How to help a young couple who loved the location and bones of a traditional home, but wanted a decisive shift in its decor and vibe to modern luxe? Begin by pulling down the 2-story walls of oak paneling, heavy fireplace mantle, and scraping out the dimly lit kitchen. Opening the kitchen into the family room and reworking the architecture of the space was the solution to creating the fresh feeling we were after. Photos by John Bessler

Lisa Wolfe
This is an example of a small traditional separate dining room in Chicago with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Ranch style home that was reinvented to create an open floor plan to encompass the kitchen, family room and breakfast room. Original family room was transformed into chic new dining room. Photography by Eric Rorer

Anita Lang - IMI Design - Scottsdale, AZ
Inspiration for a large country dining room in Sacramento with beige walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional dining room in San Francisco with white walls and medium hardwood floors.

This is an example of a traditional dining room in Other.

Peter Murdock
Photo of a small contemporary kitchen/dining combo in New York with white walls, carpet and no fireplace.

Photography by Michael J. Lee
Transitional dining room in Boston with blue walls and dark hardwood floors.

A dining room with impact! This is the first room one sees when entering this home, so impact was important. Blue flamestitch wallcovering above a 7 feet high wainscoting blends with leather side chairs and blue velvet captain's chairs. The custom dining table is walnut with a brass base. Anchoring the area is a modern patterned gray area rug and a brass and glass sputnik light fixture crowns the tray ceiling. Photo: Stephen Allen

Mid-sized transitional separate dining room in Los Angeles with white walls, dark hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Halkin Mason Architectural Photography, LLC
Design ideas for a modern open plan dining in Philadelphia with white walls and dark hardwood floors.

Inspiration for a large contemporary open plan dining in Los Angeles with white walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and no fireplace.

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in New York with grey walls and light hardwood floors.

New residential construction 2012
Design ideas for a mediterranean separate dining room in Dallas with white walls and travertine floors.

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional dining room in Salt Lake City with yellow walls and dark hardwood floors.

Photo of a large traditional kitchen/dining combo in London with white walls.

Photo by Ansel Olson.
Photo of a modern dining room in Richmond with white walls and medium hardwood floors.

http://www.christopherstarkphoto.com/
This is an example of a contemporary dining room in San Francisco with grey walls and dark hardwood floors.

Photography by John Bessler Top priority for this young couple, having recently leap-frogged from cozy salt box to rambling tudor estate, was the creation of a nursery for their first child (arrival eminent!). Next up? Imbuing the grand scale with intimate charm, in a family-oriented common space to accommodate baby plus their three dogs! Blending his love for all things rustic, and hers for a “glam-sophisticate” splash or two, the result is a beautiful and practical space fit for the whole tribe.