SKOLNICK Architecture & Design Partnership

Living/Dining area Photo by Erik Rank

Sited on a high hilltop in northern San Diego county, this home addition was designed to take advantage of the panoramic views.

Modern Bellevue Condo

Seattle Staged to Sell and Design LLC

MVB

Custom Contemporary Hills Home

Brownhouse Design, Los Altos, CA

Scott Hargis Photography Formal dining room off of the great room. Open shelving creates some separation.

Holiday Decor

JulBeArt Interiors

A morning room with wraparound windows is bathed in sunlight. The uninterrupted country views beyond provide a picturesque backdrop.

The Bravern Signature Penthouses

Areas Interior Design

Elevating the mix of modern and transitional with furniture and finishes. Furniture by Roche Bobois of Seattle

Cape Home Addition - Expanding Home and Lifestyle

'g' Green Design Center

Kitchen island provides a large space for preparation and eat in dining. Or the family can spread out to the adjacent dining room in the new addition. Green Home Remodel – Clean and Green on a Budget – with Flair Today many families with young children put health and safety first among their priorities for their homes. Young families are often on a budget as well, and need to save in important areas such as energy costs by creating more efficient homes. In this major kitchen remodel and addition project, environmentally sustainable solutions were on top of the wish list producing a wonderfully remodeled home that is clean and green, coming in on time and on budget. ‘g’ Green Design Center was the first and only stop when the homeowners of this mid-sized Cape-style home were looking for assistance. They had a rough idea of the layout they were hoping to create and came to ‘g’ for design and materials. Nicole Goldman, of ‘g’ did the space planning and kitchen design, and worked with Greg Delory of Greg DeLory Home Design for the exterior architectural design and structural design components. All the finishes were selected with ‘g’ and the homeowners. All are sustainable, non-toxic and in the case of the insulation, extremely energy efficient. Beginning in the kitchen, the separating wall between the old kitchen and hallway was removed, creating a large open living space for the family. The existing oak cabinetry was removed and new, plywood and solid wood cabinetry from Canyon Creek, with no-added urea formaldehyde (NAUF) in the glues or finishes was installed. Existing strand woven bamboo which had been recently installed in the adjacent living room, was extended into the new kitchen space, and the new addition that was designed to hold a new dining room, mudroom, and covered porch entry. The same wood was installed in the master bedroom upstairs, creating consistency throughout the home and bringing a serene look throughout. The kitchen cabinetry is in an Alder wood with a natural finish. The countertops are Eco By Cosentino; A Cradle to Cradle manufactured materials of recycled (75%) glass, with natural stone, quartz, resin and pigments, that is a maintenance-free durable product with inherent anti-bacterial qualities. In the first floor bathroom, all recycled-content tiling was utilized from the shower surround, to the flooring, and the same eco-friendly cabinetry and counter surfaces were installed. The similarity of materials from one room creates a cohesive look to the home, and aided in budgetary and scheduling issues throughout the project. Throughout the project UltraTouch insulation was installed following an initial energy audit that availed the homeowners of about $1,500 in rebate funds to implement energy improvements. Whenever ‘g’ Green Design Center begins a project such as a remodel or addition, the first step is to understand the energy situation in the home and integrate the recommended improvements into the project as a whole. Also used throughout were the AFM Safecoat Zero VOC paints which have no fumes, or off gassing and allowed the family to remain in the home during construction and painting without concern for exposure to fumes. Dan Cutrona Photography

Oregon City Living Space Remodel

User

Round shapes and walnut woodwork pull the whole space together. The sputnik shapes in the rug are mimicked in the Living Room light sconces and the artwork on the wall near the Entry Door. The Pantry Door pulls the circular and walnut together as well.

Traister's Craftsman and Whimsy

HONEST HOME

Kept original light fixture. Bamboo floor

Schmalstes Haus

Bernhard Müller Fotografie

www.bernhardmuellerfoto.de

Modern, Split-Level Custom Home in Arlington, VA, with Arts & Crafts Elements.

Ideal Construction & Remodeling

Felicia Evans Photography

River Ridge Condo

Nsight Kitchen and Bath Design

Custom banquet seat roman shades and cushion with storage.

Bayview Italianate

Katie Gavigan Interiors

Dining Room Expressions

Manchester Design Group

These are the after shots of an unwelcoming dining room of a busy mom turned in to a delightful, contemporary, and now welcoming space.

Vance's Display Case Bar Open

Matter Design & Make Pty Ltd

After approaching Matter to renovate his kitchen in 2020, Vance decided it was time to tackle another area of his home in desperate need of attention; the dining room, or more specifically the back wall of his dining room which had become a makeshift bar. Vance had two mismatched wine fridges and an old glass door display case that housed wine and spirit glasses and bottles. He didn’t like that everything was on show but wanted some shelving to display some of the more precious artefacts he had collected over the years. He also liked the idea of using the same material pallet as his new kitchen to tie the two spaces together. Our solution was to design a full wall unit with display shelving up top and a base of enclosed cabinetry which houses the wine fridges and additional storage. A defining feature of the unit is the angled left-hand side and floating shelves which allows better access into the dining room and lightens the presence of the bulky unit. A small cabinet with a sliding door at bench height acts as a spirits bar and is designed to be an open display when Vance hosts friends and family for dinner. This bar and the bench on either side have a mirrored backing, reflecting light from the generous north-facing windows opposite. The backing of the unit above features the grey FORESCOLOUR MDF used in the kitchen which contrasts beautifully with the Blackbutt timber shelves. All shelves and the bench top have solid Blackbutt lipping with a chamfered edge profile. The handles of the base cabinets are concealed within this solid lipping to maintain the sleek minimal look of the unit. Each shelf is illuminated by LED strip lighting above, controlled by a concealed touch switch in the bench top below. The result is a display case that unifies the kitchen and dining room while completely transforming the look and function of the space.

French Country Kitchen with a Twist

Impeccably Designed Homes by Donna Hoffman

Photo by David Van Scott

J Street Residential Addition: Open Plan

HD Squared Architects, LLC

The dining area was designed specifically to accommodate their everyday dining table, but also to provide space for expanding that table when guests are there. Photos by Chris Zimmer Photography

Turtle Point

J. Rhodes Interior Design, Inc.

photo: Jim Somerset

Esszimmer mit Sitzbank

REFUGIUM - Interior Design

Historical Spanish Courtyard

KRISTIN GUNNETTE

Dining Room Design Ideas with Bamboo Floors

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!