My Dining Room

The Paint

 

I went on a painting tear back in August 2017. It was a year after my mom died. I decided to paint my mushroom-colored dining room walls, and from there, I could not stop. Within a year, I painted my kitchen, mudroom, back stairwell, rear kitchen pantry,  which used to be my grandmother’s apartment, and up the stairs to the guest bathroom.  My initial vision was a rich and elegant chocolate brown room. So I tested Benjamin Moore’s Grandfather Clock Brown, which was too dark, and several other colors before I chose the one I loved. Inspired by my husband, he handed me a deep green placemat and said, “how about this color?”  I tacked it to the wall and went to the paint store, searching for this deep green hue. 

 

I met Autumn, a confident color specialist at Different Strokes who showed me Timson Green, a rich color that she loved and looked terrific in one of her customer’s rooms.  Timson Green by Benjamin Moore was the first of many bold colors that would grace the walls of my house. I liked the deep avocado from the beginning, and I noticed that guacamole green was just starting to trend.  I studied color brochures like I read my cookbooks. I learned to cook by reading Julia Child’s The Way to Cook.  Night after night, I would take paint catalogs to bed with me and imagine what color would look best.  I get obsessed like that.

 

The Butler’s Pantry and Closet

 

Combined on one side, the original dining room housed a butler’s pantry and coat closet, both in terrible shape. When we moved into the house, they were functional, but there was little redeeming quality, so I hired Handyman Sal to remove the doors and inner contents to enlarge the space. Instead of throwing away the rough wood, I instinctively stored several wooden drawers in the basement for future use, and the doors went to the attic. I knew rustic would always have a home. A new hardwood floor matched the existing wood in this nook. I asked local contractor Stevie Waytkus, whom everyone calls  “Ogaboo,” to install four recess lights and a wall switch. Stevie worked for my family business in high school and remained a close friend to my dad.  I also asked him to remove four old rickety brass sconces from the adjoining walls and pull the electrical altogether. They seemed so old-fashioned at the time. Sal patched the walls and ceiling and painted the walls a lovely mushroom color. In 2017, it was time for me to repaint it—no more beige; this time around, I would start my Benjamin Moore color journey-to insert my house with bold colors that I love, that look right for the space, deep colors that made me feel good, that speak to my soul.

 

The Furniture

 

I never had to worry about having enough furniture for the dining room.  The room was always full.  Not only did I inherit my grandmother’s oval mahogany table and sideboards, but I also purchased a round glass china cabinet from Ronnie Seifert’s Auction Service.  Bob Bengal, a very amiable man, restored it for me, and on the way into the house, one of the glass shelves slipped out of the bracket and broke the curved glass. After getting it fixed, the cabinet dutifully housed and displayed wedding china and glassware. I entertained during the holidays and needed space for platters, bowls, silver service, candles, and linen.  The place was pretty and packed. 

 

The room’s rectangular shape did not inspire reconfiguring, but I did it anyway, a couple of times.  Out of favor and rickety, I carted the china cabinet, dining table, and six cracked chairs to the transfer station, sure that someone would bring them back to life. Moreover, the chairs were too small for our large and tall family. We are all 5’ 9” and up!  From there, I moved two bachelor chests to my bedroom. I also bought an antique table, six chairs with white leather seat cushions.  I dragged a large oval green country braided rug from the kitchen and positioned it crosswise, creating a room with two distinct spaces, dining and serving. With two antique oak combination tables and baker’s racks, I cleverly created vertical buffets.  Guests could help themselves with food and utensils.   The room was so pretty and wowing.  I remember my brother came for a visit, and he immediately took a picture on his camera. The decor was not long-lived. Unfortunately, the buffets worked in theory but not in practice. Lovely to look at, I entertained them for a while but decided the open storage was impractical for food service. The amount of dusting and upkeep was too much.  Not satisfied, I rearranged the room again; this time, I finally got it right.

 

Timing is everything.  I decided to use the large rug from my living room rolled under the front stairwell during a remodel. Even though it was burgundy in color, I realized its broad green border would look great with the green walls.  My husband removed the country braided rug and centered the eight by ten on the room. We moved the Empire mahogany sideboard to the opposite wall between the two windows and the baker’s racks on each side of the open-lighted nook.  It was a great start.  The room looked right; it had good bones.  

 

The Bread Baskets

 

It’s one of those rooms that will look like a nostalgia shop if I am not careful. Because of the two antique combination tables, baker's racks that open as display tables,  I can openly display my life’s interests, primarily food and cooking. When I see my flour-dusted bread basket collection and worn La Brea Bakery Bread book, I remember how I went at it full bore. Driven to conquer, I decided to become an artisan bread baker and master the art of sourdough bread making. Before it was trendy, I made a sourdough starter with organic grapes, purchased 40-pound bags of organic white, wheat, and rye flours, drop shipped by an enormous UNFI tractor-trailer, directly to my house for a 500 dollar minimum order. I knew this was extreme, but I was on a mission. I purchased two kitchen aid stand mixers to learn how to knead each of the loaves of bread professionally.  I burned out both motors.  Strained, they started to make loud noises, but I kept going.  I placed enormous baking stones that would fit in the oven and threw cupfuls of water into a 550-degree oven for steam.   The stove took a hit, and the bottom warped, but I didn’t care. It was the best time, it was adventurous, and my family loved it.  Besides, we owned a GE and Whirlpool major home appliance store and could always manage to get another. Needing to fill the space between the baker’s racks, I resurrected the old butler pantry drawers from the basement and stacked them.  I placed artwork, bottles, crocks, and trinkets in them too. The drawers are now back where they belong, honoring the past craftsmanship of the pantry.

 

The Art

 

I mounted John Singer Sargeant’s Smoke of Ambergris, an 1880 masterpiece, between the two windows.  A gift from my younger sister, she had the print beautifully custom-framed with gold and cream matting after noticing my enthusiasm for the magnificent original at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts. With identifier inscriptions, the 14 by 20-inch print sits regally above the massive sideboard adorned on both sides by tall tapered candles. It’s such a treasure. I always think of my sister, her generous nature, and that special museum visit when I see it.

 

I hung a large gold mirror to center one of the primary walls.  On each side, I displayed my Aunt Harriet Winston’s watercolors with scenes from a country meadow.  The frames and matting were white and faded and needed to be replaced.  Not wanting to wait long or spend much on the custom framing, I found Frame It Easy, an online framer, and selected dill green and buttercup yellow matting to complement the scenes. I chose dark wooden frames to complete the mahogany wood in the room.  Another Harriet Winston, I situated the fruit and flower still life alongside decorative green pots, wine bottles, a thick green glass ashtray, decoupage box, and a long-stemmed silk green flower. My husband commented that it looked like a staged painted scene. All three original paintings were stunning.

 

Last but not least, I decided to hang my grandmother’s original 1970s oil painting. I call it, red barn reflection with green trees overlooking the lake.  It looks like it might have been a paint-by-numbers set complete with a man holding a fishing rod, wearing a straw hat in a rowboat. My grandparents mounted it in their cozy pine-paneled family room in an apartment right down my street. It always felt homey. After her death, my parents displayed it in 15 John Street Gallery for $650.00, and it never sold.  After my parents closed the gallery, it was stored in their carriage barn and destined for ruin. No one wanted it, so I plucked it out of the barn and hung onto it.  What I loved most about it was the frame.  It’s 3 inches wide with a 1-inch inner matting that is creamy off-white, and unusually textured. There are numerous, random tiny holes in the light-colored wooden frame.  The marks look like boring insects made them. Or the holes were deliberately put there by a craftsman with an awl. It has such character, and I have a sneaky suspicion that it is worth something.  I realize now that my grandmother did not paint by number.  Her masterpiece is original, handpainted, carefully crafted art.  I chose to hang it proudly above my cast iron steam radiator displayed in the off-heating seasons with a red and white heart-pattern Marston Mills tablecloth, a gift from my incredibly thoughtful niece, also very homey. I am going to keep them both forever.

 

The Lamps

 

I am a fan of large online decorations because they create a wow factor.  To illuminate dark corners, I bought two five-foot-tall, free-standing column floor lamps from Lamps Plus.  Inspired by Art-Deco, this modern, euro-design with creamy linen print was a risky choice for a traditional room, but it was time to try something new. I wanted a dramatic look, and the far corners needed a soft glow.  It was 2017, a year for new and I sensed they would be just right. Regardless I knew I would make them work. They were also on sale with only two left - so I scooped them up fast!  My husband sanctioned them, too, so that was a big plus. We were in this together!  When they arrived, they towered over the table. Not intimidated, I positioned them just so on either side of the tall windows where they offered soft illumination and fit right in. 

 

The Windows

 

I purchased Comfortex window shades 20 years ago, factory-made in nearby Latham, NY.  The trip was convenient, and they were easy to order as long as the measurements were correct - three precise readings for each window. The soft-toned sheer fabric held up well over time, albeit gray and dusty. Not wanting to spend money on new ones, I decided to wash them to extend their usefulness.  The fabric was brittle, and the possibility of loss was great, but I took a chance anyway.  My husband and I submerged and gently swooshed the accordion panels with Oxiclean and Woolite solution in our clawfoot bathtub. The water was dark brown, but eventually, it ran clear.  The shades were clean and lighter in color.  To dry them, my ingenious husband clamped the full-lengths onto the top of the vintage metal “u” ring shower rod for support.  They dried quickly, and we re-installed them the next day. We saved 700 dollars. It was a success.

 

The Nostalgia

 

It seems like everyone is trying to declutter these days, downsizing to feel free. It’s easy to say get rid of all the old family heirlooms, gifts, and artful expressions, but I cannot. I love them and who they represent. My dining room has become my family showroom, my lineage.  I am delighted and proud that I have filled the space with the following.  The collection is extensive, so I am just going to list them with references. 

 

Bakers Rack, 37-inch width

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Two German strawberry pitchers, a gift from my grandmother, Mary Ruditis

Dansk Fondue Pot with 3 original fork sets, Dansk Outlet in Latham, NY.  Now closed.

Potpourri and Vase from Pier One

Mason Cash Ceramic Casserole Duck, a heartfelt Christmas gift from my son Peter

Wheat sprigs to symbolize bread

The London Ritz Book of Afternoon Tea

Cloth-lined bread fermentation basket, round brotform baskets from King Arthur Flour

My favorite books and magazines: Rick Bayless, Mexican Kitchen, Mexico, One Plate At A Time, Artisan Baking, La Brea Bakery, The Bread Bible,  Bon Appetit Special Travel Issues

 

Bakers Rack, 29-inch width

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Antique Wooden Mortar and Pestle, childhood kitchen favorite 

Stoneware mortar and pestle, a gift from my son Peter 

Garlic Roaster purchase from Williams Sonoma 

Silver candlesticks with green tapers from the local Williamstown store.  Topped with purple and green country favors. 

Royal Worcester Evesham Vale casserole with lid, a gift from neighbor Delores Chapman

Chopsticks and sake, Japanese souvenirs from our 2020 trip

Nantucket basket with my dad's airplane insert.  Made by a dear family friend, Mary Jane Smith

Waterford salt and pepper shakers, wedding gift

Silver birds, Ronnies auction, gifted from my mom. 

Large dark brown finely woven basket with a fitted lid. A gift from my mom. 

More books:  Chez Panisse Cafe Cookbook by Alice Waters, In a Vermont Kitchen, Essentials of Cooking, Alfred Portale’s Season’s Cookbook,  Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Gluten-free Artisan Bread, a gift from my sister.  I am now a GF girl!

Christmas Cookie cutter-filled jar. Childhood collection.

Bon Appetit Holiday Magazine editions,  since 1992. 

 

Antique Cast Metal Pedestal with marble, family heirloom

Silver Platter, a wedding gift from my parents

Teal 1970s Ice bucket, retro, childhood family favorite

San Pellegrino Mineral Water, hospitality purchase

Louis Comfort Tiffany, set of 4 glass coasters;  the Met, Christmas gift from my sister-in-law. 

Tall green tapers sold by Danforth Pewterers, a shop in Woodstock, Vermont 

Simon Pearce Water Glass, one-off purchase

Beer Glass, my husband birthday gift from my cousins, the Winstons 

Yellow silk roses and vase, a gift from my mom 

Italian wavy bowl, gifted from my grandmother 

Italia cake stand, a gift from my mom 

 

Empire Sideboard

Christmas trivets-crate and barrel purchase

Tall tapers, sold by Danforth Pewterers artisans, candlesticks, gifted from mom

Wedgewood Wild Strawberry Bell

Royal Worcester Jar

Noemi Ceramiche Red Bowl from Umbria Italy, gift

Brass skeleton key holder, a family heirloom. 

 

Dining Room Table

Candleholders, set of 2, silver, Crate and Barrel

Green silk Chinese Pillow, family heirloom

Lemon Basil Melamine Bowl, a gift from sister

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