary items, or a combination of both. The most important thing is that you create a home that feels just right for you. If you love blue and white dishes, embrace them! Go for it if you like to layer textures and add pops of colour! Decorating is all about creating a space that reflects your personality, and a place where you and your family can relax and enjoy your life.
This post is meant to inspire you to bring some vintage charm into your dining room, or home. Do not be afraid to combine old and new. Remember that creating an inviting, beautiful space does not have to be costly or difficult. You can transform any room with a few thoughtful additions.
Thank you for taking a look at my makeover of the blue and white dining room! I would love to know how you style your space and what projects are you working on. I can’t WAIT to hear what you have to say!
Until next time, happy decorating!
