Tuesday, April 2

Another decorating decision to make--
please help again!


Y'all are so helpful!  Thanks for sharing your thoughts about the new color for my kitchen.  Now I have another question for you.

I am considering taking off the tall breakfront portion of my china cabinet and just using the base as a buffet.  If you've seen my dining room before, you know that I have built-in china cabinets in this room:

In addition to these built-ins, I've had a china cabinet at the other end of the room:

That's a lot of tall stuff in one room, but no serving space.  So here's what I'm thinking about:


Here's a photo with the lamps turned off so that you can see a little better.


With the built-in china cabinets, I certainly don't need the storage or display space of the tall hutch.  As a matter of fact, keeping my china and crystal in the hutch made it very difficult to use, as a plate or glass threatened to topple over every time I opened the doors.

Do you like the idea of using the base cabinet as a buffet?  My plan is to put a large mirror above the base cabinet.  I love the two lamps--it took me weeks to find ones that I liked, but these are wonderful.  (If I decide to put the china cabinet back in the room, I'll use these lamps elsewhere.)

So what do you think?  Put the tall breakfront back or keep the buffet space?  I'd love your thoughts!

**Note: The blue on my walls is a Sherwin Williams custom mix.  Here's the label:



33 comments:

  1. Richella, I love the look of the buffet and think a mirror above would be perfect.

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  2. Keep it as a buffet. Looks great.

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  3. It's such a beautiful room already and I love the china cabinet; it's a focal point on that wall. It's beautiful, but the base alone would look pretty with a mirror too.

    But you could also turn the flat surfaces of the built-ins to buffets by just adding pieces of granite or marble to the counters; though it is further from the kitchen, it already has lighting. And when they are not in use you can still display your vignettes.

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  4. I say you should keep the top off. Since you don't need the storage but you do need the serving space, the piece will function so much better for you with the top off. Plus the nice large mirror will bring a lot of light in to the space. Love the lamps too!

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  5. I think your idea is wonderful! It will freshen up the room and reflect whatever you have on the dining table! Hugs, Penny

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  6. Definitely take it off and I love the idea of adding a mirror! It is such a beautiful room already Richella you really can't go wrong either way! :-)
    Vanessa

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  7. I love it without the top piece!

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  8. Take it off, I think:)! Because you already have those FABULOUS built-ins to display china, removing the china cabinet does not take away from your display. I agree with Sheila that it would add light and depth to the room to add a mirror!

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  9. I would keep it as a buffet, looks great, especially with a mirror!

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  10. The buffet and lamps look great! What on earth would you do with the top though? Do you have a safe place to stash it? If you do, I say go for it!

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  11. Love it! And the mirror will be great.

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  12. Love it...and really like the idea of a mirror, reflecting the built-ins! This is a really big dining room - you are so lucky! great lamps you found, too!

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  13. Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!!!

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  14. You have such a big dining room with so much storage, what a dilemma to have! If you have a safe place and room to store it then you really just have to choose which look you prefer. I think with the 2 built ins that you have plenty of storage and serving space. Mirrors add so much depth to a room that is always nice. So, either way you can't lose, maybe keep it off for a while for a change of scenery for you!

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  15. I always love to have the serving space myself!
    Even if it was just for the deserts, or extra rolls. Lovely home it really shows your love and creative design. I like and use Sherman Williams paint myself. We just finished our bedroom, now the spare room next.
    Happy Spring!
    Smile Jesus Love's You!
    Blessings, Roxy

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  16. I did that in my dining room and I am so glad that I did. I say go for it since you don't need the storage.

    Cynthia

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  17. Buffet and mirror! And, I adore the blue; it is gorgeous. Stop by my blog at onethankfulmom.blogspot.com to see pictures of our kitchen renovation. We are 6 weeks into an 8 week project! It has been quite the undertaking. You have such great taste and style. I would love to hear your thoughts on our kitchen!

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  18. Love it! The lamps are beautiful...and the big mirror will be wonderful! You have such a gorgeous home Richella. Looking at the pictures always makes me want to come over or a visit! (:>)

    Love, Linda @ Truthful Tidbits

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  19. Buffet and mirror, a more modern clean look.

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  20. I have my grandmas china cabinet AND buffet and I love the buffet so much more - so versatile. But, in looking at both of my pieces, I see that the buffet is much higher/taller than the china cabinet base... Would it be TOO low? Yours now sits below the chair rail... Still, I love the buffet look!

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  21. As someone else said, you can't go wrong either way. It looks nice both ways, so go with the one that is most functional and useful for you. And it is not a permanent decision----if you store the top in your basement for a year or two and then decide you want to put it back on, you just put it back an find another wall for the mirror. You can use a nice mirror in any room.Do what works best for you!

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  23. You're so awesome! I do not think I've truly read through anything like that before.
    So good to find another person with unique thoughts on this issue.
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  24. Love that color! And I think I'd choose to make that a serving piece too. It really does make such a difference in the look of the room, not to mention functionality. Such a beautiful home!
    Janet

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  25. I love the buffet without the hutch. And those lamps are beautiful!!!

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  26. Your dining room is beautiful! I would take the hutch part off and just have the server. I think a big mirror would be beautiful! And, it would function so well when you had people over! Life to the full! Melissa

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  27. Richella, you have a stunning home and obviously exquisite taste. You do not need anyone's stamp of approval...go with your heart....you've done well already. I must add...a mirror would be gorgeous to reflect light in the room. I look forward to seeing it complete. Wishing you many happy hours of hosting in your lovely dining room.

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  28. Great idea - and you will enjoy the change for a while - you can always add it right back!
    -Trish

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  29. I truly don't think you need my humble opinion, but I do like your idea of taking the top off and using it as a buffet. The lamps are perfect and a large mirror would be a wonderful reflection of your lovely room.

    Carol

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  30. I like the mirror idea but I don't think you can go wrong either way!

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