Designing a dining room can feel like a balancing act. It’s a space that should impress but also feel welcoming—a place for celebrations, but one that works for everyday dinners too. When we started the dining room for our Monarch Colonial renovation, I wanted to create a room that would tick all these boxes.
Today on the blog, I’m sharing the full reveal of our dining room transformation! Most importantly, I want to show you how (with a few deliberate choices) you can make a space have that designer-like quality while still feeling like you.
Embracing Our Home’s Original Details
The Monarch Colonial renovation has been an exciting yet challenging journey, and the first floor is finally taking shape. This project has been one of our most ambitious yet, involving major structural changes like reconfiguring framing, electrical, and plumbing to create our dream layout. While the process was messy and chaotic at times, the results are already proving to be worth it.
One of the key elements that brought this transformation together was the flooring. The original hardwood floors were a beautiful feature of the home, and I was determined to preserve as much as possible. With some areas needing replacement due to layout changes, our contractors carefully blended new planks with the old to create a seamless, timeless foundation.
If you’re curious to read more about this transformation, read my post: Bona Hardwood Floor Stain | How To Refinish Wood Floors.
What You Can Do: If your home has features like original wood floors, plaster walls, or vintage moldings, lean into them! Restoring or enhancing these elements can save money while adding authenticity and charm to your design.
Formal Dining Room New Projects:
- Make a statement with wallpaper and crown moulding
- Add in a chandelier
- Anchor the room with statement furniture
- Display something personal – my blue china collection
- Add in a finishing touch with quality upholstered pieces
Wallpaper and Crown Moulding Installation
Walls are the largest blank canvas in any room, so it’s worth investing in something impactful. For this dining room, I chose a wallpaper from Fine and Dandy Co. that feels layered and dynamic. The design features a lush, almost storybook-like wildlife scene that’s bold without being overwhelming.
We added a leaf-patterned crown molding to frame the wallpaper and elevate the room’s overall look. The result is a space that feels complete before we even brought in furniture.
How to Recreate It: Wallpaper can transform any space in your home, so don’t be afraid to take a chance and try it! If bold patterns feel intimidating, start with one accent wall or opt for a smaller-scale print. Pairing wallpaper with architectural details like molding or chair rails adds polish and depth.
Added In A Chandelier
Lighting can truly transform a space, and I knew the dining room needed something dramatic yet timeless. After much deliberation, I chose a chandelier that blends classic colonial charm with modern elegance. Best of all, the bulbs look like individual candles!
The antique brass finish works beautifully with the wallpaper’s warm tones and adds a subtle glow in the evenings, creating a cozy ambiance.
How to Recreate It: When picking a chandelier, scale matters. The fixture should feel proportionate to your table—usually two-thirds the width of the table is a good rule of thumb. Dimmers are a must for creating different moods, from casual family dinners to holiday gatherings.
Anchor The Room With Statement Furniture
A dining room needs furniture that feels like it belongs. I chose a solid wood table with a classic silhouette that’s both functional and timeless. It’s paired with an antique chest for storage, where I display my collection of blue china. Together, these pieces ground the space and give it a sense of history.
How to Recreate It: Look for quality pieces that will stand the test of time. Mix in a statement storage piece, like a buffet or sideboard, to keep the space practical. Don’t be afraid to shop vintage or invest in one standout item to anchor the room.
Display something personal – my blue china collection
For me, no room is complete without something that tells a story. My blue china collection became the perfect focal point for this dining room. The deep blues pop against the earthy tones of the wallpaper, creating contrast and visual interest.
Each piece in the collection has meaning—some were passed down through family, while others were found on antique hunts. It’s a reminder that rooms should reflect the people who live in them.
How to Recreate It: Whether it’s china, books, or framed art, find a way to incorporate personal collections into your design. Not only do they make your space feel unique, but they also spark conversations with guests.
Add in a finishing touch with quality upholstered pieces
To soften the space and add a pop of color, I brought in sage green velvet chairs. The soft, muted green ties into the wallpaper’s natural tones, while the velvet texture adds richness and warmth.
I found these antique chairs reupholstered by Le Chateau European Interiors, and they’ve quickly become one of my favorite elements in the room. They’re as comfortable as they are stylish, which is essential for a dining space.
How To Recreate It: Upholstered chairs are a great way to introduce color or pattern into your dining room. If your furniture feels too matchy, mix it up with contrasting head chairs or a different fabric to create depth and interest.
Formal Dining Room Sources:
- Pink Nature Wallpaper – Fine and Dandy Co.
- Leaf Crown Moulding – Wayfair
- Gold Candle Chandelier – Perigold
- Dining Room Table – Restoration Hardware
- Sage Velvet Dining Room Chairs – Antique Le Chateau European Interiors
- White Slipcover Head Table Chairs – Wayfair
This dining room has truly become one of my favorite spaces in our home—a perfect balance of tradition and personality with just enough drama to keep things interesting. It’s a room that feels alive yet grounded, elegant yet welcoming.
Do you have any questions on how I created our formal dining room? Let me know in the comments! And to keep up with all the latest on the blog, check out my recent posts:
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