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Some rooms just take time, and our dining room is the perfect example. Over the years, it’s gone through a number of iterations but has never been quite right. Looking back is such a fun reminder of how far this room has come. (I mean, check out this post and this post!) Through trial and error, I’ve slowly made changes—big and small—that have transformed it into a space that feels much more fitting for our home and style. Let’s take a look back!

The Perfect Hutch: Years in the Making

If you’ve followed along, you know the vintage hutch is a piece I searched for for years. I wanted a piece to fit the scale of the space in between the windows where the buffet used to be. I wanted a vinage piece oozing with character. When I found it on Chairish earlier this year, it was like a dream come true! But as much as I loved it, the combination of the hutch, our wood dining table, and wood chairs made the space feel a bit heavy.

Breaking Up the Wood Tones: Swapping Chairs

Sometimes the fix is as simple as introducing contrast. To balance all the wood tones in the room, I swapped out our dining chairs for upholstered ones. This change instantly improved the space and made it feel dimensional and elevated. The upholstered chairs bring a softness that complements the vintage hutch beautifully while keeping the overall look warm and inviting. The slipcovers are removable and washable, so they are family-friendly.

The Rug Refresh: A Practical, Stylish Solution

Next, I turned my attention to the rug. After enduring too many spills and accidents it was time for an upgrade. Our old one was looking dingy so I took it out while I figured out what to do next. Enter FLOR carpet tiles—a game changer! I love the convenicen of the tiles and the ease of replacing individual tiles instead of an entire rug. The Draper pattern in Topaz adds the perfect touch of texture to ground the room.

What’s Next for the Dining Room?

While I’m thrilled with how the room has come together, there are a few more things that I’m dreaming up to make this room feel complete:

• Sheer Drapes: Adding light, airy drapes to the windows would soften the room and make it feel more cozy and polished.
• A Cozy Window Moment: I’d love to place two armchairs in front of the large window with a small cocktail table between them. We have quite a bit of space between the table and the windows, creating the perfect nook for pre-dinner drinks or after-dinner conversation. Remember, our future wine room “speakeasy” is behind the adjacent hidden door so a sitting area would make sense.
• Millwork: This space’s cathedral ceiling has an untapped opportunity to be a show-stopper. I envision tongue-and-groove paneling on the ceiling and encasing the room so that I can wallpaper or paint the walls a contrasting color.
• Dining Table: Our dining table is a vintage family heirloom from Mike’s side of the family. This is the table he sat at as a child and I love that about it. It has a fifth leg, expands to 10′ and collapses to 4′. There’s just one issue, near the corners the trim on the underside of the table (that essentially hides the compartment for storing the extra leaves) sits low and people are always bumping into it with their legs. I would never get rid of the table but I’m thinking of making it a game table in the pool house and getting a new table for the dining room.

This dining room transformation has been a reminder that creating a home you love takes time. Some pieces—like the vintage hutch—are worth the wait, and others are small updates that make a big difference. I’m excited to see how the space continues to evolve as we add those finishing touches.

Have you ever worked on a room that just took time to get right? I’d love to hear your story in the comments!