Red, white & new: Bold colors transform a blah room

The challenge

This dramatic dining room catches your eye instantly at the front door. That’s exactly what this Cary couple wanted. Before, this boring beige room was never used. Now, everyone is drawn to this special space because it feels warm and inviting, like a classic steakhouse.

Super space

This 12-by-13 dining room started with informal furnishings that replicate island antiques from the Barbados collection by Stanley Furniture. For carefree entertaining, the round dining table, console table and chairs have an espresso wood finish that holds up to abuse. A wall-mounted accent mirror from Kincaid has the same finish.

All the warm honey tones of the floor are found in the traditional 8-by-11 rug from the Kathy Ireland Home Collection by Shaw Floors. The rug’s spice-hued borders and flowers add the pizzazz the homeowner wanted and became the inspiration for the paint color.

Sherwin-Williams 6314 Luxurious Red Color took the homeowners’ breath away. Once painted, the traditional white wainscoting and trim work popped and architectural details of the tray ceiling reached new heights.

The luxurious red-on-red fabric has a traditional motif. We used 3 yards to recover the chairs’ six seat cushions and 10 yards for the drapes. To create that perfect windswept look we chose relaxed pleats on the drapery panels that hang 3 inches too long. Dark wooden rods set off the windows to give them a grander feel and to allow in more light.

Bejeweled with sweeping bead and oak leaf crystals, the chandelier crowns the room. It is from the Pennington Collection by Livex. The 34-inch base has an aged Venetian Golden Bronze finish. Light reflects from eight candelabra bulbs. We added a dimmer switch for romantic evening meals.

Finally the lamps, plants and artwork are from Homegoods and Michaels. What a great, guilt-free way to finish this outstanding room on budget.

Terrific trick

This room never feels dark because of our creative use of the homeowners’ crystal collection. The glassware reflects light around the room. The antique punch bowls were fun garage sale finds. One adds levity to any occasion when filled with ice and favorite beverage bottles. Another serves as a centerpiece filled with flowers. The Cherrywood Crystal stemware by Gorham was purchased in Europe when she was stationed there serving in the Army.

Lisa Stewart Design

919-275-2212, lisastewartdesign.com

This story was originally published July 3, 2015 at 7:09 AM with the headline "Red, white & new: Bold colors transform a blah room."