Dining Room Makeover - Lighten, modernize, change everything?
I first posted for ideas about my dining room in 2015! In the meantime I updated many other rooms, but it’s time to tackle my most challenging room. I am fortunate to have a large dining room and I use it a lot! But I inherited the furniture and have been unhappy with both the darkness of the room, the traditional furniture, and the horrible fireplace (I use that a lot as well).
I’ve checked out ways to modernize the room (and had hoped to do it in stages) but nothing quite felt right. But I have had time to continue to think about options and and ready to take the plunge and do it! I would love to get some thoughts regarding how I might go about changing and modernizing the room (and maybe in 2 stages). There are also some limitations: 1) no rug under table - husband nixed that long ago, 2) no lightening the floor, 3) need a cabinet for my crystal — It was suggested that the large painting be centered on the far wall but I would love to find some kind of more modern lit cabinet for the crystal that could work with it where it is if possible—its my largest wall. My thoughts right now are that I: 1) ditch the louvered blinds, 2) lighten the walls, perhaps a soft white (the room gets no direct sun), 3) change the fireplace surround and brick and modernize it, 4) introduce a modern chandelier. In terms of furniture, I wonder what will modernize the room more: changing the table or the chairs? If I keep the table for the time being I would want more modern chairs that could also lighten the room up. I have also played around with the idea of painting the chairs red and changing the fabric. It might be less expensive to just start from scratch, however. I have attached pictures of the room and also my feeble attempt to layout how changes might look (along with a chandelier I love!). Where should I begin?
Comments (10)
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Comments (5)I think your design is a great starting point. Love all the plants you have going on. That ottoman doesn't fit the style very well, but I think a different ottoman could. Something more like the one in hollybar's first pic. An ikat patterned fabric would be great. Also, you'll notice that every inspo pic has bright white walls. Yours are very neutral, so they'll likely work, but your room might feel a bit different because of the color. I would avoid using lots of different colors, since boho tends to be very neutral. The pop of color on the ottoman is all you need. Try to keep the art fairly subdued, or very natural feeling. Love the white frames and mats in your design. Botanical prints could work well. Or maybe use more structural art pieces instead of prints. Look through all those inspo pics for ideas. Texture is super important to make boho work, especially since there's not a lot of color. The interest comes from the texture. Wood, leather, metal, knit are all great textures to introduce. Subtle patterns are good too. Get a very textural rug as a good base. Maybe sisal or more shaggy....See MoreDining Room Makeover :)
Comments (15)Ha ha - If you find any equivalent designs for less, let me know. I've been looking for awhile and the only ones I like as well are even pricier. You could cheap out on the table for awhile because the chairs are now on sale so four chairs would run a bit more than $2400. You wouldn't need the table to make much of a statement anyway so a simple small base and top would be relatively inexpensive. Not sure which of the chairs you like but this table is on sale for $1046 and doesn't read heavy. It matches a chair that is similar to the one you posted....See MoreDesign dilemma with a dark dining room makeover
Comments (10)Hi, Sue-- This is such a cool space with a distinct point of view. Really like what you're doing here. Just a quick follow-up question: what's happening at the far end of the sideboard? Could you share an image of that whole wall? Think you've got the buffet area dialed in with art scale and styling, but would maybe think about grouping your art on that other wall differently - it's a little hard to tell what the focus is there. I'd also think about pulling your two small art pieces flanking the china cabinet and featuring them on that larger wall as an option, too. They get a little lost squeezed in tight on that current wall. Agree that a chandelier in here (bubble glass / sputnik) will help throw light around and create additional focus over the table. I wouldn't add an area rug over carpet in here, though, since it undercuts the mod vibe you've got going. You have such beautiful blond corner panelling - have you considered a low-light friendly plant in two corners to feature the verticality and add a touch of green to the space? Sansevieria (snake plant) is very tolerant of low light and fits a modern, streamlined feel....See MoreHi Designers! Need help designing this bedroom makeover. Modern Forest
Comments (95)I'm going back and forth on adding in some small streaks of the green and bits of silver. Here's what I'm thinking as of now: 1) Base coat - Color match to the beige/light gray in the pillow that comes with set (see picture of forest green comforter I added above.) 2) Add a FEW streaks ("strie"- the vertical lines), of the green and light gray (or whatever the "beige/light gray" pillow color is). I would add maybe 1 streak of each every 7 - 8 inches. I probably wouldn't even be using a teaspoon of each color for the entire wall. I doubt it would even show in the pictures, but when one is in the room, they would see a very subtle lines of the green and light gray. And if I even change the comforter, I could just paint over the green and light gray streaks. 3) Add the metallic paint (something light and "pearly") as the final coat on the headboard wall. 4) Paint the rest of the walls in the base coat (the beige/ light gray color matched from the pillow.) I really like the "drama" of the forest green comforter against the light walls. I also love that large gold metallic vase in @Molly 's picture. Thinking of doing something like that in a pewter. Now just have to find a massive vase that doesn't cost $300+ dollars....See More
Val B
2 years agoUgh! Definitely not what I meant to post!!! Not sure how to edit to delete the wrong picture. Sorry!!!
pricklypearcactus
2 years agoRegarding your question about changing the table vs chairs: In my opinion, keeping the table and replacing the chairs with something significantly more streamlined would have the biggest impact (vs replacing the table). While my room is quite different than yours, I have a fairly similar traditional vintage dining table and have paired it with more contemporary styled chairs.
I think the chairs you have now are so overtly formal and traditional that they would be hard to overcome with just changing the table. Also, you could add some lightness by choosing something upholstered in a lighter or even colorful fabric.
https://www.potterybarn.com/products/pb-comfort-square-side-upholstered-dining-chairs/
https://www.potterybarn.com/products/alcott-dining-chair-set-mp/
I know you said you do not want a rug and obviously that is your choice. But I do think it would make a substantial difference in how dark the room feels. Right now the dark table and chairs just fall into the dark floor.
I might be partial to linear light fixtures, but I do think like updating the chandelier to something more rectangular or linear would help the space feel less traditional.
https://www.potterybarn.com/products/maisie-glass-globe-linear-chandelier/
https://www.potterybarn.com/products/adeline-rectangular-crystal-chandelier/
sgmsnewhouse thanked pricklypearcactus
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