Dining room mock-up

Clockwise from top center: PH5 pendant lamp, at DWR; Modern drape rod, at Pottery Barn; Wool panel with grommets, at West Elm; Norden dining table, at Ikea; Rona stemware, at CB2; Ikea 365+ dinner plate, at Ikea; Spin napkin, at Crate & Barrel; Strand flatware, at Crate & Barrel; Fiberglass shell chair, at Modernica; Wegner Wishbone chair, at Room & Board

After Thanksgiving, I've really had the desire to make my dining area look more put together. Our dining room shares space with my painting studio and it has worked out, for the most part, but it can get pretty cluttered.

I'm tossing around the idea of switching our dining room and our living room, although if you want to get technical, we'd be moving it into its properly designated room. I'd still share the front room, but this time with the boob tube. Imagine painting and watching some Gossip Girl, my semi-secret guilty pleasure! All of my paintings will start being of Serena and Blair.

Don't fret Cardboard! You will always be my muse!

My one big reluctance is that we'll go through the trouble of moving all of the heavy furniture and end up not liking it - only to be forced to move it back (and having Hardwood not too pleased with this hair-brained scheme of mine).

To get the creative juices flowing, I made a mock-up featuring a few items we already have (table, shell chairs, dishes/tableware) and a few Scandinavian classics that I've always wanted. We have three Eames shell chairs in yellow ochre, so I'd like to round out the set with a few more. (I'm currently scouring eBay.) I feel the black wishbone chairs at either end of the table would balance out all the lighter colors, as would the dark curtains and rod. And I'd give anything to get rid of our '80s chandelier. (Also scouring eBay for a good deal on the PH5 light.)

So how do you think I should propose these suggestions to Hardwood? Anything you'd add or subtract from the mock-up?

Wish List : Eames Rocker

Fiberglass shell rocker, at Modernica

Earlier this month Hardwood and I celebrated our 4th Wedding anniversary! We celebrated by enjoying a leisurely morning and a late brunch. We then spent the afternoon browsing around a couple of antique stores in our neighborhood and later treated ourselves to an amazing meal at Green Zebra.

At one antique store, Hardwood spotted an Eames Rocker and proclaimed his love. I knew we were meant to be together!! We checked out the price tag and were stunned to see $1600!!! WTF?! Seriously?! We grumbled, but then I remembered that Modernica allows you to build your own chair. So when we got home from our walk we started messing around with the shell, runner, and leg colors. Our favorite combination is the moss shell, zinc legs and walnut runners. Maybe on our next anniversary we'll get this!

Bonus Bone: Brommo Chairs

BROMMÖ deck chair, at IKEA

Hardwood and I picked up a couple of these bad boys earlier this week. I've always been attracted too them, but thought the strings might get uncomfortable. We gave them a test-sit and found them surprisingly comfy.

AND now I know they're extra cool cause Briggles has a set as well.

For these reasons, I, Porcelain, declare this a Design Boner.

Open Book: 50 Sad Chairs

Blue Chair

Bill Keaggy's book, 50 Sad Chairs, is finally out. I've been thoroughly moved by Keaggy's work in the past but holding onto a tangible thing brought my appreciation to a new level. After I received my copy in the mail, I devoured it in a mere minutes. Then I reflected...and went back through it again. I believe this sequence will repeat.

It's a physically tiny book - it's cheap - but it's stirring and should be on your coffee table, next to your bed, or snuggled up tight in your purse.

I didn't necessarily snap the photo above with Keaggy's project in mind but when I got home and uploaded it, I realized he sunk into my subconscious more than I thought.

Love it, Bill Keaggy. Congratulations on the published success!