Everyone says the kitchen is the heart of the home, but for me, ever since I was a girl, it was the dining table. It’s partly symbolic and partly functional. That’s where my dad taught me to balance a checkbook. That’s where my mom and I would sit and enjoy an iced tea after working in the yard. It’s where I did all my homework and where we would enjoy delicious home-cooked meals as a family while visiting about our day. I remember my parents having friends over every month to play cards and have snacks around their table. It’s always been a place for warm food and warm company. I always felt that I would never have a real home unless I had a large dining table for all of life’s projects and gatherings. The first piece of furniture Brent and I bought as a newly married couple was a small dining table. When we outgrew it Brent built me this beautiful trestle table out of quarter sawn white oak. We purchased the chairs locally and obtained the stain from the manufacturer so we could finish the table to match exactly. It’s seen so much use I’ve had to refinish it twice. It has seen sewing projects, game nights, lots of kids’ homework, and plenty of family meals.
Goals for this room:
- Access to the walk-out patio
- Lots of natural light
- A multi-functional niche for art display and hidden office storage
- Big enough for my table, small enough to feel cozy
Design Concept:
As a central part of our family activity, this room needed to be thoughtfully planned out. From size to materials to lighting, every element was carefully considered. It started with the sliding patio door. Brent has harbored a love for vertical grain Doug fir for as long as I have known him. In every home, building, or magazine he spots it in, he is sure to point it out to me. So naturally, it was a given that we would have this species of wood doors in our home— the ultimate expression being this eight-foot sliding glass beauty made by Anderson. After the lumber for framing, it was the first item we ordered. We love the vision and access it provides to the patio, but also just the simple beauty of the door itself. We love that we have direct access to the patio from the kitchen for outdoor cooking. We also love all the natural light it provides for the kitchen. Brent loves that he can step out without having to step down. We made foundational adjustments to have the patio floor level with the home so there is no need to navigate steps getting in and out.
During the drawing phase, we debated the need for a full-size dining room and thought that a small nook might be sufficient. In the end, we opted for something in-between. As an extension of the kitchen, it has the coziness and access of a breakfast nook. While extending it to match the depth of the patio meant we could include the sliding glass door. It also meant I would have room to keep my beloved dining table. The size and shape were designed to suit our needs without taking too much space. I love the way this room came together in connection to the rest of our living spaces. The room is close enough to feel connected and yet the symmetry and framing make it feel separate enough to be its own space. The wood beams continuing from the kitchen really tie it all together.
The windows in this room are a little different than anywhere else in the home. Just as Brent could spot his favorite door a mile away, I am always pointing out a pretty transom window and this seemed the right spot to include some. There was a lot of thought that went into the design of this particular set of windows. In addition to the traditional look of transoms, I have always loved the moulding detail around a wooden framed window. Wood windows were not in the budget however, so I imitated the look with careful and consistent spacing of the trim work around each individual pane. I was also careful about the height of the transom lights. A twelve-inch transom is very common, but I really wanted them to have a more substantial presence while maintaining a very horizontal feel. The result is just what I had hoped for.
Wiring a home for lighting happens very early in the construction process and even with so much natural lighting, we knew we wanted plenty of additional options to fit all the activities this room requires. We placed recessed LED lights to provide plenty of general lighting for projects and games, while a chandelier gives a softer atmosphere for dining. We also included a small spotlight to illuminate the designated art wall.
Things I’m still working on:
The space needs a little softness. The edges are hard and I feel a bit of an echo. Although I like the overall minimal feel, it needs a few textiles. I’d like to put up some long full drapes to frame the windows and a tall faux plant in the corner. Originally, I had envisioned a window bench with pillows and a cushion. It didn’t happen during construction though, so we will see if I can manage to create something along those lines later.
For daytime use, this space also functions as my office/work area, and for now, it’s working okay. I don’t love that the table is full of computers and papers when it comes time for dinner so I’m in need of some clever storage for keeping office supplies in reach but not seen. I’m hoping to find a slim cabinet to fit in the niche section opposite the door that would serve as a sideboard, in addition to hiding office things.
Lastly, I plan to put up one of my photographs from a favorite national park. The wall opposite the door is one of the few spaces large enough for art to be displayed and I’m anxious to see how a shot of Zabriski Point at Death Valley looks above my table. I’m hopeful it will add to the memories and conversation of my new dining room.
