New This Week: Flexible Dining Rooms With Farmhouse Features
Rustic furnishings bring durability and comfort to spaces suited to both casual family gatherings and formal occasions
We’ve reported that formal dining rooms are making a comeback this year. But homeowners are embracing them with a caveat: that they be flexible enough for casual dinners, meals with small kids and large holiday gatherings. The rusticity of farmhouse style is great for meeting all those needs. Here, three dining rooms show various ways to incorporate the look.
2. Modern in Massachusetts
Designers: Miggy Mason and Roisin Giese of Twelve Chairs
Location: Lexington, Massachusetts
Size: 224 square feet (20.8 square meters); 14 by 16 feet (4.2 by 4.8 meters)
Homeowners’ request: A durable space with a fresh take on farmhouse style for a family with three kids under the age of 5.
Special features: Leather chairs. Farmhouse-style table with yellow painted legs.
Why the design works: The home sits in a wooded area and the family has a chicken coop in the backyard, so incorporating farmhouse style made sense. “We didn’t want it to be too literal, so the touches are subtle but still evident,” designer Miggy Mason says.
For durability, the designers chose leather chairs that can be easily wiped down, and specially treated stain-resistant fabric for the bench. An extendable table with turned legs offers a farmhouse vibe. “But the yellow is a bit unexpected and livens up the space,” Mason says.
Designer secret: “One of the biggest transformations was going with white on the walls,” Mason says. “It instantly lifted the space that previously felt a little dark and dull.”
Also on the team: Ben Wilson (electrician); Resolution Co. (painters); Crimson & Brighton Upholstering; Joyelle West (photographer)
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Table: Vanguard Furniture; table leg paint: custom-mixed Stuart Gold, Benjamin Moore; chairs: Jayson Home; bench: Global Views; bench fabric: Rogers & Goffigon; light: Visual Comfort; rug: Mohr & McPherson; table runner: Anthropologie; dough bowl: vintage; wall paint: White Dove, Benjamin Moore
Designers: Miggy Mason and Roisin Giese of Twelve Chairs
Location: Lexington, Massachusetts
Size: 224 square feet (20.8 square meters); 14 by 16 feet (4.2 by 4.8 meters)
Homeowners’ request: A durable space with a fresh take on farmhouse style for a family with three kids under the age of 5.
Special features: Leather chairs. Farmhouse-style table with yellow painted legs.
Why the design works: The home sits in a wooded area and the family has a chicken coop in the backyard, so incorporating farmhouse style made sense. “We didn’t want it to be too literal, so the touches are subtle but still evident,” designer Miggy Mason says.
For durability, the designers chose leather chairs that can be easily wiped down, and specially treated stain-resistant fabric for the bench. An extendable table with turned legs offers a farmhouse vibe. “But the yellow is a bit unexpected and livens up the space,” Mason says.
Designer secret: “One of the biggest transformations was going with white on the walls,” Mason says. “It instantly lifted the space that previously felt a little dark and dull.”
Also on the team: Ben Wilson (electrician); Resolution Co. (painters); Crimson & Brighton Upholstering; Joyelle West (photographer)
See more photos of this home
Table: Vanguard Furniture; table leg paint: custom-mixed Stuart Gold, Benjamin Moore; chairs: Jayson Home; bench: Global Views; bench fabric: Rogers & Goffigon; light: Visual Comfort; rug: Mohr & McPherson; table runner: Anthropologie; dough bowl: vintage; wall paint: White Dove, Benjamin Moore
3. Gorgeous in Georgia
Designers: Joni Williams, Laura Webb and Patti Gosch of Outrageous Interiors, plus the homeowner
Location: Marietta, Georgia
Size: 144 square feet (13.3 square meters); 9 by 16 feet (2.7 by 4.8 meters)
Homeowner’s request: A casual dining area that would be light and airy but warm and inviting.
Special features: Three rustic pendants. Shiplap walls. Wicker chairs. Oval dining table. Wool rug. Wood-framed photographs. Custom draperies.
“Uh-oh” moment: “Did we measure correctly? Are the pendants too big?” were questions the designers asked themselves at one point, designer Patti Gosch says. “Scale of a light fixture, even for experienced designers, can be challenging. When all three lights were finally hung, and the end result was fabulous, we all breathed a sigh of relief.”
Also on the team: Steve Edison Builders; Heather Fritz (photographer)
Wall paint: Worldly Gray, Sherwin-Williams; furniture, rug, window treatments and lighting: Outrageous Interiors
More: Design Your Ideal Dining Room
Designers: Joni Williams, Laura Webb and Patti Gosch of Outrageous Interiors, plus the homeowner
Location: Marietta, Georgia
Size: 144 square feet (13.3 square meters); 9 by 16 feet (2.7 by 4.8 meters)
Homeowner’s request: A casual dining area that would be light and airy but warm and inviting.
Special features: Three rustic pendants. Shiplap walls. Wicker chairs. Oval dining table. Wool rug. Wood-framed photographs. Custom draperies.
“Uh-oh” moment: “Did we measure correctly? Are the pendants too big?” were questions the designers asked themselves at one point, designer Patti Gosch says. “Scale of a light fixture, even for experienced designers, can be challenging. When all three lights were finally hung, and the end result was fabulous, we all breathed a sigh of relief.”
Also on the team: Steve Edison Builders; Heather Fritz (photographer)
Wall paint: Worldly Gray, Sherwin-Williams; furniture, rug, window treatments and lighting: Outrageous Interiors
More: Design Your Ideal Dining Room
Designers: Ashley Larson and Conni Newsome of C+A Interiors
Location: Denver
Size: About 300 square feet (27.8 square meters)
Homeowners’ request: A comfortable, traditional space that could suit an intimate dinner for two and entertaining eight family members and friends.
Special features: Antique farmhouse table. Custom upholstered dining chairs. Patterned jute rug. Coffered ceiling. Chandelier. Sheer curtains.
Why the design works: “Even though it is the formal dining room, we did not want it to be too stuffy or feel off-limits,” designer Ashley Larson says. “The lighter color palette invites you into the room and makes you want to stay well after dinner is over.”
Designer secret: “Drapes, drapes, drapes,” Larson says. “It is so important to add this extra layer to every room.”
Also on the team: Rick Larson & Jeremy Larson of DC Upholstery; Patricia Sanchez of Genesis Custom Drapery
See more photos of this home
Chandelier: Paul Ferrante; drapery: Raoul Textiles; captain’s chairs: Holmby by JJ Custom, upholstered in waxed linen by C&C Milano; upholstered chairs: custom-upholstered in linen by Calvin Fabric; rug: custom jute, Holland & Sherry; table lamp: Stephen Gerolud