The client came to us to transform a room in their new house, with the purpose of entertaining friends. In order to give them the relaxed, airy vibe they were looking for, the original outdated space needed some TLC... starting with a coat of paint. We did a walk through with the client to get a feel for the room we’d be working with, asked the couple to give us some insight into their budget and color and style preferences, and then we got to work! We created three unique design concepts with their preferences in mind: Beachy, Breezy and Boho. Our client chose concept #2 "Breezy" and we got cranking on the procurement and installation (as in putting together an Ikea table).From designing, editing, and ordering to installing, our process took just a few weeks for this project (most of the lag time spent waiting for furniture to arrive)! And we managed to get the husband's seal of approval, too. Double win.

Formal Dining

Annie Speck Interior Design

The floating spiral of glass that supports this elegant dining table was selected to pair with the organic shapes in the Green Turtle granite slab specified for this fireplace. The light and wavy italian leather chairs were selected to compliment the table and keep the room feeling airy. The starburst mirror and capiz shell chandelier are like jewelry that finish the ensemble!

Blue, White, Orange Kitchen

Tracey Stephens Interior Design Inc

Wing Wong/Memories TTLherringbone

Mid Century in Buckhead

Copper Sky Design + Remodel

Mid century modern kitchen and dining area is the perfect mix of elegance and comfort. The large custom windows allow for more natural light to flow through this open kitchen and dining area.

St. Helena Hillside Hideaway

JMA (Jim Murphy and Associates)

Technical Imagery Studios

Modern Desert 753

Soloway Designs Inc | Architecture + Interiors AIA

Dining Room

Sculpted to the Land

Flavin Architects

This house west of Boston was originally designed in 1958 by the great New England modernist, Henry Hoover. He built his own modern home in Lincoln in 1937, the year before the German émigré Walter Gropius built his own world famous house only a few miles away. By the time this 1958 house was built, Hoover had matured as an architect; sensitively adapting the house to the land and incorporating the clients wish to recreate the indoor-outdoor vibe of their previous home in Hawaii. The house is beautifully nestled into its site. The slope of the roof perfectly matches the natural slope of the land. The levels of the house delicately step down the hill avoiding the granite ledge below. The entry stairs also follow the natural grade to an entry hall that is on a mid level between the upper main public rooms and bedrooms below. The living spaces feature a south- facing shed roof that brings the sun deep in to the home. Collaborating closely with the homeowner and general contractor, we freshened up the house by adding radiant heat under the new purple/green natural cleft slate floor. The original interior and exterior Douglas fir walls were stripped and refinished. Photo by: Nat Rea Photography

Country Residence

Erskine Associates LLC

North Bay Residence

Prentiss Balance Wickline Architects

Photographer: Jay Goodrich This 2800 sf single-family home was completed in 2009. The clients desired an intimate, yet dynamic family residence that reflected the beauty of the site and the lifestyle of the San Juan Islands. The house was built to be both a place to gather for large dinners with friends and family as well as a cozy home for the couple when they are there alone. The project is located on a stunning, but cripplingly-restricted site overlooking Griffin Bay on San Juan Island. The most practical area to build was exactly where three beautiful old growth trees had already chosen to live. A prior architect, in a prior design, had proposed chopping them down and building right in the middle of the site. From our perspective, the trees were an important essence of the site and respectfully had to be preserved. As a result we squeezed the programmatic requirements, kept the clients on a square foot restriction and pressed tight against property setbacks. The delineate concept is a stone wall that sweeps from the parking to the entry, through the house and out the other side, terminating in a hook that nestles the master shower. This is the symbolic and functional shield between the public road and the private living spaces of the home owners. All the primary living spaces and the master suite are on the water side, the remaining rooms are tucked into the hill on the road side of the wall. Off-setting the solid massing of the stone walls is a pavilion which grabs the views and the light to the south, east and west. Built in a position to be hammered by the winter storms the pavilion, while light and airy in appearance and feeling, is constructed of glass, steel, stout wood timbers and doors with a stone roof and a slate floor. The glass pavilion is anchored by two concrete panel chimneys; the windows are steel framed and the exterior skin is of powder coated steel sheathing.

Crisp Architects

Sun Room. Dining Area of Sunroom -Photographer: Rob Karosis

LAKEVIEW HOUSE

Tommaso Giunchi Architetti

tavolo ARC di Molteni in cemento e vetro, libreria su misura con sfondo nero, sedie Piuma della Kartell in plastica bianca; lampada Smithfield di Flos bianca

Dining room with large chunky table. Original flagstone flooring restored. New cast iron radiator, and bookshelves in alcoves. Copyright Nigel Rigden

Dining + Living

Rethink Design Studio

Wall Color: SW extra white 7006 Stair Run Color: BM Sterling 1591 Floor: 6x12 Squall Slate (local tile supplier)

Lawrenceville Renovation

Katy Popple Design

Living Room

Harrell Design + Build

Banquette Breakfast Nook

Jane Ellison

This built in leather banquette makes this breakfast nook the favorite place for the family to gather. Not just to share a meal but a comfortable place, so much more comfortable than a chair, more supportive than a sofa, to work on their laptop, do homework, write a shopping list, play a game, do an art project. My family starts their day there with coffee checking emails, remains their for breakfast and quick communications with clients. Returning later in the day for tea and snacks and homework.

Sculpted to the Land

Flavin Architects

Beautiful Modern Southern Farmhouse by Steve Powell Homes

David Cannon Photography

Amazing front porch of a modern farmhouse built by Steve Powell Homes (www.stevepowellhomes.com). Photo Credit: David Cannon Photography (www.davidcannonphotography.com)

Dining Room Design Ideas with Cork Floors and Slate 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!