The interior architecture of our living room/dining room is quite classic European in style. Wanting to raise the ceiling and install crown molding, I researched spaces in Lisbon, Copenhagen, and Paris that had a similar look to get a sense of what style of molding and scale it should have.

Once we created the perfect backdrop, I looked for pieces for our dining room that would be timeless. I ordered a custom sized dining table from Heerenhuis that fit the space perfectly. It is about 8.8 feet long and 2.9 feet wide. It suited my preference for narrow tables that allow for better conversation and ease to move around.

At Maison & Objet I had come across Ethnicaft’s Bok Dining Chairs which had the exact quality I was looking for: something similar to a mid-century Danish option but with an updated feel. Their shape and curvature make them works of art, allowing them to be stand-alone pieces.

I decided not to install a pendant light over our dining room so that the table decoration during a special meal could be the focus and themes could vary depending on the event.

Alain van Havre is the designer behind Belgian brand Ethnicraft’s Bok Dining Chair. Made of solid oak, they select the most beautiful parts of the tree, where the wood’s grain shines through. It also has a velvet-like feel achieved by an oiled finish.

Our living area was designed to be inviting yet sophisticated. Of all of the spaces in our home, this turned out the be the one that most represents my personal style. A mixture of the highest quality materials such as linen, Italian black marble, and oak make it a highly nuanced place.

Each piece such as the sofa from the Sofa Company, the coffee table from Serax, the side table from Sancal, or the floor lamp from Lumina have been carefully selected. In this space, black and white are not colors but tonalities of natural materials giving it a softer and more interesting contrast. The wooden pieces are crucial because they bridge the two.

Since this was our first home as homeowners, I wanted to bring in sophistication to the decor. Gone were the contemporary table lights from before – this time I wanted a shaded option that had an earthy quality. I found this Flemish old jug lamp from Het Jager Huis in the Netherlands. Its large stature shows confidence and gravitas within the room.

Our vintage Bernt Petersen armchairs were a once-in-a-lifetime find on Pamono several years back. No matter what home we live in, they have to be a part of it.

As you can see, the original parquet was beautiful but the gaps between planks were too large and thus rendering it unsalvageable.

The fireplace had two levels that just seemed impractical and awkward. We ended up adding fire-resistant bricks to the lower side to bring it all up to one level.

The windows to our balcony were probably the ones in the worst shape. The paint was peeling and the frame around it was completely rotted through. We thought that they could be repainted but in the end realized that they’d have to be replicated. It was a huge expense that we were hoping that we didn’t have to assume, but in the end, it was the best decision since we now have double-glazed windows that keep the cold air out.

Nex to the fireplace was this strange platform that the previous owners had their TV on. It was impractical and took up too much space. My husband was able to let some renovation frustration out by demolishing it. I remember that day, we found out that we had to replace the whole heating system because the original radiator pipes were too small for today’s standards. Let’s just say we weren’t thrilled.