Photo: Kimberley Bryan © 2014 Houzz
Example of an eclectic dining room design in Portland with blue walls

Jeffrey Allen
Example of a mid-sized transitional light wood floor great room design in Providence with white walls and no fireplace

Photography by Michael J. Lee
Mid-sized trendy dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen/dining room combo photo in Boston with gray walls

Bright, colorful dining room with teal grasscloth, graphic banquette, marble dining table, leather sling chairs, and brass burst chandelier. Photo Credit: Mary Costa

Wipeable leather seating surrounds a very large extension table in a family-friendly dining room. Built-in storage was added to both sides of the dining room and painted wall color to maintain light and flow from the open living room. The HVAC system is buried in the base of this particular cabinet. Cesar-stone was used at the built-in counter tops for ease when serving buffet-style and the LED under-cabinet lighting is on a dimmer to set the ambiance. General Contractor: Lee Kimball Designer: Tomhill Studio Photo Credit: Sam Gray

Dining nook in living room. Photo by Exceptional Frames.
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional dark wood floor great room remodel in San Francisco with blue walls and no fireplace

Example of a country great room design in Chicago

Photo Credit: Lincoln Barbour Photo. Interior Design: Kim Hagstette, Maven Interiors. The dining room table was custom designed by Bo Hagood with Made Inc. The artwork was a commissioned piece by an artist in Palm Springs named Downs. The art for this project was selected as a collaborative process with Heidi McBride.

Mid-sized trendy enclosed dining room photo in Chicago with black walls and no fireplace

Kyle Caldwell
Small elegant medium tone wood floor enclosed dining room photo in Boston with green walls and no fireplace

Jonathan Raith Inc. - Builder Sam Oberter - Photography Shakuff - Lighting
Dining room - contemporary dining room idea in Boston with white walls

Drew Kelly
Inspiration for a contemporary dining room remodel in San Francisco with white walls

Example of a classic porcelain tile and gray floor kitchen/dining room combo design in Philadelphia with no fireplace

Example of a transitional ceramic tile dining room design in Miami with gray walls

This Houston kitchen remodel turned an outdated bachelor pad into a contemporary dream fit for newlyweds. The client wanted a contemporary, somewhat commercial look, but also something homey with a comfy, family feel. And they couldn't go too contemporary, since the style of the home is so traditional. The clean, contemporary, white-black-and-grey color scheme is just the beginning of this transformation from the previous kitchen, The revamped 20-by-15-foot kitchen and adjoining dining area also features new stainless steel appliances by Maytag, lighting and furnishings by Restoration Hardware and countertops in white Carrara marble and Absolute Black honed granite. The paneled oak cabinets are now painted a crisp, bright white and finished off with polished nickel pulls. The center island is now a cool grey a few shades darker than the warm grey on the walls. On top of the grey on the new sheetrock, previously covered in a camel-colored textured paint, is Sherwin Williams' Faux Impressions sparkly "Striae Quartz Stone." Ho-hum 12-inch ceramic floor tiles with a western motif border have been replaced with grey tile "planks" resembling distressed wood. An oak-paneled flush-mount light fixture has given way to recessed lights and barn pendant lamps in oil rubbed bronze from Restoration Hardware. And the section housing clunky upper and lower banks of cabinets between the kitchen an dining area now has a sleek counter-turned-table with custom-milled legs. At first, the client wanted to open up that section altogether, but then realized they needed more counter space. The table - a continuation of the granite countertop - was the perfect solution. Plus, it offered space for extra seating. The black, high-back and low-back bar stools are also from Restoration Hardware - as is the new round chandelier and the dining table over which it hangs. Outdoor Homescapes of Houston also took out a wall between the kitchen and living room and remodeled the adjoining living room as well. A decorative cedar beam stained Minwax Jacobean now spans the ceiling where the wall once stood. The oak paneling and stairway railings in the living room, meanwhile, also got a coat of white paint and new window treatments and light fixtures from Restoration Hardware. Staining the top handrailing with the same Jacobean dark stain, however, boosted the new contemporary look even more. The outdoor living space also got a revamp, with a new patio ceiling also stained Jacobean and new outdoor furniture and outdoor area rug from Restoration Hardware. The furniture is from the Klismos collection, in weathered zinc, with Sunbrella fabric in the color "Smoke."

Small trendy white floor kitchen/dining room combo photo in New York with beige walls

Photography by Studio Maha
Example of a transitional dark wood floor dining room design in San Diego with brown walls

Photography by Morgan Howarth
Inspiration for a timeless dark wood floor enclosed dining room remodel in DC Metro with gray walls

The dining room features a distinctive, handcrafted table that is extraordinarily durable. When not in use for entertaining or family dinners, the dining room becomes a project space. The tea cart holding the flowers in these photos provides additional serving capabilities without adding visual weight. The slim Runtal radiators accommodate different furniture configurations, as well as drapery to soften the feel of the dining area. Interior Design: Elza B. Design Photography: Eric Roth