For dramatic dining room inspiration, restaurant decor is a good place to start. Restaurants invest lots of time and money into creating the perfect atmosphere for eating and conversation, and (depending on the food and the style of the place) this often involves romantic lighting, dark colors, and opulent details. Click below for a few high-drama Chicago restaurants from our archives...
Wow Factor: Chandeliers at Sepia

Bronze and Gold: Relax Lounge

Velvet Drapes, Intricate Moldings, and High-Back Sofas: The Violet Hour

Drama on a Budget: Opulent IKEA Frames at Epoch/Pie

Subtle Colors and Antique Furnishings: Sepia

Comments (5)
These restaurants and nightclubs are one heck of alot more inspiring than the dreck at UO and Anthropology...
...those wingchairs at Violet Hour are SEXY
Love the chandeliers at Sepia; although we had a dreadful brunch there a few months ago.
Violet Hour is the best.
got to experience velvet hour in july when visiting chicago/friends. lots of cool concepts there (decor & drinks!). i'm surprised carnivale wasn't included in this post. check that out too! i couldn't help but sneak pics of the unique decor there (discretely taken from our corner table of course).
For a close match to the Sepia chandeliers, closer in scale to most homes, check out this one. Lit, it has that same look.
http://www.zgallerie.com/pc-5666-38-erto-chandelier.aspx
I really like the designs shown here, especially the first photo. The wall treatment is beautiful and the light fixture adds a nice natural touch. Thanks for sharing.