A charming Airbnb, favorite restaurant, cozy coffee house, or a piece of artwork can all serve as design inspiration for your decor. How wonderful would it be to bring the colors, patterns, shapes, fabrics, or textures of those beloved places or things into your own home? That is exactly what Janet Aurora’s client was hoping to do. Her favorite restaurant, The Ivy Chelsea Garden, is located in London and features tufted leather sofas and benches, hues of salmon and sage, botanical patterns, and artwork surrounded by lush gardens and flowers. Take a look at how Janet used this point of inspiration in the client’s living room, dining room, entryway and study. ~ Dining Room ~ To accommodate space for a dining room table that would seat eight, we eliminated the existing fireplace. Janet custom designed a table with a beautiful wrought iron base and marble top, selected botanical prints for a gallery wall, and floral valances for the windows, all set against a fresh turquoise backdrop. ~ Living Room ~ Nods to The Ivy Chelsea Garden can be seen throughout the living room and entryway. A custom leather tufted sofa anchors the living room and compliments a beloved “Grandma’s chair” with crewel fabric, which was restored to its former beauty. Walls painted with Benjamin Moore’s Dreamcatcher 640 and dark salmon hued draperies create a color palette that is strikingly similar to the al fresco setting in London. In the entryway, floral patterned wallpaper introduces the garden fresh theme seen throughout the home. ~ The Study ~ Janet transformed an existing bedroom into a study by claiming the space from two reach-in closets to create custom built-ins with lighting. Many of the homeowner’s own furnishings were used in this room, but Janet added a much-needed reading chair in turquoise to bring a nice pop of color, window treatments, and an area rug to tie the space together. Benjamin Moore’s Deep Mauve was used on the walls and Ruby Dusk was added to the back of the cabinetry to add depth and interest. We also added French doors that lead out to a small balcony for a place to take a break or have lunch. We love the way these spaces turned out and hope our clients will enjoy their spaces inspired by their favorite restaurant.

Silver Lake Chic

VBM Home

Comfort and Style in Green and Gray

Stalburg Design

Brett Mountain Photography

Crisp Navy and White Dining

Monica Murray Home

Vacant Property, Belmont Rd. Malden, MA

BK Classic Collections Home Stagers

Mid-Century Coastal - Whole Home Remodel

2 Navy Lane, LLC

For the Formal Dining Room, we utilized a table, chairs, and a buffet hutch the client owned and wanted to incorporate. Then we brought in an elegant, but not stuffy, feel to this room by combining the midcentury style he was drawn to with the coastal feel and colors that define her unique style. Our amazing carpenters constructed the back wall, based on our drawings and designs, to help the rooms flow seamlessly into one another and give the dining room a focal point. We love the gorgeous coastal decor-inspired paint color. Wondering which part of the design gets the most ooh’s and aah’s? The Mid-Century style Sputnik light fixture attracts the most comments and likes on social media, and compliments from in-person dinner party guests

Faye Dunaway's West Hollywood Bungalow

Angela Wells Interior Design

North Side Family Home

Dan Rak Design

Irving Place

InsideWright

Andrew Frasz Phillip Jeffries Amalfi Silk wall covering. Ethan Allen chairs & upholstery.

Burbank Townhouse

P.M. & Associates

Homearama 2017

MJN & Associates Interiors

Carl Unterbrink

Transitional Home

Interior design concepts

Maureen Fritts

East New York Apartment - Livingroom Redesign

To Be Designed

Photographer Credit - Steven Rengifo

NE Portland Interior 2

Mr. Painter PDX LLC

Freshly painted living and dining rooms using Sherwin Williams Paint. Color "Ice Cube" SW 6252.

mancidue apartament

milena nadalini

foto fedrico modica

Residence Villa Ombrosa _ Agopuntura per interni

es-arch enricoscaramelliniarchitetto

Marcello Mariana Fotografia

Staging West Orange NJ

Great Impressions Home Staging/Interiors

modern dining room featuring two toned walls; staging on a low-end budget

PHYSICIAN'S OFFICE

Dee Ann Design LLC

Small Dining Room Design Ideas with Blue Walls

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!