Danny Piassick

View into formal dining room from grand entry foyer. The floors of this home were stained with a custom blend of walnut and dark oak stain to let the grain of the white oak shine through. The walls have all been paneled and painted a crisp white to set off the stark gray used on the upper part of the walls, above the paneling. A silk light grey rug sits proud under a 12' wide custom dining table. Reclaimed wood planks from Canada and an industrial steel base harden the soft lines of the room and provide a bit of whimsy. Dining benches sit on one side of the table, and four leather and nail head studded chairs flank the other side. The table comfortably sits a party of 12.

Victorian Resurrection

Vicki Simon Interior Design

A custom bookcase for cookbook collection was built from recycled wood. Maker was found at a local home show in Portland. All furniture pieces were made or found and selected/designed maximizing height to accentuate tall ceilings. The vestibule in the background shows tiny space added by new nib walls as entry way to existing bathroom. Designer hand-painted stripes on the wall when an appropriate wallpaper could not be located. Photo by Lincoln Barbour

Haverford Homes at Westphalia Row

Haverford Homes

Susie Soleimani Photography: Westphalia Row is the only luxury townhome community in Upper Marlboro that puts access to the Beltway and Greater Washington right at your doorstep. Literally moments from I-495, Westphalia Row greets your arrival with a stately brick entrance monument. Designed to exude elegance and sophistication, a large percentage of the homes have brick-front elevations and most side elevations feature brick water tables. Even most rear elevations feature brick on the lower level, and special architectural details like picket fencing and carriage style garage doors add touches of charm throughout. A Centrally located clubhouse will in the future provide yet another great place to feel right at home at Westphalia Row.

Greenwood

Oliver Designs

Photography by Ron Ruscio

Breezy Brentwood

Jill Wolff Interior Design

http://belairphotography.com/contact.html

Princeton Restoration

Dennison and Dampier Interior Design

Dining room with Fortuny stencil in gold on red

Traditional Southern Home

Kara Cox Interiors

Kara Cox Interiors, photographed by Stacey Van Berkel

SPECIAL KITCHEN

Auburndale Builders

AUBURNDALE BUILDERS, Photos by BERNSTEIN PHOTO LLC

Penthouse Apartment

In-Site Interior Design

Interior Design by In-Site Interior Design

Cedar Bluff

SV Design

Perched atop a bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this new residence adds a modern twist to the classic Shingle Style. The house is anchored to the land by stone retaining walls made entirely of granite taken from the site during construction. Clad almost entirely in cedar shingles, the house will weather to a classic grey. Photo Credit: Blind Dog Studio

Casual Dining in a Formal Setting

Michael Robert Construction

This dining room was the original home's living room. Notice the fire place? It's original - a new coat of paint has it looking brand new. It is one of the only rooms left from the original structure. The homeowners have their extended families nearby and often host large, informal dinners. They felt the large room was much better suited as their dining room, and opted to turn the original smaller dining room into a formal living room. The wainscoting on the walls and coffered ceilings are new, but constructed to look original. The salvaged wood farmhouse table is the perfect gathering spot for their family and a nice contrast to the more formal touches like the silk window treatments and subdued color palette. Photo by Mike Mroz of Michael Robert Construction

Dining Rm. w/ ocular skyliight and orb light fixture

Andre Rothblatt Architecture

Traditional Dining Room

Past and Present Tudor

MLB Design Group

I love this room! Notice the drawer storage below the bench. The top drawers of the sideboard are equipped with electronics for charging various devices. We deleted the center room light fixture, moved the table off center, then added wall sconces and this array of ceiling-mount lights - switched separately and dimmable. Now the table can be placed this way or that, and good lighting is always available.

Owls Nest | Greenville, DE

Period Architecture Ltd.

Angle Eye Photography Dewson Construction

Dining Room

Surena Rugs

Formal Dinning Room

Jarrod Smart Construction

Dining Nook

Ten Oaks Homes

Traditional Dining Room Design Ideas with Medium Hardwood Floors

A traditional 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 traditional 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 traditional 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 traditional 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!