Transform a simple dining room into a beautiful traditional space by combining classic details, layered patterns, and thoughtful fabric and wallpaper choices. This photo tour highlights lighting, wallpaper, decor, and the design decisions behind the makeover.
This dining room marks a clear style shift from the farmhouse look I had in my previous home to a more traditional, layered aesthetic. Learning to decorate in a new style has been both challenging and rewarding, and the result feels cohesive and timeless.
The makeover began when I realized two things: the farmhouse furniture I brought from my old house was too large for this room and it didn’t suit the new home’s classic style. While I planned the refresh, I temporarily painted the top portion of the walls a deep gray to unify the existing pieces.
Shortly after, I was gifted my grandmother’s antique dining set. The scale and style were perfect for this space—smaller and more traditional—and instantly set the direction for the entire room. My goal became clear: design the room around the furniture to highlight its warm, rich tones.
The Design Plan
Before starting any makeover, I create a design plan to visualize how everything will work together. A clear plan helps me see the room as a complete composition and prevents me from getting lost in the middle of the project. I work through color, pattern, scale, and finishes so the end result feels intentional.
I made several adjustments as the project progressed and enlisted an interior designer to help refine details like trim tape, chair fabric, rug choice, and lampshades so the dining room would coordinate smoothly with adjacent spaces. The plan also kept me focused when doubts crept in—having the end goal in sight made it easier to trust the process.
Dining Room sources included curtain fabric, toile wallpaper, brass hardware, a sisal rug, embroidered trim tape, and custom lampshades—selected to support the room’s traditional blue-and-green palette.
Traditional Dining Room Tour
The dining room sits on the main floor to the left of the front entrance, so I wanted it to feel like a statement space that introduces the home’s overall style. The room features layered board-and-batten wainscoting and detailed crown molding. Two windows bring in daylight from the southeast, and two doors connect the room to the entry and the butler’s pantry.
My vision focused on combining several patterns within a cohesive blue-and-green color scheme. The goal was a traditional, cozy room that still feels fresh and layered.
If you like this look, it aligns closely with grandmillennial design—classic, patterned, and comfortably traditional.
Dining Room Before
When we moved in, the walls were painted a pistachio green—a trendy hue that just didn’t fit my taste. I initially painted the top two-thirds of the wall a deeper gray while I developed the full plan, but once the antique furniture arrived it was time for a richer, more cohesive direction.
Dining Room Paint Color
I considered a deeper trim color but ultimately chose Oyster Bay from Sherwin-Williams for the trim and walls. The light-to-medium green creates a softer backdrop and balances the darker wood furniture without overpowering the room.
The green walls and wallpaper subtly neutralize the warm red tones in the wood, an effect you often see when pairing greens with dark woods. Oyster Bay also coordinates well with nearby rooms for a smooth flow throughout the main level.
This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.
Traditional Dining Room Wallpaper
After reconsidering a more modern floral tree paper, I settled on a green toile wallpaper that felt timeless and perfectly complemented the Oyster Bay paint. The toile’s forest scene—complete with deer and birds—adds a nostalgic, storybook quality that feels connected to the home’s surroundings.
Tip: paste-the-wall toile installation is straightforward and delivers a classic, high-impact finish.
Ornate Brass Mirror
One of my first purchases was a large, ornate brass mirror. At over three feet tall, it makes a strong focal point and helps bounce light around the room. The frame’s substantial metal construction feels durable and elegant.
Dining Room Drapes with Trim Tape
To balance the toile, I selected taupe buffalo check drapes for a classic geometric contrast. I added a blue embroidered trim tape to the curtains to introduce a pop of color and help tie the left side of the room into the overall blue-and-green palette.
Recovered Seat Cushions with Blue Geometric Fabric
The original chair covers were maroon needlepoint pieces made by a family member. I chose a smaller-scale blue geometric fabric for the seats to modernize the look while respecting the chairs’ classic lines. After discovering the cushions needed replacing, I reupholstered them myself—my first reupholstery project—and refreshed the seats to suit the new palette.
Dining Room Lamps and Lamp Shades
I invested in handmade blue-and-cream pleated lampshades to get the exact hue and texture I wanted—an indulgence, but one that elevates the entire room. The double-gourd lamp bases are another favorite; their shape and finish work beautifully with the toile background and add a timeless silhouette to the sideboard.
Dining Room Chandelier
The chandelier is an eight-light brass fixture with graceful curves and refined details. I first spotted it months earlier and waited for the right opportunity to bring it home. The brass finish adds warmth and pairs well with the mirror and other metal accents in the room.
A small anecdote: I intended to add a ceiling medallion beneath the chandelier but forgot to order one before installation. I picked a medallion up locally as a quick fix—functional, if not perfect.
Dining Room Rug
I selected a natural fiber rug with a subtle fish-scale texture and a non-slip backing to ground the dining set. I tested a more graphic diamond sisal rug first but returned it because it competed with the other patterns. The chosen rug adds texture without stealing attention from the wallpaper and textiles.
Traditional Dining Room Finishes
I kept decor to a thoughtful minimum so the room could evolve over time. Favorite finishing touches include square glass curtain rod finials, a collection of plates arranged between the drapes, and a colorful key tassel on the china cabinet that echoes the room’s palette.
I’m thrilled with how this traditional dining room came together. Between the toile wallpaper, the green paint, the antique furniture, and carefully chosen textiles and lighting, the space now feels layered, welcoming, and distinctly styled. I hope this tour inspires ideas for your next room refresh.
Shop this Traditional Dining Room:
Curated items for this room included classic toile wallpaper, buffalo check drapery, embroidered trim tape, a natural fiber rug, double-gourd lamps, pleated lampshades, an eight-light brass chandelier, and an ornate brass mirror—pieces chosen to create a traditional, layered aesthetic.
More Posts You Will Love:
- Traditional Laundry Room Design Plans
- Traditional Plaid Christmas Living Room Decor
- Gold & Greenery Christmas Dining Room