New This Week: 5 Dashing Dining Rooms
These designers trusted their instincts and took a chance on incorporating bold color and pattern with stylish results
Choosing a bold color or pattern in a home isn’t easy. But sometimes you’ve got to close your eyes, trust a designer’s instincts and go for it. The owners and designers of the following dining rooms did just that. Bright colors, dark colors, wild patterns and other standout details are what makes these dining rooms special.
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Designer tip. “The pendant light is hung low over the dining table — approximately 25 inches maximum from the top of the table,” Chasman says. “Sometimes I go as low as 24 inches. I’ve had many disagreements about this placement with clients, who feel like they’re going to bump into the light or that it’s too low to provide good lighting. But to me, that placement is the ideal height for the intimate, romantic mood that I want when people are dining together. When surrounded by candlesticks at night, you have a great opportunity to mix heights in your tablescape. Notice how the green vase of flowers is highlighted, even during the day. When the light is on and daylight is fading or gone, this is a foolproof means of giving a true designer look, which is both chic and unpretentious.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “I had drawn an 8-foot-long table in my floor plan, but when I was having the table built, I saw I had the length in the boards to make it 9 feet,” Chasman says. “I just went for it on the theory that the added length would better accommodate the chairs I had bought, which are on the large side. When I got the table into the space, it was really too close to the fireplace. I had forgotten that the fireplace required an 18-inch plinth, or base, in front of the grate, and with all the chairs in place I was faced with a bit of a trip hazard. The solution is to keep the end chairs elsewhere during the day, and put them in place only when needed for large gatherings. But the truth is, I made a mistake and wish I had made the table 8 feet as I had planned. I was greedy and suffering from designer hubris!”
Wall paint: Simply White, Benjamin Moore; flooring: 7-inch-wide engineered white oak; project photography: Bret Gum
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“Uh-oh” moment. “I had drawn an 8-foot-long table in my floor plan, but when I was having the table built, I saw I had the length in the boards to make it 9 feet,” Chasman says. “I just went for it on the theory that the added length would better accommodate the chairs I had bought, which are on the large side. When I got the table into the space, it was really too close to the fireplace. I had forgotten that the fireplace required an 18-inch plinth, or base, in front of the grate, and with all the chairs in place I was faced with a bit of a trip hazard. The solution is to keep the end chairs elsewhere during the day, and put them in place only when needed for large gatherings. But the truth is, I made a mistake and wish I had made the table 8 feet as I had planned. I was greedy and suffering from designer hubris!”
Wall paint: Simply White, Benjamin Moore; flooring: 7-inch-wide engineered white oak; project photography: Bret Gum
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2. Blue Walls and Mixed Patterns
Designer: Danielle Chiprut of Danielle Rose Design
Location: Rockville Centre, New York
Size: 150 square feet (14 square meters); 12 by 12½ feet
Homeowners’ request. A globally inspired eclectic dining room where family and friends could gather on special occasions. “They wanted a room that was warm, welcoming and filled with unique treasures that we sourced or they inherited along the way,” designer Danielle Chiprut says.
Main feature. “The wow factor in the room comes from the bold use of color and the mixture of prints, patterns and textures,” Chiprut says. “The rich turquoise-blue walls [Bosporus by Sherwin-Williams] really make the room feel like a jewel box, especially when they are paired with the raspberry-colored patterned rug and the indigo print on the upholstered chairs.”
Other special features. Midcentury-style walnut table. Mix of warm-tone metals with an emphasis on brass. “I really love how these warm metal tones pop off the bold blue walls,” Chiprut says.
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Designer: Danielle Chiprut of Danielle Rose Design
Location: Rockville Centre, New York
Size: 150 square feet (14 square meters); 12 by 12½ feet
Homeowners’ request. A globally inspired eclectic dining room where family and friends could gather on special occasions. “They wanted a room that was warm, welcoming and filled with unique treasures that we sourced or they inherited along the way,” designer Danielle Chiprut says.
Main feature. “The wow factor in the room comes from the bold use of color and the mixture of prints, patterns and textures,” Chiprut says. “The rich turquoise-blue walls [Bosporus by Sherwin-Williams] really make the room feel like a jewel box, especially when they are paired with the raspberry-colored patterned rug and the indigo print on the upholstered chairs.”
Other special features. Midcentury-style walnut table. Mix of warm-tone metals with an emphasis on brass. “I really love how these warm metal tones pop off the bold blue walls,” Chiprut says.
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Designer tip. “I think it is extremely important to include pieces that are sentimental to a client, and to show clients how they can update these pieces in a modern way,” Chiprut says. “For example, my client inherited her mother’s vintage white tea cart, which, with a new coat of paint, was instantly transformed into a modern minibar [shown here].”
“Uh-oh” moment. “Many clients feel nervous when signing off on such a bold and colorful direction for their design,” Chiprut says. “My clients were hesitant with the color choice, as they were worried it would make the room look dark and cave-like. After painting what felt like endless swatches on the wall, we finally agreed on the perfect color and decided to go for it. It ended up making the whole design come to life.”
Project photographer: Kylie Fitts
“Uh-oh” moment. “Many clients feel nervous when signing off on such a bold and colorful direction for their design,” Chiprut says. “My clients were hesitant with the color choice, as they were worried it would make the room look dark and cave-like. After painting what felt like endless swatches on the wall, we finally agreed on the perfect color and decided to go for it. It ended up making the whole design come to life.”
Project photographer: Kylie Fitts
3. Dark Wall and Midcentury Mood
Designers: Carrie Moore and Grayson Limer of Carrie Moore Interior Design
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Size: 172 square feet (16 square meters); 13 by 13¼ feet
Homeowners’ request. “Stylistically, our client wanted a space that was contemporary,” designer Carrie Moore says. “This is the only dining space in the house other than the island, and they wanted it to be casual enough for everyday eating yet elegant for entertaining. Functionally, they wanted to seat eight people comfortably and, because they have kids, they wanted a durable rug.”
Main feature. “Painting the room black [Tricorn Black by Sherwin-Williams] was the starting point for our design,” Moore says. “We chose black to accentuate the architecture of the room — the beams were painted black to pop against the predominantly white ceiling — and to draw your eye to the outside views through the windows. The black added a lot of drama and connected the room to the nearby family room, which already had black built-in bookshelves.”
Designers: Carrie Moore and Grayson Limer of Carrie Moore Interior Design
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Size: 172 square feet (16 square meters); 13 by 13¼ feet
Homeowners’ request. “Stylistically, our client wanted a space that was contemporary,” designer Carrie Moore says. “This is the only dining space in the house other than the island, and they wanted it to be casual enough for everyday eating yet elegant for entertaining. Functionally, they wanted to seat eight people comfortably and, because they have kids, they wanted a durable rug.”
Main feature. “Painting the room black [Tricorn Black by Sherwin-Williams] was the starting point for our design,” Moore says. “We chose black to accentuate the architecture of the room — the beams were painted black to pop against the predominantly white ceiling — and to draw your eye to the outside views through the windows. The black added a lot of drama and connected the room to the nearby family room, which already had black built-in bookshelves.”
Other special features. Custom oak table. Citrine-colored velvet chairs. Indoor-outdoor rug that resembles sisal. Custom linen draperies.
Designer tip. “This room is practically a square and full of windows,” Moore says. “So we used plants to fill some of the space around the table and put all that natural light to good use. We love using plants in interiors because they are known to reduce stress, improve mood and help with air quality. And we like using lots of natural elements.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “When we suggested our client paint their dining room black, they were no doubt nervous about it,” Moore says. “But they ultimately trusted us and decided to go for it. They were very pleased with the outcome.”
Table: custom, Elijah Leed Studio; painter: Hansell Painting
Designer tip. “This room is practically a square and full of windows,” Moore says. “So we used plants to fill some of the space around the table and put all that natural light to good use. We love using plants in interiors because they are known to reduce stress, improve mood and help with air quality. And we like using lots of natural elements.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “When we suggested our client paint their dining room black, they were no doubt nervous about it,” Moore says. “But they ultimately trusted us and decided to go for it. They were very pleased with the outcome.”
Table: custom, Elijah Leed Studio; painter: Hansell Painting
4. Geometric Wallpaper and Vibrant Artwork
Designer: Sarah Goesling of Goesling Group
Location: Park Ridge, Illinois
Size: 140 square feet (13 square meters); 10 by 14 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The first floor is an open concept, and we wanted to define the dining room to help it stand on its own,” designer Sarah Goesling says.
Main feature. “The jumping-off point of the room was the triptych by artist Dolan Geiman, one of our favorite artists,” Goesling says. “We knew that the other elements of the room had to elevate and complement the artwork.”
Designer: Sarah Goesling of Goesling Group
Location: Park Ridge, Illinois
Size: 140 square feet (13 square meters); 10 by 14 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The first floor is an open concept, and we wanted to define the dining room to help it stand on its own,” designer Sarah Goesling says.
Main feature. “The jumping-off point of the room was the triptych by artist Dolan Geiman, one of our favorite artists,” Goesling says. “We knew that the other elements of the room had to elevate and complement the artwork.”
Other special features. Gold-and-charcoal geometric-print wallpaper. Custom walnut table and bench. The table has a forged blackened-steel base with a walnut cross brace. Geometric LED pendant with a high-gloss soft gold finish.
Designer tip. “I find that people are often scared of committing to a loud or bold pattern,” Goesling says. “This space is a perfect example of how using a bold color and pattern can accent a space and bring it all together.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “Finding the right light fixture was the biggest challenge,” Goesling says. “We probably looked through 400 fixtures before landing on the right one. We ultimately decided that complementing the gold in the wallpaper and finding something that carried through the geometric theme of the home was the right move.”
Table and bench: Rustic Elements Furniture; wallpaper: Hygge & West; wall paint: Paper White, Benjamin Moore
Designer tip. “I find that people are often scared of committing to a loud or bold pattern,” Goesling says. “This space is a perfect example of how using a bold color and pattern can accent a space and bring it all together.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “Finding the right light fixture was the biggest challenge,” Goesling says. “We probably looked through 400 fixtures before landing on the right one. We ultimately decided that complementing the gold in the wallpaper and finding something that carried through the geometric theme of the home was the right move.”
Table and bench: Rustic Elements Furniture; wallpaper: Hygge & West; wall paint: Paper White, Benjamin Moore
5. Patterned Tile and Painted Ceiling Beams
Designer: Brandon Salisbury of Craig Sharp Homes
Location: Wichita, Kansas
Size: 187 square feet (17 square meters); 11 by 17 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The vision for this model home was to achieve an eclectic mix of contemporary elements with a classic undertone,” says designer Brandon Salisbury, who used Houzz to gather inspirational ideas for this project. “The dining room in particular was situated at the front of the floor plan so that the enclosed patio lanai could extend along the rear of the home, taking advantage of the outdoor living that this home’s ski lake location provides.”
Main feature. Glazed ceramic tile-backed floating white oak shelves and floating white oak cabinet.
Other special features. Inset ceiling beams painted charcoal gray (Graphite by Benjamin Moore).
Designer tip. “The custom whitewash stain on the shelves and cabinets matches the master bathroom vanity stain, appearing in both spaces on opposite sides of the home, while the other stained wood throughout is a more rich and darker stain,” Salisbury says. “Incorporating both stain colors allows the dining room built-ins and shelving to stand out as a feature apart from the other wooden elements throughout the home.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The inset tray ceiling with beams was a challenge that the skilled trim carpenter solved wonderfully,” Salisbury says. “The beams had to also be wide enough apart to allow room for the base of the light fixture to fit and attach to the ceiling.”
Wall paint: City Loft, Sherwin-Williams; light fixture: Kryptonite, Modern Forms
More on Houzz
Key Measurements for Planning the Perfect Dining Room
How to Choose a Dining Table Light
Get more dining room ideas
Find an interior designer near you
Shop for dining room furniture
Designer: Brandon Salisbury of Craig Sharp Homes
Location: Wichita, Kansas
Size: 187 square feet (17 square meters); 11 by 17 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The vision for this model home was to achieve an eclectic mix of contemporary elements with a classic undertone,” says designer Brandon Salisbury, who used Houzz to gather inspirational ideas for this project. “The dining room in particular was situated at the front of the floor plan so that the enclosed patio lanai could extend along the rear of the home, taking advantage of the outdoor living that this home’s ski lake location provides.”
Main feature. Glazed ceramic tile-backed floating white oak shelves and floating white oak cabinet.
Other special features. Inset ceiling beams painted charcoal gray (Graphite by Benjamin Moore).
Designer tip. “The custom whitewash stain on the shelves and cabinets matches the master bathroom vanity stain, appearing in both spaces on opposite sides of the home, while the other stained wood throughout is a more rich and darker stain,” Salisbury says. “Incorporating both stain colors allows the dining room built-ins and shelving to stand out as a feature apart from the other wooden elements throughout the home.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The inset tray ceiling with beams was a challenge that the skilled trim carpenter solved wonderfully,” Salisbury says. “The beams had to also be wide enough apart to allow room for the base of the light fixture to fit and attach to the ceiling.”
Wall paint: City Loft, Sherwin-Williams; light fixture: Kryptonite, Modern Forms
More on Houzz
Key Measurements for Planning the Perfect Dining Room
How to Choose a Dining Table Light
Get more dining room ideas
Find an interior designer near you
Shop for dining room furniture
Designers: Julia Chasman, who’s also the homeowner, and architect Duane Smith of Hundred Mile House
Location: Joshua Tree, California
Size: 150 square feet (14 square meters); 10 by 15 feet
Homeowners’ request. “Because I was both the designer and the homeowner, I had the luxury — but also the burden — of making all the decisions myself for the area,” Julia Chasman says. “As the homeowner, I was struggling with the limitations of the size of the area, because I had chosen the location of the adjoining midcentury fireplace before we started building, and later wished I had left more room for a larger table.”
Main feature. “The custom dining table is clearly the focal point,” Chasman says. “Created by Ross Alan Reclaimed of North Hollywood, this table is made of old, dried, reclaimed oak boards, which were planed, sanded, stained and finished with a durable but unshiny polyurethane and topped with good furniture wax. All the imperfections were left in — burls, knot holes, an area of rot that was darkened — and they all add to the charm of the piece.
“We left it a bit on the narrow side, so it has the quality of a refectory table — like in a monastery — but still seats 10 people comfortably and 12 in a pinch. I designed the table, and the base has two end stands — kind of like sawhorses, but with more detail — and that was important to me, because I hate having table legs in my way when I’m sitting.”
Other special features. Vintage Windsor chairs painted in Green Smoke by Farrow & Ball and then lacquered for a “smoother, powder-coat kind of finish,” Chasman says. The light fixture is a midcentury rattan and brass-trimmed pendant that Chasman fitted with a large globe bulb. A French agricultural map depicting fruits and their regions hangs on the nearby wall. A palm in a rattan plant stand adds some greenery and texture to the tableau.