A design connoisseur’s sprawling residence captivates with a double height, majestic light filled living space perfected with exclusive bespoke pieces by both mid-century and contemporary design masters. Photography by Bjorn Wallander.

Traditional Mountain Roost

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There’s no statelier way to dine than around the table of this gracious South Carolina mountain home. Far from rustic, the room’s warm and airy grandeur provides an elegant space for both casual meals and elegant soirees. Displayed above the grand cast stone fireplace is a floral still life painting in a watery palette of seafoam and aqua. Celadon vases are filled with dried branches and buds, adding softness and height. Ivory plaster walls keep the space light, while dark gray molding, exposed beams and walnut-stained floors add depth. The windows are painted Sherwin Williams Black Fox. Draperies of white sateen, embellished with champagne embroidery, fall to the floor from metal hardware. Suspended from the plaster ceiling is an iron chandelier, adding its own light to the natural rays flooding across the floor. An espresso-stained trestle table stands on an Oushak rug in shades of almond, ecru and wheat, grounding this traditional dining room. Surrounding the table are large side chairs with carved legs covered in vanilla leather and trimmed with bronze nails. A taupe monogram on the back of each chair adds a personal touch reflecting the owners’ Southern roots. Wing-backed host chairs dressed in a grey and cream mini stripe bookend the table. The table is set with vanilla linen napkins, silver napkin rings and gold placemats. An arrangement of local hydrangeas fills a biscuit-glazed pot, finishes the lush tablescape.

French Country Style Residences

Taylor Lombardo Architects

Photos by Frank Deras
Large traditional separate dining room in San Francisco with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Hammersmith

Bergamot Interiors

Nick Smith Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in London with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a wood stove, a stone fireplace surround and beige floor.

Tapawingo Lake Camp

Pearson Design Group

Country dining room in Other with brown walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Anvers / Belgique

Atelier Werner Fraters Décoration

Credit photo : Claude Smekens
Design ideas for a mediterranean separate dining room in Marseille with a standard fireplace, grey floor, orange walls and a stone fireplace surround.

Asheville Ranch Style Custom Homes

Towery Builders, Inc.

Large country open plan dining in Other with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

elder

Inspiration for a large traditional dining room in Melbourne with green walls, carpet, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Dining room wallpaper ideas

Wallpaperdirect UK

A striking horizontal stripe effect wallpaper design, created from naturalistic lines of trees, with a hand painted style.
Inspiration for a scandinavian dining room in Sussex with green walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Culture Mix

La Redoute Intérieurs

Midcentury dining room in Lille with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Norwegian Cabin

Swalling Walk Architects, LLC

Swalling Walk Architects
Small scandinavian open plan dining in Seattle with white walls, porcelain floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Transitional Farmhouse

Vanguard Studio Inc.

Fine Focus Photography
Inspiration for a large country kitchen/dining combo in Austin with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

All Grown Up, Basement Makeover

KM Interiors

Design ideas for a large country dining room in Other with blue walls, carpet, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Mine style ski-in ski-out home

Lynne Barton Bier - Home on the Range Interiors

Photography: David Patterson Architect: Joe Patrick Robbins, AIA Builder: Cogswell Construction, Inc. homeontherangeinteriors.com
Country dining room in Denver with a two-sided fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Dining room with new fireplace

Lisa Robazza Design

This used to be the living room! The renovation plan dictated that this would be a better dining room. A new gas fireplace with storage was added. The front window was replaced with french doors which open onto the front porch. An expandable dining table allows for both small and large gatherings. Photos: Dave Remple

Frontier Modernism - Private Residence #1

Bridgwater Consulting Group

Photography - Phillip Erickson
Photo of a contemporary open plan dining in Salt Lake City with medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Style and Substance, Barnes

Studio Hopwood

This is an example of a contemporary dining room in London with brown walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Contemporary Cottage

A. Perry Homes

Open floor plan great room space with kitchen, living room, and dining room
This is an example of an expansive country open plan dining in Chicago with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Carmel Beach House

Eric Miller Architects, Inc.

Photo by: Russell Abraham
Design ideas for a mid-sized beach style open plan dining in San Francisco with medium hardwood floors, white walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Bainbridge

NGD Interiors, Inc.

A family breakfast nook receives a powerful punch of color & style.
Inspiration for a small midcentury kitchen/dining combo in Philadelphia with dark hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and green walls.

Dining Room Design Ideas with a Wood Fireplace Surround and 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!