Welcome to Mini Reni 02: the dining room! This room is right between the living room and breakfast nook, making it the center of the whole renovation. Jo and the team wanted the design updates in this space to blend with the original charm of the home, so they drew inspiration from an existing built-in tucked in the back corner. This 1930’s built-in served as a point of reference for design decisions made throughout the entire project.
As a refresher, here are the rules for each #MiniReni:
- No Demo Day required
- Materials had to be available locally or shipped in less than a week
- Creative, cosmetic upgrades only (think paint, tile, and molding)
- Have fun with furniture and vintage pieces from Magnolia Market
Alright, here goes! Read on for a breakdown of design details and how this space was updated.
What We Updated
Paint + Wallpaper: Jo and the team applied a peel-and-stick wallpaper throughout the room for a whimsical, garden-esque feel, then painted the trim, baseboards, built-in, and ceiling a subtle blue hue (Weathered Windmill from Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines crafted by KILZ). They chose this shade because it pairs well with the color story in the wallpaper.
Trim: To accentuate existing charm, the team added traditional crown molding bordered with egg and dart trim, plus a thin piece of screen molding to the walls for additional detail.
Lighting: A white, mid-century modern chandelier with an aged gold finish centers and brightens the space.
How We Styled It
In this room, a motif wallpaper lends a whimsical feel to the walls, so the team went with a large, neutral rug (Cooper Ivory Rug from Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines x Loloi) to ground the space and keep eyes on the colorful wall patterns.
Modern form meets French design with a rounded table and classic spindle-back chairs. The dining furniture’s antique-inspired elements complement the existing character in the room, while the tablescape plays up whimsy with scalloped plates and placemats to tie in similar detailing on the trim and built-in. An oversized vessel and faux floral arrangement tops the table and provides another element of visual interest.
Jo and the team refreshed the original built-in with a coat of blue paint and brushed-brass hardware from a home improvement store. They styled the shelves with storied, vintage-inspired pieces to keep charm consistent throughout the room. Next to the built-in, they hung a large brass mirror to reflect natural light and open up the space.
Shop the Room
Shop the collection that helped bring this living room to life:
For more Mini Reni 02, explore the living room and breakfast nook. Watch Mini Reni on Magnolia Network to see Jo and the team transform this home!
