Bold Dining Room

That original stained glass was the muse and it needed strong counterparts to stand up to it, so the Stark Missoni rug was an early pick. I have a background in fashion and I think a lot about building homes the way we build apparel collections, such as how to make layers feel special and work together.

I call rooms like these, “adult pink.” The pinks you chose can’t be juvenile. The credenza here is painted Benjamin Moore Tea Room pink, which I love. Then there’s textured aubergine chairs, and a jacquard window covering that feels old-world, but updated. And every room needs a little bit of black. It’s grounding — somewhere to rest for the eye. It helps settle a room.

That credenza storage is essential — it’s great for hosting items or a bar, or, homework and art supplies or puzzles and games. To have a table where you really work or play, you need your things close at hand, but tidy.

Don’t crowd it. The dining rooms many of us grew up with had hutches and rugs and a chair in every corner. Don’t be afraid of an empty corner, it’s ok. It’s better to move around freely than to feel cramped.

Painted trim — not white or cream, but a color. It’s something frequently done when the room is wallpapered, but also works beautifully with painted walls. I think period TV shows have helped bring this back — more people are open to painted moldings.

Chrome! My background is in fashion and that Ralph Lauren racing driver fall palette always had a shiny silver with its leather — it’s a timeless accent.