Welcome back to Camp Contentment! As I mentioned earlier, Coach and I are loving
life in our small 2/2 house in the quaint, historic district. I can honestly
say that, not even once, have we missed the Magnolia House. I know it’s hard to
believe but we simply love the freedom this little house is bringing us.
I’m so glad you could join me on this tour of our home. Together, we’ve walked
up the sidewalk, stepped onto the porch, opened the yellow door and walked into the
living room. It’s a cheerful house. Small in size, yet big in style! The same could be said
for the dining room. Though only 11 x 12 feet, every square inch has been put to good
use. From the very start, I knew I was going to like this room. However, I struggled
with how to get a large welsh cupboard, a corner cabinet and table & chairs to seat 6.
So, after searching Pinterest, I found the room below. If I made a big chalkboard for
the back wall I might have room for the table and chairs. After measuring, I realized
there was room for the welsh cupboard. Though tall and wide it wasn’t very deep.
Like in the Pinterest pic above, I considered using an old pine farmhouse (which
could have worked) but thought using a 54” glass top might visually create space
while comfortably seating 4. After considering my options for a suitable table base,
I chose a large six sided end table. Which I painted black to coordinate with the bold
Ikea rug in the nearby living room. It worked and left me wanting more black and
white. I loved the not so budget friendly striped chair below, but decided on these
slipcovered Henriksdal chairs from Ikea $79, with slipcover .
Still needing a punch of black and white, I bought 2 yds. of black and white stripe material from Ikea,
with the hope of making a roman shade. I wound up giving my sewing machine
away on the last day of my moving sale, but with a little internet research I found a ‘no sew’ adhesive,
called Fabri Tac by Beacon. That in combination with iron on hem tape, made the roman shade
possible. If you are a good seamstress, you’ll probably want to skip over this part. It wont make any
sense to you because you know how to sew but if you’re like me and like to make pillows, window
coverings, dust ruffles, etc. but don’t or can’t sew, your going to love Fabri Tac! It’s great for attaching
fringe
If you are a good seamstress, you’ll probably want to skip over this part. It wont make any
sense to you because you know how to sew but if you’re like me and like to make pillows, window
coverings, dust ruffles, etc. but don’t or can’t sew, your going to love Fabri Tac! It’s great for attaching
fringe….and as you are about to see, I went a little fringe crazy. I’m certain it’s because my Mother
made our family, matching terry cloth ponchos one summer, to wear over our swimsuits. I can only
imagine how we looked when we walked into the Oak Cliff Country Club. Nevertheless, pom pom
fringe it makes me smile and I was smiling a lot in this dining room.
I love every bit of it!
Now it was time to address the one and only light fixture. Hanging right in the center of the room, hanging
from three gold chains were the sweetest 1960 early American reproduction lights…. they took me way back
to the days of maple furniture, braided rugs and wingback rockers. At first, I wasn’t a fan but as the house
began to lighten up they bothered me less because they felt cute and quirky but when Kim removed this
beautiful 1930’s chandelier from the home she and Bryan were renovating, I quickly snatched it up for
Camp Contentment. Because it was working until the day it was disconnected, I never considered re-
wiring it but the night before the electrician was coming, Coach took one look at the old clothe wiring and
said, “No! I’d couldn’t sleep at night, knowing that was there…” So bright and early the next morning we
were off to Lowes to find a cool light. Though skeptical, we found one!
I love the difference it made in the room!
With the pretty new light in I loaded up the shelves with lots of white, black, aqua and green.
carefully trying not to over do it!
Which isn’t easy when you like clutter! So, here is my carefully edited display of goodies!
Bon appetite! Oh! I forgot to mention….. that after living with 4 chairs for awhile we knew we had
room to add 2 more. I’m still surprised that this small room can hold well, so much furniture.
Next up: The Kitchen!
