Dining Room Makeover

How HGTV Star Orlando Soria Transformed His Parents' Dining Room from Dated to Timeless

Published on Oct 20, 2020

Design: Orlando Soria, Photo: Zeke Ruelas

If there's something we never get tired of seeing, it's a great makeover. Whether it's transforming a retro bathroom into a modern oasis or giving a lackluster bedroom a fresh look, pros perform these design miracles all the time.

To give designers a chance to showcase their favorite makeovers—and to bring you plenty of inspiration for your own home—we're sharing the best before and afters we've seen in our series, Makeover of the Week. Take notes for your next renovation.

"The main objective with this dining room project was to work with what my parents had and then add in some pieces to create a better flow," says designer Orlando Soria. "The space has tall vaulted ceilings and lots of natural light, but was it was just a jumble of furniture brought in from their old home in Yosemite—my father is sentimental and tends to have a hard time getting rid of things! Being as this room is a gathering place for the whole family, I wanted to create a spot where our large family could sit together comfortably."

Meet the Expert

Orlando Soria is an LA-based interior designer and TV host. Known for tailoring his work to reflect his clients' personalities, Soria can currently be seen on HGTV's "Build Me Up" and as a judge on "Brother Vs Brother."

Before:

Courtesy of Orlando Soria

"While this space has a lot of vertical room, its footprint is a rather small so I had to be really efficient with its design," notes Soria. "The existing furniture felt crammed, including a table that was too wide and warped from years of hard use and chairs that had also seen better days."

After:

Design: Orlando Soria, Photo: Zeke Ruelas

"One of the first edits we made was to incorporate maple hardwood flooring throughout the first floor, which immediately lightened everything up," says Soria. "Then we introduced a perfectly scaled, extendable dining table and some sturdy but lightweight smaller chairs. While my parents were resistant to window treatments because they're not concerned with privacy on that side of the house, I added some beautiful Roman shades to the windows."

Design: Orlando Soria, Photo: Zeke Ruelas

What Changed:

Color theme:A soothing vibe is achieved through the use of neutral shades, black and white colors, wood tones, and pops of blue.
Walls: The tall beige walls were repainted in a soft, light grey to keep consistent with the room's overall light color palette.
Dining table: The table's simple lines and dark walnut finish project a traditional yet mid-century modern feel.
Dining chairs: Windsor chairs painted in white are a fresh take on the more traditional style and have a slight dip in the seat for extra comfort.

Pendant: The "Orb-Lando" light fixture was created by the designer's mother and adds drama and a hand-crafted organic appeal to the space.
Curtains: Cream colored linen roman shades are motorized so they can be easily opened or closed with the flip of a switch.
Wall art: An heirloom charcoal drawing of Yosemite is a daily reminder of the family's roots.
Floor: Light colored maple hardwoods, finished in a matte lacquer stain, adds a soft aura to the space.
Sideboard: A walnut antique sideboard with a mirrored backsplash adds warmth to the room while providing a space for display and storage.

Cabinet: A white lacquered sideboard with a bottom shelf for storage mixes in a bit of contemporary design.
Floating shelves: White floating shelves display a collection of blue flea market finds, including art, plates, and teapots.
Tabletop: A blue linen tablecloth and blue striped napkins set the stage for the brown and white striped dishes and neutral-toned pottery.