Show Us Your Life - Dining Rooms

Well, here I am late again!  Oh well, better late than never I suppose.  This week Kelly is featuring Dining Rooms on Show Us Your Life.

When we began looking at house plans we knew that we definitely wanted space for a large dining table that would seat 8-10 comfortably.  Our Dining Room is open to our formal Living Room.  The original plan called for a column at the corner of the dining space, but we decided we didn't want any obstructions between the spaces.  Because the structural support was necessary, we opted to have some large beams installed.  This created a separate ceiling area for each room and helps define the dining space.  OK, I know you didn't come here for a construction lesson, so on to the pictures.

This is looking into the Dining Room from the Living Room.

My China cabinet belonged to J's parents.  It needs some touch up work, but I think it is beautiful.  She had a pedestal table that went with it but it was too small for us.  So we purchased a double pedestal table to go with it.  We have it set up to seat 8, but we have an additional 18" leaf, so we could easily put 10 around this table.  I absolutely love it!

Another view of the china cabinet.
That is J's parent's china as well.

A close-up of one of the three botanical prints on the wall.  I have to share the story behind these prints.  Our last house had a large wall behind our sofa.  The blank space completely overwhelmed me and I couldn't find anything to go there.  One day, after living with the blank wall for about 2 or 3 years,  I was anxious to hang something there before hosting a party in my home.  The night before the party, I had to make a run to

 W*l-M*rt.  On a whim, I decided to breeze by the frames and prints.  I stumbled across 3 poster prints that would match my decor.  The literally cost $2-$3 each.  Right beside them, I found the no glass frames for about $3.  Yep, you guessed it, I snatched them up so quick and was on my way.  I so left them in the plastic wrap and slapped them on the wall.  I had less than $20 in the 3 framed prints! It wasn't anything out of a design magazine, but it sure beat a blank wall!  When we moved,I reframed them in nicer
frames from Micheal's. 

This is the place setting that is currently on my table.  I found these brown chargers at H*bby L*obby this summer and had to have them!  The plates, napkins and napkin rings are all from W*l-M*art.  I acquired this dinnerware this spring.  I was hosting a dinner party and didn't have enough everyday china to accommodate our guest.  My everyday pattern is discontinued and must be special ordered.  So once again, off to Wally World!  My mom actually went for me to find something that would be complementary to my everyday china.  This is what she found and it was perfect!

Most importantly, we have already made some great memories around this table over the past 9 months! We have hosted Holiday gatherings, Family Celebrations, Sunday School socials around this table.  Oh and I can't forget.. this table is home to some fiercely competitive, late night card games!  I so look forward to more treasured memories being made in this spot!