Week 6 Transformation: Living and Dining Room Unveiled

Seven months ago, we closed on our renovation house, a blank canvas awaiting a mid-century modern transformation. Today, it’s with immense satisfaction and undeniable excitement that we unveil the complete design of our living and dining rooms. This journey, while longer and more challenging than anticipated, has culminated in a space that truly reflects our vision for a vibrant, functional, and inviting home.

Renovations often come with their share of unexpected hurdles, and ours was no exception. Yet, overcoming each challenge made the final reveal all the more rewarding. Our primary goal for this initial phase, particularly for the One Room Challenge, was to create an impactful first impression. As the entry point into our new home, these rooms needed to set the tone immediately. We believe we’ve achieved just that, with a bold statement of color, undeniable mid-century modern vibes, and an entrance that now radiates brightness and warmth.

From the moment we embarked on house hunting, the distinctive features of this property’s entrance captured our hearts. The original terrazzo foyer, complete with a built-in planter, offered a unique character that spoke to the home’s 1970s origins. Equally captivating were the custom-made front doors, a testament to the home’s thoughtful design decades ago. As long-time followers know, our love for natural light is paramount, making the abundance of windows throughout the space a double triumph. While Houston thunderstorms meant our recent photoshoot didn’t fully capture the glorious evening light these rooms receive, rest assured, its beauty will be frequently showcased on our future Instagram posts!

Our Flooring Transformation

The flooring was one of the first elements we knew needed a complete overhaul. The existing cheap vinyl simply didn’t align with our vision for a sophisticated, mid-century space. We opted for a lighter hardwood to create an airy and expansive feel. Our choice, Stuga Studio Oak Alpine, was selected for its warm tones and durability, intended for use throughout the entire house. However, for the living and dining rooms, we decided to introduce a distinctive touch. Our incredible construction team, Genesis CP, expertly installed the hardwood at a striking 45-degree angle, adding a unique visual dynamic and flow to the open-plan area. This angled installation not only enhances the mid-century aesthetic but also creates an illusion of greater space, drawing the eye through the rooms.

Of course, no renovation is without its drama. During the demolition phase, we encountered an unexpected discovery beneath the old flooring, which added a significant, albeit temporary, challenge to our timeline. Resolving this “flooring debacle” required patience and problem-solving, but once it was behind us, the remainder of the design process felt remarkably straightforward. With the foundation laid, literally, the next steps involved refreshing the entire room with a coat of paint and carefully selecting the perfect furniture pieces to bring our mid-century vision to life.

Selecting Functional & Stylish Furniture

When it came to furnishing our living and dining rooms, the balance between aesthetics and practicality was key. While I craved a beautiful space that echoed a retro vibe, every piece needed to be highly functional, especially with our little one, Gwen, happily exploring her surroundings. This meant choosing resilient materials and intelligent designs that could withstand the joyful chaos of a bustling family home.

For the living room, the American Leather Blake chairs in bison butterscotch are a prime example of this philosophy. They are not merely stunning visual anchors; they are incredibly comfortable recliners that discreetly offer relaxation without compromising their sophisticated mid-century design. One would never guess their reclining capability based purely on their elegant appearance! Complementing these chairs is the Loloi rug, designed by Justina Blakeney. Its perfectly soft texture and subtle pattern are not only inviting underfoot but also incredibly practical, expertly disguising any sticky handprints or footprints that might occur during playtime. The coffee tables, with their distinctive mid-century shapes, feature rounded corners – a thoughtful detail that minimizes potential bumps for a curious toddler.

The sofa, a deep-colored piece from Overstock, was initially a surprise with its intense hue upon arrival. My original sofa choice was different, necessitating a quick pivot in my pillow selections to harmonize the new color scheme. However, this happy accident proved to be a blessing; the sofa has truly grown on me, becoming a beloved focal point. Its deep seat offers unparalleled comfort for lounging, and its forgiving color is ideal for handling the inevitable spills and smudges that come with family life.

In the dining area, I instantly fell for this extendable white dining table from Overstock, flawlessly paired with their Tia Y chairs. This table is a dream for entertaining, comfortably seating up to ten guests – perfect for large family gatherings and future styled tablescapes. To keep our tabletop goods organized and accessible, we added a sleek modern white buffet, which harmonizes beautifully with the table and chairs. The entire dining setup is elevated by the striking Hudson Valley Lighting pendant light and its complementary Couture Lamps, adding a touch of sophisticated glow to the space.

Curating Our Artwork Collection

Choosing the artwork for our newly renovated living and dining rooms was a decision I debated extensively. For the main living room, above the credenza, I aimed for pieces that would infuse energy and character. The set of four vibrant prints from Minted (each individually linked in the sources below) ultimately won me over. Their combination of colors and modern abstract forms creates a captivating focal point, adding depth and a touch of artistic flair to the space. The question I posed to myself, and now to you, was: too loud, too colorful, or just right? I believe they strike the perfect balance, introducing personality without overwhelming the room.

In contrast, for the dining room, I leaned towards a more minimalist approach. Given the vibrant energy already established in the living room, I felt it was important to maintain a sense of calm and simplicity in the adjacent dining area. I discovered this striking print on Etsy and decided to personalize it further. Using Photoshop, I adjusted the background color to perfectly complement our new palette before having it professionally printed and framed. This custom touch ensured the artwork felt cohesive and uniquely ours, adding a sophisticated yet understated statement to the dining space.

Thoughtful Accent Decor Choices

With the major furniture pieces in place, the final step was to meticulously select accent decor that would tie the entire mid-century modern design together and imbue the rooms with personality and warmth. Plants played a significant role in this, largely inspired by the magnificent large fiddle leaf fig that was a charming existing feature of the house. This plant set the tone, encouraging us to embrace a lush, green aesthetic throughout.

NDI proved to be an invaluable resource for truly beautiful botanical pieces. The exquisite protea centerpiece gracing our dining room table, the vibrant tropical leaves artfully arranged on the coffee table, and the additional faux fiddle leaf figs in the dining room all contribute to a feeling of natural serenity and elegance. These high-quality faux plants offer the beauty of nature without the constant maintenance, a perfect solution for busy homeowners.

During the furniture unboxing phase, I noticed a somewhat awkward gap between the living and dining areas. This presented an opportunity to create a more cohesive and functional transition. At the last minute, I stumbled upon this charming rattan bench, which proved to be an ideal solution. Placed strategically, it transformed the awkward space into an inviting seating area, effortlessly connecting the two distinct zones. Considering its eleventh-hour addition, I am thrilled with how seamlessly it integrated into the overall design, completing the flow and providing additional seating.

Now, our living and dining rooms feel incredibly cozy, welcoming, and undeniably full of personality. We are officially moving into our new home this week, and the anticipation of truly settling into and utilizing these beautifully transformed spaces is immense. This renovation has been a labor of love, and we can’t wait to create countless memories within these vibrant walls.

One Room Challenge Living Room + Dining Room Reveal Room Sources

Modway Mauve Pink Sofa
Tropical Faux Plant from NDI
American Leather Blake Recliners in Bison Butterscotch
Justina Blakeney for Loloi Symbology Rug
Jelly Bean Modern White Coffee Table from CB2
Minted Soft Coral Artwork
Minted Going For A Swim Artwork
Minted Havana Artwork
Minted La Poste Artwork
Rattan Bench from World Market
Large Round Gold Mirror West Elm (above bench)
Simple Living Tia Y Dining Chairs in Natural
MOON High Gloss White Buffet
Quatrefoil Lamps in White and Gold (on buffet)
B Modern White Extendable Dining Table
Hinsdale Gold Chandelier by Hudson Valley Lighting
Fan Palm in a Glass Vase by NDI
Faux Fiddle Leaf Fig by NDI
Glass Protea Set by NDI
Pinky Finger Artwork from Etsy (custom edited colors)
Round Oversized Vase in White
Rattan Side Table from Target
Flooring – Stuga Studio Oak Alpine
Wall Paint – HGTV Sherwin Williams High Reflective White
Construction – Genesis CP

As we celebrate this final reveal week, we invite you to explore the incredible transformations achieved by all the other talented participants in the One Room Challenge. Be sure to check out their inspiring before and after designs!

Table of Contents

Our Flooring Transformation

Selecting Functional & Stylish Furniture

Curating Our Artwork Collection

Thoughtful Accent Decor Choices

One Room Challenge Living Room + Dining Room Reveal Room Sources