Brunswick Parlour transforms a Victorian cottage into a hard-working, personalised home for a family of four. Our clients loved the character of their Brunswick terrace home, but not its inefficient floor plan and poor year-round thermal control. They didn't need more space, they just needed their space to work harder. The front bedrooms remain largely untouched, retaining their Victorian features and only introducing new cabinetry. Meanwhile, the main bedroom’s previously pokey en suite and wardrobe have been expanded, adorned with custom cabinetry and illuminated via a generous skylight. At the rear of the house, we reimagined the floor plan to establish shared spaces suited to the family’s lifestyle. Flanked by the dining and living rooms, the kitchen has been reoriented into a more efficient layout and features custom cabinetry that uses every available inch. In the dining room, the Swiss Army Knife of utility cabinets unfolds to reveal a laundry, more custom cabinetry, and a craft station with a retractable desk. Beautiful materiality throughout infuses the home with warmth and personality, featuring Blackbutt timber flooring and cabinetry, and selective pops of green and pink tones. The house now works hard in a thermal sense too. Insulation and glazing were updated to best practice standard, and we’ve introduced several temperature control tools. Hydronic heating installed throughout the house is complemented by an evaporative cooling system and operable skylight. The result is a lush, tactile home that increases the effectiveness of every existing inch to enhance daily life for our clients, proving that good design doesn’t need to add space to add value.

Dining Room | Project Coolum

desculpto

Gatherings filled with family, cherished memories, and heartwarming laughter, all set against the backdrop of a meticulously crafted, serene yet carefully curated dining space.

Carlton North Art House

Camilla Molders Design

A residential interior design project by Camilla Molders Design.
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Melbourne with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

HAMPTONS IN HENLEY BEACH

Claridge Construction

Photo of a contemporary open plan dining in Adelaide with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Timber-Lantern House

Mcmahon and Nerlich

View to double-height dining room
Inspiration for a large contemporary open plan dining in Melbourne with white walls, concrete floors, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround, grey floor, exposed beam and panelled walls.

Weerona House

Demardi.

Photo of a modern open plan dining in Melbourne with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and exposed beam.

Kips Residence

Hosking Interior Design

Design ideas for a contemporary open plan dining in Adelaide with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and vaulted.

Cremorne Residence

Jodie Carter Design

Dining room featuring built in cabinetry and seating with storage. Great little reading nook. VJ panelling in Dulux Kimberley Tree
Inspiration for a mid-sized beach style open plan dining in Sydney with white walls, light hardwood floors and panelled walls.

Pavilion House

Sheri Haby Architects

Mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Melbourne with medium hardwood floors, white walls and brown floor.

Templestowe

LBB Projects

Contemporary open plan dining in Melbourne with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and exposed beam.

22 northandsouth

3D Environment

With views out to sea, ocean breezes, and an east-facing aspect, our challenge was to create 2 light-filled homes which will be comfortable through the year. The form of the design has been carefully considered to compliment the surroundings in shape, scale and form, with an understated contemporary appearance. Skillion roofs and raked ceilings, along with large expanses of northern glass and light-well stairs draw light into each unit and encourage cross ventilation. Each home embraces the views from upper floor living areas and decks, with feature green roof gardens adding colour and texture to the street frontage as well as providing privacy and shade. Family living areas open onto lush and shaded garden courtyards at ground level for easy-care family beach living. Materials selection for longevity and beauty include weatherboard, corten steel and hardwood, creating a timeless 'beach-vibe'.

Ormond New Contemporary Residence

Sketch Building Design

Photographer: Natalie Jeffcott
Design ideas for a contemporary open plan dining in Melbourne with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Beverly Hills Modern

Lori Dennis, ASID, LEED AP

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.

Dining Room

SINGLEPOINT DESIGN BUILD INC.

Dining room and main hallway. Modern fireplace wall has herringbone tile pattern and custom wood shelving. The main hall has custom wood trusses that bring the feel of the 16' tall ceilings down to earth. The steel dining table is 4' x 10' and was built specially for the space.

South Harbor Drive

BMA Architects

Trevor Trondro
Design ideas for a midcentury open plan dining in New York with white walls, no fireplace and grey floor.

Manon et Vincent

Charlotte Fequet

Thomas Leclerc
Mid-sized scandinavian open plan dining in Paris with white walls, brown floor, light hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Fresh Compact Kitchen

Ebstone

Mark Chivers markchivers.co.uk
Inspiration for a small contemporary open plan dining in London with beige floor, white walls, light hardwood floors and no fireplace.

2017 Grand ARDA - Custom Home Design - Phil Kean Design Group

AIBD - American Institute of Building Design

This Palm Springs inspired, one story, 8,245 sq. ft. modernist “party pad” merges golf and Rat Pack glamour. The net-zero home provides resort-style living and overlooks fairways and water views. The front elevation of this mid-century, sprawling ranch showcases a patterned screen that provides transparency and privacy. The design element of the screen reappears throughout the home in a manner similar to Frank Lloyd Wright’s use of design patterns throughout his homes. The home boasts a HERS index of zero. A 17.1 kW Photovoltaic and Tesla Powerwall system provides approximately 100% of the electrical energy needs. A Grand ARDA for Custom Home Design goes to Phil Kean Design Group Designer: Phil Kean Design Group From: Winter Park, Florida

Large walnut dining table with three wishbone legs

Bjorling & Grant

Design ideas for a contemporary open plan dining in Minneapolis with white walls, light hardwood floors and brown floor.

Summer House In Blue Custom Home - Dining Space

GMT Home Designs Inc.

Photo credits: Design Imaging Studios.
Design ideas for a large beach style open plan dining in Boston with white walls, medium hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Open Plan Dining Design Ideas with White 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!