Open Plan Boston Contemporary Gets Defined

The dining room and kitchen flow seamlessly in this mid-century home. The white walls and countertops create visual space while the beautiful white oak cabinets provide abundant storage. Both the exposed wood ceiling and oak floors were existing, we refinished them and color matched new trim as needed.

Oasis on Arey's Pond

McPhee Associates of Cape Cod

Dauphine St

MLM INCORPORATED

Oyster Harbors Estate: Dining Room

DANE AUSTIN INTERIOR DESIGN Boston & Cambridge

When this 6,000-square-foot vacation home suffered water damage in its family room, the homeowners decided it was time to update the interiors at large. They wanted an elegant, sophisticated, and comfortable style that served their lives but also required a design that would preserve and enhance various existing details. To begin, we focused on the timeless and most interesting aspects of the existing design. Details such as Spanish tile floors in the entry and kitchen were kept, as were the dining room's spirited marine-blue combed walls, which were refinished to add even more depth. A beloved lacquered linen coffee table was also incorporated into the great room's updated design. To modernize the interior, we looked to the home's gorgeous water views, bringing in colors and textures that related to sand, sea, and sky. In the great room, for example, textured wall coverings, nubby linen, woven chairs, and a custom mosaic backsplash all refer to the natural colors and textures just outside. Likewise, a rose garden outside the master bedroom and study informed color selections there. We updated lighting and plumbing fixtures and added a mix of antique and new furnishings. In the great room, seating and tables were specified to fit multiple configurations – the sofa can be moved to a window bay to maximize summer views, for example, but can easily be moved by the fireplace during chillier months. Project designed by Boston interior design Dane Austin Design. Dane serves Boston, Cambridge, Hingham, Cohasset, Newton, Weston, Lexington, Concord, Dover, Andover, Gloucester, as well as surrounding areas. For more about Dane Austin Design, click here: https://daneaustindesign.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://daneaustindesign.com/oyster-harbors-estate

Night Hawk Remodel- 2018

Key Residential

Versatile Imaging

Oak Pass Main House

Walker Workshop

Scenic Acres Residence

LD&A

Pacific NW Modern Dwelling

User

A modern glass fireplace an Ortal Space Creator 120 organically separates this sunken den and dining room. A set of three glazed vases in shades of amber, chartreuse and olive stand on the cream concrete hearth. Wide flagstone steps capped with oak slabs lead the way to the dining room. The base of the espresso stained dining table is accented with zebra wood and rests on an ombre rug in shades of soft green and orange. The table’s centerpiece is a hammered pot filled with greenery. Hanging above the table is a striking modern light fixture with glass globes. The ivory walls and ceiling are punctuated with warm, honey stained alder trim. Orange piping against a tone on tone chocolate fabric covers the dining chairs paying homage to the warm tones of the stained oak floor. The ebony chair legs coordinate with the black of the baby grand piano which stands at the ready for anyone eager to play the room a tune.

Palmetto Bluff Duck Crossing Cottage

lisa furey interiors

18 T St

The Singing Stager

Desert Contemporary Residence: Dining Room

Design Directives, LLC

Contemporary desert home with natural materials. Wood, stone and copper elements throughout the house. Floors are vein-cut travertine, walls are stacked stone or dry wall with hand painted faux finish. Project designed by Susie Hersker’s Scottsdale interior design firm Design Directives. Design Directives is active in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Carefree, Sedona, and beyond. For more about Design Directives, click here: https://susanherskerasid.com/

Cottage Chic

Interior Design by Julie Johnson-Holland

Mineral Springs Farm | Newtown Square, PA

Period Architecture Ltd.

Angle Eye Photography

Modern English Farmhouse | Hillsboro, Oregon

Westlake Development Group, LLC

Justin Krug Photography

Georgian Family House

Imperfect Interiors

Chris Snook

Upper East Side Atelier

Weil Friedman Architects

In this double height Living/Dining Room, Weil Friedman designed a tall built-in bookcase. The bookcase not only provides much needed storage space, but also serves to visually balance the tall windows with the low doors on the opposite wall. False transom panels were added above the low doors to make them appear taller in scale with the room.

Hollywood House

INTENSION design

Modern new construction house at the top of the Hollywood Hills. Designed and built by INTESION design.

Tribeca Triplex

Amy Lau Design

A design connoisseur’s sprawling residence captivates with a double height, majestic light filled living space perfected with exclusive bespoke pieces by both mid-century and contemporary design masters. Photography by Bjorn Wallander.

Chandeliers

Brilliant Lighting Center

Dining Room Design Ideas

A dining room can be used for casual dining, integrated into an open plan and connected to the living and kitchen areas; or as a formal space reserved solely for entertaining. While it may not be used frequently, it is a great focal point in the home, and requires little furnishings. Here's what you need to consider before you start planning a new dining room...

How will you use your dining room?

First, consider how frequently you will use the space. If you plan on using your dining room on a daily basis, a casual dining set-up with sturdy, long-lasting furniture is best. As for where you position it – well, any unused space in the home can be converted into a casual dining space, whether it be at the end of a kitchen island, or at the bottom of the stairs. A formal dining room, on the other hand, is more suited to a dedicated space, which is more common in heritage homes where space originally wasn’t at a premium. Perhaps you want your dining room to multi-task and accommodate everyday meals, homework sessions and grown-up dinner parties… If that’s the case, furniture is key. Look for versatile dining tables in either Australian or New Zealand hardwood or weathered timber for a more rustic look. These won’t show up sticky fingerprints as much and can be dressed up for guests.

What size and shape should your dining table be?

Your dining table should be able to seat all family members with some room for additional guests – each person should have at least 60 centimetres of space at the table. The right size, however, also depends on how much room you have. A general rule of thumb is to leave no less than 1 metre from the dining table to the wall or any additional furniture, so people have enough room to comfortably move around the space. Rectangular dining tables are versatile and can work in a variety of settings, while oval dining tables are more traditional and can turn any meal into an occasion. If you have a tight space to work in, a round dining table is best, and also a great option if you want to encourage conversation. A square dining table can be a dramatic addition to a dining room, but only if you have the space. It allows everyone at the table to see each other, but the bigger the table, the harder it will be able to hold a conversation with someone at the other end.

What type of dining chairs should you choose?

Once you’ve decided on a dining table, look for dining chairs that share a common design element. If your dining table legs are curved, for example, try to match them with dining chairs that have a similar curve, either in the legs or back. Next, consider the dimensions of the chair. The height of your dining chairs should allow at least 30 centimetres between the top of the seat and the top of the table. And to keep your tush happy, avoid dining chairs narrower than 45 centimetres.

How can you decorate your dining room?

Dining rooms are relatively minimal spaces, but that makes them a great place to splash a little colour through artwork, especially if yours is a formal dining room. If your dining room is lacking warmth, consider painting the walls a deep shade of red or blue, or go contemporary with black or grey. A cosy rug will make the space feel more intimate, while a sideboard or cabinet of curiosities will further personalise the space. Often overlooked, dining room lighting can also drastically alter the mood of a room, creating drama, spurring romance or encouraging conversation. Opt for soft lighting in the dining area with dimmer switches, and choose oversized pendants in large, open spaces or to make the dining area more of a focal point. Finally, add some table settings, such as a lace tablecloth for a whimsy feel, or a more basic table runner for a chic look. If you need some help designing your dining room, consider checking the Houzz directory of interior designers, home stylists, cabinet makers and more!