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Modern Farmhouse Dining Room (after MUCH drama)

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modern farmhouse DIY…

Welcome to our modern farmhouse dining room. We love it now, but this DIY project took a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get it to that point.

When we moved to our home in the country last year, we knew there were a lot of gut jobs ahead of us.

dining room with textured cream wool rug, acacia table with bench and chairs, floral curtains and gold chandelierPin

The dining room, however, was not supposed to be one of those.

Bright & happy modern country farmhouse dining room with herringbone rug, board & batten and cow portrait!!Pin

But, when all was said and done, it had not only become a gut job, but also a serious gut check. 

Before we get knee deep in the blood, guts and termites…if you’re here to find the source list for this space, here you go:

shop the lookPin
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Oh, and before moving on, if you’re the type who loves decorating your home BIG time, but on a small-time budget? Then you’ll want to grab a free copy of “Builder-Grade To Beautiful: 10 Totally Transformative Home Decorating Solutions, All Under $100!” Click here or on the image below. Your copy will be sent right away! 

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Here was the dining room before we purchased the house. I love this room. It is bathed in light throughout the day. It has two large windows and a beautiful set of french doors which lead out to a covered porch. 

dining room beforePin

Our plan for this room was so simplistic. We wanted to go for a modern farmhouse look. Just add some DIY molding, paint, change the fixture…call it a day.

That WAS the plan. UNTIL….dun dun dun…

showing termite damage on wood framingPin

We found THIS!

While pulling down the existing chair moulding in the dining room, I stumbled across the dreaded termite tracks. More demolition followed, and when all was said and done, a horror story unfolded before our eyes. The structure of two exterior walls of the room were almost completely compromised.

Below is a close-up of the header that was atop the french doors.

termite damagePin

You could stick your finger in the middle of that header and just shred it…like pulled pork in a crock pot. Horrific.

termite damagePin

Here’s some video footage of the horror show:

Needless to say, DOWN came walls, and UP went the budget for this job.

In goes the DIY molding…

Heathered Nest yellow dining room makeover with houndstooth & toilePin

Slowly Humpty Dumpty was put back together again. We started putting up the DIY molding that we had originally envisioned. AND, went through four different chandeliers trying to find “the one”.

The one pictured above was the third one we tried. Too dark.

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This was the one we tried before that…too modern.

Can you believe I’m still married? I’m sure most people would have filed some type of papers after the third chandelier install (not to mention the four rugs I went through)…

BUT after months, many new studs, and several chandeliers, our modern farmhouse dining room finally came together. Here it is now:

Bright and colorful yellow modern farmhouse dining room makeover with houndstooth rug & toilePin

As you can probably tell, we are big fans of color and pattern around here. This room was bright already, and I wanted it to read that way…light, happy and inviting.

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The chandelier we finally decided on is probably the most formal and fancy aspect of the room, but it’s hard to take it too seriously when it’s paired with the yellow houndstooth rug.

I think this room is in its element in the summer with all the bright, happy colors.

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And the spring, too.

green-thumbs-spring-at-heathered-nest-post-15Pin

But it also transitions easily to fall.

heatherednest-com-modern-farmhouse-dining-room-1Pin

Despite its bright, colorful vibe, I think the space still can transition well for fall, Thanksgiving and on into the rest of the holiday season and winter.

modern-country-farmhouse-dining-room-heatherednest-com-1-2Pin

Thankful. That’s the word that is thrown around a lot at this time of year. But never a truer word was there for how we feel this Thanksgiving. Thankful for healthfulness, smiles and hugs from our three little mischief-makers and lots of family and friends nearby.

And last, but not least, thankful that this termite-infested-hole-in-our-wallet-burning-never-ending-“it’s just cosmetic”-OMG-I-can’t-believe-we bought-this-pit dining room project has FINALLY come to an end!

Pin this post for later! And if you make one, leave a comment (or better yet, a photo) on the pin! That helps others know whether they want to try this project, too!

Bright & happy modern country farmhouse dining room with herringbone rug, board & batten and cow portrait!! Pin

Pssst…before you go, I sure would love to hang out with you again really soon! Sign up now and get a no-cost copy of “Builder-Grade To Beautiful: 10 Totally Transformative Home Decorating Solutions, All Under $100!” Click here to enter your email or on the image below. Your copy will be emailed right away!

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About Heather Thibodeau

A former doctor of physical therapy, Heather Thibodeau went from rehabilitating people to homes as the primary creative force behind the DIY and home decorating website, The Heathered Nest.

With her work being published both in print and online in places such as Better Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful, Good Housekeeping, Real Simple and more, Heather's goal is to help people create a home they love, one DIY project at a time.

Comments

  3. Sherry Nappa says

    Your dining room turned out fantastic (despite the critters)! Thanks for sharing your project with us at Merry Monday.

    Reply

  4. Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled says

    Sounds like our remodels! Great result minus the horrifying discoveries behind the walls. Love the pix of the fancy chandelier amongst the demo room! Great juxtaposition. It’s great to see a room full of color; too many beige rooms out there. Visiting from Share It One More TIme events.

    Reply

    • Heather says

      RIght? So tired of the same ol same ol color palette!! Thanks so much for taking the time to write such a nice comment!! Have a great weekend.

      Reply

  5. Marie, The Interior Frugalista says

    I could feel your pain while viewing those termite infested photos. Thank goodness you decided to tackle that room or your walls may have imploded. You guys did a beautiful job with this room – so bright and welcoming. The chandelier you eventually settled on is perfect. I remember Marian’s post about that photo shoot,

    Reply

  6. Bryarton Farm says

    Love how your dining room turned out! Since we are in the throws of renovating our farmhouse and our dining room is doubling as our kitchen this is exactly what I needed. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  8. Kim says

    I recently found your blog and adore your styling in your home! So fresh and unique. So many blogs are beginning to look alike with monochromatic hues, whites and pale gray’s. Your vibrant bursts of color are so refreshing and dramatic against your soft background. I hope to order a rug, like this but it is out of stock currently. Can you tell me how much fabric you used on each panel? LOVE it, Heather!!!!

    Reply

  9. Elisabeth says

    Hi Heather,

    Not sure you’ll get this after all this time, but I’ve only just seen this post. I absolutely love this area! It is faaantastic! Thank you, thank you! I’ve been trying to think of how to decorate/renovate/whatever a tricky space in our house (Two fairly useless rooms which we actually call – the useless rooms), and wanted them to be warm and inviting, just so at least they could look nice! I’ve struggled with choosing a warm colour, as the carpet is blue. I think yellow accessories will really do the trick! Plus, inject some lightheartedness into the room; you know – frivolity!

    I’d always intended doing the board and battening, but at a lower height. Yours looks fantastic at that height! Can you tell me what your decider was for the height, and also, how did you work out the spacings between your verticals? What height is your ceiling? I guess I could just Blutack timber onto the wall until I get what I like???

    Thanks Heather. Well done, this is just such a lovely space.
    Cheers, Liz (Australia).

    Reply

    • Heather says

      I sure did get it Liz! Thanks for your comments, and would love to see your space when it’s done! Our ceiling height is about 8ft 6in. I think we chose that height because we wanted the white moulding to play more of a role than the color on the wall above since we knew we’d be putting a lot of color/pattern into the room in other ways like with the rug, curtains, etc. Best of luck, and so glad you’ve found us!

      Reply

      • Elisabeth says

        Thanks very much Heather. I found you quite a while ago, but stupidly didn’t read back through all your posts. Am doing so now though! 🙂

        Have to say, now that I have seen the light (well the dining room actually), I feel I have a direction! The ideas are just falling in place, and I’m so excited!!!!! Not sure The Hubster will share my enthusiasm, as this may equate to a loss of moolah. Oh well, can’t keep everyone happy now, can we? He’ll be happy in the end, so I shall cling to that thought….. chuckle. Better go and prepare for the plasterer! He’s arriving in about an hour, and then this show is ON The ROAD! Yeehaaar! Happy days! (Or daze, depending on how quickly and consistently I work!).

        Thanks again! Liz. 🙂

        Reply

  10. zandra zuraw says

    I can totally relate to trying out 4 chandeliers and 4 different rugs before finding the perfect ones! (And I, too, am surprised that I’m still married 🙂 Love the wall color!

    Reply

  12. Ashley@Biggerthanthethreeofus says

    I can't believe your still married! Lol. It looks so good! I love how you mix colors and patterns. Bravo!!

    Reply

  13. christymisty68 says

    I love your dining room. It's such a happy space. Can you tell me what color you used on your walls? Thank you!

    Reply

  17. Gina Kleinworth says

    Oh it's so pretty – I'm so excited for you. After all that it turned out perfect!! (I'm pretty sure my hubs would have had a few choice words if I had changed out fixtures like that too – however finding the right one is key & it sounds like they understand that)

    Reply

    • Heather says

      I agree, Gina, lighting is completely key, and I figure, my husband kinda knew what he was getting into with me 😉 Poor guy!

      Reply

  19. Angela at Simply Beautiful By Angela says

    The room is stunning now!! I got the heeby jeebies just looking at the termite tracks, I'm glad you were able to get it all worked out:)

    Reply

  22. Rachel says

    I saw your post on TT&J and was drawn in by that incredible rug! Can't believe a simple moulding update turned into a termite nightmare but thank goodness you found it! Can you imagine what would have happened to that header?? Geez… Anyways, I love your blog and you had me cracking up. And nice work on the dining room! It's so perfect!!!

    Reply

  24. Caroline says

    I love the mix of modern and traditional. Could you tell me where your found that third chandelier? We are redoing our room also, and it might be just the thing to add a little funk. Thanks!

    Reply

  25. Valerie says

    Your dining room turned out so beautiful! Termite damage is awful, but I'm so glad that you found it and were able to fix it. Thanks so much for sharing your gorgeous decorating skills with us!

    Reply

  26. Wild Oak Designs says

    Oh my word! As I read your story about termites, I look around and wonder….just what lurks behind walls…..
    What a horrific tale!
    However, it looks lovely now! I like the bit of formal with the bit of "rustic" with the whole of fun!
    Great story…..
    Nancy
    wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

    Reply

    • Heather says

      It definitely was shocking…and sickening for a while, Nancy! Glad it's over with, and thanks so much for the kind words. Happy holidays!

      Reply

  27. Carin Cullen says

    Oh wow, it's absolutely gorgeous! I'm always annoyed when things take a turn for the worse (and, my husband keeps reminding me, they usually do), but the end result is stunning!

    Reply

    • Heather says

      Thanks Carin…it is definitely annoying, and your husband is right 😉 The best laid plans ALWAYS change, right?! So glad it's over, but know it won't be the last "surprise" we have in store!

      Reply

  28. Draven says

    love the perfectly balanced mix of colors, patterns, and textures in the room! that chandelier is definitely the best of the three too!
    silver lining about finding termite damage: you can now rest assured that your dining room walls are solid! it's a very good thing you discovered the compromised wall when you did!
    awesome work done. 🙂

    Reply

  30. Robin says

    It's fantastic!!! The rug…oh the rug! When you work your magic on a room …it's so inspiring to the rest of us! ox

    Reply

  31. Ellen, the Bluestocking Belle says

    Colors and patters are my cup of tea, too. I am over all the gray/grey/greige, pale, colorless, cold look that has been all the rage lately. Give me happy, lively, and welcoming any day! Your curtain fabric, btw, is heart-stoppingly perfect!

    Reply

  33. At Rivercrest Cottage says

    you did a good job of getting through that. I would've died just finding them. Your room is lovely and so light and bright.

    Reply

  34. Kim Banta says

    I love your entire finished look! I have looked through the comments and don't see anywhere my own question. WHERE did you find that gorgeous table and sideboard?! I have been looking for so long and this is exactly what I am looking for! (I had the original table and chairs shown in your "before" pic. I gave it all to my son, who just bought a two-story colonial, like our old house. Thanks for any direction you can offer!

    Reply

  37. Tina Matteson says

    This is just beautiful. I'm so sorry about your termite problem. We had a similar situation in our house despite having a termite inspection prior to closing! Ughhh. I really feel your pain. But your dining room makeover is gorgeous.

    Reply

    • Heather says

      Ugh, so sorry Tina Matteson! It really is such a horrible experience, right?! Hope that yours is all behind you now as well. Thanks for your comment 🙂

      Reply

  39. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    Heather, I know that was so unexpected, but it sure looks fabulous and cute now. I found two soft spots in our dining room wall around four years ago when I started priming the walls to paint. I noticed dips in the wall and told my husband. We called our exterminators and they treated the wall and thank goodness we caught it early.

    Reply

    • Heather says

      So glad you caught yours early, Kim. We've never had to deal with termites before, and boy oh boy, they are some scary pests. It's absolutely staggering how much damage they can cause.

      Reply

  41. Sue Farmer says

    OMG is right!! I can't believe the wood looked like that!! What a lot of work and expense, but the finished room is beautiful.

    Reply

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