Breakfast Nook Makeover (or Make Under?!) Reveal

Breakfast Nook Before & After

I wasn’t planning to throw it ALL the way back, but — sure, why not 😉 It’ll help capture the journey and provide an actual visual for evolution and then the later ultimate changes.

When we first moved in, I used furniture from my last house — the table and chairs (actually, predating my last house, my first apartment in Georgia!), and a weathered wooden cabinet I had purchased right before we moved. The mirror and too-small rug were purchased new. And, I was really excited to have a place to display all the nicknacks. The curtains were actually a brilliant find — I wrote an entire post on them (the best-ever budget-friendly curtains HERE). The wall color was “Perfect Greige” by Sherwin Williams, we had faux wood blinds, and our tastes and budget were different. If you started following me from the very beginning on Instagram, this is the “me” you were following! Thank you.

When we traded up in countertops with a few other minimal kitchen upgrades in 2018, we evolved the breakfast nook a bit, while maintaining some of the primary furniture pieces — a nice version of a makeover that’s budget friendly. The paint color was changed to a lighter greige — Edgecomb Gray by Sherwin Williams — and by this time, we had upgraded our lighting to THIS beaded chandelier, traded the chairs in for something lighter and still traditional but more substantial (HERE), and exchanged the mirror for a more oversized (48″), modern, thin-framed round option (HERE). The sideboard decor was a little more refined, but the table (aside from being chalk painted several years back) remained the same, along with the sideboard, and curtains.

Sources: Wood Bead Chandelier | Dining Table | Dining Chairs | Side Board (similar) | Round Mirror | Curtains | Curtain Rod | Woven Bar Stools

But what about now? With the kitchen upgrade, it once again made sense to use it as the opportunity to make some changes. I’ve wanted a new table and sideboard for a while. With the addition of Eliza (can you believe she’ll be four in a few months?!) the non-performance fabric chairs weren’t working the best for us. So, I came up with a plan to marry my style aspects that better fit the overall feel of the house. (See our conversation room reveal HERE and dining room update HERE). I wanted leather chairs, a wooden (but light) table, and a sideboard that didn’t have a glass front and had both doors and drawers. We’ll get to some of the specifics but after evaluating my wish list, combined with balancing our open floor plan aesthetic and budget, I came up with THIS design plan. Here’s the end result!

Sources: Wood Bead Chandelier | Dining Table (48′ Diameter) | Dining Chairs (pebble) | Sideboard | Primrose Mirror (gold; 5′) | Round Jute Rug (7 x 7′) | Large Black Bowl | Terracotta Beaded Garland | White Stoneware Vase | Faux Magnolia Branches | Brass Candle Holders (similar)

Breakfast Nook Makeover Details

When I made the decision that this would finally be the time I would make a change in my glass-top table, it was one of those things where it just made sense to go ahead and make those other wishlist changes, too (within reason of our current budget). It was an effort of coordinating what I imagined the the kitchen aesthetic would be with things I loved and having contrast while brightening the space up. As a side note too, I think we had everything ordered for the space by last spring/early summer.

I’ve talked about this a lot but our kitchen is dark since there aren’t any windows actually in the kitchen and the breakfast nook windows are on the back of the house (overlooking woods). I wanted to lighten up the kitchen but didn’t want white cabinets, so I decided to go light greige on the cabinets and paint the walls white. They’re now the color of our living room and main living areas — Alabaster by Sherwin Williams, a warm white that seems to work well in our house.

Sources: Wood Bead Chandelier | Dining Table (48′ Diameter) | Dining Chairs (pebble) | Sideboard | Primrose Mirror (gold; 5′) | Round Jute Rug (7 x 7′) | Large Black Bowl | Terracotta Beaded Garland | Salt & Pepper Shaker Set | White Stoneware Vase | Faux Magnolia Branches | Candle Holders (similar)

I could have easily gone a bit more extravagant and even considered some wall moldings at one point but decided to restrain a bit and keep the walls simple. One investment we did go ahead and make isn’t even that obvious to others, but made a big difference to us. Our previous light fixture mount wasn’t centered in the space. We have no idea how the builder was so off — it seemingly isn’t actually centered with anything. We could kind of cheat our last table over a little but if it had been positioned directly under the light, it would have blocked the entire walkway to the door and the kitchen bar stools. I was using this breakfast nook makeover as an opportunity to add THIS light — still wood bead like our last with an updated design — so we hired someone to move the mount, patch, and hang the light all at once. By the way, the chandelier is on sale right now HERE.

Sources: Wood Bead Chandelier | Dining Table (48′ Diameter) | Dining Chairs (pebble) | Sideboard | Primrose Mirror (gold; 5′) | Round Jute Rug (7 x 7′) | Large Black Bowl | Terracotta Beaded Garland | Salt & Pepper Shaker Set | White Stoneware Vase | Faux Magnolia Branches | Candle Holders (similar)

I went for THIS white wooden table in the 48″ version (currently on sale for $500 off HERE) and after ordering, I was nervous about maintaining it and wondered if I made a poor decision. (I loved THIS table — $1,300 off right now — but it was way out of our budget). We have been using it for months and months now (it was one of the first pieces to arrive) and it is still in perfect condition. We try to take care of it well but there is a young child who eats at it every day. She makes messes, we play games… We eat at it every night and use placemats (I wash and dry THESE in the regular wash and they’re fantastic), and I just use a wet paper towel for a quick wipe-down after meals. No stains, no marks… nothing. I have a friend who I didn’t realize also has this table and she said hers had stained. I don’t know if they changed the construction or finish, but I’ve gone back and caught food a couple days after the fact and it’s wiped off beautifully. No regrets — we love it.

I loved my large round 48″ mirror but was worried about the space starting to look a little stark. I really like an eclectic, rooted feel — like our dining room. I’ve loved the infamous Anthro Primrose mirror for a long time now — despite it’s overwhelming popularity — and I finally had space to put one. So, I ordered the 5′ gold version. I was shocked how huge it is in person, especially since there are still two sizes larger than my version.

Sources: Sideboard | Primrose Mirror (gold; 5′) | Round Jute Rug (7 x 7′) | Salt & Pepper Shaker Set | White Stoneware Vase | Faux Magnolia Branches | Candle Holders (similar)

When I determined the sideboard size I needed and the color(s) I was open to, I loved that THIS one had both the drawers and shelved cabinet I was looking for, had a cane front in the same color, and even a metallic accent along the bottom and handles. It’s built really well and is made of cane and oak — it also comes in a natural color HERE. I liked how tall my last sideboard was, in terms of storage, but I like how much more open the short sideboard/large mirror combo makes the room feel.

Sources: Sideboard | Primrose Mirror (gold; 5′) | Round Jute Rug (7 x 7′) | Salt & Pepper Shaker Set | White Stoneware Vase | Faux Magnolia Branches | Linen Napkins | Candle Holders (similar)

How I Honored My Current Priorities in Completing This Makeover

Even though the breakfast nook makeover started last year (and even the pieces had been ordered by mid-2022), I didn’t finalize finalize the space until the beginning of this year when I was finally ready to address some internal, major shifts. (See my shift in focus for the year HERE and my home habits I’ve had to change HERE). So, how did I honor those while still completing and accomplishing the original design? Well, several ways. Even with my initial thought process and design last year, I tried to be practical and thoughtful. Even though I hadn’t officially identified and labeled my inner workings, I was subconsciously making some moves towards minimalism.

I wanted chairs that wouldn’t require so much maintenance and a table that didn’t require impeccable daily cleaning to get rid of smudges and streaks. Ultimately, I decided on THESE dining chairs in the gray-toned Pebble leather color. They’re much easier to wipe and I’m actually a fan of the characteristics well-loved leather gets over time. Kind of like linen. These chairs have some heft, are incredibly sturdy and are REALLY comfortable. Their height is perfect, too.

Sources: Dining Table (48′ Diameter) | Dining Chairs (pebble)| Sideboard | Primrose Mirror (gold; 5′) | Round Jute Rug (7 x 7′) | Salt & Pepper Shaker Set | White Stoneware Vase | Faux Magnolia Branches | Candle Holders (similar)

And then, when I was ready to accessorize, I shopped my home. I knew I wanted to use my big vase of magnolia branches, just as they’d been positioned and keep our functional, nightly-used salt and pepper shakers on top. But then, I headed to the basement, prepared to wade through all that I have waiting to evaluate/purpose/organize/purge to scout. I didn’t want clutter — just simple decor that wasn’t high maintenance. Success.

Sources: Linen Napkins | Candle Holders (similar) | Urn is from Home Goods

I pulled out the brass candlesticks I haven’t used for years — I think they last made an appearance during Christmas a few years ago.

Sources: Linen Napkins | Candle Holders (similar) | Urn is from Home Goods

As an FYI — when I “shop my home” that doesn’t mean “borrowing from Peter to pay Paul” ie: taking items already on display and leaving gaps. When I shop from my home, I typically grab items that aren’t in use. Just to clarify 😉

Sources: Linen Napkins | Candle Holders (similar) | Urn is from Home Goods

Sources: Salt & Pepper Shaker Set | White Stoneware Vase | Faux Magnolia Branches (Three Branches)

I didn’t want a complicated, layered centerpiece with tray or feel the need to always have flowers on the table and was excited to find that it seems to be the perfect spot for my new terracotta bead garland my mom gifted me for Christmas.

Sources: Wood Bead Chandelier | Dining Table (48′ Diameter) | Dining Chairs (pebble) | Sideboard | Primrose Mirror (gold; 5′) | Large Black Bowl | Terracotta Beaded Garland | Candle Holders (similar)

Sources: Large Black Bowl | Terracotta Beaded Garland

Breakfast Nook Gallery Wall

As with other projects, I didn’t want to change things I loved – even if I’ve had them that way for a while — just for the sake of change. I’ve had a black and white travel gallery wall basically since we moved in, and I love the memories and conversations it provides. I wanted to keep that gallery as the art of the room but I ordered updated frames a year or so ago for a little more streamlined look. The only problem (or, opportunity, rather), is that the mats were meant for larger photos (11×14″ photos). So, I tracked down some faves on my phone, transferred them all to the same black and white filter, and placed a new photo order. I love the result! You can see the wall being hung in THIS reel.

Sources: Wood Bead Chandelier | Dining Table (48′ Diameter) | Dining Chairs | Round Jute Rug (7 x 7′) | Faux Olive Tree | Gallery Wall Frames (black; 16″x20″) | Large Black Bowl | Terracotta Beaded Garland |  Woven Bar Stools | Pendant Lights (antique nickel finish w/linen shade) | Living Room Arm Chairs | Graphic Wood Wall Art

The same, but different. And, exactly the meaningful “happy” I was hoping for in here.

Sources: Wood Bead Chandelier | Dining Table (48′ Diameter) | Dining Chairs | Round Jute Rug (7 x 7′) | Faux Olive Tree | Gallery Wall Frames (black; 16″x20″) |  Large Black Bowl | Terracotta Beaded Garland 

The former frames have gone to my mom and I’m hoping we’ll be able to build a family gallery on one of her walls, together.

Sources: Gallery Wall Frames (16″ x 20″)

The breakfast nook makeover was thought out and intentional in terms of maintenance, how we use the space, fabrics and materials, balancing quality/price, and aesthetics but it also feels more minimal. And clean. There’s not a lot of frills to keep up with and there isn’t a bunch of “extra” that could be construed as visual clutter. How it looks today… it makes me happy.

Sources: Wood Bead Chandelier | Dining Table (48′ Diameter) | Dining Chairs (pebble) | Sideboard | Primrose Mirror (gold; 5′) | Round Jute Rug (7 x 7′) | Large Black Bowl | Terracotta Beaded Garland | Salt & Pepper Shaker Set | Linen Napkins | Candle Holders (similar) 

And speaking of making me happy, the new view out of those windows will overlook the pool and our new backyard! Having so many trees cleared out in the past week has been huge in terms of allowing more light into the space.

The result of our kitchen project is coming in the next week so to catch that reveal, the pool completion, and all the other projects & ponderings coming up, be sure to subscribe to emails at the bottom of the post!

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