The Breakfast Nook is Getting a Makeover! Here’s the Design Plan

I posted last year that the kitchen was getting another (Part II) makeover — you can see that post HERE with all the details, the why, etc. Well, initially, I had told the cabinet folks I wanted to further the bathroom so I didn’t have the up and downstairs ripped apart at the same time, but I didn’t realize just how long the bathroom was going to be stalled (see the final bathroom reveal HERE). And then, at the beginning of the year, we found ourselves in the middle of a lot of personal stuff, putting a hold on anything that didn’t require immediate attention. After starting to catch our breaths a couple months ago, I asked if they were ready — they are trying to fit me in at some point and I’m hoping that’s soon, but I’m still not totally sure when it will be tackled. I think one day, I’ll just have a mini makeover and announce it out of the blue, haha. In conjunction with that makeover though, I’m going to finally tackle the breakfast nook. So today, I’m sharing the breakfast nook design plan, along with the “progress” (ordering) I’ve made thus far.

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How to Use Tree Branches & Stems for Early Fall Decor

Sources: Wood Bead Chandelier | Dining Table | Dining Chairs | Sideboard (similar) | Round Mirror (black) ON SALE- 48″ is $150 off! | Round Off White Jute Rug (7′) | Stoneware Vase On Sideboard | Stoneware Vase on Table | White Curtains | Curtain Rod

So… why the makeover? I actually really like our breakfast nook. And, it’s actually changed and evolved quite a bit from where we started to now. More than aesthetics though, our needs and the way we function has changed completely. The fabrics, surfaces, and various facets of our current furnishings aren’t as conducive to our lifestyle as they once were. What is in our breakfast nook has served us well and we’ve definitely gotten our use out of the pieces. But, along with the kitchen revamp, it’s time to evolve the breakfast nook alongside the adjoined space.

*NOTE: my big thin framed round mirror (mine is the black, 48″ version) comes in multiple finishes and sizes and it’s on major sale (I’ve never see it this low). It’s currently $15o off HERE! I’ll be trying to figure out where I can put this mirror because it’s still one of my faves.

See the final breakfast nook makeover reveal HERE.

Breakfast Nook Design Plan

The overall feel of the breakfast nook shouldn’t be that different from what it is now. Mixed styles, materials, and finishes with lots of varying textures. There will be some organic earthiness to it, some nods to tradition, and then a few more sleek choices. I actually started on this a while ago so while some things won’t even arrive til December (typical for right now), just about everything I didn’t already have has been ordered!

Earthy Transitional Breakfast Nook Makeover Design Plan

Sources: 1. Black Gallery Wall Frames (16 x 20″)| 2. Wood Bead Chandelier | 3. Gold Primrose Mirror (5′) | 4. Black Cane & Oak Sideboard | 5. Faux Olive Tree (6′) | 6. Leather Dining Chair (pebble) | 7. Round Ivory Jute Rug (7 x 7) | 8. Round Dining Table (48″) | 9. White Rectangular Charcuterie Board (medium) | 10. Black Round Charcuterie Board (medium)| 11. Large Natural Serving Bowl | 12. Faux Artichokes (set of 6) | 13. Salt & Pepper Set | 14. White Stoneware Vase (large) | 15. Round Terracotta Jug

Breakfast Nook Design Plan Details

Because the kitchen cabinets are getting painted in a putty color, the walls and ceiling are going white. I’m going back and forth between Alabaster by Sherwin Williams and Simply White by Benjamin Moore. I’ve used both in lots of spaces throughout the house and they’re both really close.

When it comes to the furnishings, I couldn’t really change one element without changing the other. So, I went ahead and secured all the major pieces at once. Two years ago, I would have been more likely to chip away and bring in a piece at a time to really take my time on deciding. But with long lead times, it would take years with that approach… so, I went ahead and pulled the trigger.

We eat at the table in our breakfast nook every night — the same table I bought for my apartment when I first moved back to Atlanta in 2008. The table whose base I painted several years ago (HERE). Its glass top gets a major cleaning every night and Eliza likes to make hand and toe prints from the underside. A glass top table has been great but I’m ready for something that doesn’t show fingerprints all the time. By the way — this is what it used to look like!

Wow! I’m still proud that I painted the base and then continued to use the table for many more years. It held up perfectly!

Also, I feel like the glass surface comes off more dark because it just shows the dark floor, dark cabinet, etc. right through the surface instead of brightening the room. So, during the last S&L sale, I ordered THIS round dining table in the 48″ option (6″ smaller than our current table top).

White Round Dining Table for Breakfast Nook Makeover

Round Dining Table (48″)

We have more than enough space for our family at our current table so I certainly didn’t want to go larger. The light fixture isn’t currently hanging in the center of the room. I am going to have that moved so it’s centered in the breakfast nook, and it will also be easier to center a smaller table than a larger one.

Speaking of light fixtures, THIS is the chandelier I ordered to switch out. Still that wood bead style but the shape is just slightly a little more fresh. I still love that other wood bead chandelier — you can find some of my favorite beaded chandeliers HERE.

Beaded Chandelier for Breakfast Nook Makeover Design Plan

Beaded Chandelier

And the chairs… well… I have loved our chairs. But, naively, these chairs weren’t performance fabric. I’ve had them for eight years and they have been substantial and served us well. Honestly, they were pristine until we had a toddler sitting in them nightly. I used to keep towels under her booster seat but it didn’t matter. Spills and accidents from art projects still aren’t the best fit for upholstered fabric that isn’t thick or treated. So, I want something a little more tolerant and wipe-able.

Leather Dining Chairs for Breakfast Nook Makeover Design Plan

Leather Dining Chairs (Statesville Pebble)

For the sideboard, I haven’t in a long time nor do I want to have to have the shelves styled. And the see-through glass is prohibitive. I need a storage piece where I can get creative on how I fit pieces in there. THIS cane sideboard comes in a natural finish and this black finish and along with the look and brass accents, I love that it has both shelves and drawers. We are going to have to start using placemats with our new table so I’ll be happy to have simple table-side storage for a few linens.

Sideboard for Breakfast Nook Makeover Design Plan

Black Cane & Oak Sideboard

To keep things from going too modern with the some of the new furnishings — like the more sleek mid-century style dining chairs — I will be bringing in a new mirror. I’ve admired the Primrose mirror at Anthro for years and finally pulled the trigger on it in the gold 5′ version (it comes in several sizes and finishes!) The sideboard is the most delayed piece I believe, currently showing a ship time of late November, and the mirror will be shipped and delivered with it. While there will be a casual feel to the space, I think THIS mirror will dress it up just a little. By the way,

Breakfast Nook Mirror for Makeover

Primrose Mirror (Gold; 5′)

I loved THESE thin white matted frames so much when I brought them into the guest room that I purchased a bunch to redo my travel gallery wall in the breakfast nook, opposite the wall of the mirror and sideboard. But, I still have yet to actually do that project. So, I will finally get it done — maybe even with a new concept? maybe not?) — once the walls are painted and are a blank canvas. The frames come in four finishes and two sizes and are such a great value. Which is why I continue to purchase them 😉

Easy, Cheap DIY Gallery Wall Art with Leftover Wallpaper Remnants

Sources: Black Gallery Wall Frames (16 x 20″) | White Linen Sham | Blue Belgian Linen Pillow Cover (24 x 24″)

We have loved our budget-friendly Ikea Ritva curtains for years and years (find them on Amazon for convenience HERE) — I even wrote a post on how great they were HERE.I haven’t determined which direction I’ll be taking with window treatments just yet — shades, more curtains or even naked for a while. I do like that the current curtains pull your eyes toward the ceiling. The shorter window frames can otherwise possibly appear short and dwarfed. So… we’ll see.

Green Fall Foliage Arrangements for Early Fall Home Decor

Sources: Sideboard (similar) | Round Mirror (black) ON SALE | Round Off White Jute Rug (7′) | Stoneware Vase On Sideboard | White Curtains | Curtain Rod

So, there’s my brief dumping of a few of the plans. Everything will kind of come together in its own timeframe — as determined by the mini kitchen makeover and shipping times of the furnishings. I’ll be accessorizing and incorporating plenty of my favorite accents and pieces and I’m looking forward to a vamped up look. And, I’m especially looking forward to new scenery over the next several years of family dinners shared in this small, frequented space.

I have more project announcements (and hopefully a few updates) coming soon so if you aren’t already, be sure to subscribe to emails at the bottom of the post to be the first to hear about them!

See the final breakfast nook makeover reveal HERE.

Recent Room Makeovers to Check Out

Shop the Breakfast Nook Design Plan

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2 Comments

  1. 7.20.22
    Monica said:

    This may be the strangest question ever but I have to know – What do you do with absolutely “nothing wrong with it” decor when you redo an area? I have such a hard time getting rid of pieces that are still serving us well. I can’t make myself redo sometimes for that reason alone. Your breakfast area is just lovely.

    • 7.22.22

      Hi Monica, Your question is not strange at all! I used to be the same in finding reasons to keep things that are functional, but that I did not necessarily still love. I have found that it’s best to get things out of the house if I feel I won’t use them in the future. A good clean out every several years has made it easier to donate or sell items that others may need or love. I do rotate certain items to different areas, if they are keepers.