Mid-century panic

8 years ago

I think I may have just bit off more than I can chew. Our house has a very small dining area. Our current dining set is really too large for the area, making it difficult to get around. We've been searching for a smaller set to replace the old one but having a hard time finding one we both like and can afford. As a joke, I showed DH this one yesterday. He liked it. So did I. We could afford it and (I think) it's the perfect size. We ordered it with a white table top and turquoise seats.

I'm having buyer's remorse, big-time! My house is small and the dining area is right off the living room. This is going to be a big deal. We already planned to replace our living room furniture in the upcoming months so I will try to coordinate somehow but I really don't want my whole house decorated like "Happy Days." I'd like to come up with a way to make it look nice but more current with just a hint of mid-century (the house was built in 1958). Any suggestions?

Featured Answer

PJ
Original Author

8 years ago

Thank you all for your suggestions. I'm feeling less panicky now and looking forward to the challenge. No checkered floor and no Coca Cola red. We like an eclectic look so, deep breaths and off we go. It's not brain surgery, after all. :)

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Comments (15)

Yayagal
8 years ago
Can you post a pic of the set in the room?
PJ
Original Author
8 years ago
Sorry. Forgot the photo!
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PJ
Original Author
8 years ago
We won't get the set for another eight weeks.
Yayagal
8 years ago
Unless you are going to add some aspects of the 50s, if it were me, I would cancel the order and start shopping again. This was my original kitchen set in 1958, never meant to be used in a dining room. Sorry.
Yayagal
8 years ago
Since I don't know your price point, Overstock has many interesting dining room sets that mimic mid century. dining room
PJ
Original Author
8 years ago
Well, it's not really a dining room. As I said, small house. The dining area is an extension of the kitchen and is visible through a large arched opening to the living room. Almost open concept before anyone ever heard of open concept. I don't think I will be cancelling because this is the first thing we've agreed on. I just need some ideas of ways to blend it into the rest of the design without making the place into a period piece.
Yayagal
8 years ago
Okay, gotcha, so take a pic of the room next to it and the kitchen and you will get lots of suggestions. I like the idea of the white top with aqua chairs.
Judy Mishkin
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
its nice to have a little whimsy in your life, and whimsy works far better on a small scale than a large one. when i see the huge black sectionals people buy... and oversized dining table that seat 12 and they never have more than 4 to sit down, your set is a breath of fresh air. if it was something you both were attracted to, and you cant cancel without a big loss... might as well carry on with it. you can always sell it in the future for what you'd lose on the deposit.

yours will not be red. it won't come with an obigatory checkerboard floor. deep breaths... *smell the soup, cool the soup*.
aprilneverends
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I think it's entirely possible

you can go soft mcm, you can go vintage eclectic-a bit mcm, a bit cottage..you can do what they call flea market style-harder to pull off but very rewarding I imagine..you can go pop..as long as you keep to relatively streamlined pieces, not too luxe, not too traditional..transfer the upbeat cheerfulness of the set into your living space..the vibe itself, first of all..then, the touch of similar colors

I'd check Apartment Therapy house tours and couple of their books for inspiration..first two books by Abigail Ahern show some wonderful examples of mixing and matching, in short I'd look for inspiration, plenty of it.

It will require some fearlessness, or some patience, or both..but most good spaces do.

Any pictures of your space, or your inspiration pics, or favorite stores, or any additional info would be helpful.
hollybar
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Agree,share some pictures and a simple floorplan drawing for more useful suggestions. What sort of floor is in the dining space? Windows? ps- Don't forget to explore http://houseofturquoise.com/ So much inspiration for how you can integrate your dining set into your house ....
suedonim75
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I have a 50's table with turquoise cushions. I did add a couple features that go with the table, but didn't go all out 50's theme. I love my table and get a lot of compliments on it.
Like ninigret said, I love a bit of whimsy here and there. We're not formal people, so a formal dining set would never work in our life.
Tems
8 years ago
No need to panic, that set can work well as a charming throwback while still being fresh. Very hard to give ideas without pics of the set in the room and more info on your tastes.
Bette P
8 years ago
So....did your set arrive? I think it's amazing! Hope you add some photos!
Bette P
8 years ago

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