When you step into a 1900s home, you can feel its soul—history in the walls, stories in the creaking floorboards, and charm in every corner. But even with all that charm, sometimes these older homes need a fresh touch to match modern living better. That’s precisely what we did in this 1200-square-foot beauty dining room renovation.

One of the first things we tackled was the built-ins. While built-ins are a lovely feature in old homes, they can sometimes feel too heavy in small spaces, especially in dining rooms where openness and flow are essential. These particular built-ins took up prime real estate and were not unique, so out they went!

Removing them not only created more breathing room but also gave us the opportunity to add something much more exciting: a sliding door leading directly to the backyard! This door became the focal point, inviting natural light to flood the room and creating an easy, welcoming flow from indoors to outdoors. It’s perfect for those summer dinner parties that stretch into the night or simply sipping your morning coffee with a view of the garden.

Balancing Modern and Classic

In a home with this much history, it’s important to balance modern updates and respect for the original character. We carefully preserved the house’s integrity while introducing a fresh, stylish vibe. The new slider is sleek and modern, but it feels right at home paired with classic touches like timeless moldings and refinished original heart pine floors.

The Heart of the Design: The Art and Chandelier

Now, let’s talk about the real stars of this renovation. First, the art. We had a great time sourcing pieces for this space, and the result is a stunning collection of artwork, which we made sure to highlight throughout the space. Check out the art HERE. 

With clean, neutral walls, each piece shines like it’s in a gallery, adding color and personality to the room. Every wall becomes a conversation starter, and the dining room is now a vibrant, sophisticated space for entertaining.

And speaking of conversation starters, enter the bubble chandelier, also known as the Talia, designed by Julie Niell for Visual Comfort. This modern masterpiece is like a floating work of art in its own right. The hand-blown glass orbs add just the right amount of sparkle without overwhelming the space. It’s airy, playful, and luxurious, bringing the dining room to life with a soft, glowing ambiance. The chandelier adds a perfect modern twist to the old-world charm of the home.

Bringing the Outside In

The new slider door makes the dining room feel wholly connected to the outdoors. On warm days, the door can be slid open, blurring the line between the dining space and the backyard. We used the patio as an extension of the dining room, giving the homeowners the perfect indoor and outdoor living blend. The flow is seamless, and the room feels twice as big!

A Canvas of Art and a Sky of Style

To ensure the homeowner’s stunning art collection was the show’s star, we kept the walls a clean, crisp white. This allowed each piece to shine without competing for attention, creating a gallery-like feel in the dining room. But we wanted to add a little extra wow factor to the space, so we introduced a touch of drama by adding wallpaper by Trend—not on the walls, but on the ceiling! This unexpected move draws the eyes upward, making the room feel taller and highlighting the height of the ceilings despite the modest square footage. The wallpaper’s subtle patterns beautifully complement the rest of the space without overwhelming it, creating a harmonious balance.

A Vintage Table with a Splash of Color

Anchoring the room is a gorgeous vintage dining table, which we gave a fresh coat of Benjamin Moore’s Agean Teal. This rich, soulful blue-green ties in the hues from the ceiling wallpaper and the window treatments, adding a perfect pop of color to the otherwise neutral palette. It’s bold but classic—a timeless piece that feels vintage and modern.

Custom Window Treatments For Coastal Charm

And speaking of the window treatments, these were another custom element we’re thrilled with! We chose a beachy linen fabric by Stroheim with a bold yet elegant print that reflects the home’s coastal location. The breezy, natural feel of the linen softens the space, while the playful pattern adds a bit of personality. It’s the perfect blend of casual sophistication, offering just the right amount of contrast to the clean lines and vibrant art.

Final Thoughts

This renovation was all about creating a space as functional as beautiful—removing the built-ins made way for modern improvements like the sliding door. At the same time, thoughtful design choices—such as highlighting the homeowner’s artwork and selecting a bold, stylish chandelier—gave the room a fresh, modern feel without sacrificing the character of the historic home.

The end result is a bright, open, and full-of-personality dining room—a space where old meets new in the most elegant way possible. Whether a quiet family dinner or a lively gathering with friends, this dining room is ready to host a lifetime of memories!

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Are you planning your dream home and need some guidance on how to make the project come together? Or are you exhausted by all the little details you have to decide on? We can help. As you can see, we practice interior design in Ridgefield, CT, and beyond. Let’s have a conversation and bring your dreams to reality. Call us for a free discovery call today. You can also follow us on Instagram to see our daily updates!