When one of my best friends from high school moved back to Atlanta after years in Washington, DC, I couldn’t wait to help her settle into her new space—especially her charming townhouse in Buckhead. As a designer, it's always special to work on a project that blends personal connection with creativity, and this dining room redesign was the perfect opportunity to do just that. With a mix of heirloom pieces and fresh updates from Ballard Designs, we transformed this room into a welcoming, classically styled space just in time for cozy fall entertaining. From custom drapery to polished lighting and comfortable seating, this room now beautifully balances traditional elegance with modern livability.

I think every room needs a mirror, and especially in the dining room to reflect the glow of the sun and ambient lighting around the space. I love placing lamps or sconces around the mirror to amplify their reach in the space. I used the San Marco mirror, which has a great scale for a mid-sized room, and the Weatherford sconces for substantial counterweights on either side. Below, the Alissa console adds a buffet, bar, or styling opportunity to the room without the visual weight of a solid table. I love how it complements the traditional pieces in the room.

My friend's 19th-century English dining table is a family heirloom, so I wanted to balance the heft of this centerpiece with the comfortable, fully upholstered Pearce chairs. The slipcovered style dresses down the table a bit to make the whole thing feel super comfortable and inviting (and they are truly so comfy to sit in for long dinners with friends).

The floral linen curtains were made with GP&J Baker's iconic Eau de Nil fabric, which inspired the light and airy Green Trance Sherwin Williams paint color (similar to Behr's New Day).

I love setting the table (as you might know from this and this post) so getting this space set up for fall entertaining for my friend makes me so excited for dinner parties this room holds in its future! This dining room makeover perfectly reflects my friend's personal history and design sensibilities—rooted in tradition but refreshed with layered, livable elegance. With timeless selections from Ballard Designs, a serene color palette, and meaningful heirloom elements, the space now feels ready for everything from intimate dinners to lively holiday gatherings. If you’re looking to design a space that blends classic pieces with modern comfort, I hope this project offers the inspiration to get started.

xoko