product profile: dining table

I've literally lost sleep over choosing a dining room table. For as long as I can remember I've wanted a table by Lorts, a wonderful high-end furniture manufacturer that my family has ties and access to. They specialize in customizable, solid wood pieces and have recently shifted their focus to a more transitional look, which I adore. From the stain to the amount of distressing, they make wonderful pieces tailored specifically to their clients and the farm house table has always been my favorite.

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What I thought was going to be an easy decision has since become complicated. You might remember from an earlier post that in order to stay within our budget we purchased these stainless steel beauties for everyday use that we will eventually pair with upholstered host and hostess chairs. Long story short, the Lorts table is simply too sophisticated and clean for the chairs.

Adding to this difficult decision is our undying love of walnut wood (yes, I named my blog appropriately). The rich coffee color and sturdy construction is our favorite but with dark hardwood floors it was clear we needed to add some variation. 

I must give credit where credit is due, I am so thankful to have a mom that happens to be a talented interior designer. She suggested going with a table that was a bit more "fun" and "casual" since this is our first home and I completely agree. Mom, if you're reading this thanks for the suggestion and also for lending your expertise (and vendor access) to this project! The Tradewinds table in river wash is the perfect compromise. It will mesh well with metal, isn't too rustic and will play nicely off of the grey tones in our Carrera Marble island. And it's not walnut.

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I started this project thinking I would post my inspiration boards and then blog as they became a reality. I had no idea I would face so many twist, turns, mind changes and obstacles along the way. What I thought would be a modern-meets-traditional space is now taking on a bit of a rustic vibe and I'm excited to see what lies ahead. This deviation has taught me an important lesson: expect the unexpected in design and while a plan is always essential sometimes you have to modify your original vision to make a room work.

*As mentioned, these tables are not available for retail purchase. If you're interested in finding out more please feel free to comment below or email me at copperandwalnut@gmail.com.

man/mirror down

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Today I am sad to report that we have experienced our first design casualty: the dining room mirror. It showed up to my apartment last week with a nice crack down the right side. At first I was devastated, however, upon further inspection it turns out the gilded gold is actually a splotchy yellow/brown so it would have been returned anyway. Online interior design can be extremely challenging and this is the perfect example of what you see isn't necessarily what you get.

This hiccup is going to change the entire vibe of our dining room. All things happen for a reason and since we scrapped the mirror, chose industrial pendants in the kitchen and verified that the original dining chandelier is out of our price point, it's back to the drawing board. We will keep the same color palette but make the space more relaxed and casual. This is why they call them "inspiration" rather than "reality" boards, right?

color me bad

Let me clear one thing up: I don't actually hate color. In fact, I wear colorful clothing all of time. My husband often jokes that I am allergic to bold hues mostly because we are still putting together the first layers of our home. To me, choosing neutrals for the foundation is smart in our circumstance because we can always bring a space to life by layering colorful accessories. It's much easier to swap an end table or change a drape than it is to re-upholster a sofa or replace kitchen cabinetry. This way, we also allow ourselves the financial flexibility to ebb and flow with trends.

I the spirit of color (and an attempt to restore my husband's confidence in me) I've compiled some fun items that I plan to include in our home - or at least use as inspiration.

I am loving the combo of grey and bold colors, such a fun summer table setting. The above are sold out, but etsy always had fun and unique fabric napkin options.

To me, tortoise is a new-age classic. Found these glasses for a steal on One Kings Lane a few weeks ago. If you aren't already a member, just comment below and I would be happy to send you an invitation! By far my favorite daily discount site for home goods.

While I can't afford this beautiful Cozamia painting, I love the use of subdued hues. More lovely prints can be found here.

Lamps are the perfect way to make a bold statement. I am currently obsessed with this Regina Andrews lamp found here for our family room. It's sophisticated yet casual enough for Texas.

Fresh flowers are the perfect way to add class, color and a wonderful light fragrance to your home. Flowers can be expensive so one way we plan to save money is by including some of our favorite varietals in our own garden, such as hydrangea and lavender. Due to the dry Texas heat my ranunculus and peonies will have to be reserved for special occasion purchases.

We will always have this debate in my house: are throw blankets appropriate for nap time?

Husband says: yes

I say: no

While they can be used casually during family movie night, a nice throw adds color and life to a room much like art.  Cashmere is my favorite in juicy colors like vermilion and cerulean seen here.

I'll hide a cotton blanket in a cute basket for any sofa slumber that occurs.

Family photos. It doesn't feel like home until you surround yourself with loved ones.

From cookbooks to novels my husband and I really enjoy reading. Luckily, books are beautiful and when displayed correctly can double as art.

A dear family friend gave us some Le Creuset pieces in cobalt for our wedding and we are smitten...not to mention they add a great pop of color in our kitchen and my husband thinks I am miraculously a better cook.

Color is essential in making a home feel warm and inviting. I would never suggest a design based solely on what was "in" but I do like to mix and match traditional decor with small elements that are fresh, modern or on-trend. The best advice I can give when it comes to figuring out what trends or colors to follow is stick to whatever feels comfortable for you and your family. Don't lay down a grey chevron rug just because you saw it in a magazine, your home should be a collection of things you love and a reflection of who you are not who the mass retail chains tell you to be.