This Designer Created a Warm & Inviting Dining Room From a Bare Space

If there’s something we never get tired of seeing, it’s a great makeover. Whether it’s transforming a retro bathroom into a modern oasis or giving a lackluster bedroom a fresh look, pros perform these design miracles all the time.

To give designers a chance to showcase their favorite makeovers—and to bring you plenty of inspiration for your own home—we’re sharing the best before and afters we’ve seen in our series, Makeover of the Week. Take notes for your next renovation.

“My goal was to create a comfortable yet stylish dining room to host brunch and dinner parties," interior designer Angela Scaletta says. "Built in 1903, in the true Craftsman style of the time, this home exudes pure California charm. The dining room, in particular, has the original hardwood flooring, windows, steam-heat radiator, high ceilings, and beautiful trim details.”

Before:

“The room’s bones were good, and there wasn’t a lot of rehab as we were dealing with an empty space except for an odd ceiling pendant,” Scaletta notes. "The biggest challenge was the layout —we wanted a table to seat 6 to 8 people comfortably yet the 13’ x 13’ room was relatively small. We also needed to come up with storage solutions for wine and dining essentials.”

After:

“Many elements helped create this inviting, light, and comfortable room,” Scaletta shares. “Painting the walls in a warm greige, adding a large metal globe-shaped ceiling pendant, and hanging white linen curtains really warmed up the space. The redwood table and mango wood console incorporate touches of a California aesthetic while a durable rug and slipcovered white chairs add to the non-fussy feel. Lastly, a sizable buffet helped to satisfy the much-needed storage requirements.”

What Changed:

• Color theme:  Soothing neutral shades of white, tan, and beige mix with vibrant pops of metal.  
• Dining table: The table’s top was created by a local craftsman out of a fallen redwood tree. 
• Chairs/benches: Slipcovered chairs are paired with a table-matching redwood bench to create a unique blend of seating.  
• Buffet: The cane matting on the doors make this mango wood sideboard a standout.  
• Wall art: Wood conical blocks give off the appearance of bells and pop against the gray wall paint. 
• Bar cart: The gold and glass bar cart doubles as a music stand, displaying a record player and albums.
• Ceiling pendant: The rust-colored globe-like steel chandelier is made from hand-bent, retired Napa wine barrel rings. 
• Gallery wall: Images of nature are showcased in light frames with white mats.
• Mirror: The emerald cut mirror has a bit of an art deco feel, adding sparkle to the walls. 
• Rug: A super durable Tulum oriental rug ties all the room’s neutral colors together. 
• Curtains: Crisp white linen curtains add a softness to the room. 
• Walls: The walls were painted in Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter in a flat/matte finish. 
• Wall art: A modern take on a Japanese woodblock print, the unique red, white and black image provides a pop of color in this mostly neutral space.
• Plant: A palm plant introduces a natural element to this space.

Shop the Look:

Pottery Barn Dolores Cane Console Table $1,499.00

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“This cane-front buffet looks right at home in a dining room but goes just as well in a bedroom or living room,” Scaletta suggests.

West Elm Faceted Wall Mirror, Emerald Cut $299.00

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“This mirror has emerald cuts, which do a good job of reflecting light and making any space feel bigger,” Scaletta shares.

Langley Street Castelli Oriental Beige Area Rug $560.00

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“This rug plays off the neutrals in the room, tying everything together,” Scaletta says.