Twenty years ago on October 11, 1995 we moved in our home after six months of building. We designed and built our home since that was the only way we could afford our dream home at that time. Good thing we are avid DIYers. Lots of hard work and long hours were put into building our new home. You can read an old story about it here.
I thought it would be fun to do a series of how our home has changed, since obviously my taste and style have changed, and I have a lot of new readers that weren't here from the beginning when I started blogging in 2010.
Let's start with the dining room. Excuse the bad photo. Jewel tones were the trend when we built and I certainly filled our home with the deep blues, raspberry, dark green and well, you get the picture. Yes, the walls and ceiling were navy blue with off white below the chair rail. Mr. Savvy and I loved this room for many years.
Then in February 2010 I revealed a much brighter and yellow room. The blue walls had stayed around for fifteen years! I bet y'all didn't think anything lasted that long around here.
After I started blogging it wasn't long before I was painting furniture and purchasing some ironstone. I have a few pieces here mixed with my china and silver. I painted the back of the hutch green.
Here is a Thanksgiving table setting with the bright yellow walls, which really were't this bright in person, and the green hutch with my growing ironstone collection.
Here is a Thanksgiving table setting with the bright yellow walls, which really were't this bright in person, and the green hutch with my growing ironstone collection.
One year later the room was painted again. I just couldn't take the yellow any longer. This time I painted it in Swiss Coffee by Behr. I primed and painted three coats over the yellow. I didn't ever paint the ceiling and that is why it is still yellow to this day. It was actually a different yellow than the walls and a lot softer.
This wall has changed a few times. This was a gallery wall I did with cheap prints found on ebay and super cheap frames from Hobby Lobby.
Then I found this painting and the gallery wall came down.
Then I really wanted the pastoral painting to hang over the fireplace in the great room so there was a switch. This was okay, but there just may be something else hanging here now that I will share soon.
On the other side of the room this buffet has been painted a couple times. I painted it in Old Violet chalk paint by Annie Sloan the first time.
The Old Violet wasn't working so well so I painted with Aubusson and loved this new color.
Then one of the best things happened....the chandelier was replaced with this beauty that did not cost a fortune. You can see the old one here with the original crystal globes. Mr. Savvy did not want to replace the old chandelier. He thought it was nice and fancy, but it was so not my style anymore. He agreed and hung this one for me and loves it.
In September 2011 I painted the hutch to go with my changing style and it is still one of my favorite projects.
In 2013 I painted and reupholstered the chairs.
Painting the chairs took some time, but was so worth it. The room felt a bit less heavy and I added the upholstered bench at that time, too.
I occasionally switch the breakfast room chairs and the dining room chairs like I did for my summer tour. It just keeps things fresh.
One thing that has stayed constant are the toile drapes. I don't take many shots towards the windows. I lucked up on those drapes in a local home decor store that had them ready made, but are the only custom style drapes I own. They are lined and weighted and were only $75 a panel. Score!!! I wish they still sold them.
This is how the room looked when the photographers were here for a magazine photo shoot that I never dreamed would happen. What's hanging on the wall on each side of the hutch has changed a few times, too. In the other photos there were brackets/sconces plus plates and then I found these vintage Ethan Allen brass sconces and they have been here ever since.
This year I painted the base of the table after putting it off for so long. I love the change.
And this is how it looks now.
I hope y'all enjoyed seeing the evolution of this room and I will share more room changes as I can.
Have a fabulous weekend!
Be sure to follow me on IG for behind the scenes shots.
I love seeing the evolution of your home! It's so full of inspiration.
ReplyDeleteEvery detail is so lovely, but I really love those sconces and the print above the buffet. It's very " Southern" to me :)
That's such a great idea Kim and I enjoyed seeing the changes. We have lived in our home for 25 yrs and it's amazing how different things look now!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the walk down memory lane. Your style and taste like most of our has really changed and developed with time. So fun to see what you've done with your famous dining room!
ReplyDeleteKim, it is so much fun to look back in our homes and see how our tastes change through the years! I love your dining room now! Have a lovely autumn weekend! Pam @everydayliving.me
ReplyDeleteGreat job giving us a over view of your changing tastes...I also like your fuzzy baby just under the bench in the last photo............:) at least I think that's who it is?
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed seeing the changes in style of your dining room! You are such an inspiration, Kim!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this post....I hope you'll continue to do more. I love your dining room....it has evolved wonderfully over the years....don't change a thing! ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Kim~
ReplyDeleteI love how you have your ceiling painted the yellow - It give a warmth to the room -
Never thought to do something like that.
Your room is so inviting, and love the bench. I'm trying to do something like that in my dining room
Maybe in the next house.
Have a wonderful weekend
Rose
What a great post- I love seeing how tastes evolve!
ReplyDeleteEven more interesting to see the classic pieces we're drawn to early on before our tastes become more mature and refined!
TRULY beautiful Kim-
Catherine
That was interesting to see all the changes,and gave me some ideas. Thanks Kim have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteIt's always fascinating to see how rooms and spaces evolve over time. I really like the way your dining room turned out-- especially the chandelier and the Ethan Allen sconces.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful way to stay current but not trendy. Love it.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing the changes, all more beautiful than the next! Thank you for sharing Kim!
ReplyDeleteSo many changes! I love the way it looks now.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading this post! Your dining room is classic and elegant through the years. It's so nice you can change small elements to keep up with trends and your changing style. I adore your yellow ceiling, it's such a fun surprise!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome, Kim! I love seeing how your spaces have evolved over the years. I've been following you from the beginning, but it's still fun to see these in all one place!
ReplyDeleteWe all love to change our decor and I'm glad you took the pictures to show yours!!!
ReplyDeleteIt was very intersting to see how your dining room evolved.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun post Kim! I really enjoyed looking back through the years and seeing your decorating style emerge. You've got such a beautiful home.
ReplyDeletexo
Leslie
I love seeing your beautiful home! You and Mr. Savvy are extremely talented and have great eyes for what works and what doesn't. I have been in many people's homes that they didn't have a clue, bless their hearts. Please keep showing us your beautiful pictures!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the walk down memory lane. Your style and tastes have changed like most of us, and I love all the changes. I LOOOOVE your chandy, it is gorgeous, truly. Painting our dining room is next on our list. Can you tell me where you found your bench? I have been looking for one too. Thanks!
ReplyDeletePinky, I got that from Joss & Main, but I think they still carry it from time to time.
DeleteKim your home is so lovely! I see things that we have in common! You've done a beautiful job creating a warm home!
ReplyDeleteSo great going down memory lane. Love how our homes/rooms transform over the years as our taste and trends evolve. Don't know how much you can improve that beautiful dining room. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteKim, I love seeing how this room has changed over time. I really love how your table base turned out. I bought an antique harvest table two years ago and the thought has briefly entered my mind about painting the base, but I know once it's done there's no going back. I haven't the courage yet. I love how your room looks now, but when everything was still in style, years ago, I know your room was as beautiful then as it is now.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun to see how things have changed over the years....you have a beautiful home!
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
~Des
That was so much fun! Loved seeing the evolution of your style!!
ReplyDeleteKim, I love the look of your dining room. The painted hutch is my favorite. This room is perfection!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I really liked the navy, I can see why you kept it for so long! Gorgeous transformations through the years! You are so good a putting things together!
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Love seeing these changes over the years. Totally satisfies the need we all have to see before and afters! No matter what look, the room has always been beautiful!
ReplyDeleteShelley
It was fun to see the evolution over the years!
ReplyDeleteI've only been reading your blog for about two years, so I really appreciated seeing the entire tour. I enjoy your taste even as it evolves. Thank you for sharing and being such a great inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI so love your house, Kim, but this has to be one of my favorite rooms! I'll never forget seeing your dining room in the Country French Magazine! I was in Home Depot as a matter of fact. At the time, I still wasn't aware of you personally...but never the less I continued to drool over the dining room. It was when I joined Pinterest and saw your dining room again. That's the light bulb went off! LOL! And I've been hooked on Savvy ever since:D Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cindy. Fun to know how you put two and two together!
DeleteBeen thinking of painting the vintage chandelier in my dining room, and after seeing your chandelier I think it will work out well. Thanks for all the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to look back at your dining room transformation! I love the way it looks now. I have a confession..I once had purple walls....yeah I know ;-)
ReplyDeletewhat fun to see the transformation of your dining room. congrats on 20 years in your beautiful home.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous, fabulous post and such a beautiful evolution! I'm a firm believer in using what is on hand, and you've done it so fabulously. You are so talented!
ReplyDeleteThis was so much fun! It has changed so dramatically, yet all of your basic pieces are the same. I wish I had an ounce of your talent -- I'd paint almost everything I own! I still have my yellow walls. They have GOT to go, especially seeing how fabulous your dining room looks in it's neutral shades. And you were ahead of the times, with your yellow ceiling! Now, all of the designer show houses I go to have color on the ceilings.
ReplyDelete