Breakfast Room with Curved Bench Seating

A curved leather bench is paired with side chairs. The chair backs are upholstered in the same leather with nailhead trim. The Window Pinnacle Clad Series casement windows are 9' tall and include a 28" tall fixed awning window on the bottom and a 78" tall casement on top.

Fine Times

Zola European Windows

New exterior windows are installed outboard of the existing Tiffany glass.

The Colony

Elevation Design Group

Dining Room

Cynthia J. Hoffman Interior Design, Inc.

Italian pendant lighting stands out against the custom graduated slate fireplace, custom old-growth redwood slab dining table with casters, contemporary high back host chairs with stainless steel nailhead trim, custom wool area rug, custom hand-planed walnut buffet with sliding doors and drawers, hand-planed Port Orford cedar beams, earth plaster walls and ceiling. Joel Berman glass sliding doors with stainless steel barn door hardware Photo:: Michael R. Timmer

Lake Oasis

Wineteer Construction

Lantern Light Photography

Kelly Maxwell

This project began with an entire penthouse floor of open raw space which the clients had the opportunity to section off the piece that suited them the best for their needs and desires. As the design firm on the space, LK Design was intricately involved in determining the borders of the space and the way the floor plan would be laid out. Taking advantage of the southwest corner of the floor, we were able to incorporate three large balconies, tremendous views, excellent light and a layout that was open and spacious. There is a large master suite with two large dressing rooms/closets, two additional bedrooms, one and a half additional bathrooms, an office space, hearth room and media room, as well as the large kitchen with oversized island, butler's pantry and large open living room. The clients are not traditional in their taste at all, but going completely modern with simple finishes and furnishings was not their style either. What was produced is a very contemporary space with a lot of visual excitement. Every room has its own distinct aura and yet the whole space flows seamlessly. From the arched cloud structure that floats over the dining room table to the cathedral type ceiling box over the kitchen island to the barrel ceiling in the master bedroom, LK Design created many features that are unique and help define each space. At the same time, the open living space is tied together with stone columns and built-in cabinetry which are repeated throughout that space. Comfort, luxury and beauty were the key factors in selecting furnishings for the clients. The goal was to provide furniture that complimented the space without fighting it.

Formal Dining Room

BMA Architects

1209 Harbor Drive | Delray Beach, FL | Beach Area Estate

Pascal Liguori & Son

Kitchen

Waterfront Estate

Mason Construction Company

Contemporary Dining Room

Bedford, NY Transitional Gentelman Farmer's Estate

Z. Davis Interiors, Ltd

The entire house was simplified and modernized. We stripped the old floors. It was sealed, no stain added. Did the same treatment to the old country dining table. The room painted white with a high gloss paint on the wood trims, gold decorative items, and dark furniture. The combination of the old and new, country and sophistication resulted in a zen atmosphere we were going for.

Villanova Residence - dining room

Archer & Buchanan Architecture, Ltd.

Photographer: Tom Crane

Modern Edge House - Sewickley, PA

Gaskill Architecture

Eclectic Entertaining Space - West Kirby

Natalie Holden Interiors

Beverly Hills Modern

Lori Dennis, ASID, LEED AP

Modern Dining Room in an open floor plan, sits between the Living Room, Kitchen and Outdoor Patio. The modern electric fireplace wall is finished in distressed grey plaster. Modern Dining Room Furniture in Black and white is paired with a sculptural glass chandelier. Floor to ceiling windows and modern sliding glass doors expand the living space to the outdoors.

Warm Modern in Boca Raton

Marc-Michaels Interior Design

Edward C. Butera

Queen Anne Art Deco Residence

User

Period Russian Empire Chairs combine with our custom designed divan seating at the glass dining table, seating up to ten. The multi-layer "cloud" and mahogany bands above the table is a fanciful homage to the clients love of watches. A "conversation nook" with stunning mural by Juarez Michado is visible in the right mid-ground. This special space for reading or semi-private conversation during an event at the residence is secluded by a deep maroon shear. The Empire fireplace of the Living Room is shown in the background.

Buckhead Client's Ski Retreat - Dining Room

New Mood Design LLC

Level Three: The dining room's focal point is a sculptural table in Koa wood with bronzed aluminum legs. The comfortable dining chairs, with removable covers in an easy-care fabric, are solidly designed yet pillow soft. Photograph © Darren Edwards, San Diego

The Bluff house dining and living room in Pismo Beach

Schaefer Custom Homes

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!