To say this is the breakfast room reveal might be overstating the point. I mean we’ve tweaked this breakfast room almost non-stop since we moved in two years ago. Nevertheless, I want to show you how it’s looking at the moment and tell you about my leap of faith. And by the way…leap-of-faith might also be an overstatement.
Before I start leaping, can I remind you how the breakfast room looked when the previous owners lived here? (Nice but didn’t meet our needs) Before we even moved in, we opened the space up to the den by adding another arch, lightened it up by painting and added a screen porch just outside of those doors…
Here’s how it looked a few months after we moved in… we knew right away we wanted a big farm table to hold all the family for Sunday suppers, so The Husband started making one!
Also, with that wall of windows, the room should have been flooded with light but strangely those plantation shutters diffused the light quite a bit. Here’s where my “leap of faith” came in…
I really like a light-filled space and since we’re up pretty high and privacy isn’t an issue…I really, really wanted to take those shutters down and let the light shine in! But it took me months and months to gather my nerve because…what if I hated the room with necked windows ? 🙂 What if taking down those shutters turned out to be the single worse decision I ever made? What if it was a silly – stupid idea and anyhoo, don’t I like plantation shutters? It’s probably a crime to take perfectly good shutters down…
Do you ever do this? You know…get a gut feeling about something and then think it through until you’re paralyzed? I do this quite often, most recently with these shutters. But one morning I walked through the breakfast room and looked through the slats on the shutters at the bird feeder just outside the window. There were two cardinals, a finch and a sparrow hanging out having breakfast. Wouldn’t it be nice if I could see the birds without looking through slats?
The answer came quick…
Take down the shutters, what’s the worst thing that can happen?
The worst thing that can happen is that I’m wrong and I hate it and I have to put the shutters back up!
When I thought of it like that…it didn’t really seem so bad. So what if I didn’t like it and had to put the shutters back up?
So. What.
Before I could talk myself out of it, I grabbed the battery operated screw driver and I took down those plantation shutters.
After living with the light flooded room for a few days my daughter Stephanie came over and looking at the windows she said: “I like it”…then almost as an afterthought: “Why don’t you put up a rustic shelf like you did in the window over the kitchen sink?”
Brilliant!
It took Mike no time to put up that shelf and took me even less time to add some of my favorite plants!
(And if you’re wondering, there’s ample room between the shelf and the window for window washing 🙂 )
My plants have never been happier! 
They love the light spilling into the room as much as I do! 
And every time I walk into that light filled room I remember the question that nudged me to take that “leap of faith”: what’s the worst that can happen?
(old photo)
The shutter decision totally stopped me from finishing the rest of the room. Once they were gone, I was inspired to get everything else under control. I just (this week ) finished my vintage- silverware-inspired art! (I’m going to show you how I made this next week!)
And on the other side of the table, where that horrid powder room door used to be… (See how we moved the powder room door HERE!)-
The Husband made a leaded glass piece! 
The frame is from his stash of 200 year old wood…
And the “window” has all of our favorite kinds of glass, most especially the subtle opalescent water glass…
I don’t miss the plantation shutters or the oddly placed powder room door one bit!
And as a bonus I learned a good lesson- next time I’m stuck, I’m going to ask myself: What’s the worst that can happen?
If the answer isn’t as scary as the process, I’m going to leap.
Linking with AKA Design
***I’ve had several questions today about what color the paint is in this room…it’s Behr Ultra Premium Paint w/ Primer — Dolphin Fin…we used it in several rooms in the house and I absolutely love it!***
[email protected] says
July 30, 2014 at 6:09 amIt’s lovely! The shelf for your plants is a brilliant idea and the “old” window adds such a nice touch.
Robin says
July 30, 2014 at 10:48 amMaagali, thank you so much my friend– you are always so encouraging..it’s a gift you have 🙂 xo
Kathy says
July 30, 2014 at 6:52 amWhere did you get your rustic shelf? Beautiful.
Robin says
July 30, 2014 at 10:46 amKathy, we bought a bunch of 200 year old beams and wood planks and this is one of them…BUT there are ways to make new wood look old and rustic- (we made a garden gate w/ newer wood and burned it and beat it up to give it an aged look)…Google : How to make new wood look old and you’ll find loads of info! (Just in case you’re interested!) Ohhhh, also we did a similar (but smaller) shelf over the kitchen sink window and used pallet wood! That was free and worked great! Have a wonderful day my friend xo
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
July 30, 2014 at 6:54 amOh it looks so light and bright. It makes you feel as if you’ve got the entire outdoors coming in. I can see that it was a good decision to do what you did. It’s funny how some changes can put a smile on your face every time you see it.
Robin says
July 30, 2014 at 10:43 amMarisa, Now that you mention it, the open windows DO bring the outdoors in! Yes my friend, some decisions are happy decisions 🙂 ox
Linda says
July 30, 2014 at 8:02 amLove how bright and open this room is. That’s a great idea for your plants. It also gets them off the floor.
Robin says
July 30, 2014 at 10:42 amLinda, The room really does feel more open …and the plants are such a beautiful focal point in the room! You’re so right, it gets them off the floor 🙂 Have a wonderful day my friend xo
Tammy says
July 30, 2014 at 9:01 amCalvin and I sold our house and bought a larger one in March (new in laws and grandbabies are adding to the family fast). The house was built in the 70’s and every stinkin window had those pella blinds inside the windows that were popular back then. On the day of closing we went into the house and took down every window covering and took out every blind and threw them all in the trash. It is amazing how much lighter and brighter the house is! We don’t regret it at all. Love that window Mike made!
Robin says
July 30, 2014 at 10:41 amTammy, I LOVE it! There’s nothing better than a light filled space! It really does help my mood 🙂 And thanks for telling me that you did this too…it’s not just me! xo Congrats on the new home…you guys are like us, we’ll downsize when the kids start hosting all the holiday gatherings 🙂
Gee says
July 30, 2014 at 9:44 amBright and beautiful. LUV, luv the table and the leaded glass window the Mr. made.
Robin says
July 30, 2014 at 10:35 amGee, thank you so much my friend! Have a wonderful dayxo
Heather says
July 30, 2014 at 10:17 amI am blown away!! It is gorgeous!!!! What is that gorgeous color on your walls? I need a tutorial from you!! Love your taste and your heart my sweet friend
Robin says
July 30, 2014 at 10:33 amHeather…soooo sweet …I used Behr Ultra Paint w/ Primer Dolphin Fin on the walls in the kitchen and Bfast room. I used it in my master bedroom and in the dining room too…it’s kind of amazing how different it looks in every room (depending on the light!) And it really is my favorite color I used in the house 🙂 I really appreciate you weighing in…you know how much I LOVE your home! ox
Brenda Osborne says
July 30, 2014 at 10:47 amEverything looks beautiful! The shelf with the plants is much prettier than plantation shutters!
I love your slogan, ” What’s the worst thing that can happen ? ” The leaded glass piece Mike made is very pretty. Where did you put the powder room door ?
You have a beautiful home filled with love ~
Melanie Robinson says
July 30, 2014 at 12:29 pmI love it, Robin!! I took mine down a few years ago & love it, too! And I don’t miss cleaning those blinds one bit! Everything is so light & airy & I love the leaded glass art The Husband made! I’m going to check out the powder room door post b/c ours is that way ( off the kitchen! ) Y’all are a very talented couple! Looking at your light paint color on the kitchen walls has also inspired me! What’s that paint color?!
Robin says
July 30, 2014 at 7:18 pmMelanie, You have naked windows too!!!! I’m so happy that there are lots of us who have gotten rid of the shutters! The door move was the BEST thing Melanie…no kidding, it was messy (with the sheet rock) but it was soooo worth it! The kitchen is such a great color, we used it in several rooms …it’s Behr Ultra Premium Paint with Primer in Dolphin Fin… It’s so pretty and is totally different in each room according to how much light you get! xo Have a great day sweetie !
Gina says
July 30, 2014 at 1:24 pmI think it looks fabulous!! We are fortunate to have plenty of privacy so most of my windows are bare and I love it!! I love your shelf. Talk about a perfect spot for your plants. 🙂 I love the leaded window your husband made too. Gorgeous! I think sometimes it is hard to find something for a wall with a switch but the window is perfect. 🙂
Robin says
July 30, 2014 at 7:14 pmGina, thank you so much, so happy to hear your windows are bare too! (it’s very affirming to me and my decision 🙂 ) And you know what, I’ve thought about getting rid of that switch, I don’t think I’ve ever used it! xo Have a lovely day my friend
Megan says
July 30, 2014 at 2:45 pmBeautiful room! Where did you get the light fixture over the kitchen table?
Robin says
July 30, 2014 at 7:13 pmMegan, thank you friend! The light fixture over the farm table came from Lowe’s Online… Westmore Lighting Hartford/ Rubbed Oil! xo
Laura says
July 30, 2014 at 4:48 pmSo pretty! I love the window shelf! I may need to do this on some of my windows 🙂
Robin says
July 30, 2014 at 7:10 pmLaura…do it! That shelf is one of my favorite things in the whole house! And it’s so simple! xo
Sherry Fram says
July 30, 2014 at 5:50 pmLooks great! Gives me all kinds of ideas!
Robin says
July 30, 2014 at 7:09 pmOh thank you Sherry! I always hope to inspire a little xo
Jeannette says
July 30, 2014 at 7:46 pmWow, I just love all the light as well. The space looks so relaxing and inviting. I’m also in love with the beautiful leaded glass frame your husband made. Its gorgeous!
Oh, and I’m getting better at asking myself what’s the worst than can happen. ..
Robin says
July 30, 2014 at 8:09 pmJeannette, I’m going to get better at asking myself that too! THere’s a chance it could change our life! Thanks you for saying the space is relaxing and inviting…what a compliment my friend xo
Kathy milliken says
July 30, 2014 at 7:48 pmLove all the light coming in through your “naked” windows! Lol! The leaded window your husband made is fantastic! beautiful room!
Robin says
July 30, 2014 at 8:07 pmThanks so much Kathy…I’ve decided I love naked windows! 🙂 Have a lovely evening friend xo
Angela says
July 30, 2014 at 10:42 pmI love it! I can just imagine how much you must love all that light coming in!!! Love the stained glass piece too!!~~Ang
Robin says
July 31, 2014 at 4:19 pmAng, thanks so much sweet friend xo
Abby @ Just a Girl and Her Blog says
July 31, 2014 at 7:46 pmOooh it’s so beautiful, Robin! Your hubby sounds like a handy guy to have around! Thank you so much for sharing your gorgeous space with us! Have a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
Robin says
August 1, 2014 at 8:37 amThanks so much Abby, he really is kind of amazing w/ DIY projects 🙂 Have a great weekend sweet friend ox
Julie Garmon says
August 1, 2014 at 1:35 pmYou know me–I LOVE it when life lessons intersect with everyday living. And boy, what a life lesson this post is!
Feels like everything is so opened up now in your glorious kitchen/den and I can breathe. Such a good feeling in this room. I hope you burned the shutters. 🙂
Robin says
August 2, 2014 at 2:14 pmJulie, don’t life lessons intersect w/ everyday living so often? I pray I have eyes to see- ox