A $670 Makeover Transforms This “Odd Corner” into a Cozy Dining Nook
Sometimes it takes years to figure out exactly what to do with an awkward nook or corner in a home. In the case of this corner in artist Steph Bremner’s (@studio.steph) home, it was a desk area for a while, and then sort of a junk pile.
“We put a desk there for a while or the odd table for projects or making art, but nothing stuck,” Steph says. “It was an odd corner with the window, but we love the little window for more sunlight.”
Steph says she and her husband, Russ, have recently fallen in love with the corner — especially watching the sun come in there — and it’s all thanks to its newfound purpose as a dining nook.
The L-shaped bench is made from 2x4s.
“I had told my husband about my dream to see banquette seating fill that corner and use it as a dining space, and within a week this man had built us our banquette seating!” she says.
The couple wanted it to look very custom and clean, so they used fluted wall panels for the bench facing. “It makes all the difference,” Steph says. The bench is made from 2x4s, 3/4-inch plywood, and fluted paneling from The Home Depot, and it cost about $350 to make.
“The banquette is painted with a leftover black paint stain we found in my garage, which saved us some money!” Steph says.
Decor completes the dining nook.
“We bought picture frames for about $100, we bought the rug for $130, we bought the light and cord for $50, we used a lot of decor we already had around the house, and just bought colourful additions like the candles or the cushion covers for a total of about $40,” Steph adds. The new pendant light (one of Steph’s favorite parts) has a color-changing bulb for even more color, and Steph made her own colorful artwork for within the frames.
“We also want to get custom seat cushions,” Steph says. “The single ones aren’t cutting it for comfort, but one day we’ll make the swap!” The wall paint color in the corner is Benjamin Moore’s Pale Oak, which Steph and Russ’s landlord added before they moved in.
Steph’s only regret? Not doing the project sooner. “I find myself staring at this corner from time to time — especially when the sun rises and it glows!” she says. “We have hosted a few dinners and gatherings where people naturally gravitate to sit around the table, and it makes my heart very happy.”
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