Creating a Balanced Dining Room

What better way to set the tone in the dining room of this gorgeous Victorian terraced cottage, than by filling the fireplace with wine! We felt this fabulous focal point was deserving of a little more emphasis which was easily achieved with a few simple changes. Take a look at the photos below to see before and after photos - with a contemporary brass mirror and a clean, uninterrupted backdrop, the fireplace becomes the star of the show.

"After" - enhanced focal point

"Before"

A more challenging aspect of this brief was to achieve a slightly formal and sophisticated feel in the space. With 3 doors, this dining room, in the heart of the home, connects the living room and the kitchen and also leads to the staircase. This had initially resulted in the room feeling like a busy 'through room'. It was therefore essential to instil an air of calm and pull the room together in an elegant way.

The cream walls were painted in a more contemporary shade of pale grey - this established a cohesive flow throughout the home (click here to see details of the living room). We were keen to maintain the period features in the home so we retained the dado rail in this room but painted it the same colour as the walls. This created a more refined look and a feeling of spaciousness since the eye is no longer distracted by the dado that breaks up the wall. The window was also replaced with a modern version of a Victorian sash window.

Oak chairs were painted dark grey; a round oak table creates a softer feel and more space and a cosy rug grounds the table and brings more warmth.

"Before" - the glass and chrome table feels harsh and the oak elements dominate the space.

The key to this room was in achieving the right level of balance - that is, marrying traditional and contemporary elements; contrasting rustic and sophisticated styles; and bringing in the just enough warmth against the cooler backdrop.

As always, lighting and artwork made a great impact on the space and we adore the subtle theme of decadence in this dining room with the brass accents, vintage Italian print and the stylish bar trolley - all in-keeping with where we started, with the fabulous fireplace wine rack. This dining room has a calm, classy feel - it is a versatile space that suits our clients for daily living whilst also providing a gorgeous setting for a decadent evening! And, knowing our clients well, we are confident that the wine rack will be constantly replenished!

"After" "Before"

Brass and mirrored cocktail trolley is a stylish addition.

Sputnik pendant light picks up the brass accent of the brass plates on the original doors; artwork to celebrate special places adds a personal touch.

An elegantly inviting space - swipe to see before

You can find out more about this project by clicking here to read about the living room update. And, if you would like some guidance on a project in your home, we'd love to hear from you. We are super flexible and can help with anything from space planning and full design work to paint selection or styling guidance Just email hello@sointeriordesign.co.uk to arrange a FREE interior design consultation.