New House Journal: Dining Room Chandy

We're making progress through the process of buying this house. This last week we've negotiated the inspection results; nothing major or deal breaking, just little things that need to be taken care of. This is an older home, built in the 60's, and even though it's been partially renovated there are still lots of updates we need to finish. Looks like it needs a small amount of roof repair, some tree limbs hanging on electrical lines... the things I never wanted to worry about again. We realized a while back that to get the usable space on one level we need, we have to go with an older home. We've researched the new custom home route and that's not something we want to go through now. We don't want to be further out of town, and that's what we'd be getting with a subdivision of new builds. I talked some about our decision making process in my last post. I'm excited about all that's ahead with this big project, but I still feel I need to explain our decision. Maybe I'm still trying to convince myself, haha. I know that sometimes our big life choices are not so easy to make. But then again, that IS life isn't it? Stepping out in Faith to do what we feel God is directing us to do.

My hubby has loaded me up with boxes and packing paper and bubble wrap so I've started packing up the china cabinets and vintage dishes.That's what I can do now, while we're waiting for the closing next month. All it took was one afternoon of unloading the Kitchen Sitting Area and Dining Room China Cupboards and the house is now totally upended and my time for decorating is kaput. It's times like this when I realize I have way too many dishes that we never use. There are a lot of vintage pieces that I really enjoy decorating with like Brown and Red Transfer ware, and my wedding pottery, French Faience. I'm not ready to let go of any of these sentimental pieces yet, so I'm still dragging them around to one more house. At least at the new house there is a dedicated "Dish and Linen Closet" in the Dining Room. YES!! I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not... maybe it's a tool for "enablement". 

To keep my mind off all the work ahead I've been looking for Lighting fixtures. The Formal Dining Room has been used as an office, so it has a ceiling fan, that will need to be replaced with a chandelier. When we were looking at the listing photos I couldn't figure out what this room was meant to be. I was hoping it was actually a Dining Room, but the photos were limited so I wasn't sure. Once we toured the house it was obvious; yes it is, it just has office furniture at this time. Right now it has chair railing with a traditional stripe wallpaper above in taupes. I love the look, and would like to keep the paper, but not sure how it will work with my "Country French" vibe. This is as close as I can get to the size and color of the existing paper.

I have been online searching for a white or gray wash chandy with a French Country look. This room has an average ceiling height so I can't use anything very large or dramatic. I LOVE the new French look spindly chandies, but I don't want to go that overt. My current DR chandy is too large to move again; and it was too big for the previous home, so I'm going "less over the top" this time. I've narrowed down some options and came up with these from Wayfair. This is not a sponsored post, but these three came the closest to what I was looking for at a good price.

Lebrun 6-Light Chandy

Odessa 6 Light Chandelier

Paladino 6 Light Chandelier

The Paladino 6 Light Chandelier is what I decided on. I looked at a lot of online sources, but I want to keep things at a budget. We have a lot to do from flooring to woodwork to new windows, so I'm going to be cost conscious in my choices.

This is a little mock up of the wallpaper and the Chandelier. I'm hoping the wallpaper will be usable after the current owners have moved. You never know, the paper could be damaged or dirty, but I'm hoping I have the option to use it.

There will be a lot of decisions that we can only make once we take possession. One idea that has recently come up is the possibility that there are hardwood floors under the carpet. We won't know until we can remove the existing carpet to be sure. In any case, dark hardwoods will be there one way or the other. Also the trim work will need to be painted white. It already has white crown molding so doorways, doors, and window trim will need to be painted. We will take out the baseboards that are more narrow 60's stuff and install larger trim after the floors are finished. Also, the Living Room and Dining Room that are joining also have a shiny finish on the ceilings, which needs to be painted a more matte finish. I'll share before pics when we get there, since I hesitate showing more photos until it's ours and empty.

I'm going to label all the New House posts as "New House Journal" so they'll be in some kind of order. Right now I'm just doing some preliminary planning. I have to work around some things that are not going to change for awhile. I've learned that buying an existing home means being willing to compromise. Maybe if money was no object, then we could do whatever we want, but that's not what we want to do. We want to do this wisely and make decisions in a responsible way. Two months ago we were thinking of a smaller condo with postage size yard and no maintenance. Well, things have changed and we're on a different path. The most important thing is that we know we're doing what we're supposed to be doing. That's a big comfort when we start asking ourselves "what the heck are we doing?". We approach all decisions with prayer and asking for God's will. That has been the guiding concept of our lives and marriage. It doesn't mean everything is "perfection", but it does mean He gives us peace and direction in our decision making. 

One decision down... hundreds to go.

xoxo,

joining in here:

Style Showcase at Savvy Southern Style

Thursday Favorite Things at Follow the Yellow Brick Home

Share Your Cup at Mrs. Olson's

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Sundays at Home at Little Farmstead

The Scoop at Worthing Court

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

Inspiration Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life