Built at the turn of the 20th century, this grand urban estate was originally a waterfront property before Lake Washington was lowered by 9'. Situated on an just over an acre of land in Seattle's Seward Park neighborhood, this property is actually comprised of 3 structures - a main house, a garage/servants' quarters and a boat shed. By the time we were engaged by the new owners, all three structures had been ravaged by time and deferred maintenance. Our initial tasks included demolishing and rebuilding the boat shed as a recreation/media center; reframing the garage/servants' quarters and then renovating the quarters into a business center; and a complete renovation of the main house that included asbestos and lead paint abatement and extensive repairs from a previous chimney fire. All three structures benefitted from extensive plumbing and mechanical system updates; a complete rewiring of the electrical and low-voltage systems; a property-wide telecommunications and audio-visual package that ties all three structures together; and an engineered storm water system that diverts all run-off from the property into a subterranean 7000 gallon cistern. Rain water from this cistern is then slowly released to the city storm sewer via a flow-control valve. The new owners were music industry managers who immediately understood the potential this property offered as a reflection of the creativity in their industry. The finishes turned out to be nothing short of an all-out love affair. Old-world Irish plasterers, master carpenters, faux painters, Chihuly-trained glass artists and one of the finest blacksmiths in the country all contributed to the unique character of this tastefully updated classic. Almost 20 years later, this project continues to remain one of the favorites in our portfolio.

Eureka Valley

William Adams Design

Old Naples - Townhomes

Lotus Construction, LLC.

Lauraville Dining Room

JJM Services LLC

DINING ROOMS

Sound Harbor Development, LLC

Petoskey - Beach House Retreat

Visbeen Architects

This beautiful, three-story, updated shingle-style cottage is perched atop a bluff on the shores of Lake Michigan, and was designed to make the most of its towering vistas. The proportions of the home are made even more pleasing by the combination of stone, shingles and metal roofing. Deep balconies and wrap-around porches emphasize outdoor living, white tapered columns, an arched dormer, and stone porticos give the cottage nautical quaintness, tastefully balancing the grandeur of the design. The interior space is dominated by vast panoramas of the water below. High ceilings are found throughout, giving the home an airy ambiance, while enabling large windows to display the natural beauty of the lakeshore. The open floor plan allows living areas to act as one sizeable space, convenient for entertaining. The diagonally situated kitchen is adjacent to a sunroom, dining area and sitting room. Dining and lounging areas can be found on the spacious deck, along with an outdoor fireplace. The main floor master suite includes a sitting area, vaulted ceiling, a private bath, balcony access, and a walk-through closet with a back entrance to the home’s laundry. A private study area at the front of the house is lined with built-in bookshelves and entertainment cabinets, creating a small haven for homeowners. The upper level boasts four guest or children’s bedrooms, two with their own private bathrooms. Also upstairs is a built-in office space, loft sitting area, ample storage space, and access to a third floor deck. The walkout lower level was designed for entertainment. Billiards, a bar, sitting areas, screened-in and covered porches make large groups easy to handle. Also downstairs is an exercise room, a large full bath, and access to an outdoor shower for beach-goers. Photographer: Bill Hebert Builder: David C. Bos Homes

Shingle Style New Construction

Dalia Canora Design, LLC

Jane Beiles

Kirtland Traditional Home, OH

Jackie Vella Design

This classic dining room features blue gray paint with white wainscoting. The strong dark furniture contrasts well to make the furniture stand out. The two leather dining chairs work very nicely with the soft upholstered back dining chairs. Photographer: Leslie Farinacci

Anthony Pierro

maple-bluff-post-war-colonial-to-neighborhood-delight-remodel

Architectural Building Arts, Inc.

Photography by Joe DeMaio

Dining Room

LKM Design

Gambetta - Métamorphose des années 70

Studio Castille

French Country Renovation

Alto Design

Jeffrey Jakucyk: Photographer

Custom Home - Cape Cod

Cutting Edge Homes Inc.

Photo: Patrick O'Malley

Michaelian & Kholberg Carpets

The Persian Carpet

City Farmhouse

Jones & Boer Architects, Inc.

SW Vista

Nifelle Design - Fine Interiors

Westchester Renovation

Daniel Contelmo Architects

New paneled white wainscoting surrounds the dining room, while french doors provide access to the deck. The exterior of this renovation was featured in the April 2013 issue of Better Homes and Gardens.

Dining Room Design Ideas with Blue Walls and No Fireplace

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!