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Collection by Allie Weiss
Editor’s Pick

Modern Dining Rooms

A selection of modern dining rooms from homes appearing on Dwell.com and Dwell magazine.

Some say the dining room is dead in modern homes. What do you think? Has the kitchen table and the family living room made the dining room obsolete? Anecdotally, even in traditional homes we've notice dining rooms going unused.

If you are looking for how the modern dining room is morphing into other types of spaces - like dining al fresco - head over to dwell.com/article/...

Whether you prefer to dine indoors or outdoors, at a table for two, or with a growing family, these homes offer loads of inspiration for breaking bread. We selected an eclectic collection of spaces with materials of all kinds including tile, cement, wallpaper, rich wood, and paint treatments ranging from neutrals to bright hues. Tell us what you think in the comments.

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The dining room features a Glo-Ball T table lamp by Jasper Morrison.
The dining room features a Glo-Ball T table lamp by Jasper Morrison.
In 2005, Gretchen Rice and Kevin Farnham acquired a 1908 home in San Francisco that had been remodeled in the 1940s by well-known local architect Henry Hill. Their series of small interventions have kept the design intent of the 1940s renovation—including an enclosed atrium, wood wall paneling, and unusual built-ins—while updating the home for contemporary living. In the dining area, Metropolitan side chairs by Jeffrey Bernett for B&B Italia surround a Surf Table designed by Carlo Colombo for Zanotta.
In 2005, Gretchen Rice and Kevin Farnham acquired a 1908 home in San Francisco that had been remodeled in the 1940s by well-known local architect Henry Hill. Their series of small interventions have kept the design intent of the 1940s renovation—including an enclosed atrium, wood wall paneling, and unusual built-ins—while updating the home for contemporary living. In the dining area, Metropolitan side chairs by Jeffrey Bernett for B&B Italia surround a Surf Table designed by Carlo Colombo for Zanotta.
Shophouses are a staple of Southeast Asian urban architecture. A team of designers including Yong Ter, Teng Wui, Andrew Lee, and Edwin Foo renovated this shophouse into a contemporary sanctuary over the course of two years. They left the roof completely open from the beginning of the original airshaft to the back of the house. The heart is a cooking/dining area with a 13-foot-long Indonesian table made from a single piece of teak.
Shophouses are a staple of Southeast Asian urban architecture. A team of designers including Yong Ter, Teng Wui, Andrew Lee, and Edwin Foo renovated this shophouse into a contemporary sanctuary over the course of two years. They left the roof completely open from the beginning of the original airshaft to the back of the house. The heart is a cooking/dining area with a 13-foot-long Indonesian table made from a single piece of teak.
The floor tiles are close matches to the originals, which had to be replaced after a pipe burst.
The floor tiles are close matches to the originals, which had to be replaced after a pipe burst.
The Plyned dining table from Viesso is a graceful, yet structured modern design. Made completely from solid bamboo, the edges offer a layered surface. The trough option adds an interesting visual element and functional space. Also available in custom dimensions to fit your space and four different bamboo colors. Vitra's white Panton chairs line the perimeter of the table to give this dining room a midcentury look.
The Plyned dining table from Viesso is a graceful, yet structured modern design. Made completely from solid bamboo, the edges offer a layered surface. The trough option adds an interesting visual element and functional space. Also available in custom dimensions to fit your space and four different bamboo colors. Vitra's white Panton chairs line the perimeter of the table to give this dining room a midcentury look.
Oskar and Karl, 12 and 9, share breakfast at their family’s summer getaway in Sweden. The table is from ILVA, and the CH36 chairs by Hans Wegner are from Carl Hansen & Søn.
Oskar and Karl, 12 and 9, share breakfast at their family’s summer getaway in Sweden. The table is from ILVA, and the CH36 chairs by Hans Wegner are from Carl Hansen & Søn.
The space was reoriented in order to accommodate a third bedroom for the residents' second child. The adjustment required reducing the size of one of the existing bedrooms and relocating the kitchen, which now is an open-plan space next to the living room. A Major Crown chandelier by Nemo hangs above a Zeus-Noto table and Kartell chairs.
The space was reoriented in order to accommodate a third bedroom for the residents' second child. The adjustment required reducing the size of one of the existing bedrooms and relocating the kitchen, which now is an open-plan space next to the living room. A Major Crown chandelier by Nemo hangs above a Zeus-Noto table and Kartell chairs.
The light fixtures, a string of dangling lights seen above the dining table, emulate what SHED Architects principal Thomas Schaer calls Zema’s “builderly” style: straightforward and unpretentious. The wooden screens, seen top right, are all-new to the house but follow Zema’s Japanese-inspired style.
The light fixtures, a string of dangling lights seen above the dining table, emulate what SHED Architects principal Thomas Schaer calls Zema’s “builderly” style: straightforward and unpretentious. The wooden screens, seen top right, are all-new to the house but follow Zema’s Japanese-inspired style.
Large family gatherings are common so the dining table by Moon Custom Millwork comfortably seats 12; it’s made from wood that resident Sam Chung salvaged himself.
Large family gatherings are common so the dining table by Moon Custom Millwork comfortably seats 12; it’s made from wood that resident Sam Chung salvaged himself.
The 1,500-square-foot apartment is a Moscow-based couple's second home. The stately dining setup features a custom table and Hans Wegner Wishbone chairs. PSLAB is responsible for the lighting concept throughout.
The 1,500-square-foot apartment is a Moscow-based couple's second home. The stately dining setup features a custom table and Hans Wegner Wishbone chairs. PSLAB is responsible for the lighting concept throughout.
In the dining area, a Campo d’oro table from De Padova is ringed by vintage Michael Thonet Bentwood chairs. The kitchen features b3 cabinets by Bulthaup and custom stainless-steel countertops. The red Stool_One counter stools are by Konstantin Grcic for Magis.
In the dining area, a Campo d’oro table from De Padova is ringed by vintage Michael Thonet Bentwood chairs. The kitchen features b3 cabinets by Bulthaup and custom stainless-steel countertops. The red Stool_One counter stools are by Konstantin Grcic for Magis.
In the dining room, a James Burleigh table sits beneath a sizeable skylight. Throughout the ground floor, additional lighting is recessed in the coffered ceilings. Painted brick walls provide a reminder of the building’s industrial past.
In the dining room, a James Burleigh table sits beneath a sizeable skylight. Throughout the ground floor, additional lighting is recessed in the coffered ceilings. Painted brick walls provide a reminder of the building’s industrial past.
The dining room features vintage Eames shell chairs with new walnut legs, an Ovaata Dining Table by Element Living, and a Gala 7220 chandelier by Rich Brilliant Willing.
The dining room features vintage Eames shell chairs with new walnut legs, an Ovaata Dining Table by Element Living, and a Gala 7220 chandelier by Rich Brilliant Willing.
Throughout the house, Curtiss mixed natural materials with industrial ones. Downstairs, fir and cedar wood on the doors and open-joisted ceiling balance the colder, industrial feel of the concrete floor and steel staircase railing. In the dining room, a pendant lamp from RLM Lighting hangs above a table that combines Cherner table legs with a new white laminate top. The yellow chairs are by Tolix.
Throughout the house, Curtiss mixed natural materials with industrial ones. Downstairs, fir and cedar wood on the doors and open-joisted ceiling balance the colder, industrial feel of the concrete floor and steel staircase railing. In the dining room, a pendant lamp from RLM Lighting hangs above a table that combines Cherner table legs with a new white laminate top. The yellow chairs are by Tolix.
The living room opens to the dining room, which abuts the kitchen and home office. The walnut dining table, pictured here with an extension leaf in place, was designed by BSC. “The family needed a table that extends for large family dinners, but didn’t feel too formal for everyday use,” Stageberg explains, adding, “Most meals happen around the broader end, but the table can expand to seat up to fourteen.” The dining chairs are Saarinen and the light fixture above the table is from FLOS.
The living room opens to the dining room, which abuts the kitchen and home office. The walnut dining table, pictured here with an extension leaf in place, was designed by BSC. “The family needed a table that extends for large family dinners, but didn’t feel too formal for everyday use,” Stageberg explains, adding, “Most meals happen around the broader end, but the table can expand to seat up to fourteen.” The dining chairs are Saarinen and the light fixture above the table is from FLOS.
Ipe paneling and concrete floors continue into the living area, where a photograph by Scott McFarland hangs above the fireplace. Surrounding the dining table, by Riva 1920, are walnut chairs the couple found locally.
Ipe paneling and concrete floors continue into the living area, where a photograph by Scott McFarland hangs above the fireplace. Surrounding the dining table, by Riva 1920, are walnut chairs the couple found locally.
An oversize oval black linen shade from Dogfork Lamp Arts hangs above a table Maca created out of a wood slab from West Marin-based artisan Evan Shively of Arborica. The bench seats are De La Espada; the brass candelabrum is vintage, sourced from 1stDibs. The credenzas are Bo Concept.
An oversize oval black linen shade from Dogfork Lamp Arts hangs above a table Maca created out of a wood slab from West Marin-based artisan Evan Shively of Arborica. The bench seats are De La Espada; the brass candelabrum is vintage, sourced from 1stDibs. The credenzas are Bo Concept.
The dining room is delineated from the kitchen by a long kitchen island with a higher partition between the two spaces. The island provides storage along its length, with exposed shelving at the ends. The drum lighting pendants by Axiom were also made using local timber.
The dining room is delineated from the kitchen by a long kitchen island with a higher partition between the two spaces. The island provides storage along its length, with exposed shelving at the ends. The drum lighting pendants by Axiom were also made using local timber.
In the Tribeca penthouse of a young bachelor, Reddymade Design kept most of the space intact, focusing on adding bright and appealing furniture and materials. Tropicalia chairs from Moroso surround an El Dom table from Cassina. The pendant is from Petite Friture.
In the Tribeca penthouse of a young bachelor, Reddymade Design kept most of the space intact, focusing on adding bright and appealing furniture and materials. Tropicalia chairs from Moroso surround an El Dom table from Cassina. The pendant is from Petite Friture.

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