Lately I seem to be obsessed with high-contrast looks — and honestly, it feels like we’re becoming best friends. After sharing the living room paint update last week, the reactions were mixed: some of you are firmly on the high-contrast bandwagon, while others prefer a softer palette. Either way, I wanted to show the dining room’s recent transformation, which surprised me in the best way.
Here’s how the room looked a week ago, before the paint went on.
After one full day of painting, the room feels dramatically different — moody, but balanced. I wouldn’t have expected to paint a room this dark, yet this house seems to push me out of my usual comfort zone. It’s very different from our previous home, where white shiplap reigned; here I’m experimenting with contrast and depth instead.
To add structure and elegance, we divided the walls at the chair rail: the lower portion and trim were painted one color, while the upper walls received a deep, saturated tone. I plan to soften the look with light linen curtains and a more casual-style dining table. Those elements should create visual balance between the dark walls and brighter accents. For now I’m letting the room evolve as I make design decisions — flying a little by the seat of my pants, but enjoying the process.
Without curtains and furnishings, the contrast can feel bold and a little in-your-face. For the trim and the wall below the chair rail, we used Benjamin Moore Aura semi-gloss in Simply White. The crisp white brightens the lower portion and helps the room read as layered rather than overwhelmingly dark. I’m still considering whether to add additional molding to that section — I’m not rushing the decision.
The upper walls were painted with Benjamin Moore Aura eggshell in Kendall Charcoal. Kendall Charcoal is a deep, rich gray that works well with many color palettes and finishes; it gives the room a moody, sophisticated feel while still feeling fresh and modern. The eggshell finish keeps the surface soft and refined, which helps the space feel inviting rather than heavy.
This is very much a work-in-progress. You can see glimpses of other rooms and boxes in mid-prep — the reality behind a makeover. If you prefer seeing the messy, everyday parts of a project instead of only the polished end result, I share a lot of that behind-the-scenes content on Instagram Stories. I haven’t quite mastered Facebook Live, but I’m learning as I go and sharing progress where I can.
Right now I’m calling this the State of the Dining Room Address: paint is down, the contrast is in place, and now comes the decorating phase — which is my favorite. I’m picturing linen curtains to soften the window, a lighter dining table to counterbalance the upper walls, and a few well-chosen accessories to tie everything together. Those finishing touches will be what ultimately defines the vibe: cozy and moody, but comfortable and welcoming.
I’m curious what you think so far: are you loving the moody, high-contrast look, or does it feel too heavy? Or maybe you’re somewhere in the middle, waiting to see the room fully styled. Either way, your feedback helps as I fine-tune the details and decide on textiles, lighting, and decor. The decorating stage will determine whether this room leans more classic, modern, or transitional.
*A big thanks to Benjamin Moore for providing paint for this post.