Modern Dining Chairs Roundup

Each interior design project has it's one (sometimes more) tricky element. The paint color that needs to look as serene in the sun-soaked corner of the room as in the dimly lit back wall. Or, the rug. Oh, the rug! Or, the frame gallery...it's just not coming together organically. There's usually something that needs tweaking and editing and more tweaking before we land on the perfect finished design.

For one of our recent projects, it was the dining chairs. We quickly found so many gorgeous, affordable, kid-friendly dining chairs that fit our big picture design. But getting approval from our client wasn't so easy. The importance of dining chairs is huge, especially in designs (like our clients) where there is no formal dining room. When your dining chairs are your everyday dinner chairs and your holiday hosting chairs and your pull-it-over-to-the-TV-for-extra-seating chairs and everything in between chairs, they need to check many boxes. And so, finding the perfect chair was a journey.

Here was our original vision for the dining room, in mood board form.

                                                                      &nbs…

                                                                                    Wall color / Chandelier / Dining chairs / Dining Table

We were inspired by this lovely dining area that seamlessly mixes modern with rustic.

                                                                      &nbs…

                                                                                                             (photo source)

And so, we proposed ghost chairs! The perfect everything. Right?! If your little one spills grape juice, it takes a few paper towels and all is restored. They're also chic, cost effective and the ultimate design chameleon. Unfortunately, our client didn't love their look. They're also not always the most comfortable choice, especially those that are affordable.

So, we went back to the designing board. After some back and forth...okay a lot of back and forth (hence the "tricky" part)...we landed on the right chair for our client and for our design. We'll get there in a minute. But first, we thought you might be interested in some of the chairs we researched and considered. So many great options under $200...with one fabulous exception.

1. Ecole chair from Article (on sale for $179)

2. Viena white wood dining chair from Crate and Barrel ($109)

3. Marley arm chair from All Modern ($259.99)

4. Hugo dining chair from Wayfair ($176.99)

5. Madeleine side chair from Restoration Hardware ($132)

6. Parker dining chair from Target ($146.99 for set of 2)

7. Kelly-blue teal indoor metal chair from Amazon ($56.78)

8. Molded chair from Rove Concepts (on sale for $79.99)

And now, where did we land with our client? The Madeleine side chair from Restoration Hardware. We went with the white finish, which is no longer available (bummer). It's kid-friendly, comfortable (and cushions can be added in the future when little hands spill less grape juice), both classic and right now, well-priced and really pretty. Covers ALL the bases.

We can't wait to show you the finished project later this month!

- Leah

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We're Loving: Target's New Cloud Island Nursery Collection

Kids grow quick. SO quick! Too quick...

Their style and use of space grows just as quickly. A dresser will take the place of a changing table. Tea party tables will be replaced by homework desks. Almost everything in a child's bedroom is temporary in the sense that it's not intended to last a lifetime (or, in some cases, even a season).

And so, we don't believe in breaking the bank when it comes to curtains and toy storage and general decor. Save your bucks for the important stuff that will last (a bit) - beds and dressers. Everything else is bargain hunting territory.

When your on the hunt, we're big fans of IKEA, HomeGoods and Target. In our gold and pink girl's bedroom project we found everything from bedding to wire storage baskets at our beloved Target. Recently, Target came out with a new nursery line: Cloud Island. It's modern and playful without being super trendy and cheap. We've rounded up a couple of our favorite items below...it was hard to pick.

        1. Swaddle blankets  /  2. Wall storage  /  3. Owl plush toy  /  4. Blanket  /  5. Unicorn wall light     6. Playmat  /  7. Bird house night light  /  8. Light blocking curtains

 

Happy Monday. Have a great week!!!

- Leah

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2017 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale - Top Picks for Your Home

Here at Gray Oak Studio, not only do we love all things gray, but we really love it when we find them on sale! Believe it or not, although we are only half way through the summer, retailers are already gearing up to push us right back into the world of back to school gear and jackets, how dare they! The good news is that there are some major sales happening right now, including the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.

If you are not familiar with the sale, it is held once a year and lasts for a few weeks. They have some great items that can help to give your home a fresh new look while not having to break the bank. Take a look at these new finds from the sale going on now, and don’t miss out, items sell out quickly!

  1. Ticking Border Accent Pillow - We love this velvet pillow, and it's a great deal for the price!
  2. Acacia Wood Cheese Boards and Marble Knife - What a great housewarming gift idea.
  3. Dash and Albert Samode Indoor/Outdoor Rug - This rug will add interest to any space.
  4. Two Tone Basket - A nice basket to stash away toys or books is always a good idea.
  5. Quilted Pouf - Cute little pouf with loads of uses, footstool, extra seating, or ottoman, you choose.
  6. Soy Candle - This candle adds a bit of industrial charm with its concrete container.
  7. Turkish Towel - Turkish towels are not only stylish, but they are fast drying, lightweight and antimicrobial, a no brainer for summer beach days.
  8. Spruce Tree Bookcase - This bookcase is adorable for a nursery or playroom.
  9. Dash and Albert Beatrice Rug - Beautiful cotton area rug with a subtle geometric pattern.
  10. Basket Weave Accent Pillow - Soft and stylish knit pillow in an array of neutral hues.
  11. Embroidered Chevron Pillow - Fun pillow with fringe and chevron, yes please!
  12. Jersey and Faux Fur Throw - Amazing throw, one side is cozy jersey the other is faux furry goodness.
  13. Set of 6 Ice Cream Bowls - For under $15 these bowls are a great deal for a kitchen staple.
  14. Pom Set of 3 Canvas Bins - Cute bins to keep your nursery organized.

Happy Shopping!

Sonia

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