New Style for Old Furniture

Work Wth What You Have
You've seen a living room with handed-down furniture, now another family demonstrates a moved-around approach with their dining room furniture.  

As a builder, Danny Buchanan is an expert in constructing other people's residences. But when he and his wife, Tara, began planning the details of their dream home, he found most of the decisions on design and finishes were best left in her capable hands.

With the knowledge that their new home and, in particular, their new dining room would be larger, there were still certain characteristics the couple wanted to copy from their previous residence. Those included wide doorways, detailed custom molding work originally crafted by Danny's father, a large ornate mirror, and an entire set of dining room furniture.

Interior decorator Emily McDaniel, who helped Tara with her decisions, says, "One thing that I wanted to do was to add a painted buffet to contrast with the dark-stained pieces."

Tara chose a wall color distinctly different from the old room's red; the new space features a faux-finished gold palette, creating an instant look of age. Danny himself crafted the new dining room's crown molding and woodwork around the window and doors. Even with the same furnishings, the new look reflects a lighter, more open space.