planning the parlor dining room

The last time I posted any pictures of the parlor, the crazy textured plaster ceiling was getting ripped out and a structural beam was getting repaired. Yeah, it was as scary as it sounds. The sagging ceiling in the front room was my biggest concern when I first saw the house almost a year ago, and I worried about it a lot.

Fortunately, my contractor pros were able to open it up and shim the beam, which leveled things out for the long haul. After demo’ing the ceiling, rebuilding the cove ceilings, and applying a beautiful new skim coat, it was starting to look even better than its deceptively pleasant before shot.

Even in its grimy original state, I fell so hard for the parlor when I first walked in the front door at the open house. Its geometric moldings, inlaid parquet floors, big front windows, and 10-foot ceilings made me weak in the knees. The original floorplan referred to the parlor as the living room, but I had other plans.

Why not turn it into a dining room? And maybe a sitting area where we could read books or flip through magazines?

So I asked (very nicely) in my offer for the beautiful vintage Danish dining table from Bo-Ex (which measures a whopping 95” when both its leaves are in) and for the beautiful matching sideboard. I knew these pieces would make a great foundation for my new grown-up dining room, and were perfect for future dinner parties.

I also had my heart set on a chandelier to dress up the space, so I picked out a reproduction ceiling medallion, a curvaceous modern pewter chandelier, and a new rug to ground the space. We’re still deciding on what to do for the windows and chairs – I’d love vintage fiberglass Eames shells, but am currently digging on these industrial Marais chairs. Too many options!

Now if only I could decide what color to paint the walls…

We also inherited a pair of vintage armchairs that are desperate need of reupholstery, but they’ll have to wait until I can pick out a fabric and save up the money. And get twenty-five million other projects done, but who’s counting? Any good upholstery recommendations in Brooklyn that are reasonably priced??!

For now, I’m so happy with how the parlor is turning out. I can’t wait for the next project!