Legacy in Bloom: A Story Told Through Design and Sophisticated Whimsy
When I step into my dining room now, I feel a profound sense of connection, of JOY, and a seamless blend of honoring the past while embracing the present. This room, once filled with carpet turned into stained concrete floors, white walls - besides the feature wall - and popcorn ceilings, is now the heart of my home’s story. Every design choice, every piece of furniture, every detail is an intentional reflection of my journey of the people and places that inspire me the most, and the legacies I plan to carry forward.
Well now, I’m excited to share the transformation of my dining room, a space that holds not just a place for meals but memories, creativity, and the promise of celebrations to come.
From Popcorn Ceilings to Basque Green Skies
Just to jog our memory a bit, this is how the dining room looked when I first moved into my home. I was so excited seeing this room when I got my keys because I saw its potential! I dreamed of making this dining room a space that would fully reflect ME!
As I lived more in my home, my love of DIY, and my design journey progressed, I began to infuse my spaces with more color and life! Too, I always knew I wanted to install a flooring solution other than the previous carpet. So, I one of the FIRST things I did when I moved into my home was remove the carpet and stain the floors . . . myself.
I loved this iteration of the dining room!
A Vintage MCM Dining Set I Procured Through a Friend
Here is a look at the dining room as more recently reimagined. Too, this version of this space was post-ceiling scrub and the first phase of wallpapering the once-white walls. Also, this was shortly after my kitchen remodel. Upon understanding the sound investment that Project Cocina IV was, I was influenced to curate my home with more sustainable and carefully crafted furniture, including the furniture in my dining room.
I was really started to lock in on the design direction for this space! But with future concepts in mind for the space, I began to entertain the idea of wallpapering the mural wall!
But, we’ll get more into that in just a minute . . .
A Timeless Foundation
Jurnee’s GENIUS and Effortlessly Gorgeous Use of Marble Floor Tile as a Wall Treatment. I’m Inspired!
Inspired by Jurnee’s - y’all know Jurnee - Art by Design space, I knew my floors needed something timeless yet playful, elegant, yet inviting! *Cue* the white marble and granite checkered tiles . . .
Captured Two Weeks After the Installation, and Me Still in Love with the Floors!
. . . installed by the amazing team at CDS Designs. The veins in the marble bring organic movement to the space, while the polished finish creates a neutral foundation that lets the room’s colors shine. How CHIC, y’all! And while I originally planned to layer my La Joie rug here, I decided to let these floors revel in their glory - for now!
By now, I really started to think more about whether or not I should keep the mural wall, or at least find some way to preserve its meaning.
Here’s why this decision was such a meaningful and difficult one to make. But, I must say, I love the solution I came up with!
Walls That Tell Stories
Every home has a heartbeat - a place where its essence comes alive. For me, that has always been the wall in my dining room where I painted the words my dad once sang to me: “Everything’s gonna be alright.” That wall held so much more than just paint - it carried the weight of his reassurance during a time when I needed it most. It became a daily reminder of resilience, comfort, and the enduring power of love.
As I planned this renovation, I knew that wall couldn’t simply be painted - or wallpapered - over. Its legacy needed to live on in my home. So, I called the same team who did my floors to come and carefully cut out the sheetrock. I worked with 1910 Frameworks & Gallery to have it framed as artwork, !transforming it into a piece of art that now hangs in my home - a testament to my dad’s words and their impact on my journey. It’s more than décor; it’s a promise I carry forward every day.
In its place, I introduced a new legacy: Ruth’s Garden, a wallpaper I designed with Chasing Paper in memory of my grandmother, Ruth. Its floral design is a celebration of her love for gardening and her ability to create beauty wherever she went! Ruth’s Garden alongside Meadow Mist brought a sense of striking harmony to the room! Both papers are faux grasscloth wallpaper for texture and practicality-it’s easier to clean and adds subtle sophistication to the space.
It’s these stories—told in textures, colors, and layers—that give a home its soul.
Y’all, I am in absolute love with how luxuriously warm this room is starting to feel! Do y’all see how the green of the leaves in Ruth’s Garden flows right into the Basque Green throughout the space?
Lighting: A Boutique Feel with Capiz Shells
My previous chandelier had a charm of its own, and I loved it for that iteration of my dining room!
But as my home’s aesthetic evolved, I sought something softer, more reminiscent of a tucked-away boutique restaurant. The Capiz Shell Globe Pendant was the perfect choice. Its warm, diffused light casts a glow that feels both intimate and inviting. The installation process came with its challenges (handy-dandy Dave to the rescue!), but the final result was worth every ounce of effort.
Also, doesn’t it look a little like a disco ball?!
Art, Furnishings, and Bespoke Details
Every piece in this dining room was chosen with intention, blending elements that reflect my personal journey and the stories I’ve collected along the way. The Finnley Dining Table from Arhaus anchors the space with its sleek, bluestone surface, communicating both elegance and durability for gatherings big and small! Paired with olive green chairs, the subtle texture of the velvet adds warmth and contrast against the checkered marble floors. Together, these pieces set the stage for a room that feels inviting yet elevated!
For the walls, I curated art that feels personal and connected. A bold piece from local artist Stacy Kiehl, featuring an abstract dance of warm and cool colors through the serpent and tiger, brings vibrancy to the space while complementing the natural tones of the room. I’d seen this piece online before. But, during one of our local festivals, I met Stacy and had a chance to see this piece in person. Truly, love at first sight!
This is paired with treasures collected during my travels to Cartagena, like this Botero-inspired piece I got framed. If you remember the larger painting that once lived in this room, you know that its depiction of dance is what made the piece truly special - given that dance is also a big part of my life. So, what a full-circle design moment bringing in this piece of the dancing lady! Each item carries memories of a culture that inspires me daily. The juxtaposition of local and global creates a dialogue in the space - a harmony of heritage and adventure.
The lighting and accessories truly tie it all together. The Capiz Shell Globe casts a warm glow, while pink onyx sconces provide subtle sophistication and a bespoke touch. But, can I let you in on a little secret? The onyx sconces were not the first sconces I installed here . . .
I first installed these blue metal sconces with reflective bulbs. Although I loved them, I didn’t necessarily love them for this space.
To elevate the greenery, I swapped in sculptural planters and a brutalist-style pedestal, adding texture and depth! I’ve always wanted a space for a display pedestal!
Another furniture piece I’ve been eyeing for some time now - at Stock and Belle - is this glass and metal sideboard. It’s the perfect size for the space right under the bay window, and the design adds a sleek, industrial flair to the room!
Each detail, from the wallpapers to the tabletop accessories, layers a story - one of legacy, creativity, and joy.
This dining room isn’t just a showcase of design; it’s a reflection of heart, heritage, and home. It’s a space where stories unfold - over shared meals, laughter, and the soft hum of voices that carry love through the years. From the bold, checkered floors that ground the space to the vibrant blooms of Ruth’s Garden wallpaper, every detail was chosen to spark connection and inspire joy!
This is where I’ll gather - friends, family, and chosen family - creating moments that linger long after the plates are cleared. Also, this is about to see some major content creation sessions on socials!
It’s where we’ll celebrate milestones, toast to life’s blessings, and honor the legacies that brought us here. A space like this is more than just walls and furnishings; it’s the backdrop to the memories that will fill it for years to come.
Here, joy lives, and love grows, woven into every color, every texture, and every shared moment at the table.
I hope you love this space as much as I do! Now, what space do we tackle next?
In the meantime . . .
Shop the Look
Here are the pieces that helped bring this vision to life:
Dining Table: Finnley Dining Table - gifted
Chairs: Ambrose Dining Side Chair in Vanni Olive Upholstery - gifted
Pendant Light: Capiz Honeycomb Globe Pendant Light
Sconces: Onyx Marble and Brass Sconces
Wallpaper:
Feature Wall: Ruth’s Garden
Solid Grasscloth Walls: Meadow Mist
