New This Week: 6 Bold and Beautiful Dining Rooms
Designers spread their creative wings with bold wall coverings and eye-catching decor
When it comes to going bold with design, it seems the dining room is the new powder room. Designers have long treated compact powder rooms as a chance to go a little over the top with bold patterns and interesting materials. Now it seems that formal dining rooms are getting the same treatment — which makes sense. Formal dining rooms, like powder rooms, are usually separate from other areas of the house and used less often than everyday living spaces. That makes dining rooms another chance to surprise dinner guests with a livelier design scheme than what’s found elsewhere in a home. Here, six dining room styles show how going a little bolder can be as satisfying as a good meal.
2. Soothing and Beachy
Designer: Emily Johnston Larkin of EJ Interiors
Location: Dallas
Size: 229½ square feet (21 square meters); 17 by 13½ feet
Homeowners’ request. An elegant and fresh dining room that would incorporate unique elements while fitting with the rest of the architecture in the Southern-style home.
Main feature. Lotus wallpaper by Farrow & Ball. “I love it so much,” designer Emily Johnston Larkin says. “I have used this same paper in my own home,” she adds. “The large-scale lotus print really helps elevate the space and makes it feel more grand. It also gives it a natural, organic quality with its feather-like appearance.”
Other special features. Mirrored buffet. French-style dining chairs upholstered in patterned fabric on the back and solid turquoise fabric on the front. Coffered ceiling. Sisal rug.
Designer tip. “We selected a sisal rug because we wanted something more casual and natural to juxtapose against the dressier and shiny elements in the room,” Johnston says. “We often pair sisal rugs with patterned wallpapers, because it’s the perfect way to soften a room without taking attention away from the walls.”
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Designer: Emily Johnston Larkin of EJ Interiors
Location: Dallas
Size: 229½ square feet (21 square meters); 17 by 13½ feet
Homeowners’ request. An elegant and fresh dining room that would incorporate unique elements while fitting with the rest of the architecture in the Southern-style home.
Main feature. Lotus wallpaper by Farrow & Ball. “I love it so much,” designer Emily Johnston Larkin says. “I have used this same paper in my own home,” she adds. “The large-scale lotus print really helps elevate the space and makes it feel more grand. It also gives it a natural, organic quality with its feather-like appearance.”
Other special features. Mirrored buffet. French-style dining chairs upholstered in patterned fabric on the back and solid turquoise fabric on the front. Coffered ceiling. Sisal rug.
Designer tip. “We selected a sisal rug because we wanted something more casual and natural to juxtapose against the dressier and shiny elements in the room,” Johnston says. “We often pair sisal rugs with patterned wallpapers, because it’s the perfect way to soften a room without taking attention away from the walls.”
Shop for dining room chairs
3. Smart and Contemporary
Designer: Lauren Jerden of Lauren Allyn Interiors
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 196 square feet (18 square meters); 14 by 14 feet
Homeowners’ request. For this newly purchased downtown condo, the owners wanted a dark, masculine style, with unique art and luxurious textures and finishes. The family enjoys game nights and wanted a large, easy-to-use dining table.
Main feature. Geometric-pattern wallpaper on the ceiling.
Other special features. Dark wall paint (Iron Ore by Sherwin-Williams). Round table with Absolute Black honed granite top and angled steel base. Glass chandelier.
Designer tip. “We love to create a moment that is unexpected in the spaces we design,” says designer Lauren Jerden, who used Houzz photos to help her clients nail down and visualize their style. “For this particular space, the wallpaper on the ceiling is an addition to the design that we feel truly creates depth and interest beyond the typical dining room.”
Carnegie chandelier in metal and glass: Noir
Designer: Lauren Jerden of Lauren Allyn Interiors
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 196 square feet (18 square meters); 14 by 14 feet
Homeowners’ request. For this newly purchased downtown condo, the owners wanted a dark, masculine style, with unique art and luxurious textures and finishes. The family enjoys game nights and wanted a large, easy-to-use dining table.
Main feature. Geometric-pattern wallpaper on the ceiling.
Other special features. Dark wall paint (Iron Ore by Sherwin-Williams). Round table with Absolute Black honed granite top and angled steel base. Glass chandelier.
Designer tip. “We love to create a moment that is unexpected in the spaces we design,” says designer Lauren Jerden, who used Houzz photos to help her clients nail down and visualize their style. “For this particular space, the wallpaper on the ceiling is an addition to the design that we feel truly creates depth and interest beyond the typical dining room.”
Carnegie chandelier in metal and glass: Noir
4. Fresh and Farmhouse-y
Designer: Patti Wilson of Patti Wilson Design Inc.
Location: Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
Size: 231 square feet (21 square meters); 11 by 21 feet
Homeowners’ request. Make the dining room feel more cohesive with the nearby living room and kitchen, which are modern farmhouse style.
Main feature. Poplar shiplap painted in Oxford White by Benjamin Moore. “It is unique and so different from the usual drywall finish,” designer Patti Wilson says. “It helps to give the space warmth, texture and some visual interest without distracting from the rest of the beautiful finishes.”
Other special features. Reclaimed-wood harvest table. Custom draperies. White oak flooring. Antique brass wall sconces. Black Shaker-style dining chairs. Antique hutch.
Designer tip. “The decision to keep the fireplace helped to ground the space and make it multifunctional,” Wilson says. “The kids love to sit in the dining room by the fire before school, and it’s the favorite spot for the adults to enjoy their morning coffee or a glass of wine on the weekends.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “This space was originally the family room, and the homeowners removed the original dining space to expand the kitchen area, which left a long, narrow space, and they were worried that it would look a bit like a bowling alley,” Wilson says. “They also had to come to terms that nothing would be symmetrical in the room, and that is OK. Guests have remarked that the dining room is their favorite room in the house.”
Designer: Patti Wilson of Patti Wilson Design Inc.
Location: Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
Size: 231 square feet (21 square meters); 11 by 21 feet
Homeowners’ request. Make the dining room feel more cohesive with the nearby living room and kitchen, which are modern farmhouse style.
Main feature. Poplar shiplap painted in Oxford White by Benjamin Moore. “It is unique and so different from the usual drywall finish,” designer Patti Wilson says. “It helps to give the space warmth, texture and some visual interest without distracting from the rest of the beautiful finishes.”
Other special features. Reclaimed-wood harvest table. Custom draperies. White oak flooring. Antique brass wall sconces. Black Shaker-style dining chairs. Antique hutch.
Designer tip. “The decision to keep the fireplace helped to ground the space and make it multifunctional,” Wilson says. “The kids love to sit in the dining room by the fire before school, and it’s the favorite spot for the adults to enjoy their morning coffee or a glass of wine on the weekends.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “This space was originally the family room, and the homeowners removed the original dining space to expand the kitchen area, which left a long, narrow space, and they were worried that it would look a bit like a bowling alley,” Wilson says. “They also had to come to terms that nothing would be symmetrical in the room, and that is OK. Guests have remarked that the dining room is their favorite room in the house.”
5. Easygoing and Eclectic
Designer: Charli Hantman of August Black Interior Design
Location: Hoboken, New Jersey
Size: 123½ square feet (11 square meters); 13 by 9½ feet
Homeowners’ request. “The owners wanted the dining room to be fun, with lots of layers and materials paired cohesively, with a dramatic edge,” designer Charli Hantman says.
Main feature. “The mirrors definitely tied the whole look together and made the space feel larger and gave it the more modern edge the room needed,” Hantman says.
Other special features. Custom specialty wall paint with visual texture. Gray leather chairs. Shagreen cabinet with brass accents. Brass chandelier and bar cart.
Designer tip. “Adding in lots of layers and texture really helped to make the space pop versus falling flat,” Hantman says. “Bringing in a touch of color with the table runner and greenery for the centerpiece added a final layer to really bring the dining room to life.”
Designer: Charli Hantman of August Black Interior Design
Location: Hoboken, New Jersey
Size: 123½ square feet (11 square meters); 13 by 9½ feet
Homeowners’ request. “The owners wanted the dining room to be fun, with lots of layers and materials paired cohesively, with a dramatic edge,” designer Charli Hantman says.
Main feature. “The mirrors definitely tied the whole look together and made the space feel larger and gave it the more modern edge the room needed,” Hantman says.
Other special features. Custom specialty wall paint with visual texture. Gray leather chairs. Shagreen cabinet with brass accents. Brass chandelier and bar cart.
Designer tip. “Adding in lots of layers and texture really helped to make the space pop versus falling flat,” Hantman says. “Bringing in a touch of color with the table runner and greenery for the centerpiece added a final layer to really bring the dining room to life.”
6. Happy and Historic
Designer: Lindy Williams of Westward Foundry
Location: Chautauqua neighborhood of Boulder, Colorado
Size: 288 square feet (27 square meters); 16 by 18 feet
Homeowners’ request. A formal dining room that could seat up to 14 people for large family gatherings.
Main feature. Wallpaper featuring a William Morris design from the late 1800s. “That was the jumping-off point for the room,” designer Lindy Williams says. “It added to the historic appeal and, with the deer-and-forest print, felt lighthearted and appropriate for Colorado surroundings.”
Other special features. Crystal-and-solid-brass chandelier. Mohair-and-brass chairs. Wool area rug. Custom walnut-slab table. Full wood wainscoting gives the room a historic, finished look.
More on Houzz
The 10 Most Popular Dining Room Photos So Far in 2019
Key Measurements for Planning the Perfect Dining Room
Get dining room ideas for your home
Shop for dining room tables
Designer: Lindy Williams of Westward Foundry
Location: Chautauqua neighborhood of Boulder, Colorado
Size: 288 square feet (27 square meters); 16 by 18 feet
Homeowners’ request. A formal dining room that could seat up to 14 people for large family gatherings.
Main feature. Wallpaper featuring a William Morris design from the late 1800s. “That was the jumping-off point for the room,” designer Lindy Williams says. “It added to the historic appeal and, with the deer-and-forest print, felt lighthearted and appropriate for Colorado surroundings.”
Other special features. Crystal-and-solid-brass chandelier. Mohair-and-brass chairs. Wool area rug. Custom walnut-slab table. Full wood wainscoting gives the room a historic, finished look.
More on Houzz
The 10 Most Popular Dining Room Photos So Far in 2019
Key Measurements for Planning the Perfect Dining Room
Get dining room ideas for your home
Shop for dining room tables
Designers: Sara Malek Barney and Mackenzie Wood of Bandd Design
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 143 square feet (13 square meters); 11 by 13 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The clients have great taste and were really set on using an authentic Saarinen Tulip dining table for their space,” designer Sara Malek Barney says. “That really dictated the direction of the design. Also, because the home is open-concept, they wanted to find a way to anchor the room into a more intimate space.”
Main feature. “Aside from the fabulous Tulip table, all of us are absolutely obsessed with the feather-print wallpaper from Schumacher,” Barney says. “From a distance it just gives a little depth to the walls, but up close the pattern is just so stunning.”
Other special features. Large brass chandelier. Custom jade-colored drapes. Dining chairs with dark gray upholstery and metal legs. Indoor-outdoor rug.
Designer tip. “Pushing the client to do wallpaper really made the space special,” Barney says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “Well, it’s true there are always bumps in the road, but this project was as smooth as it could get until install day,” Barney says. “We did not know until the electrician came to hang the chandelier that it was missing the main ceiling plate attachment that would actually allow us to hang the light. We had to contact the manufacturer and found out that piece was back-ordered for three months. It really took the wind out of our sails. We found a workable solution until the correct piece could come in, but boy, was it annoying.”
Lloyd dining chairs in dark gray: Moe’s Home Collection
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