Our Farmhouse Dining Room Renovation Reveal

Step inside our farmhouse dining room renovation! From uncovering original hardwood floors and restoring the brick fireplace to adding tongue and groove ceilings and timeless wallpaper, see how we blended historic charm with cozy modern touches in this complete dining room makeover.

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We just finished renovating our dining room, and we could not be happier! When we bought our farmhouse back in the fall of 2021, we knew this house had so much potential. But we also knew the renovations would take years. The dining room has been a space we’ve been dreaming about from the very beginning. Today I’m so excited to finally share the full farmhouse dining room renovation reveal with you along with some before pictures!

Ceiling: Warmth With Tongue and Groove Poplar

One of the details that makes this space feel so cozy is the ceiling. We used tongue and groove poplar wood to bring warmth and character to the room. To keep the design cohesive, we wanted the ceiling to complement the floor as much as possible. After testing a few options, we settled on Minwax Weathered Oak stain, which gave us the perfect balance of rustic farmhouse charm and modern warmth.

Floors: Restoring the Original Hardwood

One of the biggest blessings of this house was discovering the original hardwood floors hidden under old carpet and linoleum. Thankfully, the carpet actually preserved the wood over the years, making it possible for us to refinish and bring it back to life.

For the finish, we sealed the floors using Minwax Polyurethane for floors in satin finish. It took four coats, but the results were absolutely worth it. The satin sheen is soft and timeless, and so far they’re holding up beautifully in a room that gets a lot of use.

Walls: Insulation, Drywall, and Prep

This part of the renovation wasn’t quite as glamorous, but it was necessary. We had to remove the old plaster and lath walls so that we could add proper insulation. Once that was complete, we installed new drywall and primed it so it would be ready for wallpaper. It was a lot of work, but the payoff is in how much brighter and more energy-efficient the room is now.

Wallpaper: Emma Linen by Sandberg

One of my favorite details in the whole room is the wallpaper. I collaborated with Sandberg Wallpaper and chose their print Emma Linen. It’s a soft, subtle pattern that adds just the right amount of texture without overwhelming the space. Because it’s so versatile, it’s easy to pair with different decor and seasonal tablescapes, which is perfect for a dining room that will see plenty of hosting and holiday gatherings.

Baseboards and Trim: Honoring the Original Style

Sadly, we weren’t able to salvage the original dining room trim. As we tried to remove it, the pieces broke apart. Instead of being discouraged, we decided to pull design inspiration from the original kitchen trim so the rooms would flow together.

We used a similar trim design with 8-inch baseboards, 5-inch boards around the windows and doorways, and added 8-inch boards above the doors and windows with the same detailed cutouts the kitchen originally had. While it isn’t original, it feels true to the farmhouse and ties the rooms together beautifully.

Fireplace: Restoring Original Charm

One of the most dramatic changes in our dining room renovation was uncovering and restoring the original farmhouse fireplace. When we bought the house, the brick was completely covered with plaster. I spent hours with just a hammer and chisel carefully removing the plaster so the exposed brick fireplace could shine again. It instantly added so much texture, warmth, and character to the room, exactly what this old farmhouse needed.

The cast iron fireplace insert and surround are all original to the home, which makes this feature even more special. To bring it back to life, I used a wire attachment on a grinder to remove the layers of old paint and rust. Once it was clean, I polished it with cast iron polish, which gave it a rich, timeless finish. Now the fireplace serves as a stunning focal point in our farmhouse dining room, blending history, texture, and cozy charm all in one spot.

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Now that it’s all done, this dining room feels like the heart of our home. Between the warmth of the wood ceiling, the restored floors, the timeless wallpaper, and the thoughtful trim, it truly blends historic farmhouse character with a touch of modern comfort. We’ve already enjoyed our first meals in here and can’t wait to gather around this table for holidays, family dinners, and all the memories to come.

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