Atherton has many large substantial homes - our clients purchased an existing home on a one acre flag-shaped lot and asked us to design a new dream home for them. The result is a new 7,000 square foot four-building complex consisting of the main house, six-car garage with two car lifts, pool house with a full one bedroom residence inside, and a separate home office /work out gym studio building. A fifty-foot swimming pool was also created with fully landscaped yards. Given the rectangular shape of the lot, it was decided to angle the house to incoming visitors slightly so as to more dramatically present itself. The house became a classic u-shaped home but Feng Shui design principals were employed directing the placement of the pool house to better contain the energy flow on the site. The main house entry door is then aligned with a special Japanese red maple at the end of a long visual axis at the rear of the site. These angles and alignments set up everything else about the house design and layout, and views from various rooms allow you to see into virtually every space tracking movements of others in the home. The residence is simply divided into two wings of public use, kitchen and family room, and the other wing of bedrooms, connected by the living and dining great room. Function drove the exterior form of windows and solid walls with a line of clerestory windows which bring light into the middle of the large home. Extensive sun shadow studies with 3D tree modeling led to the unorthodox placement of the pool to the north of the home, but tree shadow tracking showed this to be the sunniest area during the entire year. Sustainable measures included a full 7.1kW solar photovoltaic array technically making the house off the grid, and arranged so that no panels are visible from the property. A large 16,000 gallon rainwater catchment system consisting of tanks buried below grade was installed. The home is California GreenPoint rated and also features sealed roof soffits and a sealed crawlspace without the usual venting. A whole house computer automation system with server room was installed as well. Heating and cooling utilize hot water radiant heated concrete and wood floors supplemented by heat pump generated heating and cooling. A compound of buildings created to form balanced relationships between each other, this home is about circulation, light and a balance of form and function. Photo by John Sutton Photography.

My Houzz: A Deconstructed Saltbox in the Hamptons

Rikki Snyder

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2014 Houzz
Eclectic open plan dining in New York with white walls, light hardwood floors, a corner fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

North Lake Lodge

Riemco Design + Build

Design ideas for a mid-sized country open plan dining in Detroit with white walls, light hardwood floors, a corner fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Un loft baigné de lumière – Projet Saint-Pierre

Mon Concept Habitation

Direction Bordeaux pour découvrir un projet d’exception particulièrement atypique : un loft de 120m2 aux volumes incroyables, situé à proximité de la place du Palais, partiellement rénové par notre équipe bordelaise. Que dire de ses volumes, de sa hauteur sous plafond et de son incroyable luminosité apportée par son toit en verre, ses grandes fenêtres et sa verrière ? L’appartement baigne dans un puit de lumière.

Wohn-Esszimmer mit Sitzfenster

Heerwagen Design Consulting

Wohn-Esszimmer mit Sitzfenster
Inspiration for a large contemporary open plan dining in Munich with white walls, plywood floors, a corner fireplace and beige floor.

Mid Century Modern Remodel

Chuckanut Builders

The dining room and kitchen flow seamlessly in this mid-century home. The white walls and countertops create visual space while the beautiful white oak cabinets provide abundant storage. Both the exposed wood ceiling and oak floors were existing, we refinished them and color matched new trim as needed.

Crisp Architects

Renovated kitchen in old home with low ceilings. Dining room. Photography: Rob Karosis
Inspiration for a country dining room in New York with white walls, a corner fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Spanish Casita by the Sea | Baja California

Leanne Michael L U X E lifestyle design

This casita was completely renovated from floor to ceiling in preparation of Airbnb short term romantic getaways. The color palette of teal green, blue and white was brought to life with curated antiques that were stripped of their dark stain colors, collected fine linens, fine plaster wall finishes, authentic Turkish rugs, antique and custom light fixtures, original oil paintings and moorish chevron tile and Moroccan pattern choices.

Tehama Grasshopper

Fougeron Architecture FAIA

This is an example of a mid-sized industrial kitchen/dining combo in San Francisco with white walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, a corner fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

#AJMBThePenthouse: Westfield, NJ Remodel

Anthony James Master Builders, LLC

In collaboration with CD Interiors, we came in and completely gutted this Penthouse apartment in the heart of Downtown Westfield, NJ.
Design ideas for a small modern dining room in New York with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a corner fireplace and brown floor.

Union Pier Lakehouse

Devon Grace Interiors

Inspiration for a large contemporary open plan dining in Chicago with white walls, light hardwood floors, a plaster fireplace surround, a corner fireplace and beige floor.

CW apartment

BURNAZZI FELTRIN ARCHITETTI

Carlo Baroni
Design ideas for a contemporary open plan dining in Other with white walls and a corner fireplace.

Sycamore Canyon Interiors & Exteriors

Margie Grace - Grace Design Associates

Galley Kitchen and Dining room with a Corner Fire Place and a Nano Door to give that great Indoor/Outdoor living space that we absolutely love here in Santa Barbara

Kendrick's Cabin Remodel

Centre Sky Architecture Ltd

Kendrick's Cabin is a full interior remodel, turning a traditional mountain cabin into a modern, open living space. The walls and ceiling were white washed to give a nice and bright aesthetic. White the original wood beams were kept dark to contrast the white. New, larger windows provide more natural light while making the space feel larger. Steel and metal elements are incorporated throughout the cabin to balance the rustic structure of the cabin with a modern and industrial element.

Luttrell Street #1

Open Door Architecture

Denise Retallack Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a corner fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

1925 Assisi Residence

Period Architecture Ltd.

Angle Eye Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Philadelphia with dark hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and white walls.

West Vancouver- Fireplace Dining, Eames Eiffel Tower Chair, Gas Fireplace, White

KT Interiors

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Vancouver with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and brown floor.

Innes Residence

Ibarra Rosano Design Architects

Photographer: Bill Timmerman Builder: Jillian Builders
Modern open plan dining in Edmonton with white walls, concrete floors, a corner fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and grey floor.

California High Modern - Feat. Villa Gialla Catania Flooring

Garrison Collection

Inspiration for a large modern open plan dining in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors and a corner fireplace.

Monica and Ray

AHG Interiors

Nick Glimenakis
Photo of a mid-sized transitional open plan dining in New York with white walls, light hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and beige floor.

Dining Room Design Ideas with White Walls and a Corner Fireplace

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!