The Coffee Bar

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I didn’t want a traditional dining room in our home for a few reasons. One, we aren’t fancy people and I knew if I had a “formal” dining room that we would never use it. And two, we almost never sit at our kitchen table anyway! The boys are both in highchairs still, and Justin and I will eat at the bar.

What I love most about this house is how well it works for our family. It’s a bit unusual in that it has a mother-in-law suite attached to it that could basically function as an entirely seperate apartment, but the footprint of the house is really great for making changes down the line.

Anyway, back to the dining room.

I would still consider this room unfinished. I’d love to add some club chairs and a little table to make it a bit more of a sitting room, but it hasn’t been a priority to finish it so I’ve just left it quite open. It’s funny, I’m so used to it now that I don’t “see” how empty it is, but what you see pictured below is the only thing I have in there.

View More: http://jordanmaunder.pass.us/small-things

My mom forced me against my will to keep the interior of this sideboard blue. I’m kidding, she lightly suggested it and I decided to go for it to give it a try.

As it turns out I really don’t likeΒ the blue so I hope to get that interior painted white in the next few months. I think it would look much more refined that way.

View More: http://jordanmaunder.pass.us/small-things

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View More: http://jordanmaunder.pass.us/small-things

 

View More: http://jordanmaunder.pass.us/small-things

The cafe shelves are from BallardΒ and you may recognize them from David’s old nursery!

View More: http://jordanmaunder.pass.us/small-things

View More: http://jordanmaunder.pass.us/small-things

View More: http://jordanmaunder.pass.us/small-things

 

View More: http://jordanmaunder.pass.us/small-things

I’m the only coffee drinker in the house (so far) but I really love this little set up we have in the dining room. I’m sure I’ll have the sideboard for a very, very long time and I’m glad that we are utilizing the room for something that we/I actually needed–an entire room dedicated solely to coffee.

Nicole, my awesome assistant, sourced as many items as possible in case you see anything you like! Find links below.

Sideboard (similar, similar)

Keurig

Coffee MugΒ Holder Β (similar)

WhiteΒ Shelves

Creamer carton (similar)

Hanging candles (local, Carolina Pottery)

Paint color –Β Amazing Gray by Sherwin Williams

photos by Jordan Maunder

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Rebecca says · 01.19.16

I love this! A whole room dedicated to coffee is my kind of room πŸ™‚

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Jordan says · 01.19.16

My thoughts exactly! I love the simplicity of it as well.

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Kelly says · 01.19.16

Lovely! I would wallpaper/contact paper the interior of the sideboard, for some visual interest! So many great prints out there!
Beautiful natural light!!

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Kate says · 01.19.16

not a bad idea!

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Joey says · 01.19.16

Hi Kate, you could also cut white foam core/poster board to size and stick it back there. It’s sturdy enough that if you do a good job measuring it will hold its self up, plus, it’s super cheap…like $5!

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Trina says · 01.19.16

I agree. Like grey/white quatrefoil or something interesting. Gorgeous!

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Erin @ thh says · 01.19.16

We don’t have a formal dining room, either–we have used ours as a sitting room for around three years now. (And guest room, since it has a fold-out couch–with three bedrooms spread over five (almost six) family members, it was the only place left.) We just never actually ate in there. We have a table in the kitchen. πŸ™‚

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Kierston says · 01.19.16

Love the idea of a coffee bar! We have some empty spaces in our home that just wasn’t sure what to do with. This is such a cute idea! Also the blue back is fun, but agree a white will look better. (:

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Shanna says · 01.19.16

I agree that the blue doesn’t really seem to fit the overall look. You could paint it white, or even add fabric/wallpaper/decal to the back. It could still be low-key, not any crazy colors or patterns, but would add some visual interest.

Also – I’m all for making a house & it’s rooms work for you rather than sticking to the traditional uses. We currently have a large bonus room on our main level that functions as a guest room + playroom + workout space. When that doesn’t work for us anymore we’ll change it up!

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Kate says · 01.19.16

Completely agree that it’s nice to use the rooms for what you need in your life instead of what they are traditionally intended for!

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Debbie m says · 01.19.16

We do not have a formal dining room either. We have a very large kitchen island that serves our family of 4 very well and when we have parties. Our “dining room” is now a library with many bookcases and love seat for reading.

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Kate says · 01.19.16

I’d love a little home library, sounds so nice!

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Madeline says · 01.19.16

Your boys aren’t going to be in high chairs forever! If you have an eat in kitchen for a large table, great. Otherwise keep in mind that as the boys grow, so do the amount of peeps they bring with them! Always nice to have plenty of room. And having an entire room dedicated to a drink seems slightly obnoxious! Maybe a tray on the kitchen counter, but a whole room?

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Kate says · 01.19.16

I do know that the boys won’t be in high chairs forever : )

Like I said in the post, the room isn’t finished. My plan is to make it a sitting room with chairs. We do have a kitchen table–I also mentioned that in the post.

The room may seem obnoxious to you, but it works for our family right now, and I like the way it looks.

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Karissa says · 01.19.16

When I was 18 my parents moved to a bigger house and went with a formal dining room (honestly, we’re used to smaller houses so they didn’t think of anything different) and 13 years later I think we’ve used it a handful of times and it’s a complete waste of an area in the house. We sit around the kitchen table or outside, so I think your plan is absolutely brilliant!:)

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Andrea says · 01.19.16

I’m not a coffee drinker but I totally support this room! πŸ™‚ My version would be a soda fountain room with all the fixins and mix-ins! It would have a big comfy couch (a la Friends) upon which I would sit and read.

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Christa says · 01.20.16

People have bars/liquor cabinets in their houses, so why not have a coffee bar? I love this idea! It’s not obnoxious at all…but that comment definitely was…

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kirsten says · 01.19.16

Please don’t post something just to say someone else’s choice is obnoxious. It is perfectly fitting for the way she is living right now. It is her blog, her home, her choice. If you can’t say something nice…

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Megan Rockey says · 01.19.16

Can you tell me your wall paint color? Thank you!

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Kate says · 01.19.16

Amazing Gray by Sherwin Williams

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Andrina says · 01.19.16

I’m with you- the blue is pretty, but it’s too jarring with everything else whites and dark. I wouldn’t go any darker painting it than a dove gray. Club chairs, though–yes please! Some dark leather ones would be amazing. You’ll have your own coffee lounge! You’ll never have to go to Starbucks again! πŸ™‚

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Kate says · 01.19.16

ohh I love that idea!

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Alyssa says · 01.19.16

I absolutely love this. Growing up, we rarely ate in our formal dining room. We had a long island that comfortably fit all four of us with stools, so we always sat there. I love the idea of transforming the space into something else!

Alyssa | Glitter and Grey

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Candice says · 01.19.16

Where, for all things good, did you find a white keurig? I’ve never seen one and am now secretly hoping mine dies soon so I can replace it…

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Kate says · 01.19.16

I think it was Amazon? Or Target? google “white keurig” and you’ll find it!

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Teri says · 01.19.16

Candice,
I got mine at Kohls.

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allison says · 01.25.16

Me too, and you can usually get it on sale & use Kohls cash!

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Mel says · 01.19.16

I love this! I love see people make use of their ho,Es in a way that works for them. I hope you will share pics when you add chairs and whatnot later. What a cozy idea!

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Sam M says · 01.19.16

Love this idea and tranforming a room into something that is functional for you! ! I have a little coffee bar in a corner of my kitchen counter and I love it!

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Adrienne G says · 01.19.16

I think the room is a great idea. Why not have an entire room dedicated to coffee? πŸ™‚ It’s your space. I don’t find that obnoxious at all. Kind of rude for someone to say so, in my opinion.
I have a formal dining room that is used, at most, two or three times per year. It is nice to have a place to seat larger groups for celebrations like Christmas or Easter, but when my kids were little, I rarely hosted large dinner parties, so I get it. You could always use that sideboard as a buffet table later without needing a large table if you did decide to have lots of folks for dinner.

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Lisa says · 01.19.16

I love this idea! A sitting area with a coffee bar sounds lovely.

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Adrianne says · 01.19.16

This is a great idea! We also have a formal dining room that only gets used at holidays (when my brother isn’t using it as a bedroom). I love the idea of seeing up my coffee stuff on our side board, where we store formal dishes! As an extra bonus, it will declutter the kitchen counters a bit too!

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Kim says · 01.19.16

That is too cute! I love the idea of a non-traditional dining room, and I love the way you designed it!

Kim

http://trendkeeper.me .. Touring London!

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Aileen says · 01.19.16

I love coffee, and I love this space! It looks great. I agree, white instead of the blue would look really nice. The blue seems a little too bright. I’ll be honest, I’m slightly jealous of your house πŸ™‚ A mother-in-law suite sounds amazing! We have family here ALL the time (which is great), so I’m anxious to move again and find a house that better suits our needs. We had a bad experience with our last realtor. Did you like yours?

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Zoe-Emma says · 01.19.16

I love this idea!

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Kerry says · 01.19.16

Love the Coffee Room!! Silly question, how many coffee pods does your coffee jar hold? I have been looking for a stylish pod holder for my office and haven’t found one yet. Putting them in a glass jar would be perfect if they held a good amount.

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Kelcie Hill says · 01.19.16

An entire room just for coffee sounds like something I need in my life! #coffeeproblem #actuallyitsasolution

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leticia justus says · 01.19.16

I think it would look cute to tack a black and white bold printed gift wrap paper in the back of the cupboard . Either large polka dots or a morocco or Ikat print . It would go with your adorable set up ….which am just fawning over !!!!!!
The gift wrap that comes in thicker than normal sheets( more like paper bag thickness) found at stores like Target would be easiest to work with πŸ™‚
Either way, thanks for sharing these idea stirring photos. My house is not safe to rest today..haha.
Leticia from King Maker Blog

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Lindsey says · 01.19.16

Such a pretty space and I LOVE the blue!! It really pops with the white, gorgeous!! I love seeing parts of your beautiful home πŸ™‚
Lindsey

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Lara says · 01.19.16

What a great look! I love the pop of color inside the cabinet. Maybe you would like it more if it had an opposite color of the spectrum painted inside, say an orange shade? Or if you want a more monochromatic look, a darker shade of the exterior of the cabinet color, or gray. Your coffee bar is all just so lovely and so useful!

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Jenn says · 01.19.16

I have that same mug tree but I love how you hung your mugs! I have mine hanging by the handles but love this idea more, I think!

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Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says · 01.19.16

Absolutely gorgeous!!

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Karol says · 01.19.16

I know you linked a similar mug tree but I love your black one. Do you know where it was purchased? Thanks! Love the coffee room!

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Kate says · 01.19.16

Either world market or Carolina Pottery ( a local place ). You could spray paint a brown one though!

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Carly O'Connor says · 01.19.16

looks SO SO good! i’m inspired to work one into our space.

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Kinm Bernal says · 01.19.16

Hi, Kate. Looks really good, a mix of new desing and traditional look.
Thanks!

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Megan says · 01.19.16

I love seeing snip-its of your home! The coffee bar is fantastic. I know you mentioned possibly doing a home tour someday. I hope it still makes the list!

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Katie says · 01.19.16

Yes! This was my thought as well! I would love to see more pictures of your home. I love your style!

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Erin @ Very Erin says · 01.19.16

I love this! Currently I have a full-time job, so my coffee is always taken in a travel mug on my way out the door. Plus, we live in a small apartment. So a space like this one definitely isn’t feasible. But once we have a house, and especially once I’m working from home (hopefully someday!), I know this will be one of my first projects!

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Andrea Worley says · 01.19.16

beautiful! love the white Keurig, and the shelving!

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Julia says · 01.19.16

I love this idea! I feel like the ‘formal dining room’ is being phased out, more or less. We don’t have one, and neither do most of our friends. I love the idea of using the space for a coffee bar! What a great way to give yourself an area to decompress in the morning. I’m not a coffee drinker myself, but I love tea. Something to think about doing…

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Evelina says · 01.19.16

This looks great! I need a dedicated space for my hot beverages because the accessories are so pretty and right now I have everything shoved into a cupboard!

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Sarah B says · 01.19.16

Beautiful! I just love your classic, contemporary style! We do have a formal dining room – but only because my parents were phasing theirs out and gave us free furniture! If I could think of something beautiful like this to do instead, I’d definitely be game for making the change πŸ™‚

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Mel says · 01.19.16

I’m super in love with this look! So clean and pretty!

~Mel
http://www.thegossipdarling.com

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Lauren Guzman says · 01.20.16

While this isn’t a “pretty” solution, it does work with the theme of using rooms how you need them. My husband and I took the small half bathroom and turned it into a cat room. We removed the toilet and put two automatic litter boxes in there. It’s the perfect fit and works for us (and our 3 cats!) We still have another bathroom that guests can use and our own master bath so this was a great solution for us and all of our litter boxes!

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Mary Kate says · 01.20.16

I love the white/grey color scheme- so simple and yet elegant!

Mary Kate
http://www.mynewchicagolife.com

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susan says · 01.20.16

I think this is a great idea, and it looks really nice. πŸ™‚
If you don’t mind what is your favorite coffee?

Thanks
Susan

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susan says · 01.20.16

Your home will evolve as your children get older. You have to go with what works for you at this stage in life.
Your own coffee bar is just fabulous….as is your own ASSISTANT!
I want one, too!!
Can I come for coffee?

http://a-woman-of-a-certain-age.com/

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Jannett says · 01.20.16

Great idea Kate! It looks gorgeous. Question. What is the name/make of the color on your wall? Is it a gray tone? I am going crazy trying to find the “right” tone. Thanks!

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Kate says · 01.21.16

Amazing Gray by Sherwin Williams

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Vanessa says · 01.20.16

I’m also the lone coffee drinker in the house!! Sometimes my fiancΓ© will hear the coffee grinder and shout down the stairs asking what the racket is, haha.

I get your point about the blue in that cabinet! There’s something going on there, I want to like it, but it’s just ever so slightly off.

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Aaryn says · 01.20.16

Oh my gosh I am just dreaming of having this room and making scones and having friends over for a coffee date some morning (I mean…and probably mimosas, too). Seriously too cute. Yes please!

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Jennifer Peer says · 01.21.16

I love everything about this. I would want to paint the inside of the cabinet, too!
http://www.jenniferpeer.com

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liza says · 01.21.16

KEEP THE BLUE!!!!

It’s a great statement piece of furniture with a statement color in the room. And if you are going to add a sitting area, you can coordinate colors. Even if you still don’t like the blue, put a different color in there that will be vibrant and add some awesome energy.

I’m guessing you’ll buy grey chairs anyways… πŸ˜‰

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Angie says · 01.22.16

I love it! I’m the only coffee drinker in my house, too, and I’ve been looking at these coffee bars because I think they look so cozy, but I had wondered what was the point for just me…
Now your space has me thinking otherwise, so I may just go for a coffee bar of my own!

Btw, in a few years, you’ll be looking for a place to stash school supplies, do homework, and store all the trappings that come along with school-age kiddos, so you are wise to keep your options open. πŸ™‚ Enjoy!

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Seneca Massie says · 01.25.16

This makes my inner coffee nerd go spastic! A room dedicated to coffee? Um, yes please! But truly its sophisticated and pristine. Instead of a massage, I just need to have a cup of coffee to get rid of tension and this room would be the ultimate relaxation destination. No need to go out for coffee ever again when you can be your own barista. If it were me, I would repaint the inside of the cabinet as well (my two cents). I adore it!

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Emily O says · 01.25.16

I love the shelves and the hanging thingy; it is unique and really beautiful. If you love coffee, you should try Archer Farms (at Target)!

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Meagan says · 01.26.16 Reply
Kaitlin says · 10.15.16

Okay I’ve had a burning question about this. I LOVE it, but I use half and half in my coffee, which of course needs refrigerating. This would make this kind of set up a bit inconvenient. Do you use powdered creamer? Or just go back and forth?

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Liz says · 01.30.17

Hi Kate! I love your blog–such great tips that make a big difference. We recently bought a Keurig, and I’m shopping for larger mugs. Where did you get your adorable white mugs? How many ounces of coffee do they hold? Thanks!

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Carolyn says · 05.12.17

That sideboard is dreamy! I have been eyeing it in your recent Instagram posts, and the white looks awesome. It’s exactly what I’ve been looking for, and while the links you posted are nice, too, your exact peace is serious *heart eyes*. Keeping my eyes peeled for something just like it!

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Jill says · 06.29.17

Do you have any lighting suggestions? I’m on the hunt for new chandeliers/hanging pendant/whatever for a foyer and my living room. You have the best taste. Any recommendations?

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Be ky says · 09.15.17

Where is the wife tray from?

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Becky says · 09.15.17

White*

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Kate says · 09.17.17

IKEA

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Alli Macdonald says · 12.05.17

I am setting up a coffee bar to give us some countertop space. I believe I have found the tray at IKEA. I really wanted a tray under the Keurig because we have had one leak. Happy to have found the same one because now I know it will actually work. Thanks for the inspiration! https://m.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/art/80175675/

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Bailey Steward says · 06.07.18

Awesome it’s very creative design and i loved it this kind of designs thanks for sharing us…….!

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Amphasis says · 07.06.18

This is a beautiful set up, I really love it.

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