After six years, our dining room finally had a makeover!
As I grow older, I’ve been more intentional with my home decor choices, and that usually means I take my time to make decisions. So, trust me, this makeover definitely did not happen overnight.
The dining room makeover has been a long time in the making, but I’m so pleased with how everything turned out.
The dining room is hands-down my favourite space in our home now.
Keep scrolling to see the dining room makeover before and after photos!
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Before Dining Room Makeover
Six years ago, my interior style was more bohemian, so I wanted my dining room to have a vibrant, tropical vibe.
I loved using plants as decor, bringing in natural elements that added to the room’s airy feel.
To complement the bright and airy vibe I loved so much, I opted for a glass dining table and clear acrylic chairs, keeping the space light and uncluttered.
However, over time, I noticed that the elements started blending together, lacking the visual contrast I had hoped for.
A few years ago, I hung a tree-print artwork on the wall.
I thought it would add more character to the dining room, but the piece didn’t quite fit the tropical-bohemian vibe.
Not to mention, its size was too small for the wall, making it feel out of place.
Although the dining room didn’t look terrible, it never truly felt like me.
The space lacked a clear identity and felt disjointed.
It just didn’t align with the vision I had in mind, and despite the effort I put into decorating, it never clicked the way I wanted it to.
The room wasn’t cohesive or personal — it felt more like a collection of ideas rather than an intentional reflection of my style.
In the end, I just didn’t feel connected to the space, which made it hard to fully enjoy.
After Dining Room Makeover
After making a few thoughtful adjustments, the dining room finally feels like the space I had envisioned all along.
It now feels warm, cozy, and inviting, all of which perfectly aligns with my personal style at this stage of my life.
The room no longer feels forced; instead, it reflects a cohesive, intentional design that feels like me.
The transformation lies in the small but impactful details, which made all the difference.
In the next section, I’ll share the key elements behind this transformation, so you can see how minor tweaks can have a big impact.
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Dining Room Decor Details
A Fresh Coat Of Paint
In 2022, I collaborated with Vasari to repaint the apartment using their limewash paint. We used Vasari’s Linen White for the dining room wall.
The moment I saw the new wall colour, it gave me the creative spark I needed to dive into a full dining room makeover.
I immediately thought the soft, textured finish of the limewash added so much depth to the space, making the room feel both moody and inviting at the same time.
The subtle warmth of Vasari’s Linen White created the perfect backdrop and set the tone for the entire dining room makeover.
Swap Out The Furniture
The next step in the makeover was swapping out the furniture.
I had been meaning to replace the acrylic chairs for a while — one had broke, and more importantly, they weren’t comfortable enough for long meals.
I know, I know, what was I thinking in the first place?!
Anyway, when I came across this set of white boucle chairs, I instantly fell in love.
Their soft, curved shape felt like the perfect contrast to the hard edges of my dining table, adding balance and visual interest to the space.
What also drew me to the chairs was their sleek and sophisticated black legs.
Since black naturally draws attention and gives the space a sense of focus, I’ve been wanting to introduce touches of black to the dining room.
These new chairs not only made the dining area more comfortable but also brought in the right mix of softness and structure.
That’s not all! Since I’ve always loved the charm of mismatched dining chairs, I wanted to carry that concept into the dining room makeover.
This time, I decided to pair the boucle chairs with natural rattan and wood armchairs.
The wood armchairs are my husband’s favourite. They’re made from real wood, so the beautiful natural grain stands out.
I love how these two chair styles complement each other: the softness of the boucle contrasts well with the rattan and wood textures.
Plus, both chairs are SO comfortable.
One thing’s for sure – I learned my lesson the hard way. So, it was very important to me that the dining area is as practical as it is stylish!
Related: 6 Surprising Things I Learned About Limewash Paint
Choose The Right Artwork
The hardest part of the dining room makeover was choosing the right artwork.
This time, I wanted something personal that truly resonated with me. Nothing generic or mass-produced!
Fortunately, I connected with a local artist, Carissa from Wildflower Culture, who offered to create a custom piece based on a story I wanted to express.
I immediately jumped on board. I’d be crazy to turn down a unique and meaningful piece of art!
I shared with her how I’ve been navigating grief over the past few years and how my love for the beach has been a source of comfort during that time.
She understood my vision perfectly and designed a piece called Beach Mornings to reflect those emotions.
This time, I also made sure the artwork was the right size and scale for the wall.
When the artwork arrived, it fit seamlessly into the room’s design.
Be Intentional With Decor
Sadly, all of my plants have died, but I still wanted a green element to bring life to the space.
I decided to invest in my first large faux plant, which fits perfectly in the corner of the dining room.
If you’re buying a faux plant, it’s essential to repot it.
Faux plants often come in small plastic containers that immediately give away their artificial nature.
I chose a larger decorative pot and filled the top with moss to create a more natural, realistic look.
You should also look out for the colour of the leaves and the texture of the branches. Avoid leaves that are bright green and branches that are too smooth.
When shopping for faux plants, I like to go for ones with small imperfections because they mimic the natural flaws of real plants, making them appear more lifelike.
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Get The Look
1. Artificial olive leaf arrangement in ceramic pot // 2. White ceramic pitcher // 3. Boucle dining chairs // 4. Isaiah vase // 5. Aileen Fitzgerald artwork // 6. Acacia wood bowl // 7. Rattan utensil caddy // 8. Faux moss in gold bowl // 9. Rattan decorative tray // 10. Modern traditional taper holder // 11. Goulding woven bowl // 12. Barrel back cane dining armchair // 13. Faux olive tree with ceramic pot