Y’all! House parties are about to be LIT! My friends and family joke about me being bougie now, but wait until they start getting invited here for Sunday brunch. The dining room turned out THAT good, LOL!
Let’s start from the beginning, okay? I’m moving room by room to transform my home and thought that this was the perfect time to join the One Room Challenge to make over my dining room. It’s actually the only room in my home that wasn’t being used (except for storage), but it’s the one that I wanted to use the most.
As mentioned before, the One Room Challenge is a six-week series started and hosted by Linda of Calling it Home, where we transform a room from start to finish and reveal it at the end. Linda invites 20 participants as featured designers to post updates on Wednesdays, but anyone, anywhere, can join in as a guest participant and post their updates on Thursdays. I’m a guest participant, so make sure you jump back over here on those days! Check out all the participants REVEALS, both featured and guests, here.
Take a look at week 1 for before photos of the dining room and see the updates from week 2, week 3, week 4, and week 5 (last week).
If you missed it, I actually transformed my kitchen when we first bought our home, for a previous One Room Challenge.
If you’re just dropping by my blog for the first time, you probably haven’t seen the before photos. Here are the photos I took when we first viewed our home.
When we moved in we never put any furniture here, only sometimes bringing in an older sofa from the garage for holiday parties. A few months ago, we installed Pergo Outlast laminate floors and then had no other real plans for the room until the One Room Challenge started back up this fall.
I felt rushed but knew now was the best time to get it done. Especially, if I wanted to have this space ready for the holidays.
Here’s what the space looks like now (all photos taken by Britt Smith Photography)
It’s everything that I could have dreamed of… bold, but also soothing and comfortable, with the perfect blend of eclectic elements and color.
Look at the wall on the right (and my entryway peeking through) and then back up at the before photos. Remember there was an opening here! My dad made it look like it was never there!
I use blue ALL THE TIME throughout my projects, so initially I was planning on using a different color for the walls. Black and all shades of green are my faves these days, but I’ve already used those colors in my laundry room and living room. As I was searching for wallpaper for a current client’s bedroom, I happened to see this wallpaper from Fabricut and knew it was a winner. I actually used this same wallpaper for a different client, but in a different color. As often as I use wallpaper in my clients’ homes, I didn’t even take it serious for our own dining room, since I knew we would be spending a hefty budget on the chandelier and built-in. But now, I’m so glad I decided to go with this exact design and color, because I feel like it was made for me!
Ooooh, this chandy! I actually had a different (also beautiful) chandelier ordered that went out of stock, but this 2nd choice ended up being the best choice! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat here and stared at it. And, everything else in this room. Let’s keep moving…
If you have followed me a while, you might remember this same round mirror in our last home. It was such a good addition to help bounce light around the room. I absolutely needed a mirror in this space, since it’s small and has no natural light. I love how the brown tones in the mirror contrast with all the blues and gold in the room.
One of my other faves in the room are my two bar cabinets I stand firm in my belief that every dining room needs some type of storage and these are perfect for storing my dinnerware and other stuff used for entertaining (I do NOT keep a set table – my fancy dinnerware comes out for special occasions only).
I love that I can change up the styling on top depending on what I wanna serve, whether it be drinks, desserts, or hor d’oeuvres. I chose to use one of the bar cabinets to place my beloved buddha head that I cut open earlier this year to turn into a planter. A quick spray of gold paint the day before this shoot really gave it the glam look I wanted for this space.
Okay, so I’m crazy (CRAZY) about my new (*ly upholstered and painted) dining chairs. I’ve had these for a while and have had extras that I’ve transformed in the past. Choosing the fabric for these chairs was the first thing I did when designing this space. Choosing the paint for the frame was harder. I was torn between this color and a navy blue. Obviously, this green was the perfect choice. I can’t even deal with how good they are.
But…. FUN FACT: I only got two chairs finished. I had a hard time getting the paint to stick, so I had to shoot without finishing the other three. My photographer, Britt Smith, photoshopped the others in. She’s that good. HIRE HER!
BRITT SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY WEBSITE || INSTAGRAM
I’ll have five chairs total, but Home Pop graciously sent me these two gray velvet ottomans to use for extra seating. You know… for when the spades games get extra real! The three pieces of art above it are postcards from BrooklynDolly.
Unfortunately, my gorgeous glass dining table from ZGallerie is no longer available, but it is a stunner! The chairs are so beautifully displayed under the glass table. It would have been terrible to hide them under a solid wood or metal table.
Also, did you notice the cowhide rug? It used to be in my living room, but wasn’t great for such a high traffic area. It was also really hard to clean under my large sectional. I stored it away months ago and knew it was coming into the dining room as soon as I had picked out the fabric for the chairs. I love bringing browns in next to cool colors.
Last, but certainly not least, let’s get into this built-in unit that my dad built for me. It was definitely a labor of love, as anyone that works with me has to deal with my spurts of energy and my tendency to change my mind with the snap of a finger. He did such a beautiful job and I cannot wait to finally clutter it with stuff store my small appliances in those cabinets. The blue I used is Adirondack Blue (Behr Marquee), the same color I used on the ceiling. I went with these gorgeous acrylic handles that are a perfect match.
Besides my family that helped me keep my sanity during this transformation I also want to thank…
… my friends and followers that hopped into my DMs on Instagram, like “girl where is THEE DINING ROOM?”…
… my photog/friend, Britt Smith that stayed till midnight last night taking photos and then getting them to me today…
… and Linda at Calling it Home and Better Homes & Gardens for making this challenge possible!
It’s been a blast!
Check out my IG stories to get a behind the scenes tour of my dining room!
And, if you’re inspired to start decorating, check out my services page to book a consultation or read through some of my blog posts to get some room inspiration!
Be sure to go check out the featured designers and guest participants REVEALS. Your support through shares, likes, and comments is what helps propel us to get the work done!
I’m dying to know what you think!! Let me know in the comments below and be sure to share my reveal with a friend!
Till the next One Room Challenge!
Baeology says
Omg this is remarkable! Love the tweaks since the last time I’ve been by. I’d happily be a brunch guest anytime!
Whitney says
You’ll definitely be invited, love! Thank you!
Crystal @The Holliday Collective says
Whit, Not that I would expect any thing less but it’s just too beautiful. Awesome job under such a tight deadline! I love the bookcase, the wallpaper, and the fabric on the chairs the most.
Whitney says
That means so much Crystal! Thank you!
Jazmine says
Omg I lovvveee it!
Whitney says
Thanks boo!!
Veronica Vilora Solomon says
Soooo Gorgeous! I love it all. Love the walls and the fabric on the chairs. EVERYTHING! You rocked this out Whitney!
Whitney says
That means everything, Veronica! You know how much I love that laundry room!!
Cerise says
I am so proud of all of your hard work! The fact that you were able to even take a vacation and still finish on time is sommendable!
I love the mood of the room! This color palatte has some cool tones but the room is still warm and inviting! Well done!
Whitney says
Yesssss, so glad you mentioned the cool/warm juxtaposition! That’s what I was going for! I appreciate your support so much, Cerise! And, I panicked the last two days of vacation, like HOW AM I GONNA FINISH??
LaToyah Vessel says
Oh how I looove this bluetiful dining room! NOLA-CHIC at it’s finest!
-XoXo
Whitney says
Awww thanks so much!
Hūza home Concepts says
Whitney you DID THAT HUNTAY!!! It’s beautiful,everything together the colors,chairs,built in and THAT CHANDY BAAABYYYY
Whitney says
Awwwww, thanks so much!
Lorraine says
I love it Whitney! I love the way you styled the built ins! So much flavor! The colors and textures… everything looks beautiful!
Whitney says
Thanks so much, Lorraine!
JAMALA WALLACE says
I’m blown away!! This dining room is absolutely wonderful! Your father did the best job ever- so blessed.. Your shelfie game is on point. So many wonderful pieces added on them and styled to perfection. The wallpaper, color scheme, the chairs.. i could go on and on.. it’s all so wonderful!! freaking fantastic!! Enjoy having all the soirees your heart desires in your beautiful home
Whitney says
You are so sweet, Jamala!! Thank you so much! My dad definitely worked hard on these builtins and I’m so happy with how they came out. I wonder if he’s ready to start on the next builtin project? LOL!
Ashley Sankey says
Wow! This is soooo beautiful! I love the bold patterns and the colors so much that this has inspired me to try something different in my home. Love everything-especially the chandelier, wallpaper, and built-ins. The art work is also gorgeous!
Whitney says
Thank you so much, Ashley!!
Jas says
Girl this room is to die for. Well worth the wait. I could never of put anything this elegant together
Whitney says
Thanks, Jas!!
Rebecca says
So chic! I love the layered patterns. And that portrait sums it up. ✨
Whitney says
Thank you!!
MJ says
I was waiting in anticipation to see your reveal. This is so gorgeous Whitney. That built in looks like it was always there and you style it to the Heavens. I love those bar cabinets. They are speaking to me. The wallpaper. Everything. Enjoy your space.
Whitney says
Awww, thanks so much, MJ! I really appreciate you stopping by!
Micheline says
I love everything about the space, you did a wonderful job and blue is my favorite color .
Whitney says
Thanks so much, Micheline!
Price Style and Design says
Omg! I love Everything!
Whitney says
Thank you!
Alonzo wiley says
I loveeeee you and everything about your dining room. From the built in to the chairs, table and chandelier. The wait was well worth it. You did it with such style and grace. It’s absolutely stunning!!!!!❤️
Whitney says
Thanks so much, Zo!
Katrina says
Everything looks so good! I love the built-in bookcase and the color! It’s so pretty and all the details are! Love the wall paper too!
Whitney says
Thanks, Katrina!! I love your bedroom, too!
Darcel says
So lovely! The African-American art is one of my favorite elements. I also love the color scheme. Congratulations on finishing on time!
Whitney says
Well, I didn’t completely finish on time, since I still have to finish those three chairs, but thanks so much, Darcel!
Samjah says
I am absolutely floored!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are my inspiration when it comes to home decor!! This turned out amazing! You are truly talented girl. I’ve been following all of your updates, and I knew the end result would be fly…but you outdid yourself! You really need to be on one of those home makeover shows! I can’t wait to get you back into my space!
P.S. – I will be checking the mail daily for my brunch invitation. 😉
Whitney says
Sam, girl, you got me in my feelings! This comment made my day! Thanks so much, boo!
Lisa says
Wow Whitney!! JUST WOW!! You are amazing & this room is perfection! Also, you are still the shelf styling queen ! Great job!
Whitney says
Awww, thanks so much, Lisa!!
Cassie Bustamante says
what a cool and unique space you created- LOVE the urchin paired with that paper! and i love how you own your style!
Whitney says
Thanks so much, Cassie!
Brenda says
Wow. Love how you’ve put this room together. It’s just gorgeous. Trying to pick a favorite… I think I’d have to choose the chairs. The fabric, the paint color, and how they look with the table! Well done.
Whitney says
I think the chairs are my favorite, too! Thank you so much, Brenda!
Ola says
I love the way this turned out Whitney! Awesome built in!
Whitney says
Thanks, Ola!
Wyndei says
Whitney, this is such a beautiful bold statement. You transformed your dining space to an inviting space that you will love for a very long time. Every little detail has a meaning. Thanks for sharing this journey with (me) & your followers.
Whitney says
Awww thanks so much, Wyndei!!
Brandi says
Well hello gorgeous! Your personal style has really shined through in the best way, with your dining room makeover. Your hard work transforming the space has paid off with beautiful results. Congratulations Whitney. I wish I lived closer to be included in Sunday brunch.
Whitney says
Awwww thanks so much, Brandi! I wish you lived closer, as well!! You’d definitely ge the invite!
Angela | MidModernMama says
I love the colors you used, and I particularly love that print on the chairs! Gorgeous! Cheers!
Whitney says
Thanks so much, Angela!
Gbeke Omosebi says
WOW! Whitney, your dinning room turned out great. I love the light fixture and the cabinet color. I also love your shelf styling. Beautiful friend!
Gbeke
Whitney says
Thank you so much, Gbeke!! I really appreciate you stopping by!