The best designs are more than just beautiful to look at. They’re also functional, easing the lives of the people who live there while telling their stories through personalized details and memorabilia.
This is something interior designer Deborah Bettcher, who owns Decorating Den Interiors, excels at. “My greatest inspiration comes from my client’s individual stories,” she says.
One of her projects is a perfect example of this. Deborah gave one Philadelphia family’s dining room a major refresh just by switching out a few furniture pieces and decluttering some surfaces, showing that you don’t always have to start from scratch to beautify your home.
The Before
Here, we get a snapshot of the dining room before its redesign. The room features beautiful details like white wall paneling, warm wood flooring, and soft blue walls that act as an ideal backdrop for what Deborah has in store for the space.
The After
The first thing you’ll notice about the room’s “after” is how much bigger and brighter it looks. While the walls and flooring remain untouched, light-toned furniture and decor are added to emphasize the already bright interior.
Surface clutter is replaced with functional yet stylish pieces, and excess wall hangings are limited to a select few favorites.
“Art is always a key element,” Deborah says when describing the inspiration behind her projects.
In this space, you can see she made sure to keep wall art and memorabilia that might not be considered “aesthetic” in the traditional sense, but holds sentimental value for the family while reflecting their Scandinavian heritage.
These pieces are seamlessly incorporated into the overall design in a way that compliments its style, and doesn’t overwhelm it with clutter. The table, custom-made by local artisans, is a sleek visual focal point complemented by a faux bois chandelier for an organic feel.
The use of outdoor dining chairs was a conscious choice for their durability and longevity, allowing them to withstand regular use and keep up with the family’s busy lifestyle.
An area rug beneath the table completes the space, its organic pattern reflecting the “graceful lines of the evergreens in their front yard.” Its calm blues tie in beautifully with the wall color for a coastal touch among the room’s Scandinavian and mid-century influences.
In this corner, we get a closer look at the room’s built-in cabinetry that offers additional storage in a convenient location. Inside, glassware and dining essentials are neatly displayed, contributing to the space’s homey and comforting ambiance.
A window hanging resembling stained glass catches the eye with its vivid blue and elegant diamond shape, another piece from before the redesign that Deborah kept to preserve the room’s original character.
Related: This Quebec Bathroom Transports You To The Sea With Rich Blues & Airy Elegance
Credits
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