Dining Room {Client Design}

When it comes to building a new home, there are definitely some advantages -- making your own selections, picking the floorplan that suites your family, designing a kitchen with your specifications.  But there are also some ways to save some money along the way.  I always suggest choosing builder grade options in certain areas that you can go back and upgrade on your own later, such as lighting or paint.  Most builders give you the option of one paint color throughout the entire home -- which is just not realistic.  Paint is the easiest thing to change yourself.  And with thousands of lighting choices out there, choose the basic package for now and change out the light fixtures once you move into the home for a more dramatic, personal home.

This dining room, I recently designed, is a brand new construction home for a wonderful family that was looking to bring in some warmth and personality into their home.  They were smart in choosing a basic paint color throughout the house that we could then change room-by-room.  And they were right in choosing simple lighting fixtures that can be changed out for something with more interest and character.  While the lighting and paint color might be the most dramatic change in the space, they definitely weren't the only things that helped create this casual, farmhouse chic inspired dining room.

It is hard for a lot of people to describe their "design-style."  It is even hard for me to describe a design style in a couple of words sometimes.  So, this client came to me knowing that they loved Joanna's style from HGTV Fixer Upper!  Which I loved, because I am obsessed with their style and that show.  They were looking for a Dining Room that could look like it was designed by Joanna, so that was my goal and my only direction for the space.

What I loved about designing this dining room especially, is that this family of five use this table to come together for family dinner every night.  Unlike a lot of dining rooms that rarely get used, this space had to be casual enough for every day dining and grand enough for formal dinners.  I decided to do a fairly neutral color palette with navy as the main pop of color because navy can be very fun and casual, yet very moody and sophisticated for a dining room.  I chose a dark, dramatic blue, gray wall color for the paint and a chandelier with just a touch of sparkle in the crystal hanging down from the bottom.  Modern, rustic touches keep it casual enough for everyday use.

What made this orb chandelier extra special were the light bulbs I chose.  Of course, you can choose the standard pointed candelabra light bulbs for a chandlier like this, but for a more custom, modern approach I chose round bulbs from Lowes, like these.  I was obsessed with how these light bulbs completely morphed this chandelier into something even more spectacular!

BEFORE

DESIGN PLAN

AFTER

This Dining Room design was a big change for the family -- going from a tall bar-height table to a standard height dining table, and then bringing some color to the walls, but it is such a warm and cozy space now with character for family dinners or even homework and crafts!  You can see the entire design process of the Dining Room here and I will be revealing the entry way makeover of the home very soon too!  Its's one of my favorites!

Paint Color:  Granite Peak #6250 Sherwin Williams

Dining Table-World Market / Wood Dining Chairs-World Market / Navy Dining Chairs-Target / Solaris Orb Chandelier-Home Decorators Collection / Feather Artwork-Joss & Main / Rug-Weekends Only / Wood Sign and Wood Arrow-custom artwork available to order through JSD!  (Email us at jessicastoutdesign@gmail.com)