Curated & Crafted: A Foyer & Dining Room Refresh

Table of Contents

  1. The Foyer: A Durable, Whimsical Welcome
  2. The Dining Room: Stepping Inside a Living Oil Painting

Welcome back to the third installment of our Curated & Crafted series following my home renovation! Today, we’re opening the doors to the true entrance of our home, the foyer, and stepping into what is, without a doubt, my favorite space in the entire house: the dining room.

When designing an entryway, I believe it should immediately signal what the rest of the house feels like. It needs to be functional and durable enough for daily life with two teenagers and four dogs, but it also has to feel personal, elevated, and full of character.

The Foyer: A Durable, Whimsical Welcome

Mollie and her husband greeted by their dog in the checkered-tile foyer of their renovated home

To create a striking first impression, we laid down a classic black and white checkered ceramic tile that gives the luxurious look of marble. It’s ultra-durable for high foot traffic, but it instantly makes the entry feel special, tailored, and just a bit playful.

Antique dresser styled with books and keepsakes atop black-and-white checkered marble tile in a home entryway

When you swing open our double wood front doors, the graphic tile greets you alongside two incredibly meaningful pieces:

  • An original oil painting passed down from one of my grandparents.
  • A cherished antique console table that my mom and I found together years ago.

To balance the traditional roots of the artwork and furniture, we added a fun artichoke lamp from Stray Dog Designs. It brings in a pop of personality and subtly ties back into the black-and-white theme.

Antique console table beneath a gilt-framed oil painting and sculptural artichoke lamp in a black-and-white tiled foyer

Design Tip: Pairing graphic flooring with heirloom antiques and playful contemporary lighting keeps an entry from feeling stuffy or overly formal.

Mollie in the hallway off the foyer, opening a wood-paneled door with her dog by her side

The Dining Room: Stepping Inside a Living Oil Painting

If the foyer sets the stage, the dining room delivers the drama. Walking into this room genuinely feels like stepping straight inside a rich, romantic oil painting.

We started with a breathtaking scenic mural wallpaper from Wall Blush to wrap the walls in storytelling. To anchor the landscape, we drenched the ceiling and intricate trimwork in a rich, enveloping shade of green from Sherwin-Williams.

Dining room with a crystal chandelier, round wood table, and scenic mural wallpaper framed by a rich green ceiling and trim

Every single element in this room was chosen to feel curated over time:

  • The Parisian Crown Jewel: The opulent central chandelier is the centerpiece of the room. During a family trip to Europe, I snuck away to shop at the Paris Antique Markets. I FaceTimed my best friend and interior designer, Asheley York, and she helped me select this stunning light fixture.
  • The Anchors: We sourced our dining table locally from The Pine Needle in Dalton, GA, an antique from London, and scored the stunning vintage Henredon china cabinet on Facebook Marketplace.
  • The Finishes: The classic black dining chairs and Sunbrella fabric are from Ballard Designs, while the flowing, luxurious silk draperies from Two Pages frame the windows effortlessly.


Built for Hosting & Making Memories

Jason and I love nothing more than filling our home with family and friends, especially during the holidays. This “jewelry box” dining room creates such a warm, intimate backdrop for long dinners, shared stories, and endless memories.

“Every home tells a story, but this room is where ours comes alive over candlelit dinners and holiday toasts.”

I’d love to know: do you prefer a classic neutral entryway, or are you a fan of bold checkered tile like ours? Stay tuned for the next space reveal!

Mollie Surratt

Mollie Surratt

Founder & CEO

Mollie founded White Label Studio in 2019 after years in flooring industry leadership at Mohawk and Shaw. She’s been named a Digital Communications Leader of the Year by PR News and a Future Focus Marketing Winner by Floor Focus. When she’s not building brands, she’s usually elbow-deep in her own home renovation.