New This Week: 5 Fashionable Dining Rooms
If you’re prepping for a return to hosting dinner parties, get inspiration for a stylish space that wows guests
Mitchell Parker
June 11, 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
Many people are beginning to dip a toe into the water of social gatherings, if not plunging right in. And that means at-home dinner parties are making a comeback. If you’ve neglected your dining space — or used it over the past year as a home office or dumping ground — and want to whip it into shape for entertaining, get inspired by these five stylish dining rooms recently uploaded to Houzz.
1. Colorful Character
Designers: Laura Irion and Laura Peacock of Laura Design Company
Location: Elgin, Illinois
Size: 256 square feet (24 square meters); 16 by 16 feet
Homeowners’ request. “This dining room is the main eating space for a young family, as the kitchen doesn’t have seating other than bar stools,” designer Laura Irion says. “So it had to be functional and durable for daily meals. At the same time, our homeowners love to entertain and wanted to be able to accommodate large groups.”
Main feature. “Functionally, the star of the show is a Jupe table,” Irion says. “This is a unique type of table with a round shape that incorporates hidden pie-shaped leaves within. A quick and easy system allows the table to change from a small and intimate circle for the family on a daily basis to a generous circle seating 10-plus for larger gatherings.”
(Irion used Houzz Pro software for all of her purchase orders and proposals for her clients.)
Other special features. “The jumping-off point for the design was definitely the wallpaper,” Irion says. “We found it right away and fell in love with it for this homeowner. The wallpaper has deep colors and a lot of gorgeous pattern, so we kept the rug and main furniture fairly neutral and tonal. The rug is an indoor-outdoor material, but its braided construction is a nod to Early American Colonial design, which fits the architecture of the house perfectly. We brought in a statement hutch in a bright color to display an eclectic collection of serveware. The hardest part of this project was styling the hutch. I think we swapped dishes in and out for about three hours.”
Designer tip. “It’s OK to go bold in a dining room,” Irion says. “And you can’t go wrong with wallpaper.”
Wallpaper: Zeus in Eau De Nil, House of Hackney
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Designers: Laura Irion and Laura Peacock of Laura Design Company
Location: Elgin, Illinois
Size: 256 square feet (24 square meters); 16 by 16 feet
Homeowners’ request. “This dining room is the main eating space for a young family, as the kitchen doesn’t have seating other than bar stools,” designer Laura Irion says. “So it had to be functional and durable for daily meals. At the same time, our homeowners love to entertain and wanted to be able to accommodate large groups.”
Main feature. “Functionally, the star of the show is a Jupe table,” Irion says. “This is a unique type of table with a round shape that incorporates hidden pie-shaped leaves within. A quick and easy system allows the table to change from a small and intimate circle for the family on a daily basis to a generous circle seating 10-plus for larger gatherings.”
(Irion used Houzz Pro software for all of her purchase orders and proposals for her clients.)
Other special features. “The jumping-off point for the design was definitely the wallpaper,” Irion says. “We found it right away and fell in love with it for this homeowner. The wallpaper has deep colors and a lot of gorgeous pattern, so we kept the rug and main furniture fairly neutral and tonal. The rug is an indoor-outdoor material, but its braided construction is a nod to Early American Colonial design, which fits the architecture of the house perfectly. We brought in a statement hutch in a bright color to display an eclectic collection of serveware. The hardest part of this project was styling the hutch. I think we swapped dishes in and out for about three hours.”
Designer tip. “It’s OK to go bold in a dining room,” Irion says. “And you can’t go wrong with wallpaper.”
Wallpaper: Zeus in Eau De Nil, House of Hackney
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2. Warm Welcome
Designer: Conni Newsome Lovelace of The Decorator (while she was at C+A Interiors)
Architect: Diamond Homes
Location: Denver
Size: 154 square feet (14 square meters); 11 by 14 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The young couple was downsizing and building their dream home in Denver’s Washington Park neighborhood,” designer Conni Newsome Lovelace says. “They wanted rooms that were comfortable and also ideally suited for entertaining. The client came prepared with her homework and used Houzz religiously to express her ideas.”
Main feature. “We designed a space that is both styled and layered while maintaining a sense of comfort,” Newsome Lovelace says. “This room is notched out from the great room and kitchen on the southwest wing of the home, so it’s a part of your experience when you are chilling on the sofa or making dinner in the kitchen. It’s very welcoming.”
Other special features. Cherry table and buffet. Dark-stained walnut captain chairs. Coffered ceiling. Sheer window coverings in a medium-scale pattern. Eleven-inch detailed baseboards. Sliding doors that connect the space to an outdoor grill and patio area.
Designer tip. “Dining room chandeliers should demand your attention, and this one does just that,” Newsome Lovelace says. “The classic old iron design with modern lines was custom-designed to fit the scale of the room.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The antique table was purchased after we ordered the pair of captain chairs, which were already in production,” Newsome Lovelace says. “The client really loved this table, especially the cost. The original table we designed the space around had a larger price tag and at the end of the day, the client has the final say. However, this loved antique table has an apron, which is something to keep in mind when using armchairs. Most armchairs will not be able to push in all the way with an apron. We pointed this fact out to the petite client, who typically sits at the head of the table. With her knowing this prior, she was willing to sacrifice personal function over style.”
Paint colors: Seashell (walls and ceiling) and Super White (trim), Benjamin Moore; project photographer: Emily Minton Redfield
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Designer: Conni Newsome Lovelace of The Decorator (while she was at C+A Interiors)
Architect: Diamond Homes
Location: Denver
Size: 154 square feet (14 square meters); 11 by 14 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The young couple was downsizing and building their dream home in Denver’s Washington Park neighborhood,” designer Conni Newsome Lovelace says. “They wanted rooms that were comfortable and also ideally suited for entertaining. The client came prepared with her homework and used Houzz religiously to express her ideas.”
Main feature. “We designed a space that is both styled and layered while maintaining a sense of comfort,” Newsome Lovelace says. “This room is notched out from the great room and kitchen on the southwest wing of the home, so it’s a part of your experience when you are chilling on the sofa or making dinner in the kitchen. It’s very welcoming.”
Other special features. Cherry table and buffet. Dark-stained walnut captain chairs. Coffered ceiling. Sheer window coverings in a medium-scale pattern. Eleven-inch detailed baseboards. Sliding doors that connect the space to an outdoor grill and patio area.
Designer tip. “Dining room chandeliers should demand your attention, and this one does just that,” Newsome Lovelace says. “The classic old iron design with modern lines was custom-designed to fit the scale of the room.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The antique table was purchased after we ordered the pair of captain chairs, which were already in production,” Newsome Lovelace says. “The client really loved this table, especially the cost. The original table we designed the space around had a larger price tag and at the end of the day, the client has the final say. However, this loved antique table has an apron, which is something to keep in mind when using armchairs. Most armchairs will not be able to push in all the way with an apron. We pointed this fact out to the petite client, who typically sits at the head of the table. With her knowing this prior, she was willing to sacrifice personal function over style.”
Paint colors: Seashell (walls and ceiling) and Super White (trim), Benjamin Moore; project photographer: Emily Minton Redfield
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3. Layered Luxury
Designers: Sarah Armstrong (architecture) of Studio360 and Betsy Delisi of Lotus Interior Design
Location: McLean, Virginia
Size: 252 square feet (23 square meters); 14 by 18 feet
Homeowners’ request. A functional formal dining room to complement a more casual dining room in another part of the home. “We wanted to create a calming entry that set the tone of a relaxed home,” architect Sarah Armstrong says. “They requested a large table that could seat eight and also serve as a welcoming room to the home since it is adjacent to the entry hall. We knew that using a large, round table and dramatic lighting fixture would bring a wow factor that was needed for this room.”
Main feature. “This room is successful because it was built upon layers,” Armstrong says. “The wood flooring and neutral paint set the backdrop to build upon. [Interior designer] Betsy Delisi designed a custom rug that tied together other colors and design elements in the home. From there, we added sophisticated trim and furniture that would add to the depth and texture of the space without overpowering it in order to achieve this calming balance.”
Designer tip. “Don’t underestimate the expertise of an architect or designer when selecting the best scale for lighting and furniture,” Armstrong says. “It’s not as simple as picking something you like. Designing the size of a room, selecting a light and sizing furniture in the right scale takes experience. Knowing when to hold back or go big is a skill that comes over years of experience. If hiring a designer seems daunting, consider asking for a consultation on a few key decisions instead.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The clients were really struggling with finalizing the floor species and color,” Armstrong says. “They kept questioning their initial decision and the husband and wife could not agree. It was starting to affect the construction schedule. To help them along, we had multiple samples of three or four options made and spent the afternoon looking at all the samples in different rooms of the house in varying lighting conditions. That helped them feel more confident in their initial selection for the flooring.”
Light fixture: Calligraphy 2-LT pendant in gold leaf and polished stainless steel, Corbett Lighting; wall and trim paint: China White, Benjamin Moore
10 Tips for Getting a Dining Room Rug Just Right
Designers: Sarah Armstrong (architecture) of Studio360 and Betsy Delisi of Lotus Interior Design
Location: McLean, Virginia
Size: 252 square feet (23 square meters); 14 by 18 feet
Homeowners’ request. A functional formal dining room to complement a more casual dining room in another part of the home. “We wanted to create a calming entry that set the tone of a relaxed home,” architect Sarah Armstrong says. “They requested a large table that could seat eight and also serve as a welcoming room to the home since it is adjacent to the entry hall. We knew that using a large, round table and dramatic lighting fixture would bring a wow factor that was needed for this room.”
Main feature. “This room is successful because it was built upon layers,” Armstrong says. “The wood flooring and neutral paint set the backdrop to build upon. [Interior designer] Betsy Delisi designed a custom rug that tied together other colors and design elements in the home. From there, we added sophisticated trim and furniture that would add to the depth and texture of the space without overpowering it in order to achieve this calming balance.”
Designer tip. “Don’t underestimate the expertise of an architect or designer when selecting the best scale for lighting and furniture,” Armstrong says. “It’s not as simple as picking something you like. Designing the size of a room, selecting a light and sizing furniture in the right scale takes experience. Knowing when to hold back or go big is a skill that comes over years of experience. If hiring a designer seems daunting, consider asking for a consultation on a few key decisions instead.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The clients were really struggling with finalizing the floor species and color,” Armstrong says. “They kept questioning their initial decision and the husband and wife could not agree. It was starting to affect the construction schedule. To help them along, we had multiple samples of three or four options made and spent the afternoon looking at all the samples in different rooms of the house in varying lighting conditions. That helped them feel more confident in their initial selection for the flooring.”
Light fixture: Calligraphy 2-LT pendant in gold leaf and polished stainless steel, Corbett Lighting; wall and trim paint: China White, Benjamin Moore
10 Tips for Getting a Dining Room Rug Just Right
4. Textured Treasure
Designer: Anna Shiwlall of 27 Diamonds Interior Design
Location: Irvine, California
Size: 300 square feet (28 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The client was looking for an intimate yet opulent restaurant feel,” designer Anna Shiwlall says. “They appreciate the finer things in life and really wanted their guests to feel special every time they entertained. Whether it was for an intimate dinner party or a large holiday family gathering, they wanted it to always feel like an extra special occasion.”
Main feature. “There are so many features that play off of each other in this space,” Shiwlall says. “I think the main standout piece in this room is the 6-foot crystal chandelier that acts as a floating art piece. The way it sparkles on all the walls and ceilings when it’s turned on and even when it’s off is definitely the first thing you notice.”
Other special features. Patterned metallic wallpaper ceiling. Textured wallpaper walls. Walnut dining table. Black lacquered side table. Creamy velvet dining chairs. “The dinnerware is all part of the newest collection of Versace, introducing an unexpected pop of pink that makes it young and playful,” Shiwlall says.
Designer tip. “Never forget the ceiling,” Shiwlall says. “So often people don’t put a texture on the ceiling, and I think it’s very important to create some type of interest. It can be beams or molding or just wallpaper, which doesn’t have to be expensive, but it makes it look custom and gives it that extra designer touch.”
Designer: Anna Shiwlall of 27 Diamonds Interior Design
Location: Irvine, California
Size: 300 square feet (28 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The client was looking for an intimate yet opulent restaurant feel,” designer Anna Shiwlall says. “They appreciate the finer things in life and really wanted their guests to feel special every time they entertained. Whether it was for an intimate dinner party or a large holiday family gathering, they wanted it to always feel like an extra special occasion.”
Main feature. “There are so many features that play off of each other in this space,” Shiwlall says. “I think the main standout piece in this room is the 6-foot crystal chandelier that acts as a floating art piece. The way it sparkles on all the walls and ceilings when it’s turned on and even when it’s off is definitely the first thing you notice.”
Other special features. Patterned metallic wallpaper ceiling. Textured wallpaper walls. Walnut dining table. Black lacquered side table. Creamy velvet dining chairs. “The dinnerware is all part of the newest collection of Versace, introducing an unexpected pop of pink that makes it young and playful,” Shiwlall says.
Designer tip. “Never forget the ceiling,” Shiwlall says. “So often people don’t put a texture on the ceiling, and I think it’s very important to create some type of interest. It can be beams or molding or just wallpaper, which doesn’t have to be expensive, but it makes it look custom and gives it that extra designer touch.”
5. Laid-Back Lightness
Designers: Alison White Homes, LP Interiors and Celeste Martinez of Next Level Homes (staging and furniture design)
Location: Westchester area of Los Angeles
Size: 234 square feet (22 square meters); 13 by 18 feet
Homeowners’ request. “This was a custom build for a client,” designer Alison White says. “They wanted a large dining room that could fit their extended family of 15.”
Main feature. “The two main details in this room are the picture window and the chandelier,” White says. “We kept the room a neutral palette so that it wouldn’t compete with the showstopping chandelier.
Other special features. Light wood furniture. Charcoal-colored accents. Layered rugs. “I was determined to use the patterned area rug in the dining room,” staging and furniture designer Celeste Martinez says. “When we put it down it was too small, and we did not have the time to purchase a bigger size that would allow the dining table and chairs to be set over it. So we double-layered. A larger neutral rug for the larger size — that happened to be the exact same color as the charcoal fireplace in the living room — and the patterned rug on top for the eye-catching effect. We then had the correct size and pattern we wanted.”
Furniture: Clarita sideboard in Whitewash Mango, Acton captain chairs in Ebony and Capra dining table in light oak, Four Hands
More on Houzz
Key Measurements for Planning the Perfect Dining Room
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Designers: Alison White Homes, LP Interiors and Celeste Martinez of Next Level Homes (staging and furniture design)
Location: Westchester area of Los Angeles
Size: 234 square feet (22 square meters); 13 by 18 feet
Homeowners’ request. “This was a custom build for a client,” designer Alison White says. “They wanted a large dining room that could fit their extended family of 15.”
Main feature. “The two main details in this room are the picture window and the chandelier,” White says. “We kept the room a neutral palette so that it wouldn’t compete with the showstopping chandelier.
Other special features. Light wood furniture. Charcoal-colored accents. Layered rugs. “I was determined to use the patterned area rug in the dining room,” staging and furniture designer Celeste Martinez says. “When we put it down it was too small, and we did not have the time to purchase a bigger size that would allow the dining table and chairs to be set over it. So we double-layered. A larger neutral rug for the larger size — that happened to be the exact same color as the charcoal fireplace in the living room — and the patterned rug on top for the eye-catching effect. We then had the correct size and pattern we wanted.”
Furniture: Clarita sideboard in Whitewash Mango, Acton captain chairs in Ebony and Capra dining table in light oak, Four Hands
More on Houzz
Key Measurements for Planning the Perfect Dining Room
Find a design and remodeling professional in your area
Shop for home decor
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Thank you so much Houzz for featuring our project! To answer some of the questions, @lalv the extra dining chairs are stored in the basement. We bought extra of the same style so the look is cohesive for large gatherings. @carolyn the diameter is 54" on a daily basis and extends to about 72". Hope this helps! xx
WOW... # 3 is gorgeous!! Drama!!!
Where is this Jupe table from?