Before you buy that dining room set, decide on the rich hue for the walls.
photography by MIKKEL VANG
Pick the perfect dining room color with these bold paint colors that are guaranteed to transform any dining area from okay to extraordinary.
photography by PAUL COSTELLO
Don't be confined by the architecture.
The dining area is painted a high-gloss lavender--because there's no distinct threshold, the walls stay consistent--which extends to the ceilings. With a moldingless space, it looks less prefab to treat the ceilings as well.
Paint color: "Raspberry Ice" Impervex latex high-gloss enamel by Benjamin Moore
photography by ISAGER DITTE
Shot of Yellow
The optimistic citrus textured wall is the highlight of this otherwise spare dining room. Any potential cuteness is thwarted by the linear black notes, which give the space gravitas.
Paint color: "Sunshower" by Olympic paints
photography by MIKKEL VANG
Deep Purple and Cream
This regal hue can easily overwhelm a room, but when it works, it's both rich and livable.
Paint color (walling and paneling): "Early Morning Mist #1528" by Benjamin Moore
Paint color (paneling): "Embassy Purple #TH59" by Ralph Lauren Homes
Paint color (molding): "Soft Chamois #OC-13" by Benjamin Moore
photography by LAURA RESEN
Inject Grandeur
Painting a pale blue in the dining room is the perfect backround to these completely unmodern accessories--a '20s Empire chandelier, '30s bronze sconces and an artfully tarnished mirrored console (Barrie's own design) topped with brand-new Chinese vases--inject grandeur.
Paint color: "Quiet Moments #1563" by Benjamin Moore
photography by MAX KIM-BEE
Eco-style
A mix of organic material with a few glam flourishes is as good for you as the best farmers'-market fare.
Paint color: "Wind chime" by Benjamin Moore
photography by ANGELA MOORE
Saturation Inspiration
A gutsy dominant color in every room creates a happy cohesive space.
Paint color: "St. Patty's day" by Benjamin Moore
photography by PAUL COSTELLO
Hit the Floors
Painting the floor with strong hues stenciled in a classic Moroccan tile design and light, neutral furnishings bring a casually exotic feel to a breakfast nook. Tip: The bright boarder in a reduced scale draws the eye to the room's edges, making a small space seem grander.
Paint color (green): "Blarney stone porch" and "Floor latex satin" by Glidden
Paint color (sandy white): "Egret porch" and "Floor latex satin" by Glidden
Paint color (blue): "Regatte bay porch" and "Floor latex satin"by Glidden
photography by PAUL COSTELLO
Introduce a Neutral
A rich chocolate brown paint for the back of built-in bookcases, adds drama and depth to the background of this multi-functional dining table.
Paint color (trim): "Feather down" by Benjamin Moore
Paint color (bookcase back): "Rockies brown" by Benjamin Moore
photography by MIKKEL VANG
Chic Black Dining Room
The noir paint job gives the 8' x 8' breakfast nook instant drama, enhanced by a steel hanging lantern that Ingham designed (it's one of her store's best-sellers).
Paint color: "Soot #2129-20" by Benjamin Moore
photography by PAUL COSTELLO
English Country
A warm pea-green paint makes Indian floral textiles jump out, drawing attention to the personal touches displayed in the room.
Paint color (front wall): "High noon sun" by Pratt & Lambert
Paint color (back wall): "Fennel" by Pratt & Landlambert
photography by MAX KIM-BEE
Brownstone Classic
This soft brown-gray was stopped at the base of the molding to give the ceilings dramatic height and leaving white space to offer some air.
Paint color (molding): "Classic" by Behr
Paint color (walls): "Mocha cream" by Benjamin Moore
photography by FRANCOIS DISCHINGER
Dynamic Duo
A new way to do neutral? Pale, creamy walls uplifted by a dreamy blue ceiling.
Tip: Paint moldings and walls the same color for a modern look.
Paint color (ceiling): "Skylit accolade" by Pratt & Lambert
Paint color (walls): "Lambswool accolade" (flat on the walls and satin on the trim) by Pratt & Lambert
photography by FRANCOIS DISCHINGER
Instant Architecture
Give character to a featureless room with this modern take on Colonial-style wall panels. It will look as if the place has been around for ages.
Paint Color (walls): "Mustang regal" by Benjamin Moore
Paint color (molding): "White dove" by Benjamin Moore