Before & After: Inside a Blank Canvas Turned Heart-of-the-Home Dining Room

Kelsey Clark · June 14, 2023

Bright farmhouse dining room with exposed wood beams, black spindle chairs, and cream neutral palette

When Abbie Wade and her husband Jedidiah set out to design their dream dining room, they were quite literally starting from scratch. “We didn’t have a dining room in our last space,” says Abbie, Havenly’s Influencer Marketing Manager. “We were so excited to be able to craft the perfect ambiance for hosting memorable get-togethers with friends and family in this historic Maine home, but needed a little help with the design process.”

Transitional dining area with dark French doors, cream upholstered chair, and warm wood accents

Fortunately, Abbie found a design kindred spirit in New York-based Havenly designer Ghianella Lertora, who helped the couple create a charming, heart-of-the-home gathering space worthy of the 1861 build. “I’m drawn to a cozy, calming aesthetic that emphasizes clean lines, neutral colors, and a minimalist approach to decor,” she adds. “Ghianella’s style matched mine perfectly!”

Ahead, get a behind-the-scenes look at Abbie and Jedidiah’s dining room makeover, from the life-like 3D renderings to the beautiful reveal.

The Havenly 3D Renderings

Modern farmhouse dining space with natural light, wood beam ceiling, and black Windsor-style chairs

Contemporary farmhouse dining room with exposed beams, light wood table, and industrial pendant light

Using Abbie’s inspiration photos as a guide, Ghianella created incredibly realistic 3D renderings of the proposed design. “I was so happy with the renders!” shares Abbie. “She was able to curate exactly what we were looking for, and it was so helpful to be able to see our vision come to life before purchasing any furniture or decor.”

Bringing it Home

Before

Under-construction dining space with dark wood beams, recessed lighting, and warm wood flooring

After

Eclectic dining room combining dark Windsor chairs, light wood table, and vintage-inspired décor

Using the 3D renders as a guide, Abbie and Jedidiah began purchasing furniture and slowly bringing the look to life. She made a few subtle design tweaks, like the dining table and rug, but overall stuck to the design plan. “It was so nice to be able to bounce ideas off of a professional designer and make sure that what I had in mind would actually look good and complement the space,” she notes.

Architectural Appreciation

Modern rustic dining area with dark beams, white walls, black accents, and natural wood tones

Abbie and Jedidiah especially appreciated how well the final design complemented the unique architectural features in the home. “We absolutely love the wood ceiling beams, wide-plank hardwood floors, open staircase, and French doors in this room — these charming details are what made us fall in love with the home,” she notes. “Overall, the design feels natural and doesn’t compete with these eye-catching features that we love so much, which was a total win.”

Adding Personal Touches

Before

Industrial-transitional space with dramatic dark beam ceiling, warm wood floors, and contemporary fixtures

After

Polished farmhouse dining room blending dark wood beams, light table, and elegant black spindle chairs

While Abbie loves the new dining table and chairs (from West Elm and Amazon Home, respectively), the decorative accents really made the space feel like home for her and Jedidiah. “My favorite part of this room is the art,” she shares. “By including my grandparents’ portraits in their original wooden frames, a painting from where we got married, and a mix of thrifted and Etsy pieces, we were able to make the space feel very personal and special to us.”

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