Open Plan Dining Design Ideas with a Stone Fireplace Surround

Francois & Co. - French Limestone - Dalle de Bourgogne

These French limestone pavers, reclaimed from historic manors and farm houses in Burgundy, date as far back as the 13th century. Generations of wear have resulted in pleasingly uneven surfaces. This unique, lived-in patina makes it the crème de la crème of natural stone. As Dalle de Bourgogne and other reclaimed limestone becomes increasingly rare and hard to find, Francois & Co has developed stunning, high quality alternatives to meet demand, including our newly quarried collection of Rustic French limestone.

Cottage in the Trees

Alan Mascord Design Associates Inc

French Country masterpiece featured in the NW Natural Street of Dreams, Portland, OR. Photo by Fabienne Photography and Design

Dining Room In Great Rom

Germania Construction

Adding a dining space to your great room not only creates a cohesive design, but brings the spaces in your home together.

Harlem Brownstone

kimberly peck architect

This brownstone, located in Harlem, consists of five stories which had been duplexed to create a two story rental unit and a 3 story home for the owners. The owner hired us to do a modern renovation of their home and rear garden. The garden was under utilized, barely visible from the interior and could only be accessed via a small steel stair at the rear of the second floor. We enlarged the owner’s home to include the rear third of the floor below which had walk out access to the garden. The additional square footage became a new family room connected to the living room and kitchen on the floor above via a double height space and a new sculptural stair. The rear facade was completely restructured to allow us to install a wall to wall two story window and door system within the new double height space creating a connection not only between the two floors but with the outside. The garden itself was terraced into two levels, the bottom level of which is directly accessed from the new family room space, the upper level accessed via a few stone clad steps. The upper level of the garden features a playful interplay of stone pavers with wood decking adjacent to a large seating area and a new planting bed. Wet bar cabinetry at the family room level is mirrored by an outside cabinetry/grill configuration as another way to visually tie inside to out. The second floor features the dining room, kitchen and living room in a large open space. Wall to wall builtins from the front to the rear transition from storage to dining display to kitchen; ending at an open shelf display with a fireplace feature in the base. The third floor serves as the children’s floor with two bedrooms and two ensuite baths. The fourth floor is a master suite with a large bedroom and a large bathroom bridged by a walnut clad hall that conceals a closet system and features a built in desk. The master bath consists of a tiled partition wall dividing the space to create a large walkthrough shower for two on one side and showcasing a free standing tub on the other. The house is full of custom modern details such as the recessed, lit handrail at the house’s main stair, floor to ceiling glass partitions separating the halls from the stairs and a whimsical builtin bench in the entry.

Discover and Explore Exclusive Flooring in San Francisco

Galleher Hardwood Flooring

Garden Pavilion

Frasier-Martis Architects, P.C.

Jerry Kessler

Chaplin Crescent Estates

Lumar Interiors

This in-fill custom home in the heart of Chaplin Crescent Estates belonged to a young couple whose family was growing. They enlisted the help of Lumar Interiors to help make their family room more functional and comfortable. We designed a custom sized table to fit by the window. New upholstered furniture was designed to fit the small space and allow maximum seating. Project by Richmond Hill interior design firm Lumar Interiors. Also serving Aurora, Newmarket, King City, Markham, Thornhill, Vaughan, York Region, and the Greater Toronto Area. For more about Lumar Interiors, click here: https://www.lumarinteriors.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.lumarinteriors.com/portfolio/chaplin-crescent-estates-toronto/

Rénovation d’une maison de 250m² sur 4 étages - intérieur et extérieur

Commandante Custo

Woman Lake 2 Lodge

Lands End Development - Designers & Builders

Lodge Dining Room/Great room with vaulted log beams, wood ceiling, and wood floors. Antler chandelier over dining table. Built-in cabinets and home bar area.

Sustainable Farm House

Kipnis Architecture + Planning

The dining room looking out towards the family room.

Courtyard House

Anthony W Design

Kendrick's Cabin Remodel

Centre Sky Architecture Ltd

Kendrick's Cabin is a full interior remodel, turning a traditional mountain cabin into a modern, open living space. The walls and ceiling were white washed to give a nice and bright aesthetic. White the original wood beams were kept dark to contrast the white. New, larger windows provide more natural light while making the space feel larger. Steel and metal elements are incorporated throughout the cabin to balance the rustic structure of the cabin with a modern and industrial element.

Rustically Refined

Fine Design Interiors, Inc.

Beach House

Arrowood Design LLC

Matthew Millman

Cleveland Park Development

Ballard + Mensua Architecture

The original Living Room was slightly longer, with a closed in rear porch off of the back of it and a covered side porch. We kept the original mantle, but added a new marble surround, added new plaster and trim, new flooring and opened up the room to the new sitting room beyond. Additionally, we enclosed the side porch.

{Oak Point, TX}

Salcedo Homes

2018 Parade of Homes - Dream Home

Zawadski Homes Inc.

Dining room and living room with fireplace.

Hewko Residence

Louise Stapleton Interiors

Dining Rooms

4D Design + Consulting

Warm Modern in Boca Raton

Marc-Michaels Interior Design

Edward C. Butera

Open Plan Dining Design Ideas with a Stone Fireplace Surround

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!