Joanna’s Design Tips: DIY a Rustic Dining Room

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Editor’s note: Do you love Fixer Upper star Joanna Gaines’ style as much as we do? She’s offering up her design tips to help you get the rustic Magnolia Homes look she created in the dining room of this 1962 "Shingle Shack."
When we first walked into this home’s dining room, it lacked interest and character. (See before and after photos here.) The tiles and basic beige made the room feel cold and bland. But, I knew it had potential to hold more than just a table and chairs. Here’s the finished product:
Want to recreate this room at home? Here are 3 tips to get the look.
Add Architectural Interest
You don’t need a large-scale art piece to make a big impact. Head to a salvage yard to find an old architectural piece, like the window frame on this wall, for the room’s focal point. I love how this window’s weathered wood stands out in contrast to the freshly-painted wall. The window and wreath add dimension to the wall, which makes the room more warm and inviting.
Add Color, Naturally
We kept this room’s palette neutral, adding color through natural accents. We added texture and greenery on the wall with a faux magnolia wreath, filled a white vase with flowers on the mantel and added a pop of color on the table with a wooden tray covered in bright green pears.
Try Unexpected Place Settings
Elevate the room’s design by creating custom place settings you can pull out when friends and family are on the way. We topped distressed white wooden chargers with aged books and white plates adding subtle texture.
See more photos of this gorgeous makeover here: