The Year that Changed Us
What a year it has been for the entire world. I remember distinctly the moment we picked up our kids from school on Friday, March 13th, 2020, the moment things began changing. Things were different and in that moment, I will admit, I thought life would get back to normal in a mere few months. But as the last year has gone by, the definition of normal has changed quite a bit.
As many of you who have been here a while know, my entire extended family is on the East Coast. We leisurely take time every summer and every Christmas to spend a few weeks visiting family. The last time we were in Pennsylvania was December of 2019 - the last time we were able to hug our family and really enjoy time together. Ever since, it's been Zoom birthdays and holidays. I miss gathering around the table and enjoying a meal with my parents, sister and brother. I know this is temporary and we will all resume to some normalcy soon.
While the year brought many challenges it also brought hope and new beginnings for our family. After 16 years in the same home - the home the hubs and I expected to be in for 5 years, we packed up and moved across town. The move had been a long time coming as our 3 kiddos have grown immensely and we had maximized the space all we possibly could. We even built a semi-enclosed deck to extend space for large gatherings (pre-Covid). That deck was the place we hosted many BBQs, parties and even outdoor Thanksgivings!!! Yes, we gathered 30 people out on our deck, even with the chilled weather.
Our hope for moving was to expand our space for more conducive living for our immediate family but also to freely entertain. As we began our move and found our home - after several failed attempts in the midst of a pandemic, we found a place that checked 95% of all the boxes. The vision of hosting a large gathering of friends and family was able to come true - one day.
Please note that I only work with companies and products that I feel passionately about and that align with Cosette's Kitchen views and that this post contains sponsored content for Room & Board. While I am compensated for the work I do, my opinions are always 100% my own.
Gather Around the Table
I had to change my expectations for the time being and reimagine what it meant to "Gather Around the Table". I knew that I wouldn't be hosting 30 people inside my home immediately but rather needed something that worked for the many needs of my immediate family and looked ahead to the future. I looked high and low to find the perfect dining room table and chairs that spoke to me as a mother, a food stylist, photographer and of course entertainer. I am thrilled to partner with my friends at Room & Board to showcase one of my favorite rooms in our new home. A place where ONE DAY we will gather with friends and family for a large Thanksgiving feast, all 30 of us. But for today, gathering around the table as a family in so many ways. Our dining room table is more than just the place we eat dinner. It has become the place we gather to play board games and has even become our little one room school house. Our table is intended to be used daily, it's a place to sit and relax, to laugh around, to share stories and of course to enjoy good food.
Room & Board Pieces
The Table: Walsh Extension Table
As I continue to hope and dream of the large friend gathering that I know WILL happen one day, I was drawn to the Walsh Extension Table. A table that is a perfect size for our family of 5 but also extends to over 100" with two 22" leaves for those dinner parties we'll have again one day.
"Reminiscent of a classic farm-style table, Walsh features a modern wraparound leg design to give it an updated look for today. With solid wood legs and clean lines of the table that let the beauty of the domestically sourced wood shine through. A clear, lacquer finish helps protect the surface and highlight the natural wood grain."
Room & Board
The Chairs: Evan Chairs
As I gawked at the gorgeous walnut wood Walsh Extension Table, I knew the chairs were just as important. With every good table, solid, comfortable and sturdy chairs are a must. We chose these gorgeous Evan Chairs in walnut to match the table with Declan saffron fabric - mustard yellow is DEFINITELY my color. The elegant curve of the chair back is not only beautiful but one of the most comfortable chairs we have ever owned as the curve cradles your back and shorter arms allow you to rest comfortably. The saffron colored fabric is durable, family friendly (which is a must) and fade resistance. I know these will last us a lifetime.
The Rug: Amira Wool Rug in Ocean
I loved the idea of turning this dining room into a cozy but elegant space. With deep rich colors of blue and gold and soft fabric from the Evan chair fabric and the beautiful Amira Wool Rug to give the room warmth. A place where our family would be comfortable to sit and enjoy time together. I love the soft blue/grey colors in the Amira rug in Ocean - with subtle hints of yellow that bring out the color from the chair fabric and also the wood tones throughout the room.
"Inspired by Chinese carpets from the late 18th century, our hand-knotted Amira rug features a center medallion surrounded by lotus flowers and a border pattern taken from traditional Chinese fretwork. Equally at home in modern or classic spaces, the thick yarns and versatile colors give it a timeless appeal. The dyeing and finishing techniques used add a vintage look, subtle sheen and one-of-a-kind variations in color and texture."
Room & Board
The Art: Carla Cohen Pieces
As I began piecing the room together with blues, greys, gold and wood tones I knew that the art needed to be something soft, organic and different. Thinking about the room as a place to gather for food and also my background in food photography these natural prints of herbs: oregano, rosemary and thyme where the perfection addition. The art pieces were created by a dear friend and artist, Carla Cohen of Carla Cohen Studio. Monoprints using acrylic paint and fresh herbs create the perfect addition to the room with subtle contrast to the walls. The color plays perfectly with the gold accents in the room including the saffron fabric on the chairs.
Why Room & Board
A place in our home that is comfortable for all to gather, enjoy meals, game time and time together is most important to me. I'm looking forward to the moment where we can host close friends and family. I hope you enjoyed this little sneak peek into our home - if you're looking for furniture for your home, I highly encourage you to check out Room & Board for all your needs. They offer FREE Design Services with their Design Associates either in person, on the phone or a virtual appointment. Design Associates are salaried so there is never sales pressure, just a relaxing and inviting experience. The process of meeting with someone is invaluable and really helped me to hone in what would be best in my space. I also love the fact that American manufacturers make more than 90% of their furniture and decor, supporting local communities, businesses and craftspeople across the country. Their pieces are timeless and evoke a sense of calm and comfort for years to come. Balancing modern lines and timeless design and construction. Check out roomandboard.com for more beautiful designs and a chance to speak with a design associate.
I hope you enjoyed a sneak peek of our newly designed dining room - it is truly a wonderful place to gather. Here are all links to items in the room and definitely check out this Sumac Popcorn we LOVE to snack on during our game times!!!
Items in the Room
Room & Board Walsh Extension Table in Walnut - Bring the Walsh extension table into your dining room or kitchen for a perfect balance of traditional-meets-modern design. Reminiscent of a classic farm-style table, Walsh features a modern wraparound leg design to give it an updated look for today. You'll love the sturdy, solid wood legs and the clean lines of the table that let the beauty of the domestically sourced wood shine through. A clear, lacquer finish helps protect the surface and highlight the natural wood grain. Two 22-inch leaves make it easy to extend the table and seat more guests.
Room & Board Evan Chair with Declan Saffron Fabric Seat and Walnut Legs - Influenced by Danish design, each Evan chair is handcrafted one at a time from solid wood by expert craftsmen in Massachusetts. Showcasing a beautiful mix of materials, Evan is a comfortable, inviting chair with a stunning silhouette no matter the angle. Evan's smooth, sculptural form comfortably cradles your back as you enjoy a meal, while shorter arms allow you to neatly tuck it underneath a dining table. Evan's soft shape mixes effortlessly with a variety of styles and highlights the time-tested beauty and durability of American craftsmanship.
Room & Board 8x10 Amira Wool Rug in Ocean Color - Inspired by Chinese carpets from the late 18th century, our hand-knotted Amira rug features a center medallion surrounded by lotus flowers and a border pattern taken from traditional Chinese fretwork. Equally at home in modern or classic spaces, the thick yarns and versatile colors give it a timeless appeal. The dyeing and finishing techniques used add a vintage look, subtle sheen and one-of-a-kind variations in color and texture.
Carla Cohen Studio Art Pieces - Monoprint using acrylic paint and fresh herbs
Miller Paint - Navy walls, Star-Studded
Board Game - Sushi Go Party
Chandelier - Arabesque Soft Gold Chandelier
xoxo,
Cosette
Please note that I only work with companies and products that I feel passionately about and that align with Cosette's Kitchen views and that this post contains sponsored content for Room & Board. While I am compensated for the work I do, my opinions are always 100% my own.
Print
Sumac Popcorn
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 7 minutes
Description
A delicious, zingy popcorn seasoned with sumac spice.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
- ½ cup popcorn kernels, divided
- Salt, to taste
- Sumac spice - ½ - 1 teaspoon, to taste
Instructions
- In a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat, combine the oil and 1-2 popcorn kernels. Cover the pot and wait for the kernels to pop.
- Once those kernels pop, remove pot from the burner and quickly add in the remaining kernels. Cover the pot with lid and give it a little shake to distribute the kernels evenly.
- Place covered pot on medium heat and allow the kernels to begin popping - every few minutes give the pot a little shimmy to move the kernels around.
- Continue cooking until you hear the popping begin to slow down, give the pot a quick shimmy and remove from heat.
- Remove lid and season directly in your pot. Adding salt to taste and a ½ teaspoon to 1 teaspoon of sumac spice to taste. Shake popcorn until fully coated and then pour into serving bowls to enjoy!
Notes
- Use a good, heavy-bottomed pot. A heavy bottom pot is important - it is best at distributing heat to cook evenly.
- Don’t turn the heat up too high. Popcorn can burn very easily, so keep the temperature at medium and be sure to check for any burning smell.
- Season slowly. Start with less and you can always add more!
Sarah says
Gorgeous dining room! I love mix of color and textures. Question regarding the chairs: how is the declan fabric holding up, out of curiosity? Thanks so much!
Cosette's Kitchen says
Sorry for the delay on this, the fabric has held up very well. We use the dining room 3-4 times a week, just our immediate family. My kids are older now 11, 13 and 15 so not worried about little kids which definitely makes a difference. We have had a few small spills/drops but everything has cleaned up just fine. They look brand new! Hope that helps!
xoxo,
Cosette