Coastal Cottage Dining Room {before and after}
Hi everyone! Today I am sharing our coastal cottage dining room makeover that was a long time coming but it’s finally finished. It’s full of DIY projects ranging from the reupholstered chairs, board and batten wall treatments and the old hutch makeover. My grandmother gave me this hutch over 15 years ago and she wasn’t impressed at first when I decided to paint it white but she loves it now.
photos courtesy of Woman’s Day Magazine
I don’t know about you, but our dining room is  part of our kitchen and really serves as a multipurpose room. We eat, surf the net, build legos and do arts and crafts. No formal looking dining room under this roof! The room before was fine, it just needed some pizzaz and character. The curtains were my first sewing project last summer and for a lack of a better place to hang them, I hung them in the dining room with these chairs. I know, they don’t exactly go together.
Before:
I wanted a room that was fun, bright, cheery, cozy, comfy with a touch of coastal cottage flair. It needed to tie in and coordinate with the planked walls we just added in our family room.
So I decided to add board and batten to the walls in an effort to add some texture and visual appeal to the plain boring walls. You can view my DIY board and batten tutorial to see exactly how I did it.
During:
During this entire process I knew I wanted something bold, fun and a little “out of the box”. I wanted to take a risk and really mix and match the upholstery fabric and the drapery fabric. However, I almost chickened out so I contacted my friend Darlene, who is the owner/designer of Fieldstone Hill Designs. If you don’t know her, check her out because she has so many reasonable e-design services and she helped me decide on the coordinating drapery fabric and wall color. So after painting the wall four times and finally deciding on a drapery swatch I loved, this is the rooms new look:
Can you believe we coordinated striped {sand & black indoor/outdoor} Sunbrella fabric with the bold flowered chair fabric? I would have never been so daring had I not had Darlene holding my hand through it all! I ordered the fabric (3 yards for each panel) and sewed the curtains. I have never used indoor/outdoor fabric inside for drapery but I am on board! The texture is fabulous and very easy to work with.
The top part of the wall is painted Cobblestone Cape May by Benjamin Moore. The lower part (the board & batten) is White Dove by BM.
This hutch was an old piece that was given to me by my grandparents that I recently overhauled with white paint, new shelving, hardware and trim. I love how my great grandmother’s blue willow china looks in it :). The hutch houses a mix of old and new. I have the baskets filled with our sons crafts and paint supplies. I added floating shelves to the wall below to add custom artwork done by my son and step daughters.
This side of the room needed some color so I gave the kids some paint supplies and a tarp and had them do some splatter painting. My great gram used this blue willow china at her camp on the lake as her everyday dishware so it is ironic that it is paired with kids art work and crafting items over 100 years later. I think she would be pleased 🙂
The two wingback chairs I reupholstered in Samoen Plantation fabric by Iman. I hope to have a tutorial on the “how I did it” soon. I am so clueless with the computer/video editing stuff that it is taking me forever to try and lighten the video.
I struggled with some of these photo’s because of the size of the windows and the sunlight. I really love when pictures have that blown out sun effect but sometimes it’s to much so I was struggling to find balance! I have to thank Kevin and Josh from Shoot Fly Shoot. I have taken their online photo workshop and also learned some tips from them while attending last weeks Haven Conference. When I returned home, I picked up a few suggestions and tried them on this room and am happy with how they turned out. They are by no means perfect but I am learning :).
Lastly, this is the view from our kitchen. Would you believe me if I told you there use to be a wall here? Last summer, before I started blogging, we tore down the wall and opened up the kitchen into the dining room. Had I known I would need a picture a year later for a little o’l thing called a blog, I would have snapped one :).
I will post a resource list soon. I will tell you though, this room makeover cost under $300.
I think our new open cottage dining room is much more inviting and has so much more character. Would you add board and batten to your wall? Be sure to also check out our other room makeover in our project gallery.
Here is a fun shot of me setting the table during the photo shoot.
Thank you so much for taking a peak at our coastal cottage dining room. It truly is the heart of our home along with our kitchen.
The transformation looks gorgeous Jessica – and I LOVE the striped panels with the floral fabric on the chairs. I also really like the collection of bottle on the table – simple, yet elegant. I have to get the guts to reupholster a chair someday – seems behind my abilities thought, lol… Beautiful space! -Jenna
Thanks Jenna for stopping by and leaving your sweet comment 🙂 Had I not done my first reupholster job on that crazy couch I cut in half, I may have never tried. I had no attachment to that couch in it’s prior life (before I cut it in half) so I didn’t care if I wrecked it. I think that is the key, reupholster your first time with a piece you don’t care about 🙂 I would have been scared out of my mind to staple into a piece I liked.
You did a fabulous job! As always-I enjoy reading your blog and following your latest accomplishments! I read yours and Rhoda’s blogs on regular basis and get my inspiration and courage to do my projects from them. So far, I’ve done Rhoda’s window shutters and board and battens (with a twist) and look forward to seeing your tutorial on board and battens as I will do my dining room with that as well 🙂 I wish I had a blog so I could show what I’ve done based on your projects!! Keep up the good work!
Hi Naomi, what a wonderful comment! You made me smile :). I know, Rhoda is so inspirational. Good luck with all your projects and glad we offer you inspiration and motivation 🙂
Jessica! This is amazing. The finished look is amazing. I love the board and batten and those curtains are to die for!
It was so good to meet you at Haven! I’m so glad you came up and caught me. I’m only sad that I didn’t know you were there earlier! I’d have loved to chat for longer!
Thank you Maury! For some reason I didn’t think you were going to Haven and when they pulled your name for the drawing I almost yelled out, “Maury”! What are you doing here?! ha 🙂 I was so happy to meet you. It is so funny when you chat online and read blogs and then finally meet. Next time we will have to make a point prior to the conference to hook up for a bit. Have a great day!
It’s amazing, Jessica!! Love your fabric combination and the board and batten! Wonderful job with the photography, too, I need to pop over and figure that out!
Thank you Pam. I found their course to be fantastic. I made a light bulb go off in my head with regard to shooting in manual mode. Thanks for stopping by and your sweet comment 🙂
Oh Jessica! It’s wonderful 🙂 And YES I am totally doing board and batten in my house!! ♥
Yay Kristy! Thank you for your kind words 🙂 You must be one the funniest chics I met at Haven!
Jessica, it looks sooo beautiful. You have to just love standing in the kitchen and staring at that space. You are an inspiration to those of us who are not very handy! I so wished I could have spent more time with you at Haven.
Have a great day!
Lori
Thank you Lori!This comment went into my spam and I have no clue why. Anyway, I know, I wish I could have hung out with you more ! Hopefully next time 🙂 Thanks for you sweet words and yes, I love looking at the room. Although, it’s a disaster now! ha.
you knocked it out of the park again!! love it!
Thanks Jennifer!
Wow, what a transformation! There are so many things to admire in this room (and your great photos show it off well). I’m not planning any board and batten, but that’s just because I don’t think it fits with the vintage of our house. But it looks great in yours! Such a bright, clean space.
Thank you Rita! Yes, board and batten isn’t for everyone and I know what you mean. It would have not fit in my previous home. Glad you like the photos. I was a little worried about them 🙂
LaLaLOVE it!!!!! It’s SO amazing!
Thaaaaaankyou Pam 🙂
Love it…great job!..love your room you have too..
Thank you Stephanie!
Jessica, this is absolutely FABULOUS!! I’m actually adding board & batten to my dining room this weekend and I’m so excited to get started, especially now that I’ve seen your wonderful transformation!! It was amazing meeting you in person at Haven! You’re too cool for words 😉
Thank you Erin! It was great to meet you also 🙂 Can’t wait to see your board and batten room. It is crazy how much character it has added to my dining room. You will love it!
It looks great! I love it. It was so fun to meet you at Haven! Let’s stay in touch 🙂
Debbie
Thanks Debbie and of course we will stay in touch! You are so easy going and fun! Loved hanging out with you and laughing. YOu made me feel very welcomed when I first met you guys in the lobby area on Wednesday. xo
This looks beautiful! So sorry we didn’t get a chance to meet at Haven! I love your blog and hopefully we can connect next year!
Thanks Erin! I know, so many people I didn’t even realize they were there until the end. Lets make sure we make a point to hook up prior to the conference next time .
You did a FANTASTIC job on this room! I know how hard and long you’ve been working on it and it paid off! I think the bolster pillow help complete the look too! I’ll be pinning, tweeting and sharing this! 😉
It looks so beautiful!!! I am so happy with all of the details. It was SO much fun to work with you…. even more fun now that I know how wonderful and fun you are!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you Darlene! It was wonderful working with you to 🙂 I need to get that darn video we made of us at 2qm online. I’m so behind from being away. Talk to you soon!
Jessica, this room is perfect! I’d definitely do the board & batten. LOVE it. My favorite thing, though, is the windsor chairs. I ‘m on the lookout for some to use with a farm table for my dining room. Would you mind sharing the source for those? Thanks so much!
Hi Ashley, thanks so much for your kind words 🙂 I bought the chairs from a place in Sturbridge, Ma called The Seraph over 10 years ago. They were previously upholstered in a primitive fabric which I use to love! Now, my decor style has changed so it was time to give them a face lift. Everything is custom made there but you can google it, not sure if they have an online shop. Thank you again!
Beautiful! Love everything about this room. You and Darlene did a fabulous job on this project bringing it together !!
Thanks Sherry! I just realized you are one of the other girls with Darlene teaching the design session at Haven! I jumped over to your blog after you commented and said, “hey I know her!” 🙂 YOu guys did a great job and loved your fabric coordinating session. Thank you again for stopping by and have a great night!
Jessica, I LOVE it. I love the wall color, the board and batten, the striped curtains and, yes, I would never have thought to put the floral chairs with the stripes. But it looks amazing. You need to post how you did the chairs. I have no clue about re-upholstering and I would love to learn! Beautiful room!
Hi Jess–
I cannot believe how awesome your house is. Does it always look like you are shooting photos for blogs and articles–or is it sometimes a mess? LOL 🙂
I love the chairs in that dining room and I love the curtains…I am so jealous of your whole entire house!
This dining room looks stunning!
Thank you Jen! Ummm, if you could see what my house looks like right now, you would not be saying that 🙂 hehe. Just for pictures does it really look that clean. Thanks so much for stopping by and I’ll have to post a messy room for ya soon 🙂
I LOVE this room. I can’t think of one thing I don’t love! My Beloved and I are moving our design style from Rome inspired to beach inspired. This room has such an airy feel and I love that you tucked the art supplies out of sight in plain sight. Great plan!
How fun! Good luck with your room and thank you so much for stopping by and leaving your sweet comment 🙂
It looks beautiful! I love everything about this room.. especially that table. Jealous.
I love it! Simply beautiful! 🙂
This is beautiful! I love the wall treatment and the cabinet. Great job Jessica!
I am in love with this entire room but mainly those chairs!! GREAT fabric choice!
It was also great meeting you at Haven!
Jessica, so glad you came to Haven & we got to at least hug and chat a bit. Love your new DR, it is beautiful. I’m still envious that you covered those chairs, that is amazing. Your new room looks so dynamic now.
LOVE it!! I LOVE the curtains!!! Nice work Jess!!! 🙂
WOW! What a beautiful transformation! The hutch is really lovely.
Hi Jessica! I had the fun of sitting at the table with you Friday at lunch and later on at the advertising session at Haven. You are just adorable and wow your accent is something I have previously only heard in documentaries/movies about the Kennedy family…I throughly enjoyed listening to you talk. Your dining room is just fantastic…so many great projects rolled into one room!
It was great meeting you also! You are so funny about my accent, I did stick out at Haven huh? 🙂 Have a great weekend and thank you for your sweet comments!
Thank you Cindy!
That. Is. Amazing. You are giving me so much hope for my own home! When I attended Darlene’s session at Haven it dawned on me how much I dislike my dining room. Guess what? Today I purchased a rug and chairs that I LOVE! Now, if only I could match fabrics like you did I’d be all set. Pinning this for sure, great job!
Hi Carrie! Good luck with your room and I bet your new items you purchased are going to look fabulous……because you LOVE them 🙂
Absolutely gorgeous! What an amazing transformation! The dramatic curtains are definitely my favorite! 🙂
Thankyou Ashley and the curtains are definitely a fun focal point 😉
Jessica, what a gorgeous dining room! I love it!! I found your site from YHL’s reader redesign (love your living room, too!). You have done a great job documenting the whole redesign process… something I’m striving to do a better job of. I just started blogging, so thank you for the inspiration to capture the whole process. Can’t wait to catch up on your blog – I’ll be sore to add you to my google reader!
Thank you so much Jillian! That is great that you just started blogging, I started the end of last August and love it! I find that it helps me get projects done faster 🙂 Good luck with your blog and thank you for stopping by.
All of your projects are amazing! I just love the moulding and the hutch and the fabrics! I’m so glad I found your blog! And thanks for the info about Shoot Fly Shoot. It looks like their online photo course is just what I’ve been hoping for!
Good luck with the photography class. I loved it!
Love the new room! I see you had the table before – but where did you get it? I LOVE it.
Hi Jill, sorry if you already got this, I swear I responded but it doesn’t show sent? Hmmm, anyway, the table is from the Seraph in Sturbridge, Ma. Thank you 🙂
Beautiful Makeover Jessica!
Sharing it on my blog today. 🙂
Thanks for linking up to my party.
Traci
It turned out beautifully, and I love that you were daring with your fabrics, as that is something I struggle with as well. It was definitely a gamble that paid off! I’m in the midst of painting my basement media area, and am trying to think outside the box with fabrics since my furniture down there is neutral. So many possibilities, it’s hard to know where to begin!! Well done!
Thank you Jenny! Good luck and I’m sure it will come out beautiful!
Great job, Jessica! Love, love, love the fabrics you used. Great meeting you at Haven too!
Thank you! Yes, you as well! 🙂
Your dining room turned out just beautiful Jessica!! I love the board & batten wall treatment & I love those chairs your reupholstered! Your pictures turned out lovely! Where did you find that cute little basket you have sitting on that red chair with the plant in it? I love it!!
Thanks Tonya! The little basket is from TJMAXX 🙂
came to your site via theinspiredroom.net and love your projects! the dining room looks fantastic, and yes I am currently stalking my house for a place to try board and batten 🙂
Thanks so much for stopping by and your sweet comment 🙂
Love, love, love what you’ve done. This is so me. Clean, comfy, airy …oh gosh I need you to help me..I just painted my living rooom and I love it and have no idea where to go from here. It is a anwesome BM color Azure Water. A really unique color of green/blue ish…really outside of the box for me. HW floors with a jute wool rug PB and white trim. I have white sheers and love them, but any idea’s or DYI would be very very welcome! My email is pdoyle@bender.com I would be thrilled to send a pic. We have an ugly old ceiling fan (like the fan option) but would love to replace for some overhead lighting with fan, any ideas?
Thanks in advance and I wish I had your gift of decorating!
Hi, thanks for your sweet comment 🙂 Send me a picture, I would be happy to look at your room and make suggestions! jessica (at) fourgenerationsoneroof (dot) com.
Hi there! Just found your site! I am in love with your fabric choices for your dining room! LOVE! Now on to reading through all your other blog posts! Those chairs are amazing! Great job!
Hi, thanks so much for stopping by and your kind words 🙂
Hi Jessica! I came across your site as I’m getting ready to redecorate my dining room and looking for ideas. You have inspired me! I am definitely going to add board and batten and am loving the gray you chose. Two quick questions…what color white did you use for your hutch? Is the inside of the hutch painted the same gray as the walls or is it just the shadow I’m seeing in the picture. Thanks for sharing your beautiful dining room!
It’s stunning. Love every single thing you did to the room. All the right choices. Wish I could channel some of your ‘daring’ to make some bold choices myself!
Thank you!
Thank you! 🙂
Jessica –
Love the room! What color did you use on the wall?
Hi, the top part is cobblestone cape may by Ben Moore and the bottom is white dove by Ben Moore. Thank you 🙂
What an awesome space, Jessica!!!! Totally pinned and scheduled. 🙂
Have a great day rock star!
karianne
Awww thanks Thistle! 🙂
Hi Jessica! I just happened upon this room during a search I was doing while attempting to decorate and renovate my first home with my husband! I love everything that you did – your dining room looks AMAZING! I am in search of a lighting fixture for my kitchen right now and I absolutely LOVE the one you have hanging over the table – would you mind letting me know where you got it? Thanks so much and fantastic job! Kerri
Hi Kerri! Thanks so much 🙂 The light is from Home Depot 🙂
It’s all so lovely! And how exciting that it was featured in a magazine! Woo-Hoo!
This is GORGEOUS! love the Sunbrella fabric for drapes. I actually used to Waverly outdoor to cover a small loveseat my dog believes is his! worked great.
Beautiful old wing chairs made more spectacular with the wonderful fabric choice. you must have a big smile sitting in your room every morning!
ha on your dog 🙂 Mine is the same way! Thanks so much for stopping by.
Jessica, where did you find the seat cushions? They look so comfy…no tie right?
Target!
HI Jessica,
Just found your website while looking for gray paint colors for a dining room and just love what you did. I know in previous posts you mentioned where you bought the windsor chairs, but what about the table? It’s exactly what i’m looking for!
Thanks!
Same place, the Seraph in Sturbridge, Ma 🙂
Wow…it all looks so great! Our kitchen needs a little update and I’ve been thinking of board and batten for a while. Yours is the simplest version I’ve seen yet – very do-able, and so pretty! Also a big fan of the DIY re-upholstery project, though I seriously doubt I could pull that project off like you did. And…I bought a bolt of burlap to make curtains for our family room…maybe this weekend. Keep the projects coming – love your blog!
I enjoyed your upholstery tutorial. Your chairs turned out great.I have been looking for an simpler way to get the job done;meaning not having to remove the old fabric for a pattern. Your dining room turned out great. It was also good to see what you used to panel the room. Really makes things simple. Thanks for the great tutorial with the videos. I have to see how it’s done in action and those really helped.
Ruth
Hi There!
I stumbled upon your dining room makeover while searching for batten board on Pinterest. Gorgeous! I am redoing my dining room and hoping to add some myself. The only problem is my walls are textured. Did your walls have any texture prior to putting the batten board treatment on them? My husband really doesn’t want to put MDF behind the battens, but I am worried the texture will ruin the look. Also, the high-gloss paint I would normally use seems like it may magnify the texture of the wall but a paint with a less glossy finish may not give me the batten board look I’m going for. Did you encounter any of these problems? I would love any input you may have.
Thanks!
Amanda
Looks great! I was wondering where you got the chandelier? I have been looking for one like that for a few months and haven’t had any luck :/ Thanks in advance!
HOme Depot 🙂