From Family Function to Grown-Up Style: A Dining Room Before & After
As we grow and life shifts around us, our spaces don’t always keep up. One day, a room that once served its purpose suddenly doesn’t feel quite right anymore. This was true for Jen Shea and Dave Gamble, the couple featured in July's issue of TUCK IN magazine. After ten years in their home and raising two kids, they were ready for an update.
Before: A Clean and Practical Family Dining Space
Photo of the dining room before its refresh update as seen in the July TUCK IN issue.
Years ago, we helped Jen and Dave design a dining room that suited life with young kids—no rug, wipeable chairs, and a gallery wall of family photos. It worked beautifully at the time, but as the kids grew, the space felt frozen in the past. So Jen returned to us looking for an update: she wanted to keep what worked, like the timeless dining table Judith designed with Brent Rourke and the light fixture, but update the room with a more grown-up feel. The hope was to honour the thoughtful choices they’d made years ago but reframe them in a way that felt refined with more texture, warmth, comfort and colour!
After: Elevating What Matters
Photo taken by Kelly Lawson after the dining room transformation (featuring gallery wall artwork by Jessica Connors, custom table by Brent Rourke, the Gather Dining Chairs, and rug from the Loloi Skye collection).
To reset the mood, we introduced a feature wall in Twilight Zone by Benjamin Moore, adding both depth and a visual connection to nearby rooms. The acrylic chairs were swapped for the cozy, but still easily cleanable, Gather Dining Chairs, complemented by a rug from the Loloi Skye collection for added texture. This simple shift brought cohesion and comfort into the room without overwhelming the palette. To get tips on rug sizing and styling, check out this blog.
The true showstopper for this refresh however, was the commissioned art series by Maritime artist Jessica Conners. Her vibrant mixed-media pieces brought colour and life to the space, now making it feel like a true reflection of Jen and her family.
Why Art Makes A Huge Difference:
Dining room overview captured by Kelly Lawson (featuring gallery wall artwork by Jessica Connors, custom table by Brent Rourke, and the Gather Dinning Chairs).
Detailed close-up photo of commissioned artwork by Jessica Connors.
Design is as much about how a room feels as it is about how it looks, and few things shape the feeling of a room quite like original art. Artwork can add meaning, colour, texture, and scale to any given space. It's the perfect décor piece to spark conversation and tell guests something about the homeowner. When you invest in a piece you truly love, especially something that's local and created by hand, you're doing more than decorating your home; you're expressing yourself through your space.
Shop Jessica Connors Art:
Sparrow in Hydrangea 8" x 10" unframed art print by Jessica Connors
Goldfinch in Rosehip #2 original 8" x 8" mixed media art by Jessica Connors
Robin in Hawthrone original 11" x 14" mixed media art by Jessica Connors
Clover 8" x 10" unframed art print by Jessica Connors
We know that this investment can feel overwhelming for first-time art buyers; however, with the right tips and encouragement, it can be less scary and more exciting. Check out this blog for a guide to creating a gallery wall by yourself.
Style Tip: Try adding a centrepiece to your dining table. We love using a sculptural vase, object, bowl, or tray—even better if it adds a touch of function. Whether it’s filled with fresh florals, dried stems, or left empty as a statement piece, the right vessel brings a sense of completion to your space. Jen and Dave got these amazing pieces from Darren Emenau.
Dining table featuring Darren Emenau ceramic centrepiece photographed by Kelly Lawson.
Refreshed, Not Replaced
This space shows how thoughtful changes—paint, art, better seating—can breathe new life into a room without gutting it. It’s still the dining room Jen and Dave loved, but now, it reflects where they are today.
Inspired? Let’s Work Together: This project was part of our TUCK IN design consultation services. We love helping people reimagine the spaces they already live in. Whether you're craving a small refresh or a full redesign, our team can help bring your place to life.
