Moody Traditional Dining Room Updates: Green Linen Curtains & The Perfect Amazon Sideboard
*This post contains affiliate links. Please read my full disclosure here. Thank you for supporting my blog.*
If there is one thing I’ve learned about creating an intentional, collected home, it’s that a space is never truly "done." We live, we adapt, and our homes need to adapt right along with us!
Lately, I’ve been itching to make some changes to our dining room. While I loved the foundation of the space, a few functional issues were starting to drive me crazy, especially during family dinners. After finally tackling these dining room updates, I am kicking myself that I didn't do this sooner!
Today, I'm thrilled to share how we solved our evening glare problem, upgraded our storage, and added some serious moody traditional drama to the space, just in time for Spring and Easter entertaining.
Swapping Cafe Curtains for Dark Green Linen
Let’s talk about the window situation. For the longest time, I had beautiful cafe curtains in here. I absolutely loved them because they provided a lovely touch of privacy while still letting a ton of natural light flood into the room.
But here’s the reality: the sun sets on this side of our house. That intense North Florida evening sun is no joke, and right when the hubby, the kids, and I were sitting down to eat dinner, we were getting absolutely blinded.
I knew it was time for a change. I wanted a solution that would filter out that harsh sunset glare but also add some much-needed drama and texture to the space.
Before
The Winning Window Treatment Combo:
Woven Wood Roman Shades: I added a warm, wood-toned roman shade to bring in a natural, textural element. It perfectly grounds the space and does an amazing job blocking the direct glare while we eat.
Dark Green Linen Curtains: I went with gorgeous, rich dark green linen curtains. The linen fabric is perfect because even when the curtains are pulled closed, they gently filter the light rather than making the room feel like a dark cave.
The dark green plays beautifully against the scenic tree mural wallpaper and really leans into that Modern Heritage aesthetic I love so much.
Upgrading Dining Room Storage: The Faux Walnut Sideboard
On the opposite wall, I made another major swap. For years, I had a narrow IKEA Malm table acting as our dining room console. A while back, I even painted it "Urbane Bronze" to match the living room, and while I loved its slim profile in our small dining space, the open space underneath it was entirely wasted.
As you know, I love collecting different plate settings and serving platters for every season. I desperately needed closed storage. Enter my new favorite Amazon find!
Why I Love This 67-Inch Fluted Buffet:
Maximum Storage for Collections: Having actual doors means I can neatly tuck away all my tabletop decor and entertaining essentials without the visual clutter.
Narrow Profile: At 67 inches long but with a slim depth (15.7 inches), it provides a massive surface area for setting up a bar tray or a buffet without eating into the dining room's walking space.
Elevated Details: The fluted detailing on the front gives it a high-end, custom look for a fraction of the price. The faux walnut finish adds so much warmth and ties in beautifully with our dining table and the vintage-inspired rug.
The Hidden Window Trick (Perfected!)
If you’ve been following House by the Preserve for a while, you might remember my little secret on this wall: there is actually a window hidden right behind that large gold mirror!
Hanging the mirror over the window was a great way to create a solid focal wall and bounce light around the room, but the old IKEA table sat a bit low, leaving an awkward gap. This new sideboard is actually a little taller, bridging the gap and completely selling the illusion. Paired with a beautiful magnolia wreath and my favorite pleated lamp, the vignette finally feels complete.
Styling a Collected Spring & Easter Tablescape
Now that the foundation of the room was set and my tableware was easily accessible in the new sideboard, I couldn't wait to style the table for Spring.
When it comes to holiday tablescapes, I love a collected, layered look that feels special but not overly fussy or fragile.
Layering the Place Settings
To build the place settings, I started with chunky woven water hyacinth placemats. They add the perfect amount of casual, earthy texture. From there, I layered on the charm:
The Base Plate: A simple white plate with a subtle scalloped edge.
The Accent Plate: I am obsessed with these green cabbage leaf plates! They add such a fun, organic pop of color that screams Springtime.
The Salad/Dessert Plate: Topping it off is a delicate, vintage-inspired floral plate with dainty blue, red, and green details.
To complete the setting, I used beautiful peachy-pink linen napkins finished with a sweet white lace trim, paired with sleek gold flatware. The contrast between the traditional lace and the modern gold utensils is exactly the kind of balance I strive for in a modern heritage space.
A Simple, Whimsical Centerpiece
Because I want us to actually be able to see each other across the table during Easter dinner, I kept the centerpiece low and simple.
I used classic brass candle holders with gorgeous blue and white patterned taper candles to draw the eye up. Right in the center, the star of the show is an adorable ceramic white bunny holding a green cabbage leaf bowl. It’s the perfect whimsical nod to Easter without feeling overly themed.
A Space Made for Gathering
These changes might seem simple—a new sideboard here, some green linen curtains there—but the impact on the room has been huge. The dining room feels moodier, more gathered, and incredibly functional for our family. Sitting under our modern globe chandelier with the evening sun gently filtered through the linen is exactly the cozy vibe I was hoping for.
What do you think of the dark green curtains? Are you team cafe curtains or floor-to-ceiling drapes? Let me know in the comments below!
I’m a mom of two and wife to a seriously supportive hubby, living our best life in our forever house by the preserve! I'm all about helping you create a stylish, Pinterest-worthy home on a budget. Let's obsess over interior design, home decor, DIY, and home improvement projects to help you create your best home. Follow along and say hello! I love hearing from you.
Currently Trending
Join me on Instagram!
