Aug 25, 2024
Interior Design

Behind the scenes: our dining room mood board

Before I start decorating, I always start with a mood board. It's a great way to define my style and find the perfect pieces for the space.

Behind the scenes: our dining room mood board

Creating a Mood Board

One of my favorite aspects of the design process is curating the perfect pieces. I love creating digital mood boards to visualize the final look and avoid endless returns (although, let's be honest, they still happen). For our dining room, I aimed for a space that was both inviting and sophisticated, blending modern lines with rustic charm.

The Foundation

The centerpiece of the room is a dramatic dark wood dining table paired with a matching bench. To soften the look and add a touch of elegance, I incorporated already-owned white fabric dining chairs that complement the sleek linear chandelier with white shades. A lighter wood console table adds contrast against the dark wood table and provides a display space for decorative accents.

Layering in Texture and Color

A hand-knotted wool rug in rich greens and browns grounds the space and introduces warmth. Linen curtains in a soft gray beige complement the rug, adding a subtle color to contrast against the walls. A curated collection of neutral-toned books sit on the console table, adding both personality and visual interest. I love stacking books and dressing them with candles, pictures, or other decorative items. A few carefully selected vases, including a rustic indigo vase and a repurposed plant pot with a deep green pothos plant, add pops of color and texture. Lastly, the whimsical horse sculpture and framed family photos in silver complete the look.

Mixing Metals for Style

I'm embracing mixing metals – the gold chandelier, black curtain hardware, and silver frames create a stylish contrast. While I used to be a matchy-matchy girl, I've come around to this eclectic look.

Decor can completely transform the atmosphere of a room. There's endless potential, whether you're aiming for a cozy, inviting vibe or something bold and dramatic.

A collage of elements for a modern dining room. From top to bottom and left to right: A white lamp hanging from a gold fixture, a dark wooden table with a stack of books and a horse sculpture, a gallery wall of framed black and white photos, a dark wooden dining table with a matching bench and two chairs, a patterned rug, a potted plant on a side table, and a tall blue vase.