Tag: dining room design

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Combo Dining and Entry Improvement

In the past decade there has been the development of a new trend, the combined entry and dining room. While not a new concept, it has become incredibly popular in recent years in new construction, especially for people who entertain frequently. This space has a good start, but it could use some help so it feels less sterile. In about an afternoon this entryway and dining room in the historic apartment can be completely transformed. So, let’s design!

There are several things that I like about this space. This space has amazing historic character which you can’t imitate, so just won’t find it in new construction. This space also has a great wood floor, that albeit dark, dresses up the space. The space is also has a great white wall and moulding color which is a great blank canvas to work from. Finally, this space is a “Goldilocks room”, meaning that the space is just the right size, it isn’t so small that it feels overly cluttered  once you put in everything you need, but also it isn’t so large that you have tones of empty space.

The biggest problem in the entryway is the table. That table is not only too tall, but the balance of decor on it is off. The first fix would be to either cut the legs down or just replace the table with one that is a proper size, which is the better option. I love modern, but the ultra modern furniture does not fit in the space and feels out of place. The combination of these two factors makes replacing the better option, but if you are on a serious budget, cutting down the legs and adding some drawer pulls could also solve the problem.

To fix the odd balance of the table, get rid of the current studded lamp and re accessorize the table. On the right, hang a tall mirror, which will bring the eye up to the crown moulding and make the ceiling feel taller. In front of the mirror add a small plate or bowl to corral keys, a wallet, or other odds and ends. On the left side of the table would be the perfect place to put a small plug in hanging pendent lamp which will provide light for the table and help balance the space better. Then under the lamp place a potted plant which will add an organic feel. Finally, under the table add two large baskets in an organic material like jute or wicker which will provide a place to store shoes and add another organic element. Together these elements de-sterilize the space and help it feel more homey.

The dining space is frankly a poor use of space and it makes the room feel like some kind of office waiting room. While a drop leaf table would be great for the space, the current one is an odd square oval thing. Instead add a circle table to the center of the room that is a lighter wood tone and place the chairs in an X formation around the table so this backs face the corners. There is also no reason why the chairs should not be under the table. Then under the table add a large square rug to define the space as a dining area.

With the table pulled away from the wall, that creates the perfect place to create a focal gallery wall. On that wall hang pictures or other mementos that will give the space more character and better fill the wall, the current mirror just doesn’t do it. Then, add some plug in spotlights that will wash the wall with light. Finally over the dining table, hang a plug in chandelier that will provide light at the table. As a bonus tip adding an adjustable light system like Phillips Hue or Lutron Casita will allow the lighting in the room to be adjusted based upon the mood you want.

In about an afternoon, this space is completely transformed from what feels like a sterile office waiting room to a homey well used space. Using simple non permanent changes the space is now usable and beautiful.

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Tune Up Time: Kitchen/Dining Makeover

The kitchen in most homes is the most important room. Not only does the room have to be functional, but it also needs to look good. While this typical rental kitchen has some elements I do like, for example the dark wood cabinets, there are several elements that I do not like that need to be either dressed up or changed.


Most rentals do not have nice wooden cabinets, this rental however has fairly nice looking dark wood cabinets that should stay. Wood cabinets don’t work in all spaces, but in this space add a much needed organic element, especially when contrasted with the brushed nickel hardware. They are also a simple enough shaker style that they can go with most styles which makes them versatile in their current form. My verdict is to leave them alone.

The first change this spaces needs is a fresh coat of paint that is not institutional off white. These walls are a beige-y warm off white. A neutral high contrast white will look much better for the space by not only brightening it up, but the paint color will also provide a better contrast with the cabinets. In the actual kitchen part, a semi-gloss paint will also hide the recessed lights in the ceiling and switch plates better while providing an easier to clean finish. In the rest of the room (and apartment) either a satin or eggshell finish would be better since they will brighten the space but not overpower; as well, glossy paints are only necessary in areas where durability and the ability to regularly clean are desired, otherwise a less expensive satin or eggshell is fine.


A pro tip for good design, is to paint the switch plates and registers when a room is painted. In the first picture every outlet, light switch, and heating register is clearly visible, even in the background of the image. This effect is not desired. While these objects are required to have a functioning house, by painting over they will blend into the wall and become unnoticeable unless the viewer is up close. It is worth it in a rental to just spend the money to replace the switch plates when you move out if simply painting over them white doesn’t return them to a desired color (and usually painting them white will suffice). This tip is the difference between good design and great design.


The next part of the room that stands out is the institutional metal double doors and electrical panel. Behind the double doors is the washer and dryer so they can’t just be covered with shelves or artwork that isn’t easy to move; instead, hang either a large tapestry or several curtain panels to cover the ugly elements and act as a feature wall. By using something that can easily be moved out of the way the washer and dryer can still be used on a regular basis and the electrical panel is easily accessible in the event that a breaker is tripped, but you won’t have to look at any of the design faux pas. IKEA has relatively inexpensive options for wire or track options for hanging the panels or tapestry. Conversely, you could also DIY a wire using off the shelf parts from a home center if you desire full control over the solution.


In front of the long half wall, a sofa table or some other type of long thin tall table would work well in the space and not overpower the room. Something like a Parsons Table or a table with hairpin or taper legs will add visual interest to the space. Then on top of the table, style with circular elements like using pillar candles on a circular serving platter or plate and using a circular bowl as a drop zone to counteract all the harsh angles of the half wall. Then add a plant to the table in a circular pot to not only add an organic feel to the space (which will help the place feel homier and less institutional), but also add another circular element. Just remember to style it in threes or a similar magic “design number.”


On the large swath of wall next to the opening would be a great place to hang a mirror. The mirror should be large and extend almost all the way from the top of the table to the ceiling. This mirror will do two things then: first it will make the space feel bigger by not only reflecting part of the room and light, but it will also draw the eye up by extending so far up on the wall; secondly the mirror will minimize the visual impact of the soffit by drawing the eye toward a different element of the design, i.e. the mirror.


Above the table, would be a good place to hang a plug in pendent light which would add nice general lighting to the space and help further define the area around the table. The addition of this light will also get us to the magic design number of three which is a good balance for design work. To increase the design level further, hide the cord for the light behind mirror and table and use a wireless switch like Phillips Hue or Lutron Caséta to turn the light on an off. This design choice will make the pendent seem like it is permanently installed without requiring an electrician to be called.


While on the topic of lighting, the institutional fluorescent light fixture in the kitchen needs to have a diffuser either built or bought to cover it. It looks like it belongs in a utilitarian office, and will stand out in a bad way no matter how well the rest of the space is designed.


In front of the short half wall would be a good place to add a small kitchen cart which could act as storage for dining essentials or as a bar. This element will help define the small transitional area as a dining room and better utilize the space. It will also create functional decor, which is taking something that is used or consumed and treating it like a decoration. Place the alcohol on a circular mirrored serving platter to further counteract the harsh angles of the half wall, or use a circular cart, but those can be expensive and hard to find. On the lower shelf of the cart, would be a good place to house overflow storage in decorative storage boxes to further counteract the harsh angles.

To completely define the space as a dining area, a large rectangular rug that will completely cover the odd transition between ugly office carpet and ugly vinyl tile would be necessary to fully define the space and remove the odd breakup of the room. Then on top of that rug, place a circular rug in something like grey or jute to define the area where the table will go and create open defined traffic flow patterns for the space. These rugs fully defines the area as a dining room.


On top of the circular rug, should then be a circular table. A table with a design language similar to the Saarinen Table would be perfect space the space, especially if it is accompanied with similar chairs in either colored or clear acrylic. While Knoll (the company that makes the real Saarinen) charges thousands of dollars for even a smaller version of the table, IKEA sells a 41” table that looks almost the same for under $200. If you want the marble top that some versions of the Saarinen Table have, a roll of marble contact paper can achieve the desired look on a budget and no one will be the wiser, well unless they have to move it.


Finally above the table would be a perfect place to use one of the recessed light to pendent kits to provide better dining task lighting. While this is not pictured, it will put the final touch on the space and make the dining room brighter and create a better dining experience, especially if the fixture is paired with something like Phillips Hue or Lutron Caséta which allows an infinite number of options for controlling the lights to create the perfect ambiance.


This space is now more cohesive and better designed than when I started with it, and some of the more questionable elements have been either changed or hidden which increases the design level of the space dramatically. At the end of the day, the space is homier and more comfortable to spend time in.