New This Week: 4 Fresh Dining Rooms Mix Old and New
Good-looking wall treatments and layered furnishings are laid out beautifully in these rooms
Mitchell Parker
August 17, 2018
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative trends, breaking news, industry analysis and humor.
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative... More
1. East Meets West
Designers: Homeowners with Michael Miller of Phase2 Builders
Location: San Francisco
Size: 250 square feet (23 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. Modernize while keeping and restoring the historical details of the Victorian-era home. “In addition, they looked to their experiences and former home of Cape Cod as inspiration for the materials, colors and treatments,” builder Michael Miller says. “They wanted it to feel like you could possibly be on a luxurious boat, while in fact the home is perched on the rolling hills of San Francisco, looking out to the Pacific.”
Wall treatment. Traditional Victorian-era-replica wainscoting, reaching two-thirds of the way to the 10-foot ceiling and painted crisp white, with an exaggerated cap shelf that displays antiques. The homeowners selected the wallpaper above the wainscoting for its historical appeal.
Designers: Homeowners with Michael Miller of Phase2 Builders
Location: San Francisco
Size: 250 square feet (23 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. Modernize while keeping and restoring the historical details of the Victorian-era home. “In addition, they looked to their experiences and former home of Cape Cod as inspiration for the materials, colors and treatments,” builder Michael Miller says. “They wanted it to feel like you could possibly be on a luxurious boat, while in fact the home is perched on the rolling hills of San Francisco, looking out to the Pacific.”
Wall treatment. Traditional Victorian-era-replica wainscoting, reaching two-thirds of the way to the 10-foot ceiling and painted crisp white, with an exaggerated cap shelf that displays antiques. The homeowners selected the wallpaper above the wainscoting for its historical appeal.
Other special features. Restored coved ceilings. Antique dining table and chairs bought at an antiques fair in England.
Designer secret. “Victorian treatments such as wainscoting and wallpaper, and the homeowners’ curated antiques within the space of modern materials and treatments, created a balance that feels carefully crafted, with details that make the space intriguing to be in,” Miller says.
Light fixture: Restoration Hardware
See more of this home
Designer secret. “Victorian treatments such as wainscoting and wallpaper, and the homeowners’ curated antiques within the space of modern materials and treatments, created a balance that feels carefully crafted, with details that make the space intriguing to be in,” Miller says.
Light fixture: Restoration Hardware
See more of this home
2. Wood-Look Wonder
Designer: Benjamin Dhong
Location: San Anselmo, California
Size: 289 square feet (27 square meters); 17 by 17 feet
Homeowners’ request. Bring a more modern vibe to an American Colonial-style dining room without conflicting with the architecture. The room originally had 1970s floral-print burgundy wallpaper and brown molding.
Wall treatment. Faux-wood wallpaper from Nobilis. “We ran it horizontally to make it more modern,” designer Benjamin Dhong says.
Other special features. Painted white molding. Globe pendant light with arms. Custom burlap curtains. “For cheap dramatic art, we ordered a small roll of custom chinoiserie wallpaper and wallpapered it to a large 60-inch-diameter round frame,” Dhong says. “The floral chinoiserie wallpaper is decidedly classic, but the shape and size bring lots of modern drama into the room.”
Designer secret. “I don’t like making rooms too thematic or matchy-matchy, but I do like having a little relationship to the pieces,” Dhong says. “For example, the birds and flowers of the blue art harmonize with the faux bois walls, while the light fixture is very loose and ‘plays’ in the room, giving it movement and impact.”
Dining table, end chairs and table lamp: RH; chairs: Michael Taylor; light fixture: France & Son; wallpaper art: Paul Montgomery; console: Noir Furniture; flooring: rug over sea grass carpet
See more of this home
Designer: Benjamin Dhong
Location: San Anselmo, California
Size: 289 square feet (27 square meters); 17 by 17 feet
Homeowners’ request. Bring a more modern vibe to an American Colonial-style dining room without conflicting with the architecture. The room originally had 1970s floral-print burgundy wallpaper and brown molding.
Wall treatment. Faux-wood wallpaper from Nobilis. “We ran it horizontally to make it more modern,” designer Benjamin Dhong says.
Other special features. Painted white molding. Globe pendant light with arms. Custom burlap curtains. “For cheap dramatic art, we ordered a small roll of custom chinoiserie wallpaper and wallpapered it to a large 60-inch-diameter round frame,” Dhong says. “The floral chinoiserie wallpaper is decidedly classic, but the shape and size bring lots of modern drama into the room.”
Designer secret. “I don’t like making rooms too thematic or matchy-matchy, but I do like having a little relationship to the pieces,” Dhong says. “For example, the birds and flowers of the blue art harmonize with the faux bois walls, while the light fixture is very loose and ‘plays’ in the room, giving it movement and impact.”
Dining table, end chairs and table lamp: RH; chairs: Michael Taylor; light fixture: France & Son; wallpaper art: Paul Montgomery; console: Noir Furniture; flooring: rug over sea grass carpet
See more of this home
3. Brushed Up
Designers: Beth Odence, who is also the homeowner, and stylist Courtney Philos-Jensen of Design No. Five
Location: Cotuit, Massachusetts
Size: 263 square feet (24 square meters); 19½ by 13½ feet
Homeowners’ request. Open up and update a pass-through dining room that was added to the home after it was built in 1740.
Wall treatment. The base color of the walls is Benjamin Moore’s Quaker Gray. The finish is a metallic silver glaze that was brushed on and applied with a rag by local artist Karen Crocker. The trim is painted in Benjamin Moore’s Shaker Beige. “It really brings out the slight golden sheen in the glaze, depending on the time of day,” designer and homeowner Beth Odence says. “I like a dramatic dining room, and loved the juxtaposition of the dining room’s moodiness with a Nantucket red living room and an antique kitchen that has been updated with crisp black kitchen cabinets.”
Other special features. Custom 12-foot oak table. Hand-rubbed antique-brass pendants.
Designer secret. “I always think that interesting and warm is better than forcing a lighter wall color,” Odence says. “Most dining rooms are used primarily at night, so I say embrace darker colors.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “Originally I had selected the Quaker Gray for the walls, ceiling and trim, which was a style in the late 1700s,” Odence says. “Four coats were done on all surfaces, and then the kitchen cabinets arrived. The bluish tint in the carbon-black cabinets was not complementary, taking the monochromatic gray dining room from drama to dreadful. I didn’t want to start over from scratch, so after consulting with artist Karen Crocker, we decided on the silver metallic glaze and beige trim, creating a finished wow look and feel. We also added a beige wall at one end of the kitchen and a beige entry at the opposite end, giving more continuity to the two rooms.”
Pendants: Goodman hanging light, Circa Lighting; table: Trappistine, Michel Ferrand; chairs: Aquinnah in ebonized ash, O&G; sailor’s knot photos: Barloga Studios
See more of this home
Designers: Beth Odence, who is also the homeowner, and stylist Courtney Philos-Jensen of Design No. Five
Location: Cotuit, Massachusetts
Size: 263 square feet (24 square meters); 19½ by 13½ feet
Homeowners’ request. Open up and update a pass-through dining room that was added to the home after it was built in 1740.
Wall treatment. The base color of the walls is Benjamin Moore’s Quaker Gray. The finish is a metallic silver glaze that was brushed on and applied with a rag by local artist Karen Crocker. The trim is painted in Benjamin Moore’s Shaker Beige. “It really brings out the slight golden sheen in the glaze, depending on the time of day,” designer and homeowner Beth Odence says. “I like a dramatic dining room, and loved the juxtaposition of the dining room’s moodiness with a Nantucket red living room and an antique kitchen that has been updated with crisp black kitchen cabinets.”
Other special features. Custom 12-foot oak table. Hand-rubbed antique-brass pendants.
Designer secret. “I always think that interesting and warm is better than forcing a lighter wall color,” Odence says. “Most dining rooms are used primarily at night, so I say embrace darker colors.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “Originally I had selected the Quaker Gray for the walls, ceiling and trim, which was a style in the late 1700s,” Odence says. “Four coats were done on all surfaces, and then the kitchen cabinets arrived. The bluish tint in the carbon-black cabinets was not complementary, taking the monochromatic gray dining room from drama to dreadful. I didn’t want to start over from scratch, so after consulting with artist Karen Crocker, we decided on the silver metallic glaze and beige trim, creating a finished wow look and feel. We also added a beige wall at one end of the kitchen and a beige entry at the opposite end, giving more continuity to the two rooms.”
Pendants: Goodman hanging light, Circa Lighting; table: Trappistine, Michel Ferrand; chairs: Aquinnah in ebonized ash, O&G; sailor’s knot photos: Barloga Studios
See more of this home
4. Blue-Green Dream
Designers: Berkeley Minkhorst and Kelley Lentini of House of Nomad
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Size: About 300 square feet (28 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. A quick refresh of the downstairs in time to open it up for a local home tour. “The couple loves travel and wanted a space that reflected their wanderlust,” designer Kelley Lentini says. “Their open floor plan from living to dining didn’t flow, so our job was to give them a space that felt both personal and congruent.”
Wall treatment. Sherwin-Williams’ Seaworthy. “The lovely hue of turquoise added the pop the space called out for,” Lentini says. “Now when you walk in their space, the first thing that catches your eye is the back wall, and it does exactly what they asked for — pulls in their fun, love-to-travel vibe into the space.”
Other special features. Rattan end chairs. Brass light fixture. Accent mirror. Fiddle leaf fig tree in white cement planter. African baskets with air plants.
Designer secret. “Our decision to incorporate a bright accent wall was our secret with the space,” Lentini says. “It not only draws the eye in right when you open the front door, but creates a focal point that ties both the living and dining spaces together.
“Our clients wanted to keep some preexisting furniture for budgetary reasons — their dining room table and chairs and modern light fixture,” designer Berkeley Minkhorst says. “We found a creative way to refresh their space while working with their preexisting furniture. Personality was added to the space with the paint, the textiles and textures, sourced from countries around the world.”
End chairs, mirror and planter: Selamat Designs
See more of this home
More
Key Measurements for Planning the Perfect Dining Room
How to Choose a Dining Table Light
10 Tips for Getting a Dining Room Rug Just Right
Other Resources on Houzz
Find an interior designer
Get dining room ideas
Browse dining products
Designers: Berkeley Minkhorst and Kelley Lentini of House of Nomad
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Size: About 300 square feet (28 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. A quick refresh of the downstairs in time to open it up for a local home tour. “The couple loves travel and wanted a space that reflected their wanderlust,” designer Kelley Lentini says. “Their open floor plan from living to dining didn’t flow, so our job was to give them a space that felt both personal and congruent.”
Wall treatment. Sherwin-Williams’ Seaworthy. “The lovely hue of turquoise added the pop the space called out for,” Lentini says. “Now when you walk in their space, the first thing that catches your eye is the back wall, and it does exactly what they asked for — pulls in their fun, love-to-travel vibe into the space.”
Other special features. Rattan end chairs. Brass light fixture. Accent mirror. Fiddle leaf fig tree in white cement planter. African baskets with air plants.
Designer secret. “Our decision to incorporate a bright accent wall was our secret with the space,” Lentini says. “It not only draws the eye in right when you open the front door, but creates a focal point that ties both the living and dining spaces together.
“Our clients wanted to keep some preexisting furniture for budgetary reasons — their dining room table and chairs and modern light fixture,” designer Berkeley Minkhorst says. “We found a creative way to refresh their space while working with their preexisting furniture. Personality was added to the space with the paint, the textiles and textures, sourced from countries around the world.”
End chairs, mirror and planter: Selamat Designs
See more of this home
More
Key Measurements for Planning the Perfect Dining Room
How to Choose a Dining Table Light
10 Tips for Getting a Dining Room Rug Just Right
Other Resources on Houzz
Find an interior designer
Get dining room ideas
Browse dining products
As a full-service, family-owned remodeling company in New Albany, OH, we strive to bring our clients incredible... Read More
What are you working on?
Related Products
Dave Fox is a design/build remodeling firm with a customer focused process, an incredible staff and a close knit... Read More
Related Stories
Living Rooms
8 Exceptionally Stylish New Living Rooms
See how home pros play with texture, color and seating pieces to create a harmonious blend of style and function
Full Story
Showers
7 Stylish New Bathrooms With an Amazing Shower
See the various materials, colors, features and strategies designers use to create dramatic and welcoming showers
Full Story
Bathroom Design
8 Exceptional New Bathrooms With a Curbless Shower
Designers share details on how this feature can provide a safe entry point, expand visual space and add style
Full Story
Bathroom Design
7 New Bathrooms With a Low-Curb Shower
Designers share details on how a low-barrier entry can save money, add style and create an open, airy look in a bathroom
Full Story
Living Rooms
6 New Living Rooms That Stylishly Integrate a TV
Designers share the design details and strategies they used to create good-looking spaces that include a big screen
Full Story
Laundry Rooms
New This Week: 10 Laundry Rooms Full of Fresh Ideas
See how design and remodeling pros create well-equipped laundry spaces that can brighten your day (not just your whites)
Full Story
Bedrooms
6 New Bedrooms With Wonderful Wall Treatment Ideas
See how pros awaken these spaces with color, pattern and texture using various wall treatment strategies
Full Story
Showers
6 Spectacular New Bathrooms With a Low-Curb or Curbless Shower
Design and remodeling pros share details on low-barrier and barrier-free entries into stylish walk-in showers
Full Story
Kitchen Design
5 New Kitchens With Special Features Worth Considering
See how pros boost appeal with statement-making tile, stylish storage towers and other remarkable elements
Full Story
Bathroom Vanities
7 New Bathrooms With Wonderful Vanities
Pros, including one found on Houzz, share ideas for creating stylish and functional bathroom vanity setups
Full Story
#2 and #3 look like rather depressing grey boxes to me. In #4 the light fixture and carpet make me cringe and I feel that overall things don't blend in well in that room, not sure why. #1 is wonderful.
That Celtic knot wall art is beautiful!
I love #1 dining room...not sure why...not my style....but wouldn’t change a thing.