Tuxedo Park Custom Home Buckhead Atlanta

Design ideas for a country dining room in Atlanta with dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Beach Style Dining Room

Design ideas for a mid-sized beach style open plan dining in Other with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Contemporary Ranch with Golf Course Views

Raugstad Inc.

As a builder of custom homes primarily on the Northshore of Chicago, Raugstad has been building custom homes, and homes on speculation for three generations. Our commitment is always to the client. From commencement of the project all the way through to completion and the finishing touches, we are right there with you – one hundred percent. As your go-to Northshore Chicago custom home builder, we are proud to put our name on every completed Raugstad home.

Wallpaper *NEW COLLECTION*

Padexpo Stone & Covering - Miami, Florida

This is an example of a contemporary open plan dining in Miami with black walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Martha's Vineyard, Oak Bluffs

Vani Sayeed Studios

Interior Design by Vani Sayeed Studios Photo Credits:- Jared Kuzia Photography
Beach style open plan dining in Boston with medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Spanish Revival Contemporary

South Coast Architects, Inc.

Inspiration for a mediterranean dining room in Orange County with a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and beige floor.

Westchester Renovation

Significant Homes LLC

From grand estates, to exquisite country homes, to whole house renovations, the quality and attention to detail of a "Significant Homes" custom home is immediately apparent. Full time on-site supervision, a dedicated office staff and hand picked professional craftsmen are the team that take you from groundbreaking to occupancy. Every "Significant Homes" project represents 45 years of luxury homebuilding experience, and a commitment to quality widely recognized by architects, the press and, most of all....thoroughly satisfied homeowners. Our projects have been published in Architectural Digest 6 times along with many other publications and books. Though the lion share of our work has been in Fairfield and Westchester counties, we have built homes in Palm Beach, Aspen, Maine, Nantucket and Long Island.

Villa di Pietra

Buckingham Resources LTD

Large mediterranean separate dining room in Portland with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

East Sussex Renovation

Tillman Domotics

Jake Fitzjones
This is an example of a contemporary dining room in London with a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and beige walls.

Avenel Aglow

Anthony Wilder Design/Build, Inc.

Photography by Morgan Howarth
Expansive traditional separate dining room in DC Metro with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Lake O'Brien 4

Lands End Development - Designers & Builders

Design ideas for a large country separate dining room in Minneapolis with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Biltmore Forest Lower Level

ACM Design

Design ideas for an expansive transitional kitchen/dining combo in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Dining Room

Siobhan Loates Interiors

Formal dining room
Large contemporary dining room in London with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Stairway 2 Haven

Ha2 Architecture & Design Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Ottawa with white walls, light hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Mill Valley Kitchen and Master Bedroom Renovation + More

Rasmussen Construction

David Duncan Livingston
Photo of a mid-sized country open plan dining in San Francisco with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Hilltop Residence Mill Valley, CA

Geoffrey Butler Architecture & Planning

Photographs By Eric Rorer
Design ideas for an eclectic dining room in San Francisco with white walls and a stone fireplace surround.

Elk Ridge Lodge

Centre Sky Architecture Ltd

Like us on facebook at www.facebook.com/centresky Designed as a prominent display of Architecture, Elk Ridge Lodge stands firmly upon a ridge high atop the Spanish Peaks Club in Big Sky, Montana. Designed around a number of principles; sense of presence, quality of detail, and durability, the monumental home serves as a Montana Legacy home for the family. Throughout the design process, the height of the home to its relationship on the ridge it sits, was recognized the as one of the design challenges. Techniques such as terracing roof lines, stretching horizontal stone patios out and strategically placed landscaping; all were used to help tuck the mass into its setting. Earthy colored and rustic exterior materials were chosen to offer a western lodge like architectural aesthetic. Dry stack parkitecture stone bases that gradually decrease in scale as they rise up portray a firm foundation for the home to sit on. Historic wood planking with sanded chink joints, horizontal siding with exposed vertical studs on the exterior, and metal accents comprise the remainder of the structures skin. Wood timbers, outriggers and cedar logs work together to create diversity and focal points throughout the exterior elevations. Windows and doors were discussed in depth about type, species and texture and ultimately all wood, wire brushed cedar windows were the final selection to enhance the "elegant ranch" feel. A number of exterior decks and patios increase the connectivity of the interior to the exterior and take full advantage of the views that virtually surround this home. Upon entering the home you are encased by massive stone piers and angled cedar columns on either side that support an overhead rail bridge spanning the width of the great room, all framing the spectacular view to the Spanish Peaks Mountain Range in the distance. The layout of the home is an open concept with the Kitchen, Great Room, Den, and key circulation paths, as well as certain elements of the upper level open to the spaces below. The kitchen was designed to serve as an extension of the great room, constantly connecting users of both spaces, while the Dining room is still adjacent, it was preferred as a more dedicated space for more formal family meals. There are numerous detailed elements throughout the interior of the home such as the "rail" bridge ornamented with heavy peened black steel, wire brushed wood to match the windows and doors, and cannon ball newel post caps. Crossing the bridge offers a unique perspective of the Great Room with the massive cedar log columns, the truss work overhead bound by steel straps, and the large windows facing towards the Spanish Peaks. As you experience the spaces you will recognize massive timbers crowning the ceilings with wood planking or plaster between, Roman groin vaults, massive stones and fireboxes creating distinct center pieces for certain rooms, and clerestory windows that aid with natural lighting and create exciting movement throughout the space with light and shadow.

Traditional Dining Room

Traditional dining room in DC Metro with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Lincoln Net Zero House

A3 Architects, Inc.

View from Dining room to pasture beyond at the Lincoln Net Zero House, photography by Dan Cutrona
Large modern kitchen/dining combo in Boston with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and beige floor.

Taylor Lombardo Architects

Inspiration for a contemporary open plan dining in San Francisco with beige walls, limestone floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Dining Room Design Ideas with a Stone 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!