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hey there! I'm monica 

I pride myself on making amazing style and design accessible for everyone, regardless of location, budget, or ability! My design philosophy is rooted in authenticity + attainability - If I can do it, you can too! My work has been featured in countless publications, but I take the most pride in homeowners that have been personally inspired by my DIY ideas and have tried something in their own homes!

learn more about ME + MY BIZ

*This post is part of our Real Design Series. It’s all about DIY home projects and ideas that actually work in real life, with a real family… not just ones that look pretty for the camera.  I’ve spent the last 2 years doing countless makeovers for other families on TV, but this series is all about the Mangin Family (that’s me) and how we’re working room by room to renovate our own home! Check out all the past series posts here

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Breakfast Nook Makeover East Coast Creative

Last week I shared the inspiration for my Breakfast nook in this post, but today I’m finally sharing the finished product.  I can’t believe the big impact just a few DIY projects had on this space.  It’s light, bright, and just right for our family… take a peek…

DIY BREAKFAST NOOK MAKEOVER EAST COAST CREATIVE

I never would have described the room before as dark, but now that it’s so light and bright, the before pictures look like a cave!

Let’s just revisit my goals for this space for a second:  1- Lighten & Brighten  2- Avoid grey walls (my husband is SO over them-ha!)  3- Keep the existing table, because it’s good quality and I knew I can work with it  4- Add some texture 5- Bring in plants, but in a kid-friendly way… we have LOTS of company with little kiddos

And,  here was the picture that drove my color palette inspiration- I’m not typically a pinky/peach girl, but I knew I could give it a try as long as I “dirtied it up” with the army green, deep oranges, and red.

color palette inspiration

Breakfast Nook 11 SM WM

I’ll be sharing a full tutorial on this modern farmhouse table, later this week, but here’s where we started… same table, just a whole lot cooler!

Modern Farmhouse Table BEFORE

Breakfast Nook-table

Breakfast Nook 15 SM WM
 It’s funny how we gravitate towards this room a lot more now- it’s our go-to homework spot!

Breakfast Nook 2 SM WM

Breakfast Nook 3 SM WM

The plant shelf was a game-time decision.  I knew I wanted to really draw the eye up and towards the architectural details in the room (in plain speak: The vaulted ceiling), but originally I was planning to take the cedar shingles all the way up.  I got to this height and stared at it long and hard and then decided that a plant shelf and the pinky/peach wall color would make it pop a whole lot more.  It totally does make you look up and those freaking prickly cacti are nowhere near kids (or me) to get pricked.  It’s a win-win.

Breakfast Nook 4 SM WM

The light is the same as before, just given some DIY love.  I’ll share those details in a full post as well, because this cord-hiding-macrame technique is somewhat of a game changer for anyone with builder grade lighting!

Breakfast Nook-078Breakfast Nook Makeover SM WM

Breakfast nook 16 SM WM

I’ve done two other cedar shingle projects in the past few years (my parent’s makeover, and my friend’s master bedroom) and Eric really wanted me to add it to our house as well.  I’m a New England girl and this room honestly takes me right back to Massachusetts!

Breakfast Nook 5 SM WM

These prints are both from Minted – the pineapple was perfect to represent the hospitality we strive to show in our home and the abstract print had the perfect colors!  I love that Minted offers tons of framing options- I had both of them framed and then added some rope and a little boat cleat to the one to customize it a bit.

Breakfast Nook 6 SM WM

Print 1 | Print 2

BREAKFAST NOOK 12 SM WM

Now, you might be wondering why on earth I have axes hanging in my breakfast nook… Is she preparing for a zombie apocalypse?  Do they use axes to cut really tough meat? 

So here’s the thing- a huge part of this Real Design Series is creating a home that fits OUR family just right.  We live on 4 wooded acres and we have 2 wood burning fireplaces.  Chopping wood is one of Eric’s most relaxing chores- that’s sorta an oxymoron, but it’s true. It’s a chore and he likes it… weird!  Anyhow, the kids each have small little hatchet type axes and love going out and making some money by helping their dad.  Over the years, they’ve turned it into a verb and refer to it as “Ax-ing”  Example… Me: Where’s dad and Cal?  Kid: Oh they’re out axing …

It’s quirky, and totally Mangin-esque, so I decided I’d fancy up some axes and let me tell you, my kids think it’s pretty awesome!

BREAKFAST NOOK 13 SM WM

Zombies… we’re so ready for you!

This little corner is also home to some family books, shells from our Bahamas trip this past year, and the coolest part… it’s a $19.99 tray from Homegoods that I added some legs to.  Instant table.

Breakfast Nook 7 SM WM

Speaking of the Bahamas, the pink/peach color in this room reminds all of us of our home away from home on Long Island in the Bahamas, so I created this DIY Wood Block Instagram Wall Art using pictures from our trip.  This is so simple and inexpensive- tutorial headed your way soon!

Breakfast Nook 14 SM WM

This corner is also home to our dog feeding station that I built earlier this summer. 
Breakfast Nook 8 SM WM

I love our new Breakfast Nook!  It didn’t cost a ton of money, it’s made up of attainable DIY projects, and it works just right for our family.  Check one room off the makeover list! 

Breakfast Nook- #Hangry

Breakfast Nook Makeover DIY Makeover Shingle Wall East Coast Creative SM WM

I’ll be back tomorrow to share the paint colors, product sources, etc… and Thursday will start up with all the DIY tutorials your little hard could desire!

I’d love to know… What do YOU think of this makeover?  

-Mon

Photography Credits: Salvatori Photography 

The comments +

  1. Terri says:

    Love it. Thought for sure you use beadboard on the bottom and shakes on the top part of your peachy wall. Fooledvme, you did! Can’t wait for the tutorials. You have several ideas I want to try.

  2. Kim Clement says:

    Monica, I really love the breakfast nook makeover. Can’t wait to see what you do next. In used to watch Knock It Off all of the time and was so disappointed when they took it off the air. I’m glad I accidentally stumbled upon East Coast Creative. Love checking out your ideas. You’re an inspiration.
    Kim

  3. Cheri says:

    I LOVE this makeover. It’s so fresh, creative, and realistic. So many clever ideas and it just looks like a space you’d like to be in. The table makeover is great and the color palette is really awesome, too. Awesome work!

    • Monica says:

      Thanks so much girl! Great to hear from you! I so appreciate your kind words- it really is a space we love being in! Hope you’re well.
      -Mon

  4. I LOVE the axes! Totally beautiful and functional. Great job as usual!

  5. I actually adore your post. I read your blog pretty frequently
    and you’re always coming out with some amazing items.
    I shared this on my FB and my followers merely adored it.

    Keep up the good work!

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