New This Week: 3 Dining Rooms Boost the Mood With Modern Decor
Look to statement lighting, graphic patterns and other modern design moves to energize your dining space
Worried about your dinner parties feeling too stiff? Try incorporating bold, modern style to liven up your next get-together. These three dining rooms show how statement lighting, graphic art and rugs, and streamlined furniture can raise the energy level.
2. Midcentury Mix
Designer: Amber Sokolowski of Soko Interior Design
Location: Long Beach, California
Size: 300 square feet (28 square meters); 15 by 20 feet
Homeowners’ request: For her own home, designer Amber Sokolowski wanted to take a few risks and have some fun. She and her husband honed in on a style that’s “midcentury, eclectic and a little glam,” she says.
Special features: Vaulted ceiling; cement tile surround; custom wood beam mantel; oversize lantern-style light fixture; abstract artwork; midcentury-style table and chairs with a walnut finish
Why the design works: “I wanted to bring attention to the height and grand scale of the room, which is why I added the large Darlana lantern and a large abstract piece of artwork to draw the eye up,” Sokolowski says. “The space is so open, and with the vaulted ceiling and all-white walls, it took a while to make it feel complete. The addition of the artwork and accessories like plants really helped to make the room come together.”
Designer secret: “Updating the lighting made a huge difference,” she says. “It’s amazing what a dramatic difference this one change can make.”
Also on the team: Rod Hand Craft (mantel); Amy Bartlam (photography)
Wall paint: Snowbound, Sherwin-Williams; Strata I fireplace tile: Cement Tile Shop; large Darlana lantern: Circa Lighting; midcentury expandable dining table: West Elm; Tracy dining chairs (similar): Modway via Houzz; Targa buffet in carbon gray: Carrera collection, Lexington Home Brands via Houzz; Trussell vintage-style rug (similar): Safavieh via Houzz; “Blue Strap” art: Sara Brown, Z Gallerie
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Designer: Amber Sokolowski of Soko Interior Design
Location: Long Beach, California
Size: 300 square feet (28 square meters); 15 by 20 feet
Homeowners’ request: For her own home, designer Amber Sokolowski wanted to take a few risks and have some fun. She and her husband honed in on a style that’s “midcentury, eclectic and a little glam,” she says.
Special features: Vaulted ceiling; cement tile surround; custom wood beam mantel; oversize lantern-style light fixture; abstract artwork; midcentury-style table and chairs with a walnut finish
Why the design works: “I wanted to bring attention to the height and grand scale of the room, which is why I added the large Darlana lantern and a large abstract piece of artwork to draw the eye up,” Sokolowski says. “The space is so open, and with the vaulted ceiling and all-white walls, it took a while to make it feel complete. The addition of the artwork and accessories like plants really helped to make the room come together.”
Designer secret: “Updating the lighting made a huge difference,” she says. “It’s amazing what a dramatic difference this one change can make.”
Also on the team: Rod Hand Craft (mantel); Amy Bartlam (photography)
Wall paint: Snowbound, Sherwin-Williams; Strata I fireplace tile: Cement Tile Shop; large Darlana lantern: Circa Lighting; midcentury expandable dining table: West Elm; Tracy dining chairs (similar): Modway via Houzz; Targa buffet in carbon gray: Carrera collection, Lexington Home Brands via Houzz; Trussell vintage-style rug (similar): Safavieh via Houzz; “Blue Strap” art: Sara Brown, Z Gallerie
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3. Glam Get-Up
Designer: Stephanie Brown
Location: West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Size: 140 square feet (13 square meters)
Homeowners’ request: A modern and bright space with pops of color, pattern and a touch glam
Special features: Graphic area rug; geometric chandelier and credenza
Designer secret: Adding subtle layers to the ceiling gives it depth and interest.
“Uh-oh” moment: “We fell in love with the silver credenza early in the process,” says designer Stephanie Brown. “While the house was being built, we realized that the niche had been framed to be only an inch larger than the actual credenza. We worked with the drywallers and carpenters to ensure everything would be done to still allow the credenza to fit that space. It was a must-have.”
Also on the team: Janis Nicolay (photography)
Chairs and table: Rove Concepts; chandelier, marble and gold sculptures, and vases: The Cross Decor & Design; credenza: Mint Interiors; rug: West Elm
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Key Measurements for Planning the Perfect Dining Room
Decorate With Intention: Design Your Ideal Dining Room
Designer: Stephanie Brown
Location: West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Size: 140 square feet (13 square meters)
Homeowners’ request: A modern and bright space with pops of color, pattern and a touch glam
Special features: Graphic area rug; geometric chandelier and credenza
Designer secret: Adding subtle layers to the ceiling gives it depth and interest.
“Uh-oh” moment: “We fell in love with the silver credenza early in the process,” says designer Stephanie Brown. “While the house was being built, we realized that the niche had been framed to be only an inch larger than the actual credenza. We worked with the drywallers and carpenters to ensure everything would be done to still allow the credenza to fit that space. It was a must-have.”
Also on the team: Janis Nicolay (photography)
Chairs and table: Rove Concepts; chandelier, marble and gold sculptures, and vases: The Cross Decor & Design; credenza: Mint Interiors; rug: West Elm
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Key Measurements for Planning the Perfect Dining Room
Decorate With Intention: Design Your Ideal Dining Room
Designer: Mia Karlsson-Matthew of Mia Karlsson Interior Design
Location: Kvicksund, Västmanland, Sweden
Size: 506 square feet (47 square meters)
Homeowners’ request: A Scandinavian contemporary look with warmth and original furniture that is practical and durable
Special features: Painted wood-plank ceiling and custom-designed light fixture made of multicolored wire with bulbs of varying sizes. “We did not want to use a light fixture that would obstruct the view,” says designer Mia Karlsson-Matthew.
Designer secret: “Reuse clients’ existing items as part of a scheme,” she says. “This adds a personal touch, and makes the space recognizable and homey to the client. Well-loved pieces are often hidden away in clients’ houses; it is great to give these pieces space to shine, such as the antique metal sculptural lamp on the sideboard. This lamp had been loved … but as the glass shade had broken many years ago, the lamp had been relegated to a dark corner in the clients’ main home.”
“Uh-oh” moment: “Much of the furniture for this part of the property was shipped from a company based in Scotland,” she says. “It was a big ‘uh-oh’ moment when we were trying to guide them to the property through the woods.”
Wishbone chair: Baxton Studio via Houzz; seat covers: Natures Collection; mirror: Ikea; wicker armchair: clients’ own
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