By mimicking the kitchen cabinet/West Elm shelving dynamic in the dining area, we were really able to tie the two spaces together. The clients had an existing antique pine dining table that had been poorly refinished one too many times. We stripped the peeling layers of polyurethane off and refinished with wax to give a very natural look without losing the age lines and character of the table. Regan Wood Photography

The Magnolia Renovation has been primarily concerned with the design of a new, highly crafted modern kitchen in a traditional home located in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle. The kitchen design relies on the creation of a very simple continuous space that is occupied by highly crafted pieces of furniture, cabinets and fittings. Materials such as steel, bronze, bamboo, stained elm, woven cattail, and sea grass are used in juxtaposition, allowing each material to benefit from adjacent contrasts in texture and color. The existing kitchen and dining room consisted of separate rooms with a dividing wall. This wall was removed to create a long, continuous, east-west space, approximately 34 feet long, with cabinets and counters along each wall. The west end of the space has glass doors and views to the Puget Sound. The east end also has glass doors, leading to a small garden space. In the center of the new kitchen/dining space, we designed two long, custom tables from reclaimed elm planks (20" wide, 2" thick). The first table is a working kitchen island, the second table is the dining table. Both tables have custom blued-steel bases with laser-cut bronze overlay. We also designed custom stools with blued-steel bases and woven cattail rush seats. The lighting of the kitchen consists of 15 small, candle-like fixtures arranged in a random array with custom steel brackets. The cabinets are custom designed, with bleached Alaskan yellow cedar frames and bamboo panels. The counters are a dark limestone with a beautiful stone mosaic backsplash with a bamboo-like pattern. Adjacent to the backsplash is a long horizontal window with a “beargrass” resin panel placed on the interior side of the window. The “beargrass” panel contains actual sea grasses, which are backlit by the window behind the panel. Photo: Benjamin Benschneider

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern medium tone wood floor dining room remodel in San Francisco

This game room/dining room is perfect for entertaining with the flat screen tvs and oversized cantilevered buffet.
Example of a trendy dark wood floor dining room design in Los Angeles

Joe Fletcher Photography
Dining room - transitional dark wood floor dining room idea in San Francisco with white walls

Beach style great room photo in Santa Barbara with white walls

Inspiration for a large contemporary dark wood floor great room remodel in Los Angeles with white walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace

The Mazama house is located in the Methow Valley of Washington State, a secluded mountain valley on the eastern edge of the North Cascades, about 200 miles northeast of Seattle. The house has been carefully placed in a copse of trees at the easterly end of a large meadow. Two major building volumes indicate the house organization. A grounded 2-story bedroom wing anchors a raised living pavilion that is lifted off the ground by a series of exposed steel columns. Seen from the access road, the large meadow in front of the house continues right under the main living space, making the living pavilion into a kind of bridge structure spanning over the meadow grass, with the house touching the ground lightly on six steel columns. The raised floor level provides enhanced views as well as keeping the main living level well above the 3-4 feet of winter snow accumulation that is typical for the upper Methow Valley. To further emphasize the idea of lightness, the exposed wood structure of the living pavilion roof changes pitch along its length, so the roof warps upward at each end. The interior exposed wood beams appear like an unfolding fan as the roof pitch changes. The main interior bearing columns are steel with a tapered “V”-shape, recalling the lightness of a dancer. The house reflects the continuing FINNE investigation into the idea of crafted modernism, with cast bronze inserts at the front door, variegated laser-cut steel railing panels, a curvilinear cast-glass kitchen counter, waterjet-cut aluminum light fixtures, and many custom furniture pieces. The house interior has been designed to be completely integral with the exterior. The living pavilion contains more than twelve pieces of custom furniture and lighting, creating a totality of the designed environment that recalls the idea of Gesamtkunstverk, as seen in the work of Josef Hoffman and the Viennese Secessionist movement in the early 20th century. The house has been designed from the start as a sustainable structure, with 40% higher insulation values than required by code, radiant concrete slab heating, efficient natural ventilation, large amounts of natural lighting, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and locally sourced materials. Windows have high-performance LowE insulated glazing and are equipped with concealed shades. A radiant hydronic heat system with exposed concrete floors allows lower operating temperatures and higher occupant comfort levels. The concrete slabs conserve heat and provide great warmth and comfort for the feet. Deep roof overhangs, built-in shades and high operating clerestory windows are used to reduce heat gain in summer months. During the winter, the lower sun angle is able to penetrate into living spaces and passively warm the exposed concrete floor. Low VOC paints and stains have been used throughout the house. The high level of craft evident in the house reflects another key principle of sustainable design: build it well and make it last for many years! Photo by Benjamin Benschneider

A Careful Lighting Composition as the Dining Table Helps Define Space
Large minimalist light wood floor and beige floor great room photo in New York with white walls

Photography by Michael J. Lee
Large trendy dark wood floor dining room photo in Boston with white walls and a ribbon fireplace

In the dining room, we went with a modern, moody and textural look. A few of the eye-catching details in the space are the black accent wall, housing the glass and metal doors leading to the butler’s pantry, a large dining table, dripping sculptural chandelier, and a gallery wall that covers the entire back wall.

Sierra Living Concepts is proud to offer the Trestle Pedestal Traditional Wood 92" Large Rustic Dining Table & Bench, finely crafted rustic elegance at its finest. The quality of this Solid Wood Dining Table shows in its timeless lines, graceful curves and carving. This impressive dining table is made of beautiful, sustainable, durable mango wood from India with a rich light walnut finish. Twin sculpted pedestals support the roomy 92 x 42 rectangular top. Gather the family around, this dining table for 8. Wipe piece clean with clean cloth.Easy assembly required. Special Features • Mango Wood • Rich light walnut finish • Twin sculpted pedestal base • Dining Table Dimensions: 92 x 42 x 30 • Sustainable • Durable • Rustic Traditional Styling NOTE :- Each piece has unique characteristics depending on the inherent traits of the wood. Natural shapes, dents, nicks, cracks and knots are considered a natural characteristic of this item and desirable for their rustic effect.

Example of a transitional hallway design in New York

This elegant dining room combines classic and modern elements for a striking, inviting space. White wainscoting and warm wood floors provide a timeless foundation, while a sculptural black-and-white chandelier adds sculptural interest overhead. A wood dining table with eight upholstered chairs anchors the room, and a vibrant abstract painting in pink, orange, white, and blue injects color and energy, creating a dynamic yet balanced dining environment. Photo by Suzanna Scott.

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

Andrew Rugge/archphoto
Enclosed dining room - mid-sized transitional dark wood floor enclosed dining room idea in New York with gray walls and no fireplace

Inspiration for a mediterranean dining room remodel in Austin with gray walls and no fireplace

A sumptuous dining room to feast one's eyes and palate features waterside dining in a room layered with opulent design and materials. The oversized custom walnut table accommodates up to 12, and features a unique mix wood and bronze frames upholstered in an exotic leather. Everything in the room was customized to elevate your dining experience.

Dining room by the beach in South Padre Island. Pendant light fixture is designed by and available through Sarah Stacey Interior Design. Photo and design by Sarah Stacey Interior Design.