Dining Room Makeover - Southern Living

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

The Challenge

Jennifer and Michael Green didn't know where to begin to make their personal styles work together in their drab dining room. They approached designer Tobi Fairley to help them reach a style compromise in time for holiday entertaining.

Knowing she had to mesh the Greens' his-and-hers styles into one cohesive look, Tobi replaced the room's boring paint palette, mismatched furniture, small ho-hum rug, and ornate chandelier with a vibrant color scheme, timeless and cohesive furniture, and a lively mix of accessories.

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Accentuating Color

Knowing how much Michael loved the room's architecture, Tobi chose to enhance it with a classic chocolate brown color on the walls and crisp white to accentuate the existing millwork. She also added strips of molding above the chair rail to provide more architectural detail.

Source Guide
Wall paint: French Roast (SW6069) and trim paint: Creamy (SW7012); sherwin-williams.com
Red urns on shelves: Tabitha in Siren; schallstudio.com

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Patterned Curtains

Tobi added floor-to-ceiling, diamond-patterned draperies that flow freely from tailored pelmets for a showstopping effect. They also soften the space and draw the eye up toward the ceiling.

Source Guide:
Drapery Fabric: For a similar look, try Pelagos in Clove (61); kravet.com
Drapery Band Fabric: For a similar look, try Articulate Cocoa (1501842); fabricut.com
Dining Table: Hickory Modern; hickorychair.com
Table Runner Fabric: Bistro in custom colors; tobifairleyhome.com
Red Vases on table: Red Chamber Series in Coral Red; middlekingdomporcelain.com

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Bright Chairs

Reupholstering the existing chairs in red created a preppy, tailored look that energized the space.

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Punchy Accessories

Tobi added a dash of glamour with a white Baroque-style mirror. The classic wood sideboard balances the modernity of the room, as well as providing storage and serving space.

Source Guide
Mirror: Lily; olystudio.com

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Grounding Rug

To anchor the room, Tobi added a custom red-and-white patterned rug.

Source Guide:
Rug: Reef Encounter in Coral; newriverartisans.com

Designer: Tobi Fairley, Tobi Fairley Interior Design; tobifairley.com

See Tobi's 5 Rules for Creating an Appetizing Dining Room

Plain to Pretty Dining Room

The Challenge

Accentuating Color

Patterned Curtains

Bright Chairs

Punchy Accessories

Grounding Rug