• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Bigger Than the Three of Us
  • Our Home
  • DIY IDEAS
    • DIY IDEAS
    • DIY Open Shelving Kitchen Guide
  • Shop
    • Shop Our Home
    • Shop My Closet
    • Vintage Home Decor
    • My Current Favorite Rugs For Sale
    • Pieces I’m Loving
  • Podcast
  • Travel
  • The Three of Us
    • Privacy and Disclosure

Modern Eat-in Kitchen

September 6, 2019 by Ashley Mayes 18 Comments

The Modern Eat-in Kitchen, with its DIY built-in bench seat with leather cushion, beautiful pendant light and midcentury furniture has finally come together.

As I’ve gotten older (and wiser?), my style has gotten more refined. I’m less drawn to all one style. Maybe because I’m more confident in my style? More and more, I’m drawn to a style that is a combination of modern and classic, eclectic and textural. I’ve been slowly tweaking my spaces so they have a good mix of that mid-century style, that I’ll forever be in love with, but also reflect a more balanced mix of old and new.

When I first started decorating, I bought most of my furnishings from the same lines, the same stores… the safe (and easy) option. Now that I’ve come to know my own style, I know that I prefer to mix and match. I prefer to mix higher priced items that will be show stoppers with lower-priced fill-in items. I prefer to create a room that can’t be recreated out of one store. I think intentional decorating is key here and taking time to let pieces “find” you is what really makes your house reflect you.

woven light above table

Modern Eat-in Kitchen

The last time I chatted about our modern eat-in kitchen, I talked about the space and what we loved about it and what we wanted to change. In that post (it was over a year ago), I talked about wanting to change the chairs. You can read more about all of that in the breakfast room post if you’d like. But, basically, I was sharing what we’ve done to the space and what we’d still love to do.

Well, a few months ago, I finally got around to tightening up the chairs and recovering them. They are vintage so they needed some love. I was on the fence as to whether I wanted to replace them or fix them. I’m happy that I went for fixing them instead of getting rid of them. I used my own tutorial for tightening old chairs and then upholstered them with a faux antelope fur that I found. They are comfy and modern and the fabric hides any stains, so that’s a win in my book. 

Midcentury chair by banquette in dining room

After reupholstering the chairs, I felt like something was off in the space and just couldn’t put my finger on it for a few weeks. Finally, it was a lightbulb moment when I realized that the overhead light that I had was just not working for the space. I felt like the space wanted to beckon you in to eat, share around the table and sit for awhile and the light that we had in there just wasn’t doing that. It was brass and modern and felt airy, but that didn’t fit the space any longer. 

This year, I’m partnering with Troy Lighting (read my privacy and disclosure) to showcase all the amazing products that the Hudson Lighting Group carries. I thought this was the PERFECT space to upgrade the lighting with the other tweaks that I’d been making. 

Midcentury dining room furniture with bench seat

Hunters Point Light | Art | Hanging Planter | Glass Vase | Table (similar) | Fabric

The new light that I picked, the Hunters Point, brings a calming and welcoming vibe to the space. It brings the warmth that the space was lacking. Don’t underestimate texture and how much texture can add to a space. Seriously.

One thing about lighting, and this is probably somewhat personal (aka controversial), but I prefer statement light. I prefer lights to be one of the focal points in a room and I’m not scared about going large with my lighting choice. If I have a choice on where to invest for a room, it’s always the light and the rug. Always. Buy showstoppers for both of those pieces, because they will ground your space and really make your style shine through.

Midcentury chair by banquette in dining room

The leather on the banquette just keeps getting better and better. It has scratches and it’s pushed down in the places that always have rear-ends on them, but it’s still a favorite of mine. I’d definitely recommend using leather in a dining room (even if you have young kiddos!). 

The pillows are rotated out depending on what room I’m tweaking. I have to say that I’m loving the neutral, calm vibe that this combo has going on. 

For me, a space isn’t a space unless it has plants. They make the space feel lived-in and alive.

Woven light above midcentury table

So, what’s going to happen next in this room? Well, eventually – when I find it – the stairwell will have some art. I’ve tried a few things there and just haven’t loved any of them; but, eventually, the right piece will find me. 

leather bench in dining room

Other than that, it feels good. Don’t you just love it when a space feels good?

woven light above table in Modern Eat In Kitchen

If you haven’t checked out Troy Lighting, definitely do it. I have their Ace chandelier in my bedroom (which I bought myself before I even teamed up with them) and am currently swooning over their table lamps. I might need two of those for my nightstands!

Share
Pin7K
Tweet
Email
Print
7KShares

Keep In Touch...

Sign up for my weekly emails to see new projects, plus what I'm doing behind-the-scenes.

You can unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.

Thank you!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link.

Filed Under: Home Decor Projects

Previous Post: « Design, Make and Live : Bonus Rooms
Next Post: Functional Updates At Home »

Reader Interactions



Comments

  1. Christine Hartmann

    September 17, 2019 at 9:31 am

    For me, this is not so much an eat-in kitchen as it is a dining area. I think of eat-in kitchens as spaces where the table and chairs are within proximity and view of the stove/oven, sink, fridge, and within the confines of the cupboards. This is not meant to be a criticism so much as it is a clarification. I did a quick web search to find that your space does appear to be defined as eat-in kitchen by realtors and others. Who knew? Definitely not me. It wouldn’t matter except that I got excited thinking I was going to see a creative placement of a table and chairs within the actual preparation and cooking space. I wish we could see more of that for inspiration to use in our own homes.

    Reply
  2. Christine Hartmann

    September 17, 2019 at 9:34 am

    For me, this is not so much an eat-in kitchen as it is a dining area. I think of eat-in kitchens as spaces where the table and chairs are within proximity and view of the stove/oven, sink, fridge, and within the confines of the cupboards. This is not meant to be a criticism so much as it is a clarification. I did a quick web search to find that your space does appear to be defined as eat-in kitchen by realtors and others. Who knew? Definitely not me. It wouldn’t matter except that I got excited thinking I was going to see a creative placement of a table and chairs within the actual preparation and cooking space. I wish we could see more of that for inspiration to use in our own homes.

    Oh, and I’m really glad you didn’t get rid of those chairs. They are beautiful and look like quality pieces to me.

    Reply
    • Ashley Mayes

      September 24, 2019 at 12:39 pm

      Thanks Christine. From the other view, it is in the view of the oven/stove but it’s hard to show that on photos. I see what you mean though on it being neat to see the table and chairs right by the stove.

      Reply
  3. KitsyKeelSmith

    September 17, 2019 at 10:23 pm

    I usually don’t care for modern and minimalist design, but your dining area is so clean and pleasant. I really love what you have put together there.

    Reply
    • Ashley Mayes

      September 24, 2019 at 12:38 pm

      Awww, thank you!

      Reply
  4. Cussot

    March 9, 2020 at 12:30 pm

    Your new light looks wonderful and I love the furry chairs.

    Reply
    • Ashley Mayes

      March 9, 2020 at 12:59 pm

      Oh, thank you! We are really enjoying both of those things!

      Reply
  5. Ashley

    February 14, 2021 at 11:45 pm

    I love your bench! Did you build it or was it already there? I am guessing I could find this info if I search a bit harder, but I am on my phone.

    Reply
    • Ashley Mayes

      February 18, 2021 at 3:02 pm

      Hi,

      It’s a DIY. If you search DIY Banquette it’ll come right up.

      Reply
  6. Victoria Reece

    July 13, 2021 at 7:57 am

    Love this space! It’s exactly what I’d like to accomplish in my space. And I love the light and am going to look into it! Thanks.

    Reply
    • Ashley Mayes

      July 23, 2021 at 9:49 am

      Thanks Victoria!

      Reply
      • Michelle

        September 1, 2022 at 6:29 pm

        Hello.
        Where did you find the leather bench cushion? I love it!
        Thanks,
        Michelle

        Reply
        • Ashley Mayes

          September 7, 2022 at 9:52 am

          Hi,

          I sourced the leather from leather hide store (online) and then had them made locally.

          Reply
  7. Esther

    October 13, 2021 at 4:27 pm

    Hi Ashley! Gorgeous work on this space – you’re helping me feel inspired as I work to update my own little space. Have a couple questions – do you happen to remember where your table and beautiful blue vase were purchased?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Ashley Mayes

      October 18, 2021 at 10:45 am

      Hi,

      I’m not going to be much help here… the table is vintage and found at our local Habitat for Humanity and the vase is old from Target. If you searching vintage pickling vases on Etsy though, there’s some similar options.

      Reply
  8. Kerstin

    January 1, 2022 at 9:15 pm

    Hi you have a great style and I love your table!!
    Could you pls tell me where I can find it?
    Kerstin

    Reply
    • Ashley Mayes

      January 3, 2022 at 2:49 pm

      Hi, I’m no help because I found it years ago at Habitat For Humanity.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Kitchen Renovation with Dark Cabinets and Open Shelving - Bigger Than the Three of Us says:
    October 10, 2019 at 8:52 pm

    […] original reveal of the eat-in kitchen if you missed that last year or check-out the newly updated modern eat-in kitchen as it looks […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Bigger Than The Three Of Us - Family of Three

Follow Me On

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Favorites

Footer

Connect with Me:


ashley at biggerthanthethreeofus.com

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Disclosure, Copyright and Privacy Policies

Follow Me On Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Bigger than the Three of Us · All Rights Reserved

7KShares