This beautiful historic building was constructed in 1893 and was originally occupied by the Calgary Herald, the oldest running newspaper in the city. Since then, a lot of great stories have been shared in this space and the current restaurateurs have developed the most suitable concept; FinePrint. It denotes an elusive balance between sophistication and simplicity, refinement and fun. Our design intent was to create a restaurant that felt polished, yet inviting and comfortable for all guests to enjoy. The custom designed details throughout were carefully curated to embrace the historical character of the building and to set the tone for great new stories and to celebrate all of life’s occasions.

Oceanic Oasis

Structure Interior Design Studio

3 Barn Farm

Elizabeth Drake of Drake Interiors Limited

Reforma de piso de dos habitaciones

Sube Interiorismo

Farmhouse to Fabulous

TKS Design Group

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English Cottage

Amanda George Interior Design

A whimsical English garden was the foundation and driving force for the design inspiration. A lingering garden mural wraps all the walls floor to ceiling, while a union jack wood detail adorns the existing tray ceiling, as a nod to the client’s English roots. Custom heritage blue base cabinets and antiqued white glass front uppers create a beautifully balanced built-in buffet that stretches the east wall providing display and storage for the client's extensive inherited China collection.

After the second fallout of the Delta Variant amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic in mid 2021, our team working from home, and our client in quarantine, SDA Architects conceived Japandi Home. The initial brief for the renovation of this pool house was for its interior to have an "immediate sense of serenity" that roused the feeling of being peaceful. Influenced by loneliness and angst during quarantine, SDA Architects explored themes of escapism and empathy which led to a “Japandi” style concept design – the nexus between “Scandinavian functionality” and “Japanese rustic minimalism” to invoke feelings of “art, nature and simplicity.” This merging of styles forms the perfect amalgamation of both function and form, centred on clean lines, bright spaces and light colours. Grounded by its emotional weight, poetic lyricism, and relaxed atmosphere; Japandi Home aesthetics focus on simplicity, natural elements, and comfort; minimalism that is both aesthetically pleasing yet highly functional. Japandi Home places special emphasis on sustainability through use of raw furnishings and a rejection of the one-time-use culture we have embraced for numerous decades. A plethora of natural materials, muted colours, clean lines and minimal, yet-well-curated furnishings have been employed to showcase beautiful craftsmanship – quality handmade pieces over quantitative throwaway items. A neutral colour palette compliments the soft and hard furnishings within, allowing the timeless pieces to breath and speak for themselves. These calming, tranquil and peaceful colours have been chosen so when accent colours are incorporated, they are done so in a meaningful yet subtle way. Japandi home isn’t sparse – it’s intentional. The integrated storage throughout – from the kitchen, to dining buffet, linen cupboard, window seat, entertainment unit, bed ensemble and walk-in wardrobe are key to reducing clutter and maintaining the zen-like sense of calm created by these clean lines and open spaces. The Scandinavian concept of “hygge” refers to the idea that ones home is your cosy sanctuary. Similarly, this ideology has been fused with the Japanese notion of “wabi-sabi”; the idea that there is beauty in imperfection. Hence, the marriage of these design styles is both founded on minimalism and comfort; easy-going yet sophisticated. Conversely, whilst Japanese styles can be considered “sleek” and Scandinavian, “rustic”, the richness of the Japanese neutral colour palette aids in preventing the stark, crisp palette of Scandinavian styles from feeling cold and clinical. Japandi Home’s introspective essence can ultimately be considered quite timely for the pandemic and was the quintessential lockdown project our team needed.

Long Grove, IL 3

Heartstone Custom Builders

Modern Farmhouse Dining Room

Sublime Sanctuary - Dining Room

Drewett Works

Designed for intimate gatherings, this charming oval-shaped dining room offers European appeal with its white-painted brick veneer walls and exquisite ceiling treatment. Visible through the window at left is a well-stocked wine room. Project Details // Sublime Sanctuary Upper Canyon, Silverleaf Golf Club Scottsdale, Arizona Architecture: Drewett Works Builder: American First Builders Interior Designer: Michele Lundstedt Landscape architecture: Greey | Pickett Photography: Werner Segarra https://www.drewettworks.com/sublime-sanctuary/

Design Excellence Award Winners - A Sampling of 20 Years of Professional Honors

Pineapple House Interior Design

A wallpapered ceiling, black walls and high chair rail add contrast and personality to this dramatic dining room. Dark upholstered club chairs and dark wood floors bring the needed weight from the walls to the interior of the room.

Toorak Residence

MR.MITCHELL

Modern Coastal Beach House

Three Sparrows Interior Design

Kenilworth Project - Mid Century Modern Whole House Remodel

Haven Design and Construction

The design team elected to preserve the original stacked stone wall in the dining area. A striking sputnik chandelier further repeats the mid century modern design. Deep blue accents repeat throughout the home's main living area and the kitchen.

Réagencement d'un rez de chaussée de maison

Chrysalide Architecture

La pièce à vivre a été travaillée de telle sorte que le salon et la salle à manger se répondent. De l'entrée nous pouvons apercevoir le panoramique noir et blanc installé dans la salle à manger au dessus d'un buffet. Une table en bois pour 8 personnes trouve place au centre de la pièce. Une grosse suspension en rotin la surplombe et réchauffe la pièce grâce à son aspect brut et ses matières naturelles. Une bibliothèque est installée entre le salon et la salle à manger pour créer un lien, une continuité entre les pièces.

Glamorous Kitchen, Dining and Living Renovation with Entertaining in Mind

Corinthian Fine Homes

This young family began working with us after struggling with their previous contractor. They were over budget and not achieving what they really needed with the addition they were proposing. Rather than extend the existing footprint of their house as had been suggested, we proposed completely changing the orientation of their separate kitchen, living room, dining room, and sunroom and opening it all up to an open floor plan. By changing the configuration of doors and windows to better suit the new layout and sight lines, we were able to improve the views of their beautiful backyard and increase the natural light allowed into the spaces. We raised the floor in the sunroom to allow for a level cohesive floor throughout the areas. Their extended kitchen now has a nice sitting area within the kitchen to allow for conversation with friends and family during meal prep and entertaining. The sitting area opens to a full dining room with built in buffet and hutch that functions as a serving station. Conscious thought was given that all “permanent” selections such as cabinetry and countertops were designed to suit the masses, with a splash of this homeowner’s individual style in the double herringbone soft gray tile of the backsplash, the mitred edge of the island countertop, and the mixture of metals in the plumbing and lighting fixtures. Careful consideration was given to the function of each cabinet and organization and storage was maximized. This family is now able to entertain their extended family with seating for 18 and not only enjoy entertaining in a space that feels open and inviting, but also enjoy sitting down as a family for the simple pleasure of supper together.

Gull Lake - Cottage

Glas Associates

A comfortable, formal dining space with pretty ceiling lighting Photo by Ashley Avila Photography

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!