Bold Dining Room

Makeover Room, before

Before

Below are the steps taken by designer Linda Applewhite, to get a bold, pulled-together designer look for a small, nondescript dining space accented by a painting of dogs playing pool:

Makeover Room, after: $2,200

Transforming the Makeover Room

To begin the makeover, Linda painted the walls a warm golden yellow (Benjamin Moore: Straw 2154-50). She then hung panel curtains striped in tones of mustard, moss and clay and trimmed with tassels. A wrought-iron chandelier with a graceful scroll design is also added to the space.

Linda added a round dark wood table with a rope edging to the space and added armless chairs upholstered in different colors (butter, moss, clay) with painted backs to match the upholstery. She used a gold open wire basket filled with plants and greenery for the table's centerpiece

Linda then hung a bamboo shade over the pass-through into the kitchen for a tailored, functional look. She also placed a large tea-dyed area rug in rust and golds on the floor.

The dog picture is replaced with a picture of urns in warm colors and flanked it with two sconces. She later accessorized the buffet with two topiaries and colorful textured pottery pieces that reflect the artwork.

Cost Information

To see where the savings are, take a look at this direct cost comparison of some Inspiration Room items and the creatively comparable ones used in the Makeover Room:

French buffet and accessories, $11,660 / Second-hand buffet and pottery, $310

Spanish walnut round table, $10,000 / Round pedestal table, $300

Antique French brass oval planter, $425 / Gold wire basket, $6

Table and chairs, $25,500 / Sensible version, $960

Makeover Information

gold wire basket with scalloped edge, sconces - Marshalls
chandelier (Progressive: Berkeley), topiaries - Home Depot
fabric for drapery panels - Poppy Fabric
iron-tone rod, finials, clip rings - Target
framed print, bamboo shade - Cost Plus
pitcher, ceramic vase - Pier 1 Imports
glass urn - Ben Franklin