Hi friends! If you've just arrived from visiting Corinna's boho bungalow at A Designer At Home for the Blogger Stylin' Home Tours, welcome! Isn't her place the coolest?! If you don't know what I'm talking about, let me fill you in really quick: I'm participating in a blog hop 'work and play' series this week with 29 fellow bloggers! Our talented, (and organized!!!), host is our sweet friend and fellow style mutt, Lindsay, over at The White Buffalo Styling Co., (you may remember her home when we featured her as a Friday Reader Design!). If this is your first time here we are so happy you've come by! My name is Chelsea and my incredible sister-in-law, Cate, and I started StyleMutt Home a year and a half ago after refinishing furniture, (and our homes), for years! Just like a beloved mixed-breed pup, "style mutt" is an affectionate nickname for those of us who enjoy an eclectic mix and appreciate various decor styles. You pickin' up what I'm throwin' down? Good! Let's get this tour started!
When Lindsay gave us the theme of Work & Play I knew our dining room would be just the space for this tour. This is the room in our home where kids crafts and article writing happen simultaneously. Where the lighting is just right for me to take stock photos and the kids can work on their handwriting right behind me. Where there is a large enough surface space to pull out finger paint, construction paper, glue, stickers and go to town - because what's a dining table other than a massive surface space for crafts?! Here, let me show you the space in it's early morning 'sleeping' state - before it's busy with little bodies who have places to go and things to do! (We have three little ones 16 months apart from 1st to last - boy/girl twins and then a wonderful surprise boy).
The dining room is open to our living room and the two rooms flow from one to the other so well, especially with all the light coming in from both sides!
And around the corner is our kitchen, so the dining room became a natural place for the kids to hang out anyways as I am easily accessible even when prepping/cooking meals.
Our industrial pipe shelves were the key that unlocked the potential of this space - when we were designing these shelves a couple years ago the most important thing was that they be uber functional. I wanted a desk space that was out in the open on our main floor so I could keep an eye on the crazyness. And I also really desired for the kids craft supplies to be out in the open for easy access when spontaneous inspiration strikes.
This table is hoppin' after school when the kids have finished their snack and linger around to draw or play together.
And it's not uncommon for a game of Go Fish to turn into BS. ;)
With the family computer here, I tend to sit and work on editing photos, write articles, or my kids can play some educational games.
I'd say this space blends work and play simultaneously and seamlessly.
Well, almost seamlessly...
Thank you all so much for coming by and touring our work and play worthy dining room! A source list will be at the very bottom for anyone interested, but a special thanks to four special people for making this space so much fun: Colin, (6), Shire, (6), Mason, (5), and my dear husband Matt.
Next stop on this Blogger Stylin' Home Tour is my friend Eileen over at A Creative Day! You'll love seeing the colorful space this fellow Momma of twins has picked to share for the 'work & play' theme!
Interested in catching the rest of the Work & Play tours? Here is the line up of the whole week!
Monday, April 18th:
The White Buffalo Styling Co.
Emily A. Clark
Cuckoo 4 Design
Bliss at Home
Iron & Twine
Nesting with Grace
Tuesday, April 19th:
Place of My Taste
The Chronicles of Home
Life on Virginia Street
Bright Green Door
Our Storied Home
WithHEART
Wednesday, April 20th:
The Wicker House
Primitive & Proper
DesignPost Interiors
My Fabuless Life
The House of Silver Lining
Thursday, April 21st:
Thistlewood Farms\
Simple Stylings
Restless Arrow
Katie Gavigan Interiors
Hi Sugarplum
Friday, April 22nd:
The Décor Fix
A Designer at Home|
Style Mutt Home
A Creative Day Blog
Style Your Senses
Dining Room Source List:
Table: World Market, Garner Extension Table
Metal Chairs: Restoration Hardware, Remi Chair (these were on sale when we bought them, so keep checking the site as they may drop again periodically)
Table Runner: Target
Curtains: Urban Outfitters
Mirror: Ross