Client Project: Updating a Traditional Dining Room

I recently helped a friend's mom with some updates to her dining room.  She had just painted it a pretty red and wanted to give the rest of the room an update while keeping her existing table and chairs. 





She likes to decorate and has a good eye, so we were able to complete the entire project online. This is the plan I came up with for adding some modern touches to her traditional dining room:










And, this is how the room turned out:




To recover her dining chairs, I suggested she use a pretty green and  red floral fabric that would work with the red paint color.  We also traded out her more traditional chandelier for a pretty crystal fixture with a black drum shade that I found on Overstock.




Although I originally suggested she use a black and white stripe rug from IKEA, she went with this zebra pattern instead which worked perfectly and provided the same bold constrast.  I love her choice.




To provide storage and a place for lighting, we used the Edland dresser from IKEA.  I absolutely love the curves of this line of furniture and how it works just as perfectly in a dining room as in a bedroom.




For a touch of unexpected color, we used apple green ceramic lamps.  She was also able to use her existing mirror but hung it vertically to add height and added framed black and white photographs to better fill the wall space.






Thanks to Sandy for letting me share her beautiful dining room today!


Do you have a space that's in need of some updating but live outside of the Charlotte area?  I can help you complete a room via my online decorating services.  More details here.

33 comments:

  1. The rug and dresser from Ikea (I have seen this piece and here it doesn't look like a piece from Ikea!) make all the difference in the room, oh, and the chandelier as well! They ground the space together beautifully, great job! Janell

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow what an improvement! Just discovered your blog and I'm excited to see more projects.

    xx
    Naomi

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wonderful job Emily!! It looks amazing.... love the rug :)

    xoxo Laura

    ReplyDelete
  4. Amazing! The look is perfect! I love how the updated rug and chandy take the room to another level. Did the drawer pulls come with the dresser?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great update and I love her choice of rug!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great update Emily. I love that she was able to use some inexpensive pieces as well. The lamps and the fixture over the table are my two favorite elements.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Such a fun post and the timing is perfect. Loved seeing the easy updates from traditional to current/modern.

    -Rene

    ReplyDelete
  8. You've really helped the space look fresh and modern - it looks great! Love the rug and the chandelier.

    ReplyDelete
  9. It definitly has been updated. I love the new pieces especially the pop of green in the buffet lamps.

    I would like to suggest bringing in a darker shade to the bottom portion of the walls, under the chair rail; maybe a slate grey?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Where is the white vase on the table from? I would love to know please. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love how you totally updated the room. It's so chic, now! Love that rug, where is it from

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great work! The apple lamps and the dresser from Ikea are my favorite!

    ReplyDelete
  13. That is a great update! The modern touches are perfect...great job!

    xoxo, cass

    ReplyDelete
  14. First impression is that the room went from "normal room" to "pizazz popping room"

    EXCELLENT transformation! I totally love the carpet and the big white centerpiece.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love the final pics! Great job to you and your client.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Beautiful! The chandelier and the chair fabric are my favorite touches. Well done and thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  17. hi! i'm visiting from lindsays blog, home.life.style.design! wow the update looks great! i love those lamps, they look great with the red!

    ReplyDelete
  18. another fabulous emily re-do! I love every new feature you brought in...my faves being the ikea chest of drawers and the lamps. Fabulous as always!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great work!!! I love the update. That dresser definitely doesn't look "ikea" ... ; )

    Lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love the way it turned out! Those green lamps are so unexpected, but they pull the whole thing together, in my opinion! Amazing job, once again!

    ReplyDelete
  21. So interesting to see what you came up with using the red wall and her existing furniture. The fabric on the chairs goes great and I love the dresser and rug. Where is the rug from?

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wow! Love the chandelier and rug. What a great transformation.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Emily...love that you used the gray [instead of a black one] chest with the green lamps! That was brilliant!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I really like how you modernized it! I looks beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  25. super fun! i love traditional design punched up with a meaty dose of modern/graphic boldness. you did a great job at this. love it.

    ReplyDelete
  26. What a difference, much more current and fresh, love it. I saw that chandelier and have suggested it to others, it is a great purchase!! Bravo Miss Emily,Kathysue

    ReplyDelete
  27. Looks great! Love the green lamps!

    ReplyDelete
  28. i found your blog hopping and i LOVe that fabric swatch #9 - where did you find it?!!

    ReplyDelete

Your comments make my day! If you have a question, I'll try to answer in the comment section by the end of the day. Or, you can email me at emily@emilyaclark.com.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...