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STUNNING Modern Dining Room Makeover

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Last Updated on April 23, 2023 by lindseymahoney

Our dated dining room is now a stunning modern dining room design and I love how it turned out! My first One Room Challenge was a success and I thoroughly enjoyed documenting the transformation over these last six weeks. Thank you to everyone who followed along, I had a blast!

Holiday flower arrangement in the modern dining room makeover | Buidling Bluebird #flowerarrangement #holidaytablesetting #bhgorc

Head to the bottom of the post for a full list of linked items included in the dining room reveal.

Modern dining room makeover with a moody wall color | Building Bluebird #orc #bhgorc #diningroomreveal

If this is your first time on the site, welcome! Check out week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, week 5 to see the full One Room Challenge transformation.

More One Room Challenge Reveals You Will Love


Modern Dining Room Makeover Reveal

This post includes affiliate links – thanks for supporting Building Bluebird! Scroll to the bottom of the post for a list of sources.

Here is a reminder of where we started in my dining room just 6 weeks ago!

Modern dining room makeover with a moody wall color | Building Bluebird #orc #bhgorc #diningroomreveal

And here is that same view after.

Modern dining room makeover with a moody wall color | Building Bluebird #orc #bhgorc #diningroomreveal
Table / Chairs / Art Ledge / Flowers / Light Fixture (similar)

The modern dining room design turned out better than I could have imagined and I have already hosted a number of dinners with family and friends in our new space.

I worked with my favorite local flower shop, Bartz Viviano, to create a holiday table setting to inspire you when hosting your next holiday get-together.

Simple and elegant dining room tablescape | Building Bluebird
Modern dining room makeover with a moody wall color & holiday tablescape | Building Bluebird

Dining Room Tablescape

For the centerpiece of the table, I wanted the design to be simple but elegant. We kept it simple with a white and green color scheme.

I chose to forego a formal tablecloth and create a “living table runner” with greenery and candles.

Simple and elegant holiday table setting | Building Bluebird

Looking for more centerpiece inspiration? Check out this easy DIY pumpkin floral arrangement that costs less than $20 to make!

Bartz Viviano created one large arrangement for the center of the table mixed with white roses, poppies, and various eucalyptus. I placed 6 additional vases with eucalyptus down the center of the table.

The vases were all different shapes but had the same gold patina to tie them all together.

Holiday table centerpiece with eucalyptus, white roses and poppies | Building Bluebird

Gold chargers and green eucalyptus in gold mercury vases created the festive look I wanted to achieve.

I mixed in a dozen or so tealights in gold mercury votives to set the mood for an intimate holiday dinner with family and friends.

I like to say that my style is traditional/modern (even though that seems like an oxymoron).

There is something special about setting the table with your best china, surrounding yourself with people you love while eating great food, and for me, drinking delicious wine.

Holiday table centerpiece with eucalyptus, white roses and poppies | Building Bluebird

The china, flatware, and glassware are all gifts from our wedding registry. It’s always fun to use our fancy tableware a few times a year on holidays.

Holiday table centerpiece with eucalyptus, white roses and poppies | Building Bluebird

Gold chargers are another example of adding personality to the formal table. The pattern is different from the standard gold charger and adds a modern twist to the table settings.

Holiday table centerpiece with eucalyptus, white roses and poppies | Building Bluebird

Modern Dining Room Buffet DIY

My DIY’ed buffet is perfect in the new dining room! I found this buffet at a local consignment shop and used the Rust-Oleum Furniture Transformations to paint it black. I used a little Brasso on the original handles and it really made them shine!

Modern dining room makeover with a moody wall color & holiday tablescape | Building Bluebird #orc #bhgorc #diningroomreveal

This beauty not only stores all of my china, but it is that extra counter space that everyone needs at a party!

The clean lines make it a standout piece while also blending perfectly into the background, not taking too much attention from other areas of the room. Formal dining room or not, a buffet table will always be a “must-have” for me.

I love this little silverware drawer! My fine flatware has been in a bag for the last 10 years, so it was so gratifying to sort it and put it in its proper place.

Modern dining room makeover with a moody wall color & holiday tablescape | Building Bluebird #orc #bhgorc #diningroomreveal

Modern Dining Room Artwork

The artwork in the dining room came together in the end even though I struggled with what to put on the back wall! The DIY picture ledge I created based on the ChrislovesJulia DIY turned out perfectly!

Modern dining room makeover with a moody wall color & holiday tablescape | Building Bluebird #orc #bhgorc #diningroomreveal
DIY Art Ledge
Modern dining room makeover with a moody wall color & holiday tablescape | Building Bluebird #orc #bhgorc #diningroomreveal

And my beautiful Juniper Briggs print (similar artwork) that means so much to me finally has a home.

Modern dining room makeover with a moody wall color & holiday tablescape | Building Bluebird #orc #bhgorc #diningroomreveal
Artwork

Dining Room Lighting

Modern dining room makeover with a moody wall color & holiday tablescape | Building Bluebird #orc #bhgorc #diningroomreveal

I knew that I wanted to modernize the chandelier for the dining room makeover and this piece from Amazon was perfect.

The chandelier was originally centered in the middle of the room. I decided to center the new chandelier over the new table that would be centered in the doorway into the living room.

Modern dining room makeover with a moody wall color & holiday tablescape | Building Bluebird #orc #bhgorc #diningroomreveal

Thank you all SO much for following along these last 6 weeks and checking out the dining room makeover, it means so much. Check out the final reveal of the other guest participants of the One Room Challenge – this crew is so dang talented!!

One Room Challenge

Dining Room Source List

Dining Tablescape Source List


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Heidi Ford

Sunday 3rd of October 2021

Can you tell me the name of the paint color in the dining room? TIA

lindseymahoney

Monday 4th of October 2021

Hi there! The paint color is actually a color match from the gray cabinets in our kitchen. The gray color is very close to Peppercorn by Sherwin Williams if you are looking for a similar color!

Dining-room Redo - Making a Formal Dining Room More Casual - Smart Cloud Magazine

Thursday 9th of January 2020

[…] into design, however it can still be difficult to make regular usage of a too-formal area. Lindsey Mahoney, for instance, didnโ€™t really hate the dining-room in her house, however states the correct design […]

Create/Enjoy (@suzannahstanley)

Friday 8th of November 2019

Loved watching this one transform! Great job! That dark paint color is perfect!!

lindseymahoney

Sunday 4th of October 2020

Thank you so much for the kind words!

Katy

Thursday 7th of November 2019

This space looks beautiful! It will be perfect for the holidays! Congratulations on also completing the One Room Challenge!

lindseymahoney

Thursday 7th of November 2019

Thank you so much, Katy! I am looking forward to hosting some holiday parties in here :)

Danielle Gutelli

Thursday 7th of November 2019

Lindsey,

This space turned out absolutely beautiful. We need to come. Seriously!

xo

danielle clarkandaldine.com

lindseymahoney

Thursday 7th of November 2019

Thank you friend! Yes lets seriously plan a get together for the January once the holidays are behindus!