Light-Filled Dining Room with a Moody Edge – Burr Ridge, IL

The Setup

As part of this new construction home, the dining room was designed to reinforce a larger vision shared throughout the house — one rooted in natural light, strong indoor-outdoor connections, and a sense of warmth that feels both inviting and refined. With three walls of windows and close proximity to the kitchen and family room, the dining room occupies a highly visible and frequently used location, making it essential that the space feel intentional rather than merely formal.

The homeowners wanted a dining room that could flex beyond special occasions — a place comfortable enough for everyday meals, conversation, and lingering — while still offering a sense of presence and visual distinction within the open flow of the home.

Design objectives:

• Maintain easy access and strong visual connection to the adjacent kitchen and family room

• Design a dining space that feels useful for everyday living, not just formal gatherings

• Create a warm, visually inviting atmosphere despite the room’s expansive glazing

• Soften brightness and natural light while maintaining a moody, grounded aesthetic

• Allow architectural elements to define the dining room without fully closing it off

Design challenges to be solved:

• Managing heat, glare, and comfort in a dining room surrounded by large expanses of glass

• Ensuring adequate lighting for evening use once natural daylight fades

• Defining the dining room architecturally within an open plan that includes beams, coffers, and adjacent spaces

• Introducing depth, texture, and warmth without overwhelming a light-filled room

• Creating a space that feels timeless rather than tied to short-lived trends

Design solutions:

• Installing automatic window shades that soften sunlight, manage temperature, and visually recede to preserve views and natural light

• Layering lighting — including a central chandelier, wall sconces, and a linear gas fireplace — for both task and ambient illumination

• Using architectural transitions — including the arched entryway and the intentional termination of ceiling treatments — to clearly delineate the dining room from surrounding spaces

• Incorporating dark, textured wall finishes and subtle nature-inspired wallpaper to add depth and contrast while maintaining a calm, cohesive palette

• Selecting classic materials and patterns, including a marble checkerboard floor and simple reeded textures, to create a look that feels both current and enduring

A Space Designed for Gathering and Conversation

Now complete, the dining room has become one of the homeowner’s favorite spaces — valued for its balance of light, intimacy, and comfort. While visually striking, the room’s success lies in how naturally it supports conversation, shared meals, and time spent together. It is a dining room that feels equally appropriate for hosting guests or enjoying a quiet family dinner — a space defined by warmth, character, and a strong sense of connection to the rest of the home.

View the adjacent dual kitchens

Explore the home’s custom bar