The Golden Thread: A Dining Room Designed to Connect
Photography Credit: Peter Rymwid
How One Room Ties Together a Home
When RCQ Design was tapped to transform the dining room of this stunning lakefront summer home, the mission was clear: create a room that could hold its own between two distinctly designed spaces — the vibrant kitchen and the light, airy great room — while still feeling entirely unique and deeply personal. It quickly became one of Rina’s (RCQ’s principal designer) favorite rooms in the home.
The Goal
The primary goal was to craft a dining room that not only functioned for family meals and entertaining, but also captured the homeowners’ deep appreciation for detail, materiality, and artistry. It needed to be a gathering place — not just somewhere to eat, but somewhere to linger, connect, and appreciate the surroundings, inside and out.
The Scope
This wasn’t a simple furnishing job. Every element was custom, considered, and layered — from Abner Henry dining chairs with a mix of embroidered COM fabric and vegan leather, to a ceiling that became a canvas in its own right. The room’s position in the home required it to serve as a visual and spatial bridge, a true transition zone between bold and serene.
The Interior Design Aesthetic
The aesthetic? Art Deco with a twist. Sophisticated without being stiff. Dramatic but still inviting. Touches of glam — gold leafing, antique brass, custom embroidery — were offset by earthy walnut veneers and soft window treatments in motorized sheers. The space is opulent, yet grounded.
Phases of Design
The design process unfolded in several layers:
Anchor Selection: The chairs were one of the first elements selected — custom designed down to every material — and set the tone for the entire space.
Art Meets Architecture: The coffered ceiling was hand-painted and gold leafed by RCQ’s in-house artist, incorporating an agate motif that echoed the chandelier.
Spatial Transitions: Considerable attention was given to how this room would visually and physically link the surrounding areas, including thoughtful molding color transitions.
Final Flourishes: Custom pieces like the quartz backlit bar, the wool and silk rug, and the walnut dining table were installed, followed by integrated window treatments using the same embroidered fabric as the chairs.
Favorite Part of the Job
Rina’s favorite aspect was the artistry — from the hand-painted ceiling to the embroidered fabrics and custom furniture. The collaboration between trades, artisans, and the RCQ team allowed for a dining room that feels curated, collected, and entirely bespoke.
Least Favorite Part of the Job
The challenge of seamlessly connecting three distinctly designed rooms — each with its own palette and vibe — was no easy feat. Finding the right tones and finishes to make that transition feel natural (not jarring) took time, testing, and a lot of precision.
What Made This Job Unique
Unlike many projects, this dining room didn’t start with a layout or a palette — it started with a feeling. A chandelier the client loved but didn’t yet have a place for. Chairs that had to feel heirloom-worthy. A lake view too good not to honor. It was about memory-making and mood-setting — a space designed as much for the people in it as the pieces that filled it.
And in true RCQ fashion, even the ceiling wasn’t left untouched — because in this home, every inch deserved intention.