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Annette Suarez transformed a dining room she described as cold and outdated into a darker, vintage-inspired space, according to Apartment Therapy. The reported project cost $5,000 and included new flooring, green paint, wall molding, layered lighting and a corner bookcase built for $150.
Annette Suarez transformed an orange-and-white dining room she called cold and outdated into a green, vintage-inspired space, in a makeover that cost about $5,000, Apartment Therapy reported. The project included removing the terracotta floor and a wall between the dining room and kitchen, adding warm wood flooring and creating a built-in corner bookcase.
Suarez, who shares the home with her husband, Sergio, said the old tiles felt heavy and the white walls made the dining room feel sterile. She began by removing the terracotta flooring and opening the room to the kitchen. Suarez said the tile had clashed with the moodier design she wanted; taking it out made the room feel like a blank canvas.
The new look combines Benjamin Moore’s Vintage Vogue green paint, picture-frame molding and rich wood furniture. Suarez also layered several kinds of lighting, including a chandelier, sconces and a candelabra. She said warm wood tones helped make the room feel grounded, while the paint and trim added depth.
Suarez used thrifted and secondhand pieces, including ladder-back chairs, a credenza and frames. She said she spray-painted some frames while leaving others in their worn finishes. The corner bookcase was a first for her: she made it with inexpensive MDF boards and basic trim, and said the materials and light fixture together cost $150. Apartment Therapy reported the total dining room project cost as $5,000.
How Layered Choices Changed the Room
The renovation illustrates how several coordinated changes—not just a new paint color—can alter a dining room’s character. Suarez replaced the floor and opened the layout, then combined dark green walls, warm wood and vintage furnishings to build a more cohesive look. The result also shows how secondhand finds can contribute to a room’s style without requiring every piece to come from a matching new set.
Lighting was part of the plan rather than a finishing touch. Suarez said sconces, a chandelier and a candelabra helped create a cozy atmosphere. For readers planning similar work, the project offers a specific example of how flooring, wall treatment, furniture and lighting can be considered together. It is one homeowner’s account, not evidence that the same choices or budget will produce the same results in another home.
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From Terracotta Tile to Vintage Vogue
Suarez’s starting point was a room with terracotta floor tiles and white walls. She said the tiles felt dated and clashed with the more intentional, moody style she envisioned. Removing a wall between the dining room and kitchen also changed the relationship between the spaces, making the area feel more open, according to the report.
Apartment Therapy published the makeover as a before-and-after feature by Sarah Everett. The article focuses on Suarez’s choices and advice, including planning lighting early and keeping wood tones complementary rather than identical. It does not provide a detailed project schedule or a breakdown of the full $5,000 budget.
“The tiles felt outdated and heavy, and the white walls made the space feel sterile instead of inviting.”
— Annette Suarez, as quoted by Apartment Therapy
Budget and Project Details Not Listed
The report gives the overall cost as $5,000 but does not itemize spending on flooring, paint, furniture, demolition or other work. It also does not say how long the renovation took, whether the wall removal required permits or professional work, or whether the reported total includes labor. The $150 figure applies to the bookcase and its light fixture, not the full renovation.
The description of the original room as sterile and the transformed space as soulful reflects Suarez’s personal view. The article does not provide independent cost estimates, measurements or an assessment of the home’s resale value.
Planning Advice for Similar Projects
Suarez recommends thinking through lighting before the end of a renovation, since adding sconces or other fixtures can involve wiring. For the bookcase, she advises making a detailed sketch, checking measurements and preparing carefully; she also said a hardware store may be able to cut boards to size. She recommends seeking help when wiring or structural work is involved if the homeowner is unsure.
Apartment Therapy’s report does not announce a follow-up project or a further renovation milestone. Readers considering comparable work would need to confirm local building requirements and obtain qualified help for structural changes or electrical work.
Key Questions
How much did the dining room renovation cost?
Apartment Therapy reported that the overall transformation cost $5,000. The article does not provide an itemized budget or say whether labor was included.
What changed in the dining room?
Suarez removed the terracotta tile and a wall between the dining room and kitchen, then added warm wood flooring, Vintage Vogue green paint, picture-frame molding, layered lighting and vintage or secondhand furnishings.
How much did the built-in bookcase cost?
Suarez said the MDF boards, basic trim and light fixture for the corner bookcase cost $150.
What advice did Suarez give for a similar makeover?
She recommends planning layered lighting early, sketching and measuring carefully for a bookcase, and keeping wood tones complementary. She also advises seeking help if unsure about wiring or structural work.
Source: apartmenttherapy.com
