Brunswick Parlour transforms a Victorian cottage into a hard-working, personalised home for a family of four. Our clients loved the character of their Brunswick terrace home, but not its inefficient floor plan and poor year-round thermal control. They didn't need more space, they just needed their space to work harder. The front bedrooms remain largely untouched, retaining their Victorian features and only introducing new cabinetry. Meanwhile, the main bedroom’s previously pokey en suite and wardrobe have been expanded, adorned with custom cabinetry and illuminated via a generous skylight. At the rear of the house, we reimagined the floor plan to establish shared spaces suited to the family’s lifestyle. Flanked by the dining and living rooms, the kitchen has been reoriented into a more efficient layout and features custom cabinetry that uses every available inch. In the dining room, the Swiss Army Knife of utility cabinets unfolds to reveal a laundry, more custom cabinetry, and a craft station with a retractable desk. Beautiful materiality throughout infuses the home with warmth and personality, featuring Blackbutt timber flooring and cabinetry, and selective pops of green and pink tones. The house now works hard in a thermal sense too. Insulation and glazing were updated to best practice standard, and we’ve introduced several temperature control tools. Hydronic heating installed throughout the house is complemented by an evaporative cooling system and operable skylight. The result is a lush, tactile home that increases the effectiveness of every existing inch to enhance daily life for our clients, proving that good design doesn’t need to add space to add value.

Beverly Hills Modern

Lori Dennis, ASID, LEED AP

Modern Dining Room in an open floor plan, sits between the Living Room, Kitchen and Backyard 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.

Austin Victorian

Chango

Austin Victorian by Chango & Co. Architectural Advisement & Interior Design by Chango & Co. Architecture by William Hablinski Construction by J Pinnelli Co. Photography by Sarah Elliott

Greg Grupenhof

Lake Front Country Estate

Markalunas Architecture Group

Lake Front Country Estate Foyer, designed by Tom Markalunas, built by Resort Custom Homes. Photography by Racheal Boling

Last House on the Left

SV Design

Having been neglected for nearly 50 years, this home was rescued by new owners who sought to restore the home to its original grandeur. Prominently located on the rocky shoreline, its presence welcomes all who enter into Marblehead from the Boston area. The exterior respects tradition; the interior combines tradition with a sparse respect for proportion, scale and unadorned beauty of space and light. This project was featured in Design New England Magazine. http://bit.ly/SVResurrection Photo Credit: Eric Roth

Post & Gable House

Kirsten Johnstone Architecture

The Listed House

Simpson & Voyle

This elegant dining space seamlessly blends classic and modern design elements, creating a sophisticated and inviting ambiance. The room features a large bay window that allows ample natural light to illuminate the space, enhancing the soft, neutral color palette. A plush, tufted bench in a rich teal velvet lines one side of the dining area, offering comfortable seating along with a touch of color. The bespoke bench is flanked by marble columns that match the marble archway, adding a luxurious feel to the room. A mid-century modern wooden dining table with a smooth finish and organic curves is surrounded by contemporary chairs upholstered in light gray fabric, with slender brass legs that echo the bench's elegance. Above, a statement pendant light with a cloud-like design and brass accents provides a modern focal point, while the classic white ceiling rose and intricate crown molding pay homage to the building's historical character. The herringbone patterned wooden floor adds warmth and texture, complementing the classic white wainscoting and wall panels. A vase with a lush arrangement of flowers serves as a centerpiece, injecting life and color into the setting. This space, ideal for both family meals and formal gatherings, reflects a thoughtful curation of design elements that respect the building's heritage while embracing contemporary style.

Pinecrest Home Remodel Japandi Style

Janet Patterson Interior Design (JPID)

Modern family and dining room with built-in media unit.

NoBo Remodel - Dining Room

Blue Leaf Design Build - Dahlia Interiors

This family home is nestled in the mountains with extensive views of Mt. Tamalpais. HSH Interiors created an effortlessly elegant space with playful patterns that accentuate the surrounding natural environment. Sophisticated furnishings combined with cheerful colors create an east coast meets west coast feeling throughout the house.

Holz. Stein. Haus.

BRÜNING INTERIORS

Genießen Sie mit den Gästen den Blick in die Natur. Im Hintergrund sehen Sie die moderne Interpretation eines Geschirrschranks mit schmalen Besteckschubladen und integrierter Beleuchtung.

Newport Waterfront

Blackband Design

Game Room

Sweeney Barn Lower Hall

Mike Garcia Construction

Old dairy barn completely remodeled into a wedding venue/ event center. Lower level area ready for weddings

Estate- Highland, Utah (36)

Magleby Construction

Joshua Caldwell

Resort Contemporary

Alm Architects

2015 Midwest Home Luxury Home #4 - John Kraemer & Sons

Spacecrafting / Architectural Photography

Builder: John Kraemer & Sons, Inc. - Architect: Charlie & Co. Design, Ltd. - Interior Design: Martha O’Hara Interiors - Photo: Spacecrafting Photography

Dining Room Design Ideas with Light Hardwood 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!