Before & After: Kitchen Nook Update

I mentioned a few weeks ago here on the blog that my family was in the process of making a few updates to our kitchen nook and family room. This obviously excites me! Here's our to-do list:
- Replace kitchen light fixture {check!}
- New kitchen table {check!}
- New mirror or art for kitchen nook
- New couch in family room
- New coffee table/ottoman

Last week we checked off the first two things on the list and I'm here today to show the results.  We live in a traditional ranch-style home, complete with cozy exposed brick and pretty hardwood floors. The kitchen breakfast nook overlooks the family room, but the family room is on the smaller side, so we needed to update this little nook and make it feel bigger at the same time.  The best way to achieve this was to replace the light fixture {yep...the 70's called and they needed it back:)} We opted for a chandelier that was more delicate and took up less visual space {ie. smaller wrought iron with crystals, instead of a heavy gold and large down lights}.  As for the table, our old kitchen table was 12 years old. Time for an update! My clients...aka my parents... requested something with more contrast to the hardwood floors.  I couldn't agree more! Here's the before and after:

I'm obsessed with the chandelier. We went with frosted bulbs at 40 watts each. The clear bulbs Pottery Barn suggested created too many shadows, and at 15 watts were not nearly bright enough. The only thing left to do for this area is to pick out some placemats and choose different art or a mirror for that wall.  Any suggestions??

I have to take a second to brag about another great deal we found, because this table was such a steal! The chairs are look-a-like Pottery Barn Napoleon chairs. Pottery Barn sells  them for around $200 {give or take}.  We bought this whole table, four chairs and a bench for $799!!! Yes, that deserved 3 exclamation points ;) After the nice salesman told us the price, there really were no other questions to be asked. SOLD. 
**We bought our table here.  Our chandelier is on sale now at Pottery Barn **

Those are all the updates to share for today. I'm excited to share a few other things going on around our house this week. Can't believe I'm going to say it, but we're starting to welcome Fall in small doses.  Have you made any updates to your home recently? 

Enjoy your Monday!
Love,