Elegant Dining Room Refresh: A Cozy Personalized Transformation

Transforming a dining room into a space that feels elegant, cozy, and reflective of your style is a game changer—especially when it’s a central part of your home. Today, I’m thrilled to share my latest dining room refresh! This update has brought new life to our daily dining routine and turned our neutral space into a bold, personalized retreat.

If you’ve been following along, you might have caught a glimpse of this updated space in my Thanksgiving table setting post. Now, let’s dive into all the details of this stunning transformation.

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Why Refresh the Dining Room?

Our dining room is more than just a place to eat—it’s where we gather daily as a family. Located at the heart of our home, it connects the kitchen and library, so it’s constantly in view. While the neutral palette we had before blended seamlessly with adjoining spaces, I wanted a more striking look that still honored the traditional architecture of our home.

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The Transformation Begins: From Neutral to Bold

The original space featured neutral Alabaster walls by Sherwin Williams and a chair rail. It was a lovely blank canvas, but it needed personality. Enter: Providence Blue by Benjamin Moore, a bold, rich blue-green hue from their historical line.

To keep the transformation timeless, I painted the area above the chair rail in this statement color and left the lower half for a more classic touch. Here’s how it all came together:

• Wainscoting Details: Below the chair rail, I had wainscoting boxes installed for a polished, architectural feel. Keeping the wainscoting in Alabaster by Sherwin Williams created a crisp contrast with the rich upper walls, perfectly in line with the home’s traditional charm.
• The Paint Decision: While painting all the woodwork one color is trending, keeping the lower half white just felt like the right call for our space. It ties together beautifully with the adjacent rooms and gives the dining area its own distinct character.

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The Furniture & Décor: A Blend of Old and New

One of my favorite aspects of this refresh is how we curated the furniture and décor. Most of the furniture was sourced second-hand, proving that a chic dining room doesn’t have to break the bank.

Here’s a breakdown of the key pieces:

• Table: A sturdy centerpiece that anchors the room (similar option).
• Chairs: Gray Dayna chairs from Ballard Designs and white slipcovered chairs from IKEA balance elegance and practicality.
• Chandelier: My beloved Claire Chandelier from Ballard Designs (LINK) adds a touch of glam and inspired the brass accents throughout the space.
• Accessories: From brass candlesticks to antique frames and curated dishware, the decorative elements were sourced from thrift stores and antique shops, adding layers of charm and history.

Shop the room:

Why I Love This Space

Every time I step into our dining room, I feel a sense of warmth and elegance. The blend of bold color, classic architectural elements, and curated décor creates a cozy atmosphere perfect for both family dinners and work-from-home days.

Closing Thoughts

This dining room refresh was the perfect way to give our everyday space a personal, sophisticated touch. Whether it’s enjoying a meal or catching up on work, this room now feels like a reflection of our style and home’s character.

What do you think of the transformation? Let me know in the comments or tag me on social if you’ve done a dining room makeover—I’d love to see your space!