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Annette Suarez redesigned the dining room she shares with her husband, replacing orange tile and white walls with warm wood flooring, green paint, vintage furnishings and layered lighting. The project cost about $5,000, according to Apartment Therapy; Suarez said a DIY corner bookcase and light fixture accounted for $150.
Annette Suarez renovated the orange-and-white dining room she shares with her husband, Sergio, turning it into a darker, more layered space with warm wood flooring, green paint and vintage furnishings. Apartment Therapy reported that the project cost $5,000; Suarez said a handmade corner bookcase and its light fixture cost $150.
Suarez said the existing terracotta tile felt dated and heavy, while white walls made the dining room feel sterile. She began by removing the tile and knocking down the wall between the dining room and kitchen. According to her, opening the rooms made the space feel more open, and removing the flooring gave her a blank canvas for the redesign.
The replacement finishes include warm-toned wood flooring, Benjamin Moore’s Vintage Vogue green paint and picture-frame molding. Suarez paired those with rich wood furniture, including thrifted and vintage pieces. She also combined secondhand frames for a gallery wall above an old credenza, spray-painting some while leaving others with their original worn finishes.
Lighting was part of the plan rather than a finishing touch: the completed room includes sconces, a chandelier and a candelabra. Suarez’s corner bookcase was a first-time DIY project. She said she used inexpensive MDF boards and basic trim, and put the cost of the bookcase and light fixture at $150. Apartment Therapy reported the total renovation cost as $5,000.
How the Renovation Changed the Room
The makeover shows how a combination of flooring, wall color and lighting can change the feel of a dining room, rather than relying on new furniture alone. Suarez’s account also makes clear that the transformation involved demolition and a new floor, as well as decorative choices such as vintage frames and textiles.
For readers planning a similar update, the reported figures offer a concrete example, not a standard price estimate: Suarez put this project at $5,000, with the custom-looking bookcase and fixture costing $150. Costs for other homes can vary based on size, materials, labor and whether work such as wall removal or wiring is involved.
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From Orange Tile to Green Walls
The project started with a room Suarez described as cold and outdated. She said the terracotta floor clashed with the moodier look she wanted, and that the white walls did not make the space feel inviting. Removing the flooring and opening the wall between the dining room and kitchen were early steps in changing both the appearance and openness of the area.
After those changes, Suarez built the design around green paint, wood tones and collected objects. She advised people using thrifted pieces to look for wood finishes that complement one another without needing to match exactly. Textures such as linen, fur seat covers and dried flowers can help bring different finds together, she said. Apartment Therapy’s report describes the project as a homeowner makeover, not a product launch or industry-wide design trend.
““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 report gives a $5,000 total and a $150 cost for the bookcase and light fixture, but does not provide a full itemized budget or clarify which expenses included labor. It also does not specify the room’s dimensions, the full schedule, or whether the $5,000 covers every design and construction cost.
The source describes a wall being knocked down but does not say whether it was load-bearing, what permits or professional services were involved, or how the work was completed. It likewise does not give details about the electrical work for the sconces or other fixtures. Those specifics should not be inferred from the before-and-after account.
Planning Similar Room Updates
Apartment Therapy’s report presents the room as a completed makeover and does not identify a further project milestone. For readers adapting Suarez’s approach, the next steps depend on their own space: plan the layout and lighting, compare material and labor costs, and check building requirements before removing a wall or changing wiring. Suarez advised making a detailed sketch, checking measurements and preparing carefully before building a bookcase.
For structural changes or electrical work, homeowners should consult licensed professionals and follow applicable permit and safety requirements. Suarez also said people unsure about wiring or structural work should get help. Her account does not establish that every detail of the renovation can be replicated for the same cost or without specialist assistance.
Key Questions
How much did the dining-room makeover cost?
Apartment Therapy reported a total cost of $5,000. The article does not provide a full itemized budget.
What were the main changes to the room?
Suarez removed the terracotta tile and a wall between the dining room and kitchen, then added warm wood flooring, Benjamin Moore’s Vintage Vogue green paint, picture-frame molding, vintage furnishings and layered lighting.
How much did the DIY bookcase cost?
Suarez said the MDF corner bookcase and its light fixture cost $150. She added basic trim to give it a built-in appearance.
What advice did Suarez give for a similar project?
She recommended planning lighting early, sketching and measuring carefully before building, and choosing wood tones that complement one another. She said people unsure about wiring or structural work should get help.
Source: apartmenttherapy.com
