New This Week: 6 Seriously Stylish Dining Rooms
Designers offer ideas for formal dining spaces using color, pattern, furniture, lighting and more
Mitchell Parker
April 2, 2021
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
Dining at home has looked a bit different for many people this past year. Formal get-togethers gave way to casual meals with family members. But a return to at-home dinner parties might be on the horizon for some. For inspiration in getting your space prepared for when that time comes, consider these six seriously stylish dining room designs.
1. Blue Grasscloth Walls and a Crystal Chandelier
Designer: Terra McNutt of RI Studio
Location: Dallas
Size: 132 square feet (12 square meters); 11 by 12 feet
Homeowners’ request. A space functional enough for everyday use with three small kids and stylish enough for formal adult dinner parties. “A bold mix of formal and modern styles with durable finishes and fabrics helped us grant these client wishes,” says designer Terra McNutt.
Main feature. “The jumping-off point of this project was the gorgeous crystal chandelier,” McNutt says. “The wife fell in love at first sight and everything surrounding this was all about balance of traditional and modern design.”
Other special features. Dark blue grasscloth wall covering. White trim (Snowbound by Sherwin-Williams). Custom oval-back chairs with performance fabric velvet. Marble dining table with gold-finish base. Custom drapes.
Designer tip. “Don’t be afraid to mix styles,” McNutt says. “In this particular home, and many homes, spouses do not always see eye to eye when it comes to design styles. I think it is more interesting when your home does not fit into one category or design box.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “This is a very small dining room,” McNutt says. “That was a challenge in itself. So we opted for an oval table making the space seem a little wider and longer, allowing for additional chairs for larger gatherings.”
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Designer: Terra McNutt of RI Studio
Location: Dallas
Size: 132 square feet (12 square meters); 11 by 12 feet
Homeowners’ request. A space functional enough for everyday use with three small kids and stylish enough for formal adult dinner parties. “A bold mix of formal and modern styles with durable finishes and fabrics helped us grant these client wishes,” says designer Terra McNutt.
Main feature. “The jumping-off point of this project was the gorgeous crystal chandelier,” McNutt says. “The wife fell in love at first sight and everything surrounding this was all about balance of traditional and modern design.”
Other special features. Dark blue grasscloth wall covering. White trim (Snowbound by Sherwin-Williams). Custom oval-back chairs with performance fabric velvet. Marble dining table with gold-finish base. Custom drapes.
Designer tip. “Don’t be afraid to mix styles,” McNutt says. “In this particular home, and many homes, spouses do not always see eye to eye when it comes to design styles. I think it is more interesting when your home does not fit into one category or design box.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “This is a very small dining room,” McNutt says. “That was a challenge in itself. So we opted for an oval table making the space seem a little wider and longer, allowing for additional chairs for larger gatherings.”
Find an interior designer or decorator near you
2. Metallic Teal Grasscloth Walls and Colorful Pattern
Designer: Vani Sayeed Studios
Location: Lexington, Massachusetts
Size: 181 square feet (17 square meters); 12½ by 14½ feet
Homeowners’ request. A dining room that can accommodate a large gathering of people. “They like warm woods and texture so we gave them a palette that was timeless yet classic in design and decor,” says designer Vani Sayeed, whose client found her on Houzz.
Main feature. Metallic-based grasscloth wallpaper with a hint of teal wraps the walls. “It catches the light ever so subtly,” Sayeed says.
Other special features. Oval dining table that seats eight people. Crystal beaded chandelier. Upholstered host chairs in ikat patterned fabric in soft red, cream and teal (the side chair seats feature the same fabric). Creamy sheer drapes with a tape edge that runs vertically. “This vertical line of the tape gives the sensation of a taller ceiling,” Sayeed says.
Designer tip. “Not everything has to match exactly,” Sayeed says. ‘All the colors and finishes in this space have a similar feel but don’t exactly match; they have varying tonal values. The idea is to create interesting layers with color, texture, scale and visual lines. If everything matched exactly the room would be flat. The subtle nuances are what creates visual interest in the room.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The rug we had selected for the room was installed a couple days before the rest of the room and our client was worried that the colors were very subtle and wanted a brighter rug,” Sayeed says. “We bought a brighter rug but once the whole room was installed our client understood that not every part of the room could have the same tonal value because now everything was bright and fighting for attention. So we brought back the original, more subtle rug selection and the room fell into perfect harmony.”
Chandelier: Royalton with crystal and brass, Hudson Valley Lighting
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Designer: Vani Sayeed Studios
Location: Lexington, Massachusetts
Size: 181 square feet (17 square meters); 12½ by 14½ feet
Homeowners’ request. A dining room that can accommodate a large gathering of people. “They like warm woods and texture so we gave them a palette that was timeless yet classic in design and decor,” says designer Vani Sayeed, whose client found her on Houzz.
Main feature. Metallic-based grasscloth wallpaper with a hint of teal wraps the walls. “It catches the light ever so subtly,” Sayeed says.
Other special features. Oval dining table that seats eight people. Crystal beaded chandelier. Upholstered host chairs in ikat patterned fabric in soft red, cream and teal (the side chair seats feature the same fabric). Creamy sheer drapes with a tape edge that runs vertically. “This vertical line of the tape gives the sensation of a taller ceiling,” Sayeed says.
Designer tip. “Not everything has to match exactly,” Sayeed says. ‘All the colors and finishes in this space have a similar feel but don’t exactly match; they have varying tonal values. The idea is to create interesting layers with color, texture, scale and visual lines. If everything matched exactly the room would be flat. The subtle nuances are what creates visual interest in the room.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The rug we had selected for the room was installed a couple days before the rest of the room and our client was worried that the colors were very subtle and wanted a brighter rug,” Sayeed says. “We bought a brighter rug but once the whole room was installed our client understood that not every part of the room could have the same tonal value because now everything was bright and fighting for attention. So we brought back the original, more subtle rug selection and the room fell into perfect harmony.”
Chandelier: Royalton with crystal and brass, Hudson Valley Lighting
Shop for dining chairs
3. Wood Ceiling and Coastal Style
Designers: Julie Schulte and Kendall Schulte Hannon of Schulte Design
General contractor: Aria Homes
Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Size: 300 square feet (28 square meters); 15 by 20 feet
Homeowners’ request. “This was a renovation project with the main goal being ocean views from every public living space and an open-living concept,” says designer Kendall Schulte Hannon.
Main feature. “The ceiling was originally dark-stained wood, and we knew for our overall vision of the space we needed to lighten it up in color and feel so we started from scratch,” Schulte Hannon says. “We removed the old tongue-and-groove ceiling and put up pecky cypress for a more casual and coastal feel and stained it with a light gray wash to keep the natural tones of the wood.”
Other special features. Travertine flooring. Rattan side chairs. Skirted host chairs. Custom drapes in patterned fabric. “We wanted a palette on the ceiling that would highlight the custom Ro Sham Beaux fixtures we have over the dining table,” Schulte Hannon says. “Along with the builder and trim carpenter we created the perfect beam layout to anchor these gorgeous chandeliers.”
Designer tip. “Stick to your design goals,” Schulte Hannon says. “We knew the chandeliers needed to visually have weight for the size of the table and room, but we wanted them to be open so as to not obstruct any ocean views.”
Designers: Julie Schulte and Kendall Schulte Hannon of Schulte Design
General contractor: Aria Homes
Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Size: 300 square feet (28 square meters); 15 by 20 feet
Homeowners’ request. “This was a renovation project with the main goal being ocean views from every public living space and an open-living concept,” says designer Kendall Schulte Hannon.
Main feature. “The ceiling was originally dark-stained wood, and we knew for our overall vision of the space we needed to lighten it up in color and feel so we started from scratch,” Schulte Hannon says. “We removed the old tongue-and-groove ceiling and put up pecky cypress for a more casual and coastal feel and stained it with a light gray wash to keep the natural tones of the wood.”
Other special features. Travertine flooring. Rattan side chairs. Skirted host chairs. Custom drapes in patterned fabric. “We wanted a palette on the ceiling that would highlight the custom Ro Sham Beaux fixtures we have over the dining table,” Schulte Hannon says. “Along with the builder and trim carpenter we created the perfect beam layout to anchor these gorgeous chandeliers.”
Designer tip. “Stick to your design goals,” Schulte Hannon says. “We knew the chandeliers needed to visually have weight for the size of the table and room, but we wanted them to be open so as to not obstruct any ocean views.”
4. Art Deco-Inspired Wallpaper and Metal Table Top
Designer: Jennifer Jean Morris of JMorris Design
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Size: 264 square feet (25 square meters); 16 by 16½ feet
Homeowners’ request. “This classic home has beautiful bones and original details but was seriously outdated,” says designer Jennifer Jean Morris. “My client has a love for bold graphic patterns, which was music to our ears. The dining room needed to feel comfortable and bright for breakfast and lunches but also pivot for more formal get-togethers and entertaining.
Main feature. Dark Art Deco-inspired wallpaper above tall white wainscoting. “It looks cool and modern in daylight, but with the lights dimmed down it can be more dramatic and sexy,” Morris says. “The gold touches are restrained in the paper, in the beautiful light fixture and in the fireplace floor tile.”
Other special features. Custom dining table with a resin-covered metal top and brass base. “You get a luster and depth that is so rich and unexpected, but the top is so amazingly cleanable for day to day,” Morris says.
Designer tip. “Mix highs and lows,” Morris says. “We invested in expensive tile where we had a smaller footprint and in the dining table because it’s a huge feature and needs to be a real workhorse. But the dining chairs and console are design store finds that keep the costs down.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The tile at the fireplace hearth has brass inserts, and the install was not easy,” Morris says. “The brass kept popping out or peeling up. It was driving the installer insane. The repeat on the tile made it really hard to just get an extra brass piece. You had to get an entire new mesh-backed tile area and we had to order a few just to get the one right piece.
“We had to go back and forth with the supplier who ‘never had this happen’ and the installer. This comes up a lot and my job is to rise above the finger pointing and problem-solve. It gets tricky when it comes to covering costs of material and the time. That’s when you have to lean on relationships and hope everyone will compromise, but you don’t want anyone to be uncompensated for time and costs that aren’t their fault.”
Dining table: custom, Wud
Designer: Jennifer Jean Morris of JMorris Design
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Size: 264 square feet (25 square meters); 16 by 16½ feet
Homeowners’ request. “This classic home has beautiful bones and original details but was seriously outdated,” says designer Jennifer Jean Morris. “My client has a love for bold graphic patterns, which was music to our ears. The dining room needed to feel comfortable and bright for breakfast and lunches but also pivot for more formal get-togethers and entertaining.
Main feature. Dark Art Deco-inspired wallpaper above tall white wainscoting. “It looks cool and modern in daylight, but with the lights dimmed down it can be more dramatic and sexy,” Morris says. “The gold touches are restrained in the paper, in the beautiful light fixture and in the fireplace floor tile.”
Other special features. Custom dining table with a resin-covered metal top and brass base. “You get a luster and depth that is so rich and unexpected, but the top is so amazingly cleanable for day to day,” Morris says.
Designer tip. “Mix highs and lows,” Morris says. “We invested in expensive tile where we had a smaller footprint and in the dining table because it’s a huge feature and needs to be a real workhorse. But the dining chairs and console are design store finds that keep the costs down.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The tile at the fireplace hearth has brass inserts, and the install was not easy,” Morris says. “The brass kept popping out or peeling up. It was driving the installer insane. The repeat on the tile made it really hard to just get an extra brass piece. You had to get an entire new mesh-backed tile area and we had to order a few just to get the one right piece.
“We had to go back and forth with the supplier who ‘never had this happen’ and the installer. This comes up a lot and my job is to rise above the finger pointing and problem-solve. It gets tricky when it comes to covering costs of material and the time. That’s when you have to lean on relationships and hope everyone will compromise, but you don’t want anyone to be uncompensated for time and costs that aren’t their fault.”
Dining table: custom, Wud
5. Dark Accents and Statement Light Fixtures
Designer: Athena Vigil of Interiors Remembered
General contractor: Rand Olsen of Halo Development
Location: Paradise Valley, Arizona
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowner wanted to change the all-white scheme and add color and additional details to their home,” says contractor Rand Olsen.
Main feature. “In this long open room there is a double-sided fireplace that sets the room apart as a warm feature,” Olsen says. “We added color to the top of the fireplace and added bulky dark beams to highlight the awesome vaulted ceilings. The light fixtures set this room apart as a warm gathering place.”
Other special features. Dark patterned wallpaper and white wainscoting panels wrap one side of the room.
“Uh-oh” moment. “The beams that were installed at the ceiling needed to be measured and cut precisely in order to look elegant and stunning,” Olsen says. “With fire sprinkler heads in the ceiling, we had to make sure the beams were located, installed and cut to allow for perfect symmetry and a professional look.”
Designer: Athena Vigil of Interiors Remembered
General contractor: Rand Olsen of Halo Development
Location: Paradise Valley, Arizona
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowner wanted to change the all-white scheme and add color and additional details to their home,” says contractor Rand Olsen.
Main feature. “In this long open room there is a double-sided fireplace that sets the room apart as a warm feature,” Olsen says. “We added color to the top of the fireplace and added bulky dark beams to highlight the awesome vaulted ceilings. The light fixtures set this room apart as a warm gathering place.”
Other special features. Dark patterned wallpaper and white wainscoting panels wrap one side of the room.
“Uh-oh” moment. “The beams that were installed at the ceiling needed to be measured and cut precisely in order to look elegant and stunning,” Olsen says. “With fire sprinkler heads in the ceiling, we had to make sure the beams were located, installed and cut to allow for perfect symmetry and a professional look.”
6. Playful Pattern and Driftwood Furniture
Designer: Jess Kern of Interior Vision
Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Size: 187 square feet (17 square meters); 11 by 17 feet
Homeowners’ request. “My clients contacted me after relocating from San Diego wanting to transform their traditional estate into a more coastal casual aesthetic,” says designer Jess Kern. “For the dining room, I immediately saw the potential to pack a punch and create the ultimate space to entertain family from out of town every holiday and have the perfect backdrop for memories to be made around the table.”
Main feature. “For me, it’s the big bold pattern on the rug that really grounds the design and pulls everything together,” Kern says. “I am obsessed with adding as much color and texture as possible, which led to selecting this breathtaking abstract piece of artwork to draw you into the space. These two elements combined add so much personality to this otherwise neutral palate and help tie everything together. Also, adding an oversized area rug and canvas to any space will help absorb sound when you are entertaining.”
Other special features. Driftwood dining set. Tufted wing-back host chairs. “It was so important that this space not only look fantastic but also function well,” Kern says. “By combining a wide hutch full of closed storage and a black curio cabinet we were able to triple the amount of usable storage space without losing the ability to display their beautiful dish and glassware in a convenient location.”
Designer tip. “My biggest tip for keeping consistency throughout your design when mixing styles and brands is to choose a lead fixture finish to accent the space with,” Kern says. “For example, I selected this stunning beaded chandelier because the matte black finish added an element of contrast to this feminine fixture. I then selected the wall-mounted wrought iron candelabras to add mood lighting to the space and coordinate with the drawer pulls on the buffet console and nailhead trim on the head chairs. After all of the furniture was installed, we added matte black candelabras to the tablescape to tie it all together. You can’t even tell there are more than seven different brands showcased in this space.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “When my fabricator came over to measure the space prior to ordering the custom window treatments, she matched the paint color of the existing trim as close as possible,” Kern says. “I will never forget when my client sent me a photo of the shutters at night and they were a completely different shade of white — eek! Always remember to check out your paint and finish samples at night to see how they look in both natural daylight and after the sun goes down before submitting approval. Luckily, the manufacturer let us keep the originals while waiting for the new shutters to arrive. Lesson learned.”
Wall paint: Sea Salt, Sherwin-Williams
More on Houzz
Key Measurements for Planning the Perfect Dining Room
How to Choose a Dining Table Light
Find a design and remodeling professional in your area
Shop for home decor
Designer: Jess Kern of Interior Vision
Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Size: 187 square feet (17 square meters); 11 by 17 feet
Homeowners’ request. “My clients contacted me after relocating from San Diego wanting to transform their traditional estate into a more coastal casual aesthetic,” says designer Jess Kern. “For the dining room, I immediately saw the potential to pack a punch and create the ultimate space to entertain family from out of town every holiday and have the perfect backdrop for memories to be made around the table.”
Main feature. “For me, it’s the big bold pattern on the rug that really grounds the design and pulls everything together,” Kern says. “I am obsessed with adding as much color and texture as possible, which led to selecting this breathtaking abstract piece of artwork to draw you into the space. These two elements combined add so much personality to this otherwise neutral palate and help tie everything together. Also, adding an oversized area rug and canvas to any space will help absorb sound when you are entertaining.”
Other special features. Driftwood dining set. Tufted wing-back host chairs. “It was so important that this space not only look fantastic but also function well,” Kern says. “By combining a wide hutch full of closed storage and a black curio cabinet we were able to triple the amount of usable storage space without losing the ability to display their beautiful dish and glassware in a convenient location.”
Designer tip. “My biggest tip for keeping consistency throughout your design when mixing styles and brands is to choose a lead fixture finish to accent the space with,” Kern says. “For example, I selected this stunning beaded chandelier because the matte black finish added an element of contrast to this feminine fixture. I then selected the wall-mounted wrought iron candelabras to add mood lighting to the space and coordinate with the drawer pulls on the buffet console and nailhead trim on the head chairs. After all of the furniture was installed, we added matte black candelabras to the tablescape to tie it all together. You can’t even tell there are more than seven different brands showcased in this space.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “When my fabricator came over to measure the space prior to ordering the custom window treatments, she matched the paint color of the existing trim as close as possible,” Kern says. “I will never forget when my client sent me a photo of the shutters at night and they were a completely different shade of white — eek! Always remember to check out your paint and finish samples at night to see how they look in both natural daylight and after the sun goes down before submitting approval. Luckily, the manufacturer let us keep the originals while waiting for the new shutters to arrive. Lesson learned.”
Wall paint: Sea Salt, Sherwin-Williams
More on Houzz
Key Measurements for Planning the Perfect Dining Room
How to Choose a Dining Table Light
Find a design and remodeling professional in your area
Shop for home decor
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#2 and #3 are my favorites, warm, colorful and inviting. Spending time at the table would be lovely.
#5 ... is very distracting.. that dark top of the fireplace?
What do I do when I have no dining room window and no direct outside light into this leg of my home?
I suggest you have good lighting and layer it - ceiling, wall sconces and table lamps. And additionally reflective surfaces on the wall and a mirror so light gets bounced around.