A Formal Dining Room That's Not Fussy

On a modest budget and a timeline of three days, this formal dining room was updated to highlight its existing architectural features and to offer a cozy place for hosting year-round dinner parties.

In its original state, the dining room was bland and in need of a bold splash of color. Using the existing area rug as inspiration, the room was updated with navy blue on the walls, ceiling and along the back panels of the built-ins. New fixtures and fresh upholstery dress up the space.

A shade of navy blue 60 percent lighter than the wall color was used on the ceiling, which covers the room in color without drastically darkening it.

Prior to its redesign, the formal dining room was lacking an overhead light fixture. This new satin brass chandelier adds just the right sculptural touch. Globe bulbs, instead of traditional candelabra bulbs, lend a more modern look.