The Solara gas fireplace offers great versatility and is equally compatible with classic or contemporary interior design. Available with your choice of realistic ceramic logs or contemporary rock set.

Traditional Kitchen Phoenix

Caine & Company

This remodel was for a family that purchased a new home and just moved from Denver. They wanted a traditional design with a few hints of contemporary and an open feel concept with the adjoining rooms. We removed the walls surrounding the kitchen to achieve the openness of the space but needed to keep the support so we installed an exposed wooden beam. This brought in a traditional feature as well as using a reclaimed piece of wood for the brick fireplace mantel. The kitchen cabinets are the classic, white style with mesh upper cabinet insets. To further bring in the traditional look, we have a white farmhouse sink, installed white, subway tile, butcherblock countertop for the island and glass island electrical fixtures but offset it with stainless steel appliances and a quartz countertop. In the adjoining bonus room, we framed the entryway and windows with a square, white trim, which adds to the contemporary aspect. And for a fun touch, the clients wanted a little bar area and a kegerator installed. We kept the more contemporary theme with the stainless steel color and a white quartz countertop. The clients were delighted with how the kitchen turned out and how spacious the area felt in addition to the seamless mix of styles. Photos by Rick Young

The Perfect Game Room: Robeson Design

Robeson Design

This is the perfect game room for a family, the concrete stamped stone fireplace offers personalized details and adds visual interest to this warm space.

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.

Southeastern Designers Showhouse

Struttura

High Gloss Fine Paints of Europe Lacquered walls and ceiling, application by Struttura. 2016 Southeastern Designers Showhouse. Dining Room interior design by Suzanne Kasler Interiors, Atlanta GA.

The Thorndale at Home Towne Square

Landmark Homes

This 2-story Arts & Crafts style home first-floor owner’s suite includes a welcoming front porch and a 2-car rear entry garage. Lofty 10’ ceilings grace the first floor where hardwood flooring flows from the foyer to the great room, hearth room, and kitchen. The great room and hearth room share a see-through gas fireplace with floor-to-ceiling stone surround and built-in bookshelf in the hearth room and in the great room, stone surround to the mantel with stylish shiplap above. The open kitchen features attractive cabinetry with crown molding, Hanstone countertops with tile backsplash, and stainless steel appliances. An elegant tray ceiling adorns the spacious owner’s bedroom. The owner’s bathroom features a tray ceiling, double bowl vanity, tile shower, an expansive closet, and two linen closets. The 2nd floor boasts 2 additional bedrooms, a full bathroom, and a loft.

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

Notting Hill Flat

Sigmar

The dining room generously opens up to the living room allowing a flow between the rooms. The colours in the two rooms correlate to create a link through the flat. The walls are painted in Sure Grey from the Damo collection, available at Sigmar. The woodwork is Cocoa, also from Damo.

Montclair Hills, CA

Alma Home Studio

Photo of a mid-sized modern kitchen/dining combo in San Francisco with grey walls, slate floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Neighborhood Charm

Anchor Builders

This remodel went from a tiny story-and-a-half Cape Cod, to a charming full two-story home. The open floor plan allows for views from the dining room through the kitchen to the living room. Space Plans, Building Design, Interior & Exterior Finishes by Anchor Builders. Photography by Alyssa Lee Photography.

Trabuco Canyon Dining Room

Inspire Interiors

This is an example of a small traditional open plan dining in Orange County with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Upper Phillimore II

Studio Indigo

Andrew Beasley
Mid-sized transitional separate dining room in London with grey walls, light hardwood floors and brown floor.

Corona Del Mar

McRae Lambert Dunn

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Orange County with grey walls, grey floor, concrete floors and a ribbon fireplace.

Union Hill / Church Hill

Piperbear Designs

Located in Church Hill, Richmond’s oldest neighborhood, this very early 1900s Victorian had tons of historical details, but the house itself had been neglected (badly!). The home had two major renovation periods – one in 1950’s, and then again in the 1980s’s, which covered over or disrupted the original aesthetics of the house (think open ductwork, framing and drywall obscuring the beautiful mantels and moldings, and the hot water heater taking up valuable kitchen space). Our Piperbear team had to “undo” much before we could tackle the restoration of the historical features, while at the same time modernizing the layout.

112 Windwood Circle - Dining Room

Pinnacle Mountain Homes

Pinnacle Mountain Homes
This is an example of a country dining room in Denver with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Umatilla

Realarchitecture Ltd

Mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Denver with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and brown floor.

The Cape West

WA Country Builders

This is an example of a large modern dining room in Perth with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a plaster fireplace surround and a ribbon fireplace.

The Summerlyn - Spring 2014 Parade of Homes Model (Chaska, MN)

Robert Thomas Homes

This home is built by Robert Thomas Homes located in Minnesota. Our showcase models are professionally staged. Please contact Ambiance at Home for information on furniture - 952.440.6757

Penthouse staging

Imagine Home Staging and Design

This lovely penthouse with stunning Portland city views was a pleasure to stage. We selected furnishings to reflect the lifestyle of the potential buyer.

Edward Loewenstein (architect) remodel in Greensboro NC

Jessica Dauray Interiors/Elements Of Style

We labeled this spot the sitting room… It’s actually part of the dining room. The previous owners had a pine fireplace mantle We re-designed it with stacked polished travertine and a ribbon style fireplace. The charcoal glass added a lil splarkle instead of the tradidtional “log” option. to gives this pass through space a cozy “clean” look Furniture: We added two iconic Barcelona chairs and a modern lacquered table. The fireplace adds a beautiful decorative accent to the dining room just several feet away

Dining Room Design Ideas with Grey Walls

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!