Architect: Rick Shean & Christopher Simmonds, Christopher Simmonds Architect Inc. Photography By: Peter Fritz “Feels very confident and fluent. Love the contrast between first and second floor, both in material and volume. Excellent modern composition.” This Gatineau Hills home creates a beautiful balance between modern and natural. The natural house design embraces its earthy surroundings, while opening the door to a contemporary aesthetic. The open ground floor, with its interconnected spaces and floor-to-ceiling windows, allows sunlight to flow through uninterrupted, showcasing the beauty of the natural light as it varies throughout the day and by season. The façade of reclaimed wood on the upper level, white cement board lining the lower, and large expanses of floor-to-ceiling windows throughout are the perfect package for this chic forest home. A warm wood ceiling overhead and rustic hand-scraped wood floor underfoot wrap you in nature’s best. Marvin’s floor-to-ceiling windows invite in the ever-changing landscape of trees and mountains indoors. From the exterior, the vertical windows lead the eye upward, loosely echoing the vertical lines of the surrounding trees. The large windows and minimal frames effectively framed unique views of the beautiful Gatineau Hills without distracting from them. Further, the windows on the second floor, where the bedrooms are located, are tinted for added privacy. Marvin’s selection of window frame colors further defined this home’s contrasting exterior palette. White window frames were used for the ground floor and black for the second floor. MARVIN PRODUCTS USED: Marvin Bi-Fold Door Marvin Sliding Patio Door Marvin Tilt Turn and Hopper Window Marvin Ultimate Awning Window Marvin Ultimate Swinging French Door

Sante Fe Historic

Violante & Rochford Interiors

It has all the features of an award-winning home—a grand estate exquisitely restored to its historic New Mexico Territorial-style beauty, yet with 21st-century amenities and energy efficiency. And, for a Washington, D.C.-based couple who vacationed with their children in Santa Fe for decades, the 6,000-square-foot hilltop home has the added benefit of being the perfect gathering spot for family and friends from both coasts. Wendy McEahern photography LLC

The Bedford House

Lori Dennis Interior Design

Modern Dining Room in an open floor plan, sits between the Living Room, Kitchen and Backyard Patio. The modern electric fireplace wall is finished in distressed grey plaster. Modern Dining Room Furniture in Black and white is paired with a sculptural glass chandelier. Floor to ceiling windows and modern sliding glass doors expand the living space to the outdoors.

Mountain Modern Lake House

Judd Builders

This is an example of a mid-sized modern open plan dining in Other with white walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, beige floor and wood.

Huber Maisch

architektur + raum

Fotograf: Herrmann Rupp
This is an example of a contemporary open plan dining in Other with beige walls, a plaster fireplace surround and a standard fireplace.

Dining Room

Charlie & Co. Design, Ltd

Traditional separate dining room in Minneapolis with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and brown floor.

Gröbenzell B 42

Lebensraum Holz GmbH

Foto: Michael Voit, Nußdorf
Design ideas for a contemporary open plan dining in Munich with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a wood stove, a plaster fireplace surround and wood.

Patching Residence

Dylan Barber Building Design

This is an example of a large beach style open plan dining in Geelong with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and brown floor.

WOHUNG MITTE

Otto von Berlin

Photo of an expansive modern open plan dining in Berlin with green walls, carpet, a wood stove, a plaster fireplace surround, beige floor, recessed and panelled walls.

Neubau eines Einfamilienhauses, Berlin - Pankow

soederarchitect

Mid-sized modern open plan dining in Berlin with white walls, light hardwood floors, a corner fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Station Road, Thames Ditton

GDL London

Expansive modern open plan dining in Surrey with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and brown floor.

Modern Dining Rooms

CHAPLINS

Photo of a large transitional open plan dining in London with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Rustic Elegance

DeLeers Construction, Inc.

Steinberger Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized country open plan dining in Other with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and brown floor.

Pacific NW Modern Dwelling

User

A modern glass fireplace an Ortal Space Creator 120 organically separates this sunken den and dining room. A set of three glazed vases in shades of amber, chartreuse and olive stand on the cream concrete hearth. Wide flagstone steps capped with oak slabs lead the way to the dining room. The base of the espresso stained dining table is accented with zebra wood and rests on an ombre rug in shades of soft green and orange. The table’s centerpiece is a hammered pot filled with greenery. Hanging above the table is a striking modern light fixture with glass globes. The ivory walls and ceiling are punctuated with warm, honey stained alder trim. Orange piping against a tone on tone chocolate fabric covers the dining chairs paying homage to the warm tones of the stained oak floor. The ebony chair legs coordinate with the black of the baby grand piano which stands at the ready for anyone eager to play the room a tune.

Pomona

Unique Homestays

Inspiration for a large scandinavian dining room in Cornwall with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Private Home Bowdon

LWE Interiors

Large modern dining room in Cheshire with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and brown floor.

Bellevue Residence

Viv & Leone

Inspiration for a scandinavian open plan dining in San Diego with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and beige floor.

Mahfouz Dining room

Savvy Interiors

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in San Diego with grey walls, beige floor, a ribbon fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Schöner abgetrennter Essbereich mit Schiebetür

Viebrockhaus

Mit Blick auf das Kaminfeuer lädt der große Esstisch zu geselligen Runden ein.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Other with white walls, a two-sided fireplace, black floor and a plaster fireplace surround.

Kitchen - Home Staging

White Oak Home Staging

Design ideas for a mid-sized scandinavian separate dining room in San Diego with ceramic floors, white walls, a corner fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

All Fireplace Surrounds Dining Room Design Ideas with a Plaster Fireplace Surround

A dining room can be used for casual dining, integrated into an open plan and connected to the living and kitchen areas; or as a formal space reserved solely for entertaining. While it may not be used frequently, it is a great focal point in the home, and requires little furnishings. Here's what you need to consider before you start planning a new dining room...

How will you use your dining room?

First, consider how frequently you will use the space. If you plan on using your dining room on a daily basis, a casual dining set-up with sturdy, long-lasting furniture is best. As for where you position it – well, any unused space in the home can be converted into a casual dining space, whether it be at the end of a kitchen island, or at the bottom of the stairs. A formal dining room, on the other hand, is more suited to a dedicated space, which is more common in heritage homes where space originally wasn’t at a premium. Perhaps you want your dining room to multi-task and accommodate everyday meals, homework sessions and grown-up dinner parties… If that’s the case, furniture is key. Look for versatile dining tables in either Australian or New Zealand hardwood or weathered timber for a more rustic look. These won’t show up sticky fingerprints as much and can be dressed up for guests.

What size and shape should your dining table be?

Your dining table should be able to seat all family members with some room for additional guests – each person should have at least 60 centimetres of space at the table. The right size, however, also depends on how much room you have. A general rule of thumb is to leave no less than 1 metre from the dining table to the wall or any additional furniture, so people have enough room to comfortably move around the space. Rectangular dining tables are versatile and can work in a variety of settings, while oval dining tables are more traditional and can turn any meal into an occasion. If you have a tight space to work in, a round dining table is best, and also a great option if you want to encourage conversation. A square dining table can be a dramatic addition to a dining room, but only if you have the space. It allows everyone at the table to see each other, but the bigger the table, the harder it will be able to hold a conversation with someone at the other end.

What type of dining chairs should you choose?

Once you’ve decided on a dining table, look for dining chairs that share a common design element. If your dining table legs are curved, for example, try to match them with dining chairs that have a similar curve, either in the legs or back. Next, consider the dimensions of the chair. The height of your dining chairs should allow at least 30 centimetres between the top of the seat and the top of the table. And to keep your tush happy, avoid dining chairs narrower than 45 centimetres.

How can you decorate your dining room?

Dining rooms are relatively minimal spaces, but that makes them a great place to splash a little colour through artwork, especially if yours is a formal dining room. If your dining room is lacking warmth, consider painting the walls a deep shade of red or blue, or go contemporary with black or grey. A cosy rug will make the space feel more intimate, while a sideboard or cabinet of curiosities will further personalise the space. Often overlooked, dining room lighting can also drastically alter the mood of a room, creating drama, spurring romance or encouraging conversation. Opt for soft lighting in the dining area with dimmer switches, and choose oversized pendants in large, open spaces or to make the dining area more of a focal point. Finally, add some table settings, such as a lace tablecloth for a whimsy feel, or a more basic table runner for a chic look. If you need some help designing your dining room, consider checking the Houzz directory of interior designers, home stylists, cabinet makers and more!