wicker furniture, wood coffee table, glass candle holders, folding side table, orange side table, orange pillow, striped cushions, clerestory windows, Photography by Michael J. Lee

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

Basement Family Room for empty nesters who relocated to Atlanta. They didn't downsize because they entertain family and friends from out of state. Christina Wedge Photography

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

Example of a country great room design in Chicago

Architecture: Sutro Architects Contractor: Larsen Builders Photography: David Duncan Livingston
Mid-sized transitional formal and enclosed living room photo in San Francisco with blue walls, a standard fireplace and no tv

Stacy Zarin Goldberg
Example of a mid-sized transitional dining room design in DC Metro with gray walls

Example of a beach style light wood floor dining room design in Houston with white walls

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

Belathée Photography
Inspiration for a country dining room remodel in Seattle with white walls

Cross cut travertine tiles give this gas fireplace an unusual look that pops off the dark walls. The ottomans tuck under the coffee table but can be pulled out for additional seating or foot rests.

David Duncan Livingston
Farmhouse dark wood floor dining room photo in San Francisco with white walls

Dustin Peck
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional enclosed carpeted family room remodel in Raleigh with gray walls

Game area and billiard room of redesigned home basement. French door leads to exercise room.
Elegant underground carpeted and beige floor basement game room photo in New York with white walls

Mid-sized farmhouse formal light wood floor and beige floor living room photo in New York with white walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Jeri Koegel
Family room - contemporary light wood floor family room idea in Orange County with white walls

Notable decor elements include: Clayton Gray Home Cage iron pendant light, De La Espada Atlantico table, Crate and Barrel Vienna black wood dining chairs. Photography: Francesco Bertocci

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

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."