Formal Bones, Playful Living
How soft pattern, traditional millwork, and functional elements transformed a dining room into something more.
All interiors in this story are original work by Founder, Rachel Anderson, photographed by Evernew.
THE BEFORE
After living in open concept-style spaces for many years, adjusting to the enclosed dining room in our new home was challenging.
Not only because it’s the coldest, darkest corner of the home, but also because the long beast of a table that anchored our last dining area perfectly was overbearing in this new one. We lived with it for quite a while, but after our toddling children incurred a few bumps on the head thanks to the table’s obtrusive jutting corner, we had had enough.
For this design, I wanted to incorporate more ways for us to use the space as a family of four. Here’s how I got from the before to the after.
A ROOM FOR GATHERING
Sophisticated Style, Playful Touch
The room’s existing millwork gave us a traditional foundation, but I didn’t want the finished space to feel overly precious.
A warm, round pedestal table relaxes the arrangement, making conversation easier, while the delicate details on the base tie into the wall trims.
Keeping the millwork, walls, and curtains a bright white keeps the space from feeling stuffy, while the warm, wood floors and table paired with deep black chairs keep it grounded. Open spindle backs—as opposed to closed upholstered ones—allow the eye to see through.
An oversized pendant anchors and mirrors the table while its linen drum shade maintains a soft, light line of sight.
A SECOND CHAPTER
Pattern With Purpose
I have to confess that moving to this house was a rushed decision. We thought we were well-anchored in our last home, with a one-year-old and our second child only a couple months away.
One day, while stuck in the car with a sleeping child, I decided to cruise around a new neighborhood. I thought I was headed for the peace of rural farmland, but found myself in a hilly, forested suburb on the western edge of Portland that swept me away.
There were paved sidewalks everywhere that led to a central park with a playground and duck pond. Everyone had their own driveway and mailbox, and their yards were beautifully preserved. It sure did beat the cemetery that was our only walking path back home.
I was enamored to say the least.
Hours later, after a deep internet dive, I found a beautiful ‘90s fixer upper in that same lovely neighborhood. Two days later we went to the open house and put in an offer.
And on a cold, blustery December evening, while my husband was traveling for work, I and the most helpful crew of movers beat the incoming storm and planted us safely inside our new home. Four weeks later we welcomed our second baby girl. It was a whirlwind.
All of this is just a long-winded way of explaining why we covered our dining room in a blue diamond wallpaper. Originally purchased for the nursery in our old home, it didn’t fit the new space. It did, however, cover the walls of our dining room perfectly, so that’s where it went.
The playful mix of its modern geometric shapes paired with the traditional look of the millwork is an unexpected delight.
This room—and house in general—have been the epicenter of my experiment in stylish family-friendly design. Becoming a mother has broadened my design style and pushed me to consider new ways to view a space, adding functionality to the beauty that I crave.
Sometimes the best decisions are not part of the original design. They are happy little accidents waiting to surprise us.
SETTING THE ROOM’S RHYTHM
Meals, Music, and More
Given my penchant for beautiful but functional spaces, I wanted to design this room to support us in more ways than eating alone.
Bringing in a white cane-front sideboard opened up a spot to store board games, puzzles, and cards, while an extra shelf houses our growing record collection—combining functionality with elevated style.
Our young daughters now love coming into the space to play and listen to music. Their tiny hands love the freedom to tinker and watch as records spin in mesmerizing fashion.
And despite rarely hosting us for dinner, this room has become a hub. It’s always adapting to our changing needs, supporting us in connecting in between functioning as a makeshift office and drop zone.
It’s beautiful because it works.
ONE LITTLE FOOTNOTE
A Detail Worth Celebrating
One especially lovely footnote to this room’s story came after it was finished: a photograph of the sideboard styling was selected as an honorable mention in the Worlds Away 7th Annual Lifestyle Photo Contest.
The feature recognized the Worlds Away Sofia cabinet and credited the project to Rachel Anderson of Harper Rae Design Co., with photography by Lauren Edmonds of Evernew Photography. It felt especially meaningful to see this hardworking corner of our dining room celebrated—the very place where beauty, nostalgia, and family life come together.
Make more of what you have.
Good design doesn’t always begin with buying something new. Sometimes it starts by looking differently at what you already own—rearranging, reimagining and layering pieces together until a room feels more useful, more personal and more like home.
If your space has good bones but hasn’t quite come together yet, let’s see what it could become.