A great room design evokes a mood and tells a story about the ones who dwell there. If you're planning a dining room makeover, find your inspiration before you pick your colors and finishes, and the result will speak to your heart.
Rachel Drudy's first design for us evokes a timeless story, a memory many of us will share, of the magic of coming home. Of crisp autumn air, the smell of woodsmoke rising from the neighbors' chimneys as we crunch up the walkway through fallen leaves, the warm glow of the lights on inside beckoning us to come in from the dark which is falling so early on this late October evening. The anticipation of a special home cooked meal. Kicking off our boots and knocking off the chill with a good old scotch or a mug of hot apple cider.
Rachel has captured the magic of this moment by evoking the glistening amber hues of light reflecting through the ice cubes in a whiskey glass, with a Madison 7 copper light fixture by Veraluz and Brisbane Tan Dining Chair Pads by Barnett Home Decor. The play of light from the chandelier catches the subtle sheen of the variegated basketweave upholstered cushions, in arboreal shades of the autumn canopy: fiery red maple peeking through the saddle, bronze and antique gold.
The chair pads contrast nicely with the dark Barnwood finish of the Valerie dining table by Grain Wood Furniture; this smart color choice for the finish updates the classic look of the solid dining table with its traditional turned legs. The room design shares a scotch drinker's unpretentious but refined appreciation for expert craftsmanship, pairing the earthy dining table with well-made cross-back dining chairs rendered in a shaker style.
Rachel has cleverly selected an oak barrel style wall clock by Darby Home and echoed the patinaed barrel construction with a rustic wooden pail centerpiece from Magnolia Market. The oak and vanilla braided rug by Colonial Mills strikes a nice balance of traditional construction in a contemporary color pallet and doesn't steal the thunder of the show pieces in the room.
Although the room is dressed for fall with a bold Tangerine dinner service by Fiestaware, spectacular Valdosta table runner by Barnett Home Decor and custom curtains in spice dupioni silk, Rachel has anticipated the homeowner's needs with a neutral paint and finish scheme that will lend itself to transformation come the next season or special occasion.
