Updating the Dining Room: Blending Traditional Elements

The dining room is a space where stories are shared, memories are made, and meals are savored. It’s also a room where design can truly shine, balancing functionality with aesthetic appeal. Along with living room and foyer updates, I recently did a refresh of our dining room, blending traditional elements with contemporary touches to create a space that feels timeless yet new.

Beneath the dining table, I laid down a new rug that exudes vintage charm. Its intricate pattern and muted tones complement the room’s existing features while adding a layer of warmth and texture. This rug ties the space together, providing a foundation that feels both grounded and sophisticated.

To update the seating, I chose upholstered dining chairs in a rich, dark green. The color adds depth and a touch of nature-inspired elegance to the room. These chairs are as comfortable as they are stylish, encouraging long conversations and leisurely dinners.

The centerpiece of the update is a new light fixture. Its traditional lines bring a sense of elegance, while its clean design ensures it doesn’t feel overly ornate. This fixture not only enhances the room’s ambiance but also serves as a focal point, drawing the eye upward and creating a sense of intimacy during meals.

The beadboard wall behind the built-in shelves provided the perfect backdrop for a refreshed display of accessories. I curated a collection of items that reflect my personal style, from ceramic vases to vintage books and travel photos. This mix of textures and shapes adds visual interest while keeping the overall look cohesive.

Finally, connecting all of these spaces is our staircase. I made a few changes here with updated art and lighting.

With these updates, our dining room has become a space that perfectly balances tradition and modernity. Every element was chosen to enhance the room’s functionality and beauty, creating an environment where meals feel special and moments are cherished. Whether hosting a dinner party or enjoying a quiet family meal, this updated dining room is a space that brings joy and connection.

If you’re thinking about refreshing your dining room, consider starting with a statement piece or a new color palette. Small changes can make a big difference, turning your dining space into a room you’ll love to use.

Updating the Foyer: A Warm Welcome to Home

The foyer is the first impression of a home—a space that sets the tone for the experience within. Along with the changes to my living room, I wanted to give the foyer a little zhoosh.

The board and batten wall treatment still feels right. It divides the wall in a way that allows for another material,color, and texture above. So, the first change was adding grass cloth wallpaper in a shimmery burgundy hue. This material brings depth and warmth to the space while adding a touch of understated beauty. The burgundy color feels both bold and cozy, creating a welcoming ambiance that hopefully draws you in from the moment you step through the door.

At the base of it all, I added a plaid rug with fringe. The pattern brings a touch of classic charm, while the fringe detail adds a layer of texture and interest. This rug ties the entire space together, grounding it in comfort and style.

I included a new chair with a curved back and upholstered seat. It’s both functional and sculptural, offering a cozy spot to sit while putting on shoes or waiting for a ride. The color of the chair repeats the tile floor, light fixture, and dresser offering cohesion within the space.

To complement the new wall treatment, I hung artwork that speaks to our love of nature’s beauty. They create interest that feels both personal and timeless.

A new dresser anchors the mirror and lamp, providing both storage and style. Its turned legs and subtle detailing make it a versatile piece that works perfectly in the foyer. On top, I styled an arrangement that adds height and softness, along with a few curated accessories to complete the look. These small details make the space feel lived-in and polished.

When designing my home, I envisioned the foyer as more than just a formal entryway for guests. Situated adjacent to the mudroom, this space serves as a pass-through that everyone in the household uses daily. By creating a foyer that feels functional and inviting, I ensured it became an integral part of our everyday routines—a place where family members can pause, drop their bags, or simply transition from the outdoors to the heart of the home.

This updated foyer now feels like a space that welcomes and inspires. Every element was chosen with care, from the shimmering wallpaper to the curated accessories, creating a harmonious blend of style, function, and personality. Walking into our home now feels like stepping into a story—one that reflects who we are and what we love.

If you’re considering updates to your own foyer, think about how you want the space to feel. Is it inviting? Does it reflect your style? Small changes can make a big impact, and your foyer deserves to make a lasting impression.

Inviting Change

Our homes are reflections of our lives, and just as we grow and evolve, so too should our spaces. Living in a static environment can sometimes feel uninspiring. By introducing updates, no matter how small, we invite new energy and inspiration into our lives. For me, this journey was about creating a space that aligns with who we are today.

Updated Living Room Layout

Being an interior designer means constantly observing the environment and understanding how people live and use their spaces. It’s about noticing the flow of a room, the emotions it evokes, and the functionality it provides. This awareness allows me to craft designs that not only look beautiful but also enhance the everyday lives of those who inhabit them.

Over the past 6 years, I observed the way my family of three uses this living room space. What I noticed the most is that everyone preferred to sit in a chair. With that, I set out to include more chairs. The layout includes a long sofa centered on the window with an additional pair of chairs.

A great layout for both conversation and TV watching

I introduced a full, textured rug that adds depth and warmth underfoot, paired with a leather tufted sofa for a timeless and sophisticated touch. Swivel chairs bring both versatility and comfort, perfect for engaging conversations or enjoying a quiet moment. A sleek black coffee table anchors the room, offering a bold contrast and tying the design together. The result is a space that feels both inviting and chic, ideal for entertaining or unwinding after a long day.

Touches of greenery breathe life into a room and create a calming vibe

Trying new things doesn’t mean abandoning what you love; it’s about experimenting and seeing what resonates. If something doesn’t work, that’s okay! Design is fluid, and our homes should be too.

Keep what works

Living in a home that brings joy isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating an environment that supports and inspires you every day.

So, whether you’re considering a complete redesign or just looking to make a few changes, I encourage you to take the leap. Your home is your canvas, and you deserve to live in a space that makes you happy. What’s the first update you’ll make to invite new energy and inspiration into your home?

Living Room - Where we Shop

Thank you to all of our readers that have sent in questions wondering…WHERE DO YOU SHOP? This is a series of posts listing many of the purchases broken up by room. We started with the master bedroom and bathroom and now we’re moving on to the living room.

At the bottom of the post are images of some of the items you see in the pictures. Just click on the image to learn more about each product. We hope our design ideas inspire your purchases. Happy Shopping!

Similar products are listed if products are no longer available. See disclaimer for information about affiliate links.

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With no formal and informal living space, we wanted this room to feel inviting and relaxed, but, in a tailored way. All of the upholstered pieces are from Rowe Furniture and feature custom fabrics in neutral colors with subtle textures. The ottoman has a black and white hounds tooth pattern. The side table is from Wayfair and came unfinished so that we could stain it to match the kitchen island. A cute Art Deco style drink table in gold serves its purpose without taking up too much space.

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The paint color we used on the walls throughout the main areas is called First Star. It’s light and bright, but still has some contrast with the white trim. The trim color is called High Reflective White. The barn doors are painted Black Magic. All paint colors are by Sherwin Williams.

The wood flooring throughout the first floor is 3/4” thick solid red oak by Lauzon and it’s provided by H&R Carpets & Flooring. This post has a video that describes the wonderful air filtering benefits to this smart floor. Almost two years later, we couldn’t be happier with this choice!

 

Master Bathroom - Where we Shop

Thank you to all of our readers that have sent in questions wondering…WHERE DO YOU SHOP? This is a series of posts listing many of the purchases broken up by room. We started with the master bedroom and now we’re moving next door to the master bathroom.

At the bottom of the post are images of some of the items you see in the pictures. Just click on the image to learn more about each product. We hope our design ideas inspire your purchases. Happy Shopping!

Similar products are listed if products are no longer available. See disclaimer for information about affiliate links.

The most frequent question I get is, where did you buy your mirrors from? Here’s the link. The round shape softens things up and the black metal frame adds a nice modern touch. The vanity was custom made out of hickory wood and was stained to match the wood floor in our master bedroom. The engineered quartz countertop is a pattern called Torquay by Cambria. The floor tile is porcelain and the wall tile is marble in a hexagon shape. Both tiles were provided by H&R Carpets & Flooring. The light fixtures are another one of my favorites and can be found here. The faucet is beautiful, but it was chosen MOSTLY for functional reasons. We like that is is a single handle and we LOVE that it has touch technology. This makes our routine more efficient and keeps water drips to a minimum on the countertop.

This built-in cabinet has loads of storage for linens, lotions, and potions. The cup pulls on the drawers are a reference to the farmhouse style we enjoy, but have low contrast with the stain on the cabinet for a subtle effect. We ordered the upper cabinet doors without the glass. The cabinet maker prepped them and the glass was antiqued and installed by a local glass company. The knobs on our interior doors can be found here. Also, not pictured is our custom tile shower by H&R Carpets & Flooring. Instead of adding a built-in bench, we chose to include a piece of furniture so that we had flexibility in how it gets used. For now, it’s used as a towel holder on the far end of the shower. The color is almost a perfect match to the tile in the floor.

 

Master Bedroom Retreat - Where we Shop

Thank you to all of our readers that have sent in questions wondering…WHERE DO YOU SHOP? This is the first of a series of posts listing many of the purchases broken up by room. We’re starting with the master bedroom because, you know, we could all use a relaxing retreat these days to calm the nerves and rest.

At the bottom of the post are images of some of the items you see in the pictures. Just click on the image to learn more about each product. We hope our design ideas inspire your purchases. Happy Shopping!

Similar products are listed if products are no longer available. See disclaimer for information about affiliate links.

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We reused our bedside tables from our previous home. They were given new life with a coat of paint on the bottom and stained tops. We added mirrors above to simulate windows and provide symmetry. The headboard was made-to-order by Rowe Furniture. The lamps are from Crate & Barrel. The duvet and shams are listed below, but we added two layers of comforter for fullness. We purchased one like this. Check out our previous post for more tips on bedding. The chandelier is one of my favorite elements. The mix of rustic with a touch of sparkle is perfect for our informal taste. Last, but not least, is our mattress. We purchased this locally at Waunakee Furniture ETC. Every night I am so thankful for the comfort this mattress provides. It is the BEST!

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We used a very light grey paint color in this room to keep things light, bright, and neutral. The dresser received the same paint treatment as the bedside tables. The beautiful tapered legs on this piece pop next to the wood flooring. The rug adds some needed pattern AND needed warmth to the room. This is a really economical rug that works for both indoors and outdoors. The low pile height is easy to clean - which is great because our dog spends a lot of time on this room. The vases on the floor were a Target find. The curtain panels are from Pottery Barn and the blinds are by Hunter Douglas and are sold at H&R Carpets & Flooring. Below are some additional accessories including a vintage-inspired lamp and a cream throw. The blanket ladder was ordered from Etsy.