This is how designer Drew Michael Scott transformed his dining room from 'very bland' to a beautiful space filled with vintage character

A dining room, whether it's part of a kitchen or a room of its own, is a space dedicated to hosting, gathering, and socializing, so creating a scheme that is warm and inviting is key to ensuring it's somewhere you want to spend time.

But for Drew Michael Scott (A.K.A Lone Fox), transforming his dining room required more than a quick spruce up. The project began with a mostly empty room – except for a vintage dining table – which meant he could curate a scheme that truly reflected his style while paying homage to the property's history. A careful balance that he has nailed in the space.

'I wanted the space to feel cohesive with the kitchen and breakfast nook , but still maintain its own identity. I wanted the walls to have movement and include some sort of shelving on one of the walls,' says Drew, the creative also known as Lone Fox .

The large archway that connects the dining room to the kitchen was added by Drew, creating an open flow between spaces and instantly giving the illusion of greater space. 'Before the transformation, the room was very bland! Before moving in, two of the walls opened with an arch to view the coffee bar and breakfast nook, but I wanted the space to feel airier and not so enclosed,' he explains.

Adding character and warmth was the goal from the very beginning of the project, and it started with the walls. 'I chose to apply limewash paint to add subtle texture to the walls, using the color Bistrot by Portola Paints ,' he adds.

The textured walls were just the start, and while they added interest and warmth to the dining room, it was the finishes and decor that really brought the space to life.

'The only piece I had in the space before the transformation was my vintage dining table, so I somewhat designed the space around the table,' says Drew, and it's clear to see it became an inspiration point for the rest of the decorative pieces.

'Most of the decor and accents are crafted from natural materials like wood and iron. I aimed to preserve the room's Spanish elements while incorporating my own vintage touches to create a unique and inviting atmosphere,' he adds.

It's the mix of old and new that adds abundant charm to the space. The Spanish-style home came with period features such as the ceiling beams, and all of these various elements needed to work harmoniously in the transformed space.

'The dining room feels warm, inspiring, and collected! I aimed for a warm and curated ambiance, showcasing the unique vintage decor I've collected over the years. I incorporated plenty of natural wood elements, including my 1,000-pound dining table crafted from repurposed shipping containers,' says Drew.

The vintage decor is the perfect finishing touch. It's what creates a truly collected and lived-in feel to the scheme. A framed tapestry on one wall fills the space – a lovely alternative to traditional artwork – while shelving on the opposite side of the room houses a curated selection of his vintage finds.

But if there's one feature that really draws your eye as you enter the dining room, it's the ceiling light that has been installed above the center of the dining table. 'The light fixture is one of my favorite finds. I found it on Facebook Marketplace for only $100, and then I found it online listed for over $5,000,' he explains.

This thoughtful balance of color, texture, and vintage decor has created the dining room design Drew had hoped for. It's warm, welcoming, and feels perfectly placed in his period home, and it's a lesson in how to nail a characterful dining room scheme.

Shop the look

Drew's statement chandelier is a one-of-a-kind vintage piece, but you can find inspired pieces online. This chandelier has a similar iron structure and will add the same dramatic effect above a dining table.

The tapestry adds so much visual appeal to Drew's dining room, and it's a lovely way to bring in different textures. This antique tapestry originates from 17th-century France and depicts a rural landscape.

Some sort of vase or pot is an essential addition to your dining room decor. This vintage-inspired glazed vase comes in a striking dark finish that would feel at home in any scheme. Fill with branches or leave empty.

Decorating with vintage is an easy way to add character to a room, and Drew's dining room is proof. With characterful design and a well-thought-out flow between spaces, his transformation is all the inspiration you need for dining room refresh.