South Barrington Dining Room Project

We pride ourselves on the work we do, therefore referrals and repeat clients are the biggest compliment we can receive. This was no different!  After completing a previous project for this South Barrington family we were called in once again to do some more….

Our clients decided it was time to have us come back and address their tired dining room which no longer matched the updated main floor of their home. Typically when clients express interest in “updating” a room, they are unsure of the direction they want to go as well as how to get there. So for our design team, the best solution is to give them a detailed, comprehensive plan of how to achieve the final result.

During our initial consultation, we discussed how to get the most out of this room without adding square footage. With the large family they have and the entertaining they do, the tall order was to seat at least 8 people comfortably. And tall ceilings, a narrow space, an awkwardly angled entrance, and the lack of light coming in meant we had our work cut out for us.

Like most of us, this family has lived with their furniture for many years and was ready for a change. Dining room “sets” were all the rage 20 years ago: clients purchased matching pieces in one finish, typically some variation of oak, or bought multiple pieces from one furniture collection; it was IN and it was EASY. And just like mint green appliances or pink shag carpet, you can tell in which decade the room was last updated!

We selected this beautifully carved dining table and coordinating chairs with decorative back accents from Marge Carson that was currently on display in our Highland Park showroom. Once our clients saw it in person, they were in agreement that this was the best choice for their new dining room. This is a great tip for re-designing any space in your home: find a starting point and use this as inspiration to set the tone and color for your room. Our inspiration was the rich Marge Carson fabric on the chairs that set the mood for the room.

It was a breeze from there, our team then coordinated beautiful fabrics for new window treatments and a new style that allowed us to get more lighting into the room and accentuate the tall windows. Their existing drapery was simply outdated; with a floral pattern in pink & green and matching panels & valance it needed to go. Our answer to this was a rich solid silk panel & complimentary patterned swag overlay. By mounting it as high as possible on decorative hardware, it draws your eye up and makes the ceiling appear higher, giving the room a grand feel.

The most common element that is always overlooked in any project is the ceiling. We advised our clients not to be afraid of going bold and bringing the drama on the ceiling in this room. We selected a warm decorative finish and added a beautiful carved medallion, not only to highlight the crystal chandelier but to also add some depth and architectural details that this room was lacking. We completed the look with layered crown moulding that we finished with a rich glaze to emphasize the architecture of the room.

Complementing their dining table and chairs, our design team chose a black & gold narrow open console with eglomise details to serve as a buffet. The mirrored back & top of this piece added another texture to the room without making it too busy, and the diamond-pattern was perfect to tie in the diamond-details found on the backs of the dining chairs and Fine Art wall sconces. Using a narrow console in this room that was lacking space, versus a buffet, allows our clients to have a serving area without sacrificing any additional floor space. We finished the look with perfectly-placed accessories and the client’s existing mirror, which we all loved.

The right lighting in any space is very important. Not only does it highlight your furniture, accessories, and artwork, but it creates ambiance and sets the tone of the room. We knew these Fine Art wall sconces were an absolutely perfect look for this dining room.

A hand-made silk and wool rug with deep color tones brought this entire room and the grand feel of the home together. The end result is a luxurious yet warm and inviting dining room that our clients and our design team are very proud of!