Adding Warmth to the Breakfast Nook
Ch-ch-changes!! SO many changes have been happening around here lately and I’m kinda loving it to be honest. And today’s post is all about some big changes I’ve made in our cozy breakfast nook. I have a pretty cool before and after to share with you today, but before I get into all that, let me explain. See for the past couple of months the breakfast nook has felt really stale to me. A bit cold even. Something about it just wasn’t jiving, so I started getting the itch to make a change. I honestly tried to ignore that itch for a while because there was nothing “wrong” with the breakfast nook. I mean, it was a perfectly good space with all things considered and nothing “needed” to be done, but it just felt cold. So I kept pushing it off and pushing it off. You know, just telling myself to live with it, because IT’S FINE FOR HEAVENS SAKE. But I could only do that for so long and then I caved. I know you’re not surprised. But here’s the thing–I made two very simple and affordable changes that have totally transformed this space. Really, it is SO much more warm and inviting now, it actually feels like a whole new room. You won’t believe the change and I’m excited to share it with you today. Now just to refresh your memory, here’s a shot of how the breakfast nook looked before:
And here it is now:
Pretty different, right?! It went from cold and not very cozy to warm and inviting. It looks like a totally new room now. So the first change I made was the lighting. I’ve been eyeing this chandelier for a long time, so when it went on sale a few weeks ago I finally decided to go for it. Plus I had an extra coupon, which made it an even better deal. I ended up getting it for a little over $100, which is less than I’ll sell the old chandelier for. BOOM. That’s winning. This light gives the room some much needed texture and I love the wood tones. It automatically warms up this space much more than the chandelier we had before.
The next update was the chairs–which I’ve been dreaming about changing out for a long time now. The ones we had before were great (I actually found them for cheap on Craigslist!) but I wasn’t digging the white chairs with the white table anymore. It was time for a change and I was craving a little more contrast. I really wanted rattan chairs, so I looked and looked and looked for an affordable option until I found these on sale from Pier 1.
A lot of rattan dining chairs are really large and wide, which I love, but that doesn’t really work in our small breakfast nook. I like these chairs because they’re more narrow, but they still add a TON of texture and warmth to this room. I’m obsessed with this look. And I feel like they compliment the white table much better than the white chairs did–I love the contrast. I also ordered these seat cushions to go along with them, but they haven’t come in yet.
It’s pretty cool to see how much better this little breakfast nook looks now. I’m just glad that I finally decided to make a few changes. It’s gone from cold and kinda sterile to warm and cozy. Plus I was able to do it on a reasonable budget, which is always a good thing. And I think the lesson here is that a lot of design is trial and error–the trick is figuring out what works and what doesn’t work in your space, and then be willing to make a change when something feels off. If you have a room that’s feeling a bit cold, try adding in some texture and maybe some wood tones to warm it up a bit. Even a few touches of greenery can make a space feel more inviting. And it really makes a big difference, especially when you’re working with a lot of whites and neutrals–which you know are my JAM. Anyway, thanks so much for dropping by the blog today! I always appreciate when you spend part of your day where with me. Let me know what you think of my little nook transformation and if you have any questions! xo
Sources:
The Comments
glenda LaFont
it looks perfect, Sarah
Heather Rathke
Looks beautiful!
Anna Lapp
I love it!!!
Angel
It looks amazing!!! Great job. I wish I had an awesome chandelier to sell to pay for a cool one 😂
Pat
It looks wonderful!!! I wish I lived by you to receive your cast offs when you do these changes, lol!
Shaz Isaac
Love the new look Sarah! You’re right, it definitely looks warmer. I think the curtains help too.
Mary Beth
I LOVE the chairs! I have been thinking about those for a long time too! Now I am convinced! Great Job!
Kim mccoy
It looks great sarah! I have the bar stools. I need to check pier one to see if those awesome chair pads will fit. About the old chandie. Why don’t you Send me an email and tell me what you want for it. It’s what I’ve been looking for! Have a great day. Kim
Mallory
Love the addition of greenery in the corner! What a simple you impactful change! 🙂
Cely
LOVE it!!!! 🙂
Tammy Ganci
Hi,
Love Love Love!!!! The room was amazing before but now WOW it’s just amazing, incredible, awesome and on and on!!! My dining area which is part of my living room is white on white on white on white everything lolol which I love, but…..your chair’s are perfect!!!! I am going online right now and ordering 4 of them. It is just what my dining area needs. I never thought of rattan. But wow what a room!!!
I will let you know my outcome.
Thank you!!!!
Enjoy a blessed day with your family
Love your blog friend,
Tammy
Sarah
> Tammy GanciOh awesome Tammy!! I hope you love them. Make sure to get the cushions too, those are really important to keep the seat of the chair intact. Send me a pic when you’re all done! xo
Kim Lord
It’s all so beautiful… and I agree it really did warm this space up!
denise
I love the changes – your room is beautiful – can you share where the table runner and jute rug is from. Thanks
Sarah
> deniseThe jute rug is from Pier 1 and that table runner is actually from World Market!
Diana Reeser
What a lovely job you’ve done!!! Gotta have 2 of those chairs right now! Thanks for the inspiration!
Sarah
> Diana ReeserThanks Diana!! xo
Donna Bergthold
Looks fabulous Sarah!
Sarah
> Donna Bergtholdthanks so much Donna! xo
Linda
Your room is beautiful.
I’ve been wanting to ask someone about all white rooms. Do you ever get tired of just white? I think they are gorgeous but I’m afraid I would get tired of just white all the time.
Sarah
> LindaI actually don’t! I love them, I just like to mix in lots of texture and greenery.
Jodie
Really warmed it up, Sarah. Great job, love it!
Texture is really key when working with neutrals!
Sarah
> JodieYes it really is so important!!
Darlene
It looks so lovely the rattan and light warmed the space up so much.
Sarah
> Darlenethanks Darlene, I love how those rattan chairs made it feel so much more cozy!
Cindy@countyroad407
Sarah! I have those chairs too sitting at my white table. Does that mean I’m as cute and creative as you? Nope, never. That won’t ever happen. But I’m super excited to know I did something you’d do! Love your entire breakfast area. On a side note, isn’t it weird though we call it a breakfast nook when we eat lunch, snacks and dinner there too? Hmmm.
Sarah
> Cindy@countyroad407Oh that’s awesome!! We are chair twins. Haha!! And I agree, it is weird to call it a breakfast nook. It should be the “where everything happens nook”!
kelly
This is beauttful.. Can you post pictures of the kitchen area?
Sarah
> kellyYes! I have several posts about the kitchen. Just put kitchen in the search bar and they’ll all come up for you! xo
Sally Brown
Beautiful, just knew it would have some black. Love the chairs!
Sarah
> Sally BrownOh you know it Sally, I can’t stop with the black lately!
Pat
It looks amazing with the new lighting and chairs. They bring such warmth and texture to your room. 😊
Sarah
> Patthanks so much Pat! xo
Jan
Looks amazing…as always!
Sarah
> Janthanks Jan! xo
Marilyn S.
It’s just perfect -your instincts are right on. Is the wall goose neck lamp like the one in your reading nook ? Did you outfit it with a puck light ?
Sarah
> Marilyn S.Yes it is the same light! And it did have a puck light in it, but we never used it so I just took it out. It’s purely for decoration! 🙂
Sherry
Love it. A huge difference with just a few touches.
Chels Rief
I love all of the different textures in the room now and of course all those little pops of dark color to contrast with that beautiful white. Love it Sarah! I don’t know how you find the time to make all of these changes, but I sure love it.
Kathryn
Love what you’ve done with the space. ❤️ the warmth and texture.
Tatjana
Very nice! You forgot to mention curtains, they have a big impact too! Very cute:)
Sarah
> Tatjanayes for sure!
Teresa 0'Connor
It looks so beautiful. Ive just sold my chairs like these and im so sorry I did. I should have kept them until I was sure.
Great job Sarah , I love it.
Adrienne
Hi!! I came across your blog post recently and I am in love with your breakfast nook! I’m getting a table like yours and I loooove the chairs. Though when I went to pier 1 to look at the chairs they have espresso (what you linked to from your blog) and then also a gray wash chair! When photographed it’s hard to tell the difference and in person they look different too! I actually think your chairs are the Grey ones not the espresso! Do you remember ?! I’m so torn on which option to get! I want it to look like your picture 🙂
TtlevintageKelli Reeves
I recently bought the exact same chairs from Pier One (love love love) But the coushions are no longer available. Where did you order yours from? I went to your site ylu listed, but it’s no longer available.
Looks beautiful!
Thank you!