A round glass table with root base emphasizes the natural focus of the Asian theme. Sheer and Silk drapery provides a dramatic backdrop for the round glass table.

Bora Bora Dining Table is dynamic and easily customizable element for the kitchen or the dining room. Manufactured in Italy by Cattelan Italia, Bora Bora Dining Table features smooth lines, functional disposition, and elegant surfaces that fuse modern design with rustic style.

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Lakefront property in the northwest suburbs of Chicago is hard to come by, so when we were hired by this young family with exactly that, we were immediately inspired by not just the unusually large footprint of this 1950’s colonial revival but also the lovely views of the manmade lake it was sited on. The large 5-bedroom home was solidly stuck in the 1980’s, but we saw tons of potential. We started out by updating the existing staircase with a fresh coat of paint and adding new herringbone slate to the entry hall. The powder room off the entryway also got a refresh - new flooring, new cabinets and fixtures. We ran the new slate right through into this space for some consistency. A fun wallpaper and shiplap trim add a welcoming feel and set the tone for the home. Next, we tackled the kitchen. Located away from the rest of the first floor, the kitchen felt a little isolated, so we immediately began planning for how to better connect it to the rest of the first floor. We landed on removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room and designed a modified galley style space with separate cooking and clean up zones. The cooking zone consists of the refrigerator, prep sink and cooktop, along with a nice long run of prep space at the island. The cleanup side of the kitchen consists of the main sink and dishwasher. Both areas are situated so that the user can view the lake during prep work and cleanup! One of the home’s main puzzles was how to incorporate the mudroom and area in front of the patio doors at the back of the house. We already had a breakfast table area, so the space by the patio doors was a bit of a no man’s land. We decided to separate the kitchen proper from what became the new mudroom with a large set of barn doors. That way you can quickly hide any mudroom messes but have easy access to the light coming in through the patio doors as well as the outdoor grilling station. We also love the impact the barn doors add to the overall space. The homeowners’ first words to us were “it’s time to ditch the brown,” so we did! We chose a lovely blue pallet that reflects the home’s location on the lake which is also vibrant yet easy on the eye. Countertops are white quartz, and the natural oak floor works well with the other honey accents. The breakfast table was given a refresh with new chairs, chandelier and window treatments that frame the gorgeous views of the lake out the back. We coordinated the slate mudroom flooring with that used in the home’s main entrance for a consistent feel. The storage area consists of open and closed storage to allow for some clutter control as needed. Next on our “to do” list was revamping the dated brown bar area in the neighboring dining room. We eliminated the clutter by adding some closed cabinets and did some easy updates to help the space feel more current. One snag we ran into here was the discovery of a beam above the existing open shelving that had to be modified with a smaller structural beam to allow for our new design to work. This was an unexpected surprise, but in the end we think it was well worth it! We kept the colors here a bit more muted to blend with the homeowner’s existing furnishings. Open shelving and polished nickel hardware add some simple detail to the new entertainment zone which also looks out onto the lake! Next we tackled the upstairs starting with the homeowner’s son’s bath. The bath originally had both a tub shower and a separate shower, so we decided to swap out the shower for a new laundry area. This freed up some space downstairs in what used to be the mudroom/laundry room and is much more convenient for daily laundry needs. We continued the blue palette here with navy cabinetry and the navy tile in the shower. Porcelain floor tile and chrome fixtures keep maintenance to a minimum while matte black mirrors and lighting add some depth the design. A low maintenance runner adds some warmth underfoot and ties the whole space together. We added a pocket door to the bathroom to minimize interference with the door swings. The left door of the laundry closet is on a 180 degree hinge to allow for easy full access to the machines. Next we tackled the master bath which is an en suite arrangement. The original was typical of the 1980’s with the vanity outside of the bathroom, situated near the master closet. And the brown theme continued here with multiple shades of brown. Our first move was to segment off the bath and the closet from the master bedroom. We created a short hall from the bedroom to the bathroom with his and hers walk-in closets on the left and right as well as a separate toilet closet outside of the main bathroom for privacy and flexibility. The original bathroom had a giant soaking tub with steps (dangerous!) as well as a small shower that did not work well for our homeowner who is 6’3”. With other bathtubs in the home, they decided to eliminate the tub and create an oversized shower which takes up the space where the old tub was located. The double vanity is on the opposite wall and a bench is located under the window for morning conversations and a place to set a couple of towels. The pallet in here is light and airy with a mix of blond wood, creamy porcelain and marble tile, and brass accents. A simple roman shade adds some texture and it’s top-down mechanism allows for light and privacy. This large whole house remodel gave our homeowners not only the ability to maximize the potential of their home but also created a lovely new frame from which to view their fabulous lake views. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Tracey Ayton
Transitional light wood floor dining room photo in Vancouver with white walls

Example of a large transitional light wood floor and beige floor living room design in St Louis with white walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace

Fun Game Table Area in this basement. This home is located in Park City, Utah and built by Park City Home Builders, Cameo Homes Inc.
Enclosed dining room - mid-sized rustic carpeted enclosed dining room idea in Salt Lake City with white walls

This in-fill custom home in the heart of Chaplin Crescent Estates belonged to a young couple whose family was growing. They enlisted the help of Lumar Interiors to help make their family room more functional and comfortable. We designed a custom sized table to fit by the window. New upholstered furniture was designed to fit the small space and allow maximum seating. Project by Richmond Hill interior design firm Lumar Interiors. Also serving Aurora, Newmarket, King City, Markham, Thornhill, Vaughan, York Region, and the Greater Toronto Area. For more about Lumar Interiors, click here: https://www.lumarinteriors.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.lumarinteriors.com/portfolio/chaplin-crescent-estates-toronto/

With just a few thoughtful essentials, an empty area of the kitchen can become the most sought-after spot in the house. Tucked into a charming nook, the plank-topped Arlo round table cozies up to café-style seating – which include the solid oak Bayfield side chairs. Bright, comfy pillows and a calming piece of art help create an irresistible dining space, where early mornings are spent curled up with croissants and coffee, and late evenings linger over dessert and wine.

Directly across from the entrance is a small Kitchenette which houses a corner sink, a microwave, and a beverage center. The cabinetry by PC Homes in New Albany, IN has a painted black finish with a bronze glaze. The countertops are quartz by Cambria. The faucets and cabinetry hardware is in a brushed nickel finish to pop off the dark cabinetry. We did not want this area to feel like a Kitchen, so in lieu of upper cabinets, we did chunky floating shelves the same wood tone as the china cabinet nestled between the two bump outs. We accessorized with the homeowner’s collection of white dish ware. The homeowner found this fabulous wood cutout of the state of Kentucky at a local art gallery.

The Montego round outdoor dining table features a striking mix of solid ipe and hand-welded, outdoor-grade stainless steel, making it as durable as it is eye-catching. Montego looks and feels substantial thanks to wide planks of wood that appear to float in the frame without visible screws or nails. Over time, the ipe will age to a rich grey color, enhancing this modern dining table's material mix.

The Maris outdoor table by EMU is ideal for small patios and balconies. An extra-durable powder-coated finish makes this steel table suitable for commercial use. Pure in its design and perfectly sized, Maris is an outdoor essential.

The homeowners of this California Cottage wanted a beach vibe in their 1700 sq. ft. home. They wanted to make the most of their spaces by widening doorways, adding wood floors throughout the house, and adding a skylight. The result is cozy, casual California living at its best with frequent family dinners and celebrations with friends. Photos by Erika Bierman www.erikabiermanphotography.com

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary porcelain tile great room remodel in Miami with white walls

Perfectly embedded on an acre of land overlooking a pond, in the heart of Willow Bend of Plano, this dated, traditional home got more than a complete facelift. The wife is a “farmer’s daughter” and could have never imagined having a home like this to call her own one day. Finding a 15’ dining table was a tall task… especially for a family of four. Using a local craftsman, the most gorgeous white oak table was created to host everyone in the neighborhood! The clients told a lot of stories about their past and children. The designer realized that the stories were actually treasures as she incorporated their memories and symbols in every room. She brought these memories to life in a custom artwork collage above the family room mantel. From a tractor representing the grandfather, to the Russian alphabet portraying the roots of their adopted sons and some Cambodian script, there were meanings behind each piece. In order to bring nature indoors, the designer decided to demo the exterior wall to the patio to add a large folding door and blew out the wall dividing the formal dining room and breakfast room so there would be a clear sight through to the outdoors. Throughout the home, each family member was thought of. The fabrics and finishes had to withstand small boys, who were extremely active. The use of outdoor fabrics and beautiful scratch proof finishes were incorporated in every space – bring on the hotwheels.

Lori Hamilton Photography. A transitional dining room with mirrored wall details and nail head trimmed table and chairs.
Inspiration for a timeless dining room remodel in Miami with gray walls

This American Drew, Jessica McClintock round pedestal end table typifies why the distressed finish has become oh-so popular. Fitting for any style home, it offers charm, character, form and function. The antique white pedestal base is topped off with a contrasting wood tray-top...a beautiful combination of opposing finishes!

This modern formal dining room is softened by the textured wallpaper that wraps the room. Photo Credit: Angie Seckinger
Inspiration for a transitional dark wood floor and brown floor dining room remodel in DC Metro with blue walls

Photo courtesy of Chipper Hatter
Example of a mid-sized classic white tile and subway tile marble floor alcove shower design in San Francisco with white cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, a two-piece toilet and marble countertops

Large transitional medium tone wood floor, exposed beam and wall paneling enclosed dining room photo in Boston with blue walls and a wood fireplace surround