UPDATING- Design Help for Built-In in Dining room

shiloh price

7 years ago

I have very old built-in cabinets in our new home. I really need some ideas for udating.

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J D

7 years ago

What?? Everything in this pic is so beautiful! Except that chandelier. I feel like getting rid of the stain glass and/or cabinets is like a crime lol!

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PRO
User
7 years ago
first of all, do you actually use them? If you don't, I would probably get rid of them and create a bigger window in the middle.
shiloh price thanked User
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shiloh price
Original Author
7 years ago
lol yes the Chandelier is going! The cabinets are really old,everytime I open them I am afraid the glass will break.
pat1250
7 years ago
You cannot touch the charm or quality of what you have now, truly they are gems. Find a way to secure the glass to alleviate your concerns. Change the chandelier. Maybe paint or use fabric (on foam board cut to fit) on the backs of the shelves to add depth/contrast/interest. Should you decide to replace cabinets & window (which I hope you don't do as they add so much value), remove them ever so carefully, completely intact. Store them for any future homeowner who may very well appreciate that you did. My husband found the original stained glass bookcase door fronts, original interior doors & all kinds of hardware in the basement of his former home.....he was delighted as he was intent on restoring the home to its glory.
shiloh price thanked pat1250
housegal200
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I totally agree with pat1250. These built-ins are gems. However, there are multiple ways to update what you have:

--Remove chair rail from around the room.

--Find a very modern console table on legs that will fit between the cabinets. You could even have one built to fit in whatever wood/color your dining furniture is. Or have a piece of marble cut to fit that space and find modern legs. You'll be able to use it as a buffet for dinner parties.

--Add two tall buffet lamps with yellow glass base or yellow shades to link to the stained glass, which is so very beautiful.

--If you're worried about breaking glass, remove the doors to the hutches but save them in case you change your mind. Or bring the doors to a glass repair place and have new panes put in. Use one hutch as a bar and the other to display interesting pottery, dishes, etc. in yellows and greens. Paint the backs of the hutches the color of your walls or get very modern patterned wallpaper for the backs.

--Yes, a modern chandelier will immediately upgrade the dining room.

Here's an article on how to mix and match vintage with modern.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/the-modern-mix-10-ways-to-work-vintage-pieces-into-modern-interiors-213405

Here are some inspiration photos:

Homes Portfolio · More Info

My Houzz: Brooklynites Take Up a Rural 1940s Farmhouse · More Info

Look how this photo shows a mix and match of vintage built-ins with old farm table and modern chairs. Send us more photos of the room and of your dining furniture. Please, please consider creative ways to mix in modern pieces--art, furniture, lamps, pendants to complement these beautiful built-ins in ways that will knock everyone's socks off!
shiloh price thanked housegal200
torreykm
7 years ago
No way I'd get rid of those cabinets. Change out the hardware and have a glass specialist secure the panes. Then you can get really creative. Depending on your color scheme, the inside could be painted a bright color. Or you could wallpaper the interior. If you don't have anything display-worthy, use it for storage and mount rod-pocket curtains on the doors. The possibilities are endless!
shiloh price thanked torreykm
Snaggy
7 years ago
Love the built ins wish they were in my house !
Bailey R
7 years ago
Restore without damaging their integrity. They're great. I love it when people mix modern with vintage. Makes a home so much more interesting than a "cookie cutter " HGTV wannabe! :)
shiloh price thanked Bailey R
J D
7 years ago
Again I'd restore everything in here...and paint below the chair rail in a dark gray. Or perhaps something else, depending on your furnishings. But something dark for the bottom
shiloh price thanked J D
housegal200
7 years ago
Again, please send more pictures of the dining area and any spaces that open up onto it and let us know what kind of dining furniture you have. It's hard for commentors to make useful suggestions if we don't have the big picture. One suggestion that comes up all the time on Houzz is to live in a house for a bit before making big changes. This is one of those cases.
PRO
Julia & Elizabeth
7 years ago
Did you buy and older house with character and it's not your style? If so, you need to gut the house. If you fight the design of the house you will end up with a mess. I to, would leave the cabinets, etc.
gtcircus
7 years ago
I had similar cabinets in an old house. Find a good finish carpenter and upgrade the hardware (drawer rollers, glides, etc.). You can also rebuild the drawers and brace the glass doors. One way to give those glass cabinets WOW would be to add LED light strips and then paint the back a color from the stained glass. I'm with the others, find a way to update while utilizing what you have because that lead glass is wonderful. Along with the stained glass. If you still are bothered by the cabinets, find a way to recycle the leaded glass doors into another cabinet in the house.
shiloh price thanked gtcircus
gtcircus
7 years ago
I would use nickel and/or crystal pulls as replacement. They are more appropriate.
shiloh price thanked gtcircus
indybullterrier
7 years ago
Absolutely gorgeous pieces of history! Definitely keep and just give them a fresh coat of paint.
shiloh price thanked indybullterrier
shiloh price
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you for your wonderful feedback. Yes, the character was one the reasons why I love this house. we are getting a farm table for the dining room-updating the chandleir and painting the walls.

housegal1200- I will post more pictures. wait until you see the rest of the house. I WAS IN LOVE FROM THE DOOR.

lol we haven't even completely moved in yet.
Bailey R
7 years ago
Good luck. Love what little I've seen so far ! .... & to think I've always gravitated to modern minimalism.... LOL. Maybe my next house will be vintage.
PRO
Beth H. :
7 years ago
love the cabs. You can do a bead of clear silicone caulking on the inside of the glass if they are moving too much.

crystal knobs and handles would look lovely.

a crystal chandy would also look great. Great find!
PRO
Knockout Knobs
7 years ago
Updated hardware would give these built ins a great new look. Knockout Knobs uses 3D printing technology to create the perfect knobs and pulls for your cabinetry. Your design, Your passion, Your hardware.
PRO
Closet Factory
7 years ago
Adding LED strips is an easy way to update cabinets and showcase home decor.

Also, replacing the drawer faces can give the unit a literal facelift.

Wall Units · More Info
Kat Erwin
7 years ago
I think the built in cabinets and window are wonderful. They should stay. You can have cabinets repaired, update hardware and refinish by painting. Consider color on the cabinets. Also, if you want lighted interior, you can have an electrician give you lighting options that will be better than led strip lighting. You may consider having a buffet (or other storage that compliments the cabinets ), made for the space between the cabinets but allowing for the stained glass window to remain. I don't know the exact layout or other furniture that you want to use in this space so that may make the wall seem too enclosed or cluttered, but it might work.

UPDATING- Design Help for Built-In in Dining room

J D

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