Dining Room Wall Design Options (A Mom vs. Kristi Disagreement)
Well, y’all, my mom is at it again, trying to control how I decorate my house. I’m just kidding, of course. 🤣🤣 (I love you, Mom!) She does give me her opinion on my projects and my decorating decisions regularly. Sometimes we agree, other times we disagree. In the end, she really does recognize that this is my house and we have wildly different decorating styles. But she does offer her opinions when I float various ideas and options that I’m considering in a blog post.
And that brings us to our current disagreement — the dining room walls. 😀 My current plan is to do a design using the two neutral colors that I’ve used throughout the other “public” rooms of the house — Behr Polar Bear, which is a creamy white, and Benjamin Moore Classic Gray, which is so light and neutral that it doesn’t really read as a gray to my eye. It’s a touch on the warm side, so it’s more in the greige category, if you ask me.
Those are the two colors that I used to paint the stenciled design on the music room walls.
But also keep in mind that I outlined that stenciled design with a black Sharpie marker to make the design more dimensional. So the contrast between the two colors is even greater on these walls that it would be on the dining room walls.
The walls in the dining room are currently painted in the Classic Gray color, although right now, they look like a complete mess with the paint samples that I considered, the black rectangle on the area where the TV frame used to hang, and the areas that I’m currently repairing after removing the shelves. So you’ll have to look beyond the mess and just focus on how the Classic Gray looks on the walls in this room with the Polar Bear trim and white ceiling.
Here’s what the Classic Gray looks like in a finished room. And here, you can see from the living room into the kitchen (which has white tiled walls) and into the dining room with the current Classic Gray walls. Obviously, this is an older picture, as you can tell from the artwork on the walls.
So with all of that in mind, my mom thinks that solid Classic Gray walls would be better in my dining room where I plan to use bold, colorful artwork, colorful fabric in at least two patterns, and a green dining table. As you can see from the pictures above, the color shown in this photo isn’t quite right. It’s much darker and grayer than the Classic Gray. If I go this direction, I would stick with the Classic Gray, so it would be lighter, brighter, and not so obviously gray. But this gives us an idea of what a solid neutral color would look like in the room.
She says that there’s already so much going on in the room, and there’s so much for the eye to take in, so the solid color gives the eye “a place to rest”.
And believe me, I totally understand that concept. I utilize that concept in every room. That’s why I use neutral walls in my house. That’s why I use white wainscoting in so much of my house. I guess our disagreement is that I believe that giving the eye a place to rest doesn’t necessarily mean solid, neutral colors. I think a neutral pattern can still give the eye a place to rest. Or maybe my eyes just don’t need to rest as much as hers. 🤣 And that’s obviously true. I do love color and pattern and a mix of patterns way more than she does.
So with that said, here are the ideas I tried out. First, I tried out a vertical stripe. Again, I think the gray is too dark and too gray. You’d have to refer back to the music room walls to see the actual colors. Immediately, I didn’t like how the stripes on the walls seem to compete with the stripes on the chairs.
So I wondered if a horizontal stripe might work better. I still didn’t like the two competing stripe patterns.
But then I tried a harlequin design. I love this one. If I do a patterned wall, this is what I want.
And if this is still too much contrast with the white and super light gray color, I could always go with a white-on-white harlequin design using an alternating matte and glossy paint. That would give enough contrast with the different sheens to make the walls interesting without actually using two different colors to create the pattern. It would also take me back 22 years because that’s exactly what I did in our bedroom in our first house in Oregon, except that in that bedroom, I used a dark red to create the harlequin pattern — same color, two alternating sheens. Talk about a throwback! That was so long ago that I don’t think I even have pictures of that project, but it turned out really pretty.
So anyway, are you Team Mom with the solid Classic Gray walls, or are you Team Kristi with a neutral harlequin pattern? And if you’re Team Kristi, should I stick with the Polar Bear and Classic Gray pattern, or should I do an all Polar Bear pattern with alternating sheens?
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I have always loved the Matte/glossy pattern use in a room. I’ve done it myself. It looks so classy.
Team Mom
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto x 4 😉
Hey Kristi,
I think you will be sad to go with a solid wall so skip it. I also believe the white on white with different sheens would look so classy, and bring the movement you crave. I would do that.
However, you thrive with color and pattern so the gray and white is my second favorite, and might suit you better.
I remember when you painted your living room all white and that drove you nuts so the two sheens may not give you enough interest.
Good Morning, Kristi! I’m team Mom. I think you want the continuity of the Classic Gray walls with the rest of your house.
Without knowing exactly what will live on the pantry walls and how you will finish that area out, I can’t say for certain. If those walls will end up too plain for your vibe, the two sheen Classic Gray is a great compromise. I don’t love the harlequin pattern though.
The views of the buffet wall and window wall have a lot going on. I think the brilliance of each element gets lost with patterned options.
You’ll find just the right thing…you always do! Have a marvelous day!!!
YHWH Bless You : )
Alternating sheens.
Personally, I’m with team mom, but if you decide to do the design, I’d vote for one color with two sheens.
Ditto
Team Mom …. but having said that, it is your house and you should do what makes you happy. You can always paint over it if you do not like it. It is just paint!
Your studio floor is harlequin in grey and white, and since you mention leaving the door open a lot, I think it might be too much and matchy-matchy if you do the walls white and grey, too. Tone-on-tone with different sheens would be a fun surprise!
I don’t think the stripes compete with the chair fabric (and the stripes could also be tonal).
I think the stripes feel like they are competing because they are both using stripes of equal width. What about using mostly white walls with a very small pinstripe of grey or vice-versa? Or a collection of three small stripes with a wider neutral background – think more like a ticking stripe.
It would give you a little visual interest but not be a direct match/competition to your chairs.
Team mom.
I am with team mom, but white on white harlequin sounds interesting.
Team Mom – mom’s always know best! 😀
I lean towards Team Mom on this one, just because you have so many beautiful colors and patterns in the room already.
The grey/white harlequin pattern also reminds me of the floors in your studio, and I personally prefer that pattern on flooring rather than walls. If you have your heart set on a pattern vs the solid grey, I think a single color with different sheens could be the best of both worlds: visual interest/pattern, without overwhelming the other lovely patterns and colors already in the room.
And at the end of they day, it’s just paint!
Solid wall color. Team mom.
Harlequin
Team Mom, at least try it and if you don’t like it then do one color with 2 sheens. Good Luck!!!
Would you see your dining room wall and your studio floor together with that door open? Would you want that same pattern/color combo? I love that harlequin pattern – just wondering if it would be too much together?
Lovely ideas. My vote is on the harlequin in two differens sheens of Polar bear, but possibly also in a bit smaller scale and/or a true harlequin pattern where the shapes are rhombs/diamonds and not squares.
Also, I know you discarded the thought of color on the walls, but when I saw that photo of the almost cleared out room I just thought, “Oh, but wouldn’t a pale lavender or purple look great? It would connect to the drapery fabric, the buffet, the pantry tiles … and all the other splashes of purple in different rooms.” Maybe worth a simple mockup?
Team Mom. Solid color walls!
Team Kristi, with neutral harlequin pattern. Polar Bear and Classic Gray.
The vertical stripes are beautiful! If not, possibly the neutral harlequin pattern. You are SO talented. I need your help in my house! Keep inspiring us! 🙂
I like the grey Mom suggested, for consistency with the rest of the house, but with matt/gloss horizontal strips for me – sorry if that chucks another option into the mix. Horizontal stripes will make the room feel more spacious too.
Rooms looking good though, love the lime/pink combo
I am Team Mom 😊
I go with team mom!
I agree with mom, and that is “good for now” to complete the room with your current decisions.
It’s not perfect, but a solid color keeps you moving. I see your maximalist want for a pattern, but feel it’s not settled enough and can shift the current decisions. If you did a pattern today, you’ll be driven to adjust more, or whenever you work on the kitchen or the extension again. So in Kristi style. A patten can come, but at a less logical time, after settling in and enjoying your current decisions.
I vote harlequin sheens.
Team Kristi, white on white harlequin
Pattern and color make you feel good. Give Mom some large wraparound sunglasses when she comes for dinner. You live in the room, you know what will work.
My humble opinion: Team Mom. Solid color classic gray walls. Let the primary experience of being in that room be the food, the company, the break from life’s activities, and gazing out the window. Take away some of the color and pattern stimulation and give the eye, and the whole being, a place to rest.
I actually like the vertical stripes. It gives some pattern to your wall but it is repeating an existing shape that’s already in the room. The two stripes are not right by each other and the scale /color is different. I think adding the harlequin pattern muddles the design bc there’s another shape for the brain to process.
Team vertical stripes too.
Team mom
Team Mom. There’s a lot going on in that room pattern and color-wise, so classic grey walls would add a sense of calm to the room.
Team Mom !
I was going to suggest a pattern with matte and glossy! I love the idea and I’ve seen it in a friend’s house and it was subtle and yet striking at the same time. I can’t wait to see everything pulled together!
Team Mom.
Harlequin all the way! I like the two sheens idea best.
Team Mom!
I’ve noticed that your mom and I usually align in how we see things, and it’s true in this case too. I’ve also noticed that you usually go in a direction that I would not have, and yet, it turns out great and very Kristi! So my vote is Team Mom……which really means Team Kristi! 😀
Team Mom
I am with team Mom on this one. BUT it is your house and you make the final decision. Whatever it is, when you are done it will be beautiful.
I am team gray, I think the pattern is too much with all the other patterns in the room.
Team mom. There will be enough pattern/color in the room. Eyes need a place to rest.
Team Mom. But I think Team Kristi won’t go there so I would prefer white on white or gray on gray.
Team Mom. Finish the dining room now, live with it for a while, and you can make a change later. Move onto other projects, and come back with “new eyes” of appreciation or critique.
Team Mom. The solid color wall will allow the beautiful table and chairs to be the focal point of the room without competing with them for attention.
Have you considered having HD do a color match to the background of your fabric? I think using that in different sheens would provide cohesion while providing interest
I have a question for you, Kristi. Do your walls not have texture on them? I’m in Texas like you and every house I have ever lived in has awful bumps all over the drywall. I can’t imagine trying to paint a straight line across this texture.
I want smooth walls that I can paint on. What’s your secret?
PS: I think the design you painted on the Music room walls is ABSOULTELY gorgeous. That whole room is stunning.
I don’t have texture on my walls. My secret is that we’ve had new drywall put in every single room, and I always tell them that I don’t want any texture. If you already have texture, it’s much tougher. Your options are to skim coat the walls with drywall mud and then sand smooth, or just try to sand the drywall. But that second option can be tricky if it’s already painted, and the more coats of paint, the harder it can be to sand them smooth with an electric sander without sanding too much and damaging the drywall. I’ve done both, and neither of those options will be quick and easy.
Team Kristi with white and gray harlequin. It is so neutral it can’t compete.
I’m on team Mom but know team Kristie will win. 🤪
You do you, (but with alternating sheens, maybe) But my vote would be team Mom. There is a lot of pattern in your chairs. And it would be a lot easier to change things up occasionally. Truthfully wither would look better than that blue.
Team Mom. There’s enough going on in the room already.
100% Agree with your Mom on this one! It’s too busy and detracts from all the other colors and design
I like the two toned (or two sheens) options because it adds texture without detracting from the stars of the show. If you love harlequin, nuff said. But I think you might enjoy experimenting with a smaller pattern.
Same
Definitely Polar Bear alternating sheens harlequin pattern. I think the white will allow the other colours to stand out more, whereas the grey will tone everything down. I was originally thinking just plain white but I love the harlequin pattern and with alternating white sheens, it will be just beautiful !!
For some reason, I thought you were considering changing the walls because you thought the curtains clashed with the classic gray wall color. If that is not the case, then the classic gray gives continuity with the rest of the house and lets the decor be the star.
What about grey in grey Harlequin? Continuity of wall color from other rooms. But, I do like the white on white concept, too.
Team Mom!!
Have you considered having the background color of the drapery fabric color matched at the paint store. It might give you enough color while letting the pattern of the drapery shine and not competing with the other patterns in the room. It ultimately might be too blue but it could be worth a consideration.
Harlequin, Polar bear with alternating sheens.
I’m definitely team mom…all three patterns look crazy to me with all the other patterns going on. But I don’t think you’ll go solid. You’ve already made up your mind. You do you! If you really wanted to hedge your bets go with the solid and see if you think it’s boring in the end. It’d be easy enough to add a contrasting pattern later if you want to, right? Or just go for the pattern from the start…you’re not afraid to repaint if that what you want!
Team mom. A neutral background doesn’t detract from the colorful affect you’re going for. I would argue the opposite is true, since the neutral background let’s the artwork, fabrics, and colored table and benches be the stars.
I’m on team “another idea to muddy the waters”! It could be really cool to do a matte/gloss tone on tone damask stencil. Prettier than the geometric patterns, imo.
I’m team Kristi. I like the idea of altering sheets
I am Team Mom, but not in the way that you might expect. I feel like this is a perfect opportunity for her to re-create the beloved birds and butterflies artwork on a large scale with perhaps just one single branch winding its way up the wall. I will always root to bring that one back!! 😅
Either solid, or vertical stripes is my vote
Team Mom. Solid color walls.
Team mom, all the way. Every room doesn’t have to be frantically over the top.
I love the harlequin in gray and white! That will look fabulous! I’m a team Kristi more is more type of person!
Team Kristi with alternating sheens of white!
Not two tone. My vote is for single color or pattern with alternating sheens. Personally though, I think stripes with alternating sheens would be better than the diamond pattern. I agree that the walls need to be your “canvas” … A solid foundation for your colorful accents.
Team grey/white harlequin. For some reason plain walls in the dining area look boring to me. Have fun whatever you decide.
Have you thought about using a real or even faux grasscloth in this room? There is a Lillian August faux grasscloth in color Sea breeze that I think might work well with the blue in the wp and cabinets. That would add warmth and texture without add another obvious pattern to the room.
I agree!! Brilliant suggestion, Mary! And even though there is already grasscloth (in a bold color) in the bedroom, there is no grasscloth in the public spaces of the home.
I thought I liked your mom’s pick but when I saw the vertical stripes I said, Ah, that’s Kristi! I might make them a touch wider so the scale is farther away from the chair fabric but even as is, I like it.
I think it’s your dining room, so do it your way.
Good reply. I agree.
Usually I go with your instincts. However in this case even with lighter gray in the wall pattern it’s too much happening and really distracts from the pleasing pattern mix you already have going on. So much so that it’s giving circus vibes with a pattern wall. And I don’t think that’s what you are going for.
Team mom – there’s a lot going on already
I like Mom’s vision. You already have tons of pattern and color going on and if you use a large piece of art on the wall, you’re hiding most of it anyway. Even so, I think keeping the continuity of the walls as a background rather than ‘a player’ in the room is the way to go.
But in the end do what you want because you have to live with it
and like it.
IMHO, any design on the walls using paint is too much. You have bright colors with stripes and florals. The walls shouldn’t compete with your stunning pieces of art and textiles. Perhaps a wainscoting of gray/white would fancy it up a bit without competing with all the great colors you have pulled together. In every picture, somebody has to be in the background. Your walls will do that. The dining set and chandelier are the primary center of the room. The drapes and buffet complement them well.
Or you could just go with that rusty brown color on the right side of the picture! Mottled and very plush! Use that color on everything and we could play a game called Find Cooper!
1. Team Mom
2. Classic grey with two different sheens
Ditto.
Team Mom
Team mom.
I like the harlequin design with the two alternating sheens.
Team Mom for sure. You just do not need any more pattern of any color. You have the whole new family/bedroom/workout room to do pattern on. Leave this solid, please.
My eyes need a place to rest but more than that, my brain needs a place to rest.
Good thing you dont live there huh!
🤣
I am with Team Mom. However if you really to use pattern, I like the white on white idea.
I really love the look of the grey and white harlequin pattern! It adds some playfulness and structure with all the floral patterns.
Run with it girl!
First choice is solid Polar Bear.
Second choice is Polar Bear in varying sheens.
I think I choose Polar Bear in the same way chefs often recommend white dinner plates to let the meal shine. There is a lot going on in that room (which I love), and I’d just tone it down a bit with white. Your walls become the “plates”.
Good analogy!
I really like the harlequin, but stay with the same color. Just use the two different sheets. Jmho. It’ll be beautiful. As always. 😁
Team Mom 100%
Team Mom, solid walls.
You and I are more to the maximalist side – LOVE pattern mixing, contrast, and color!
I still think you would love your jewelbox dining room in the blue-green of the curtain background-either solid or with the tone-on-tone sheens OR doing the polar bear/bluegreen harlequin! Perhaps, the color could come from the kitchen cabinet color at 10% or such…
Definitely, team pattern!
Team mom. I feel like the stripes no matter what direction or the harlequin are too busy to me. You have a lot of patterns already. You have had walls and floors in those patterns, and I like the plain grey with white. I wish you would have shown the harlequin in the white combo you mentioned with the flat and sheen option.
I have to go with the solid wall color option – I really think it fits better with the rest of your home’s look, giving a similar level of pattern play in the room overall as you have in other rooms. The harlequin walls are really neat but they do put it into overload… I like the Classic Gray color as a grown-up background for all the happy color better than the Polor White for sure which feels more like a kid space when paired with lots of color IMHO.
Absolutely Team Mom!!
Team Kristi! Polar bear harlequin print.
Team mom with light gray or white on white harlequin pattern I think. Though I think the white on white harlequin pattern would be great on the ceiling & reflect your chandelier light in a very interesting way.
Paint me team Mom.
Team Mom. There’s already enough pattern and color in the room. Give everything a neutral backdrop.
Team Mom 😊
I’m Team Mom. But I could see the white/white Harlequin design.
I would personally do the solid, but I do love the harlequin much better than the competing stripes – and you get to live with what you prefer!
Team mom!
Two sheens
Team MOM
I like what mom suggested. But you also showed us the wall in a very light blue like the background of the curtains and I thought that looked beautiful too. You have so much color and so many different designs going on…I love the plainer background. I absolutely love the fabrics and the artwork so I want to see them more. I think I would enjoy all your beautiful accents more that way. The room is going to be SO impressive, and even the lamp is wonderful!
Team mom, definitely! Mom always knows best! 😊
I’ve always loved white on white! I love the idea of the different white sheens with the harlequin pattern. That’ll be beautiful, and just enough to add some interest and class. Here hoping!
I meant to say Here’s hoping! My mistake.
How about a mix of the two opinions and do a harlequin matte/shiny design with the light gray? So it’s basically the same gray as every other room but with some shiny squares on them?
team mom
Sorry Kristi, but I’m team Mom. You will have enough going on in there – floral, abstract, stripes, bright colors – that I don’t see the need for yet another pattern. If you use the concept of 3’s, you are already over that amount. (I wouldn’t have done the chair cushions in stripes; I would have done a solid velvet!) It is your home, and you live with it, so I don’t even know why you ask us, honestly, unless you just want to show Mom! LOL! You do YOU, girl!
I don’t normally weigh in when you ask for opinions because it’s not my house. With that being said, here I am offering my 2 cents. I’m not sure gray is the right wall color but I’m definitely Team Mom as far as a solid wall color vs. more pattern. You have some beautiful, fresh, happy and current colors and patterns in your furniture and fabrics now. There will be more when you add artwork. I don’t think you need more pattern on the walls too. When everything is a “statement,” nothing is a statement. More importantly, while I’m sure some would disagree, imo, the wall treatment patterns you have shown seem so drab and extremely dated, especially harlequin. The fact you are considering something you did 22 years ago confirms how dated the look is.
If a neutral, solid-colored painted wall doesn’t appeal to you, have you considered something more subtle like a neutral colored grasscloth wallpaper? It would give you texture/visual interest without screaming more pattern.
I’m Team Mom (but I bet you do the pattern).
I think I like the patterned walls but I would personally choose something rounded like scallops or circles/beads because the angles of the harlequin pattern still compete with the stripes in my brain. Granted, I don’t do gray walls and would have chosen a very pale green, yellow, or eggplanty purple, so I feel like the gray needs to be fancier somehow. I’m sure it’ll look great whatever you decide!
Team Mom. If you go with your idea I would say one color in the different sheen.
I’m 100% Team Kristi. I LOVE the polar bear/classic grey harlequin look. If you decide to go with matte/gloss white, I am sure that will look lovely. But, I like the contrast better! 🙂
Team Mom
I love the idea of a harlequin pattern with alternating sheens! You could do this in either Polar Bear or Classic Gray, the difference in sheen would keep it from being boring. Go for it!
I would do the polar bear with the 2 different sheens. Remember that you will also be seeing a table with colorful plates, napkins and colorful food, it would be so busy to me to try to take in all the different elements coming at me, when I just want to enjoy good food, friends and conversations…hopefully a little noisy with much mirth.
Team mom! Solid color walls.
Two sheens sounds interesting. You already have harlequin on the floor of your studio and I feel it would be too much to have harlequin around the entrance door. Stripes of varying widths and sheens would be subtle and provide a first time viewer a little surprise.
Team Mom
I’m with you on this one. I love the idea of the harlequin pattern, same color, alternating flat and eggshell or gloss.
The gray doesn’t work at all with the rest of the room. It’s perfect for the music room. I would ask AI to change the wide vertical stripes to yellow and white. The vertical stripes are classic and will play off the stripes in the chair and won’t add another random pattern…. yellow can be a used as a neutral.
Yes, I love color too, but the eye does need somewhere to rest when there are many different bright colors and patterns. Gray isn’t that color, besides that trend is passè these days. Try for barely a hint of the palest shade of either the blue or pink that are in the fabric. It would be far more unexpected and exciting than your pale gray.
I’m team Mom, because the walls are so close to your studio floor.
I can go either Team Mom — with a solid wall or Team Kristi with the two sheen harlequin pattern. I’m completely against any of the other bolder options.