From Plain to Fabulous A great thing about building a new home is that you are starting fresh. Being a Florida decorator, many of our clients are moving from the Northern or Mid-West states. We advise them to leave their often dark, large pieces of traditional furniture behind and just bring pieces that have value to them whether sentimental or monetary. This dining room was a pleasure because it was a clean slate with large windows letting in the morning sun. The floors are hand-scraped engineered wood in Brazilian walnut which give the entire home a warm feel to counteract the stark white walls. The home owners have a large art collection and specifically chose the white paint so that the paintings can be seen at their best and moved around the home easily. The owners host many dinner parties throughout the year and wanted a table that was virtually indestructible, and that visitors didn’t have to be careful with. This long Mango wood trestle table comfortably seats between eight and ten and has an antique grey, distressed look that is similar to driftwood. We alternated turquoise and light blue dining chairs for some contrast. An outstanding centerpiece for the room is a dazzling grey chandelier with an outstanding display of brilliant graphite crystals. Hundreds of faceted crystals are suspended from ten fluted glass arms. Wall sconces in chrome with grey linen shades were added and all the lighting is on dimmers for a choice of bright or mood lighting depending on the required ambience. To control the harsh Florida sunlight that can leech color out of furnishings within weeks, we installed light grey Silhouette window shades which keep approximately 97% of harmful UV rays out but still let in light even when fully closed. Traversing draperies were installed floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall providing a spectacular color wall of cream, green, purple and turquoise. The hardware is hidden behind the crown moulding for a clean, modern look. The best part of this design story lies in the large-scale artwork. The home owner had been given the painting years ago when she lived in Philadelphia but the colors didn’t suit her Northern palette. The painting was hidden in the attic but during the move was crated and sent to Florida. After not seeing it for sixteen years she had forgotten what it looked like and when she saw the crate about to be off-loaded asked the removal crew to take it away. At the last minute she decided to look in the crate and was surprised and delighted to find the perfect artwork for her dining room! Lastly, hand-torn wallpaper was installed in a custom color in the tray ceiling. As this room is used for dinner parties, games and even casual dining we decided not to install a rug for ease of use and movement around the table. Photographer: Rolando Diaz

The client wanted an elegant, cozy dining room. The walls were painted a dark chocolate brown. Modern art in turquoise and white was used to pop against the dark walls. The client's existing dining table was used, but white upholstered chairs with silver nailhead trim were added. The outdated chandelier was replaced with a crystal and chrome bubble chandelier and became the centerpiece of the room. Silver and turquoise accessories completed the room. Photo Credit: Oivanki Photography

LAURA CHRISTIN PHOTOGRAPY
Inspiration for a small transitional dark wood floor dining room remodel in San Diego with gray walls

The client wanted an elegant, cozy dining room. The walls were painted a dark chocolate brown. Modern art in turquoise and white was used to pop against the dark walls. The client's existing dining table was used, but white upholstered chairs with silver nailhead trim were added. The outdated chandelier was replaced with a crystal and chrome bubble chandelier and became the centerpiece of the room. Silver and turquoise accessories completed the room. Photo Credit: Oivanki Photography

A simple but highly sophisticated entry welcomes guests to a well appointed home. The entry table with metal base and wood top grounds the framed round mirror. Stairway runner allow the beautiful hardwood treads to add elegance to the space. Photography by Peter Rymwid.

Emily Minton Redfield Photography Brad Norris Architecture
Example of a large cottage medium tone wood floor and brown floor great room design in Denver with white walls and no fireplace

Photo Credit: Nicole Leone
Living room - mid-sized transitional enclosed brown floor and dark wood floor living room idea in Los Angeles with no tv, gray walls, a two-sided fireplace and a tile fireplace

Transitional medium tone wood floor and brown floor dining room photo in Dallas with red walls

Dan Cutrona Photography
Example of a mid-sized beach style dark wood floor kitchen/dining room combo design in Boston with gray walls and no fireplace

Elegant dark wood floor dining room photo in Salt Lake City with white walls

The client wanted an elegant, cozy dining room. The walls were painted a dark chocolate brown. Modern art in turquoise and white was used to pop against the dark walls. The client's existing dining table was used, but white upholstered chairs with silver nailhead trim were added. The outdated chandelier was replaced with a crystal and chrome bubble chandelier and became the centerpiece of the room. Silver and turquoise accessories completed the room. Photo Credit: Oivanki Photography

Focus Fort Worth Photography
Inspiration for a timeless dining room remodel in Dallas with brown walls

Location: Nantucket, MA, USA This classic Nantucket home had not been renovated in several decades and was in serious need of an update. The vision for this summer home was to be a beautiful, light and peaceful family retreat with the ability to entertain guests and extended family. The focal point of the kitchen is the La Canche Chagny Range in Faience with custom hood to match. We love how the tile backsplash on the Prep Sink wall pulls it all together and picks up on the spectacular colors in the White Princess Quartzite countertops. In a nod to traditional Nantucket Craftsmanship, we used Shiplap Panelling on many of the walls including in the Kitchen and Powder Room. We hope you enjoy the quiet and tranquil mood of these images as much as we loved creating this space. Keep your eye out for additional images as we finish up Phase II of this amazing project! Photographed by: Jamie Salomon

"Houzz 20 Most Popular Dining Room Photos 2015" - read more: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/58093756?utm_source=Houzz&utm_campaign=u2236&utm_medium=email&utm_content=gallery11

Example of a huge minimalist u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Tampa with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Cottage dining room photo in Nashville with a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Mid-sized transitional medium tone wood floor great room photo in Oklahoma City with white walls

Suzanne Scott
Mid-sized transitional dark wood floor and brown floor great room photo in San Francisco with blue walls

Stephani Buchman Photography
Living room - mid-sized transitional formal and open concept dark wood floor and brown floor living room idea in Toronto with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv