Last week I added the new Orla Kiely curtains to the dining room and I immediately loved how the vibrant pop of blue worked with the vintage buffet! But with the new matching color scheme, the room also felt like it was lacking a dose of contrasting color to really mix things up. So the wheels began turning for updating our current ottoman-turned-dining bench…
Right off the bat I’m thinking that a new set of taller legs and a covering in a soft velvet would make this guy work for the space. The tufted ottoman is a Craigslist find (surprise!) but he’s been with us for a while and has slowly begun to wear and tear (literally) and up until recently has been on the replace or let go list.
But perhaps he can be remade into something awesome. Here are a few badly photoshopped ideas of what colors might work well with that bold blue (and a few random lumbar pillows that might coordinate well for the end chairs):
A soft pink to lighten things up? I found the softest pink velvet for $10/yard at our discount fabric shop. (pillow)
Or how about mint green? A favorite summer accent of mine! (pillow)
Or perhaps something a little more limey would look best… (pillow)
Burnt orange?
Or how about plum to cool down that bright blue? (pillow)
I’m not quite sold on any of the pillow pairings but you can see where I’m hoping to go with a little color in this space, and if pricing out velvet and new legs ends up being pricier than a new upgrade, here are a few benches that I have my eye on:
Oh I love that minty Ballard bench with the curved legs!
Read the full dining room story by starting here: choosing a rug, curtain call part 3, curtain call part 2, curtain call part 1, newly styled bookshelves, a buffet-over, upgrading the lighting, the before.
Love this series; buffet looks amazing, love the drapes and I’m definitely inclined to go more for a citron on the bench!!
~ Sarah
Thanks, Sarah!
I love the third choice, the plum tufted with slightly curved legs. Plum and turquoise is one of my all time favorite color combos (mountains and oceans/skies)and the clean, curved legs of this particular bench are very similar to the legs of your dining chairs. The tufting is reminiscent of the time period of your buffet too. Love the blending of old and new.
I don’t know how often you use your dining room or your tolerance for crumbs. Of course it’s going to need to be vacuumed – what doesn’t after a get-together with family and friends, but vacuuming is a rote chore that provides a great opportunity to simply replay the day in your head and remember the good times and how the crumbs got there in the first place.
I’m sure whatever you chose will look great – can’t wait to see it.
Crystal, thank you for your thoughts on this! I too love that plum bench and tufts are definitely a crumb container :). Love your thoughts on vacuuming and reliving the event!
They all look like good possibilities. (not much help, huh?) If you’re looking for legs for the ottoman, Van Dykes has lots of great choices. I bought the legs that I added to our bathroom vanity from them. They also have frequent sales, so the prices are very reasonable.
Oh, and I love that tufted bench, but yikes! for the crumbs getting down in and around those buttons! :)
So true, so true!
Numer 1 or 2!! Love them!
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http://designsbynina.blogspot.com.es/2012/06/sorteo-express-nina-designs-delipapel.html
I never would have thought of pairing soft pink velvet with that room…but I LOVE the idea! Those backup/inspiration pieces all look fantastic!
I agree, that Ballard bench with the beautiful legs is calling to me! I think it would look stunning in the room.
It IS a favorite! How pretty is that sea green/mint?