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!
Head to the bottom of the post for a full list of linked items included in the dining room reveal.
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
- Guest Bedroom / Office Makeover Reveal
- Exciting Moody Blue Master Bedroom Reveal
- Masculine MCM Living Room Reveal | ORC Week 8
- Affordable Boys Bedroom Makeover Reveal
- Grandmillennial Girls Bedroom Reveal | ORC
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!
And here is that same view after.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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 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!
And my beautiful Juniper Briggs print (similar artwork) that means so much to me finally has a home.
Dining Room Lighting
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.
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!!
Dining Room Source List
- Dining Room Table
- Chairs
- White Curtain Panels
- Curtain Rod
- Buffet (purchased at Consign-It)
- Chandelier (no longer sold – similar chandelier here)
- Mirror (no longer in stock – find similar options at Target)
- DIY Picture Ledge
- Picture Frames (owned)
- Bluebird Artwork (print no longer in stock – find similar prints by Juniper Briggs)
- Glass cloque
- Paint Color: Similar to Peppercorn by Sherwin Williams
Dining Tablescape Source List
- Gold mercury tealight votives
- Tealight candles
- Gold mercury vases
- Waterford Ballet Ribbon china
- Wine glasses
- Gold chargers
- Bartz Viviano Flower Arrangements
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, didn’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!