A Fresh Dining Space – with Golden and Pine!

HOME. There’s weight in that word, isn’t there?

How about DISCOUNT. Is there weight in that word? Thought so.

Right now I’m reading Julie Andrews’ memoir of her earlier years, called Home. Have you read it? It is beyond fascinating! And I’m not even to the MARY POPPINS PART YET.

I’ve always been drawn to all things home. Songs with the title Home. (Like Dixie Chicks and Sheryl Crow! Wait, are you laughing?) Anything that has to do with the warmth and comfort of home. Nesting, tidying, rearranging, cozying up, zhushing up or hygge-ing up a home – I’m all about.

You’re like, “I have no idea what you just said.”

Back in the late winter my incredible gal friends, Stephanie and Janette, who run my ALL-TIME FAVORITE local minimal home decor boutique, Golden and Pine, came over and sat in my living room with a notebook, a pencil, two laptops and three bottles of rosé. (<–priorities) We nibbled on dark chocolate and brainstormed ways to spruce up my, um, attempt at a dining space. The kitchen table was a freaking DOOR, for crying out loud. Old, rickety, wooden thrifted dining chairs with small, white paint streaks on them from this project or that. It just needed. . . help.

Or a torch.

Fast forward a few months and…

HERE WE ARE, OMG.

Aaaaand I’m lunatically obsessed. (!^!^!)

Of course I had a crystal clear slash not-obnoxious-at-all vision, going into this much-needed re-vamp. I knew I wanted to polish up the area, keeping it clean and minimal, but not look so GARAGE SALE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, like the 20-year-ago version of me would enthusiastically lean toward.

I also wanted the tiniest hint of rustic, a smidge of farmhouse, a touch of femininity, a sea of neutrals with nature acting as the pops of color here and there. And when you add it all up, it’s that complete earthy umami for my eye holes.

DISCOUNT IS COMING, HOLD YOUR FACES.

A lot of people ask me where I get most of my home stuff, and the truth is – everywhere! I’ve always been an avid thrifter, starting back in my very early 20s, in 1954. (just kidding.) (about the date, not the avid thrifter part.) (or the early 20s part.) (never mind.)

But the older I’ve gotten, it’s become much easier to know exactly what I want (and don’t want) in my home. (like hot pink sequins, NATALIE.)

When I was younger, my style was all over the place. I’ve always been drawn to vintage items and clothing, but nothing was cohesive back then. Even in my early years of marriage, we’d combine red plastic stools with colorful planters and random, mist-matched flea market art. It was hideous.

Don’t get me wrong, I still love the thrill of the hunt, the hodge podge finds that feel like a story in your hands. But that’s what’s fun about home STYLE, it can morph and shift and evolve as you do. It’s ever growing. Even if that means stripping everything back and starting completely over from scratch. Which is exactly what we did some odd 8 years ago. #midlifecrisis

This is the thing. I LOVE nature.

Not actual nature. Bugs and opossums and poison ivy and snakes can rot in hell.

But anything that resembles a jungle and/or tropical forest, I need it in a classic terra cotta pot and in my house and face.

Creamy slabs of stone, yes please.

Warm metals wrapped in wool. Or organic cotton. Or a wool/organic cotton blend, gimme.

Rich wood grains and bright white walls as a blank canvas for natural textiles and minimal patterns, yup.

BASICALLY ANYTHING GREEN AND CASCADING AND SPINDLY, I’m in.

There’s music in plants. (YES I’M SAYING THESE WORDS.)

The boundless shapes of greenery speak to me, just as art would to anyone else. They round out a room with a tropical balance that’s so peaceful, lovely and rhythmic.

Instead of framed paintings on the walls, I now opt for giant leaf print wallpaper. #grandma

Or a single floating shelf with a giant, dangling philodendron that hangs down like a plant octopus. (<–gross.)

You should all know I’ve since organized that shelf in the background.

You can breathe now.

Okay, so this is what I love about Golden and Pine. Not only did they help create the dreamiest dining space that I could ever imagine, it’s THIS SHOP that speaks to my aesthetic, like nothing else does. It’s everyday items, but elevated. Special. Nothing bulky or too colorful or vibrant. The whole shop style is simple, minimal, neutral, and peaceful. I keep asking it to marry me, but I haven’t heard back yet. I’ll keep you posted.

Some details about this minimal, natural dining space setup, before we get to the discount!

These fabulous white dining chairs are called Kaptain, and you can order that lusciousness through Golden and Pine. (they’re expanding their furniture section, so email Stephanie directly, and she’ll hook you up!) I especially dig the sexy rounded backs. And the sturdy resin material makes them suuuuper kid friendly. Hello, wipe wipe. Done.

The stunning dining table is called Bok, and also available through Golden and Pine. That blond wood weakens my soul, and I just LOVE those slightly tapered legs, more than the traditional chunky look.

I’m talking about the table legs, not mine.

Wait.

These minimal Silverlake plates? To die for.

The tiny-check linens? Life.

Really, anything and everything at Golden and Pine is beyond fabulous and cry-fest worthy.

NOW, FOR THE DISCOUNT.

(wait, did you go to sleep?)

So this is online only, but that makes your life easy. You don’t even have to put on a bra!

BEVCOOKS is the code, and it will get you 15% off your order. Use it for small stuff, or a big splurge! Whatever you want, boo boo.

So tell me, what is YOUR home style? Where do you find inspiration? Are you a minimalist by nature, or do you thrive on bright color, pattern, and tons of art? Do you consider your style a work in progress, or do you feel like it’s pretty dang dialed?

I get asked these questions constantly, so I’m turning the tables on you, man! Because you know I need these details to thrive in this world.

…

(Two things: MASSIVE thanks to Stephanie and Janette for this fun project! And to Jessica Cain for the beautiful photos. Obviously this post is definitely in partnership with my lover, Golden and Pine, but all home and style ramblings are totally my own. We coo?)

(Also, check out this fun home feature on Design Mom!)

(Also, ALSO – if you’re local, Golden and Pine opens back up at their new Prairie Village location this Thursday night, from 6-8pm! Insert all the squeals.)