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DIYer Annette Suarez spent $5,000 transforming an orange-and-white dining room she described as cold and sterile into a darker, layered space with green paint, warm wood and vintage furnishings. Her project included removing tile, opening a wall to the kitchen and building a corner bookcase she said cost $150, including its light fixture.
DIYer Annette Suarez spent about $5,000 transforming an orange-and-white dining room she described as cold and sterile into a darker, vintage-inspired space, according to a before-and-after report by Apartment Therapy. The work included removing terracotta floor tile, opening the wall between the dining room and kitchen, and adding green paint, warm wood furniture and layered lighting.
Suarez, who shares the home with her husband, Sergio, said the existing terracotta tile felt outdated, while white walls made the dining room feel uninviting. She began by removing the tile and opening the wall to the kitchen. Apartment Therapy’s report describes the result as a more open layout, though it does not specify the wall’s dimensions or whether the work changed the home’s structure.
For the new look, Suarez chose Benjamin Moore’s Vintage Vogue for the walls, added picture-frame molding and brought in rich wood furniture. She also combined thrifted and vintage pieces, including ladder-back chairs, a credenza and secondhand frames. Rather than matching every frame, she said she painted some and left others with their worn finishes.
A corner built-in bookcase was one of the main DIY projects. Suarez said she made it from inexpensive MDF boards and basic trim, then installed a sconce above it. She put the bookcase and light fixture cost at $150. The report gives the full room project cost as $5,000 but does not itemize the other expenses.
How Layered Details Changed the Room
The makeover shows how several design choices can work together to change the feel of a dining room: warmer flooring, deeper wall color, trim, vintage furnishings and varied light sources. The reported transformation is not simply a change in paint; opening the wall and replacing the tile also altered the room’s layout and materials.
Suarez’s comments offer practical details for readers considering a similar project. She advises choosing wood pieces with complementary tones and using textiles or dried florals to soften the mix. She also recommends planning lighting early, rather than relying only on an overhead fixture. These are her design recommendations, not a guarantee that the same choices or budget will suit other homes.
The reported $150 bookcase cost illustrates the price Suarez assigned to that particular DIY feature, not the cost of the entire renovation. The overall project was reported at $5,000, but the source does not provide a full budget breakdown, so readers cannot determine how much went to flooring, demolition, paint, furniture or labor.
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From Terracotta Tile to Vintage Vogue
The Apartment Therapy report presents the dining room as a before-and-after renovation. Before the work, Suarez characterized the room as orange and white, with terracotta tile and white walls. She said the tile clashed with the moodier design she wanted and that removing it made the room feel like a blank canvas.
Afterward, she paired warm wood tones with green paint and subtle wall trim, then used secondhand frames and furnishings to create a collected look. The lighting plan included sconces, a chandelier and a candelabra. Apartment Therapy quotes Suarez as saying that the mix of light sources helped create a cozy atmosphere. The report does not identify the chandelier or other furnishings by brand or give their individual prices.
““The tiles felt outdated and heavy, and the white walls made the space feel sterile instead of inviting.””
— Annette Suarez, as quoted by Apartment Therapy
Project Costs and Work Details
The source reports a $5,000 total and a $150 cost for the bookcase and fixture, but it does not itemize the broader budget or say whether the total includes paid labor, tools or other expenses. It also does not give the project’s timeline, the home’s location, or the amount spent on each material and furnishing.
The report says the wall between the dining room and kitchen was knocked down, but it does not explain whether it was load-bearing, what permits or professional work were involved, or whether any electrical or structural changes were made. Those details should not be assumed from the finished-room description. Suarez’s advice is to bring in help if unsure about wiring or structural work.
No Further Work Announced
Apartment Therapy’s report does not identify a planned next phase for the dining room or say whether Suarez intends to continue renovating other areas. For readers considering a similar project, the next steps described by Suarez are to plan the layout and lighting, sketch and measure carefully for built-ins, and seek qualified help when a job involves wiring or structural work. No additional renovation dates or budget updates are provided.
Key Questions
How much did the dining room makeover cost?
Apartment Therapy reports a total project cost of $5,000. The article does not provide an itemized budget.
What changes did Annette Suarez make?
She removed the terracotta tile, opened the wall between the dining room and kitchen, added green paint and wall molding, and brought in warm wood furniture, vintage frames and layered lighting.
How much did the corner bookcase cost?
Suarez said the MDF-and-trim bookcase and its light fixture cost $150. The report does not break down the individual material and fixture costs.
What lighting did she use?
The room includes sconces, a chandelier and a candelabra. Suarez recommends using multiple light sources rather than relying only on overhead lighting.
What safety advice did Suarez give?
She advised getting help when unsure about wiring or structural work. The report does not detail permits or the construction scope, so homeowners should check applicable requirements and use qualified professionals for such work.
Source: apartmenttherapy.com
