Before and After: An Imaginative Redo Makes a Bland Dining Room Feel Way More Welcoming

One great thing about a move into a bare-bones place? There’s lots of opportunity to make it completely your own, with fresh paint, new architectural details, and of course, your own favorite furniture and decor.

That’s one thing that excited designer Natalie Papier (@home_ec_op) about her family’s move from their Chicago home to a new place in Charlotte, North Carolina that was “very very beige and dated.”

“It had great bones but I wanted to bring in my love for color and art,” Natalie says. “I have a strong love for colorful, eclectic, art-forward interiors that are full of pieces that are reflective of who we are as a family.” (See, for example, Natalie’s energizing living room redo.)

One area that definitely needed some personality: the dining room, which was plain white with a traditional chandelier that didn’t vibe with Natalie’s style.

So, as part of the renovation of the adjacent kitchen — which you can see peeking through on the other side — Natalie had the wall between the spaces removed to create one open area. Removing the wall and the old French doors created a space with lots more flow and made room for plenty of exciting new decor.

While the walls stayed white in the new dining room, Natalie gave the ceiling an exciting shot of color with an orange paint job. The color helps the now-enlarged dining space to still feel warm and cozy. Natalie also swapped the old traditional chandelier for a new globe-style one with mid-century modern vibes.

As for furniture, the space now holds a large wood dining table that’s plenty spacious for the whole family. Now, the dining area has become a much more welcoming area that’s a perfect showcase for Natalie’s style and personality.

“We love color. We love art. This home has become a gallery to the pieces we love in a way,” she says. “I’m proud of how happy this space feels. I love hosting dinners here for my friends and family now!”

As for Natalie’s advice for anyone else decorating and furnishing a new (or old) place? “Always surround yourself with pieces you love, colors you love,” she says. “There is no right or wrong when it comes to designing a home that’s reflective of the people living it in.”

Inspired? Submit your own project here.