Mid-Century Remodel on Tabor Hill This sensitively sited house was designed by Robert Coolidge, a renowned architect and grandson of President Calvin Coolidge. The house features a symmetrical gable roof and beautiful floor to ceiling glass facing due south, smartly oriented for passive solar heating. Situated on a steep lot, the house is primarily a single story that steps down to a family room. This lower level opens to a New England exterior. Our goals for this project were to maintain the integrity of the original design while creating more modern spaces. Our design team worked to envision what Coolidge himself might have designed if he'd had access to modern materials and fixtures. With the aim of creating a signature space that ties together the living, dining, and kitchen areas, we designed a variation on the 1950's "floating kitchen." In this inviting assembly, the kitchen is located away from exterior walls, which allows views from the floor-to-ceiling glass to remain uninterrupted by cabinetry. We updated rooms throughout the house; installing modern features that pay homage to the fine, sleek lines of the original design. Finally, we opened the family room to a terrace featuring a fire pit. Since a hallmark of our design is the diminishment of the hard line between interior and exterior, we were especially pleased for the opportunity to update this classic work.

Mid-Century Renovation

Robin's Nest Interiors

Small Dining Area is decked out with sleek table and tufted dining chairs. Oversized sideboard adds much needed extra storage for serving pieces. Two hand painted chairs flank the sideboard and can easily make dining for six. Unique chandelier is just the right finishing touch.

Kitchen and integrated dining area

Braden Construction, Inc.

Dining area integrated with large kitchen.

Dallas Vintage Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room

Cavalieri Designs

Danish Modern is one of the several types of Modern design style. Popularized in Denmark from the 1940s-1970s, Danish modern furniture design was a collaboration between the principles of modern architecture and the high-quality cabinetmaking for which the Danes were known. Simple, elegant, airy, and featuring clean, sweeping lines, the furnishings are inherently warm and beautiful. This open dining room is a collection of vintage Danish modern furniture dating from the early 1970s. The authentic pieces were located at different auction houses and specialty consigners around the country to create a cohesive look the homeowners were seeking. The solid teak sideboard features a lighted upper display cabinet (removable) showcasing the homeowners’ collection of art including Nambé, Murano, Vietri sul Mare, and Blenko. The lower cabinet consists of two sliding doors on either end offering plentiful storage. In between are a bank of five felt-lined drawers for items such as silverware, trays and linens. With graceful rounded corners and rich, warm teak woodgrain, the dining room table is a perfect match to the sideboard. Two leaves tightly drop in and enable expansion with seating capacity for 14 people. Mixing up dining chairs adds interest and variety. The curvaceous and timeless Arne Jacobsen (the Danish designer) Series 7 chair in black is the perfect pairing for this dynamic design. Crowning the space is the airy, translucent classic Nelson bubble lamp, keeping in line with the Modernist theme.

Retro Vibe

Janet Kauffman Interiors & Design LLC

Mason-Grabell Residence

Arielle C. Schechter, AIA

The little cocktail bar was built in next to the fireplace. It has open shelving above to allow light and air through. The custom cabinets are flat front flush walnut veneer. This cabinet has room for glassware, barware and extra supplies as needed for the dining room adjacent to it.

Carmel Charisma

Fine Design Interiors, Inc.

Pacific NW Modern Dwelling

User

In this modern dining room, a medley of greenery sprouts from a hammered charcoal vase at the center of an espresso stained table. The table is illuminated by a modern light fixture, composed of hand-blown clear glass globes. Espresso gives way to chocolate in the tone on tone upholstery of the dining chairs. The orange piping of the chairs gives a nod to the contemporary artwork hanging on a far wall in the sitting area. The sitting area is also furnished with a pair of recliners with walnut stained frames and olive leather. Opposite the recliners is a tufted back sofa upholstered in linen and accented with copper suede pillows. A bronze metal cocktail table rests in front of the sofa while a wood floor lamp with ivory shade stands to the side. A Persian wool rug in shades of amber, green and cream ties the space together. The ivory walls and ceiling are accented by honey stained alder trim, a color that continues via a paneled wall separates the dining room from the kitchen.

COREtec Plus XL Enhanced

Vineyard Floors

Hollywood Hills Home

Caitlin McCarthy Design

Mary Costa

Dinning

Studio QL

Eunice Street

Eisenmann Architecture

Mark Compton

Midcentury Kitchen

Notting Hill

GRANT WHITE DESIGN LTD

Residenza in Villino Ottocentesco

ZPSTUDIO

Calle Del Mar

VIDA BUILDING SYSTEMS

Dining room in open concept kitchen

Vicki Simon Interior Design

Wall was removed between kitchen and dining room. A custom locally made dining table was commissioned. Vintage french cafe chairs with rounded backs and upholstered in a wild tropical print laminated for heavy use.

Quimby

risa boyer architecture

Josh Partee

Palo Alto – A California Re-Revival

Alden Miller Interiors

John Merkl

Midcentury Modern Whole Home Renovation

White Label Homes

Midcentury Kitchen/Dining Combo Design Ideas

A midcentury 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 midcentury 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 midcentury 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 midcentury 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!