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September 13, 2022

Swiss Chalet Inspired Dining Room Reveal

From start to finish, this project clocked in at exactly five weeks. Five weeks! Somehow, in that short amount of time, this space went from a boring box with zero personality to a Swiss Chalet dining room chock full of character and warmth. The only other renovation that came close to this timeline was our powder room, and even that tiny space took six weeks. Needless to say, this transformation blows my mind, and yet, is everything I knew it could be.

*This post contains affiliate links.

Table of Contents

  • Before
  • Swiss Chalet Inspiration
  • During
  • After – Banquette Side
  • Banquette Cushion
  • Lighting
  • Cafe Curtains
  • After – Hutch Side
  • Sconces
  • Antique Details
  • Sources
  • Cost Breakdown

Before

Let’s start by looking back. These pictures were taken on the day we moved in.

before picture of dining room with brown walls and brown carpet
dining room painted brown with brown carpet and iron chandelier

And this is how it has looked for the past four years, minus the hardwood floors. Those were installed in December. It’s amazing what a new paint color and updated lighting can do for a space!

empty dining room with wood floors, white walls and beaded chandelier
empty dining room with white walls, hardwood floors, and beaded chandelier

Swiss Chalet Inspiration

Our last name is Udvarhelyi (ood-var-hay-lee) because my husband’s family is Hungarian. And for whatever reason, Jeff and I have always been drawn to arts and crafts, craftsman, and European cottage design styles. So, in an effort to create a meaningful space with a sense of whimsy and history, I landed on the Swiss Chalet as my inspiration. Swiss chalets are characterized by an abundance of wood elements, warm colors, and handcrafted details. This sounded like the perfect combination to me.

After doing a bit of research, I discovered that this type of dwelling originated not only in Switzerland (like I assumed), but also in central Europe, including Hungary. I was thrilled to learn this, as it personalized my choice of inspiration. After I was properly inspired, I got to work.

During

There were three major projects I needed to tackle in order to complete the Swiss Chalet look we were going for in here: wallpaper, corner banquette, and planked wood ceiling.

  • Wallpaper – The gorgeous Dard Green Tulip wallpaper was given to me by A. Street Prints and quickly became a fan favorite over on Instagram. It reminded me of the hand-painted flower patterns I’ve seen on vintage Hungarian plates, which made it perfect for this space.
dining room with wallpaper, oil painting, dining table, and beaded chandelier
  • Corner Banquette – Woodworking is something I love to do, so I would definitely call this project my favorite. Designing and creating the banquette apron to match the antique table skirt was creatively inspiring for me and a cool feather in my DIY cap. I wanted it to feel historic and charming, like something you would find in a 100-year-old European cottage.
hand carved dining banquette in a corner of the dining room with wallpaper and oil painting
  • Planked Wood Ceiling – This might go down as the most frustrating DIY I’ve ever attempted. Tongue-and-groove is no joke, especially when installing it upside down. I’ve planked ceilings and walls with shiplap, but trying to put up 12-foot tongue-and-groove boards, essentially by myself, was impossible. And yes, I could have waited until Jeff was able to help me, but I was on a tight deadline and he wasn’t available for a whole week (that’s an eternity for me). So when an Instagram follower suggested cutting off the back of each groove, I was all over it. To my delight, it worked!
dining room with wood planked ceiling, pine hutch, and wallpapered walls

After – Banquette Side

And that brings me to what you came here for…the reveal! Presenting our Swiss Chalet dining room.

dining room with wood planked ceiling, built-in banquette, and long antique dining table

After coming off of the most stressful year of nonstop, never-ending renovations, some of which still aren’t complete, I’m kind of in shock that I’m writing a reveal post about a space that wasn’t even on the radar a few months ago. But here we are, looking at what is arguably the most beautiful room in our home, and I’m feeling immensely grateful.

corner of dining room banquette with purple pillow, plaid pillow, wallpaper and oil painting

This is the corner that Jeff and I both envisioned when we first discussed the idea of a banquette. It’s cozy, beautiful, and sure to become the coveted favorite spot of everyone in the family.

dining room with dark wood table, black chandelier, wallpaper, oil painting and wood ceiling

The antique oil painting I purchased a long time ago, and had no specific place for, was really the jumping off point for this whole room. It was an Etsy find, and I was drawn to the subject matter, but also to the title, “Homeward.” I pulled colors from the painting for pillows and accessories, and it became this beautiful moment that I can’t stop swooning over.

banquette seat with pillows, wallpaper and oil painting

In the opposite corner of the banquette, I hung three vintage copper molds to hearken back to the bygone era of my grandparents; a simpler time that I so loved and always want to remember.

dining room corner with cafe curtains, dried hydrangeas, and pillows
dining room corner with wallpaper, pillows, and copper molds on the wall
dining room with green velvet chandelier, cafe curtains, dried hydrangeas, walnut table, and wallpaper

Banquette Cushion

Let’s talk about the banquette cushion and chair pads. That tiny mocha gingham has my whole heart. It was gifted to me by Charlotte Fabrics, and my upholsterer worked magic with it, creating the most charming, overstuffed cushions. This dining area is definitely not lacking in comfort.

dining table and banquette with cushion

Our antique table deserves to be mentioned before moving on to the other side of the dining room. I actually spotted this table in one of my favorite local antique stores four months before purchasing it. Every time I went in, I would admire it, but I always thought it was too big. However, when I measured out the banquette and realized it was exactly the right size, I couldn’t get over to the store fast enough. This is the kind of heirloom-quality table I’ve always dreamed of having, and I’m so thankful Jeff loved it too.

dining room with hand carved banquette and vintage dining chair

Lighting

I chose the Lenore chandelier from my curated collection with Tuesday Made because I love the juxtaposition of modern and traditional. The curve of the arms is whimsical and the shade shape is unexpected, making this fixture interesting yet understated. In other words, perfect.

dining room with planked ceiling, green velvet chandelier and dried hydrangeas

Oh, and the olive green velvet shades were a DIY I squeezed in at the very end and haven’t even shared about yet. This might be my favorite element in the room…it’s that good.

closeup of green velvet chandelier and oil painting

Cafe Curtains

The cafe curtains were another DIY, and I did share all about how to make them on Instagram. I adore the charm and texture they add to this space.

corner of dining room banquette with cafe curtains and wallpaper and green velvet chandelier

After – Hutch Side

Okay, let’s get to the amazing pine hutch that’s been sitting silently on the other side of the dining room, waiting for it’s moment. This piece is a thing of beauty and fits perfectly into the Swiss Chalet design. Make no mistake though, it’s a working hutch that houses all of our new Lenox scalloped dishes, handcrafted drinkware, and precious antique ironstone and pottery that I’ve collected. I love it when a piece is both useful and beautiful.

scrubbed pine hutch with dishes
corner of dining room with wallpaper, plates on the wall, and a pine hutch
pine hutch against wallpapered wall with vintage sconce
pine hutch with white scalloped dishes

Sconces

If you follow me on Instagram, you might recognize the “awful” sconces flanking our pine hutch (full story over on Instagram). These beauties are vintage and completely perfect for this space. They also give off the most soothing ambient light, which makes me love them even more.

pine hutch styled with glasses and vintage pottery

Antique Details

This antique ironstone plate is a top contender for my favorite item in the dining room. I picked it up at the store that Noelle works in, called Ford and Elm, and it is the most beautiful platter I’ve ever seen. I tried searching for more of this pattern because I’d love to have a whole set, but I still haven’t found even one piece that looks similar.

closeup of antique pottery, copper pot, and dried flowers in a hutch
closeup of handcrafted drinking glasses in a hutch

Here’s one more look at the banquette side of the dining room.

swiss chalet inspired dining room with wallpaper, velvet chandelier, and dried hydrangeas
dining room with wallpaper, black chandelier, oil painting, and dried hydrangeas

Now that you’ve seen our Swiss Chalet inspired dining room, I bet you’re anxious for some sources. I’ve got you covered. Keep in mind, almost everything in this space was found on Facebook Marketplace or in an antique store, so I don’t have many sources, but I’ve linked what I could.

Sources

  • Flooring – Jasper Engineered Hardwood Provincial White Oak
  • Wallpaper – Dard Green Tulip Wallpaper from A. Street Prints
  • Paint Color – Sherwin Williams “Creamy” in Pro Classic Enamel Satin
  • Chandelier – Lenore from Tuesday Made
  • Picture Light – Morrison Picture Light
  • Oil Painting – Etsy
  • Hutch – FB Marketplace
  • Dining Table and Chairs – antique store and FB Marketplace
  • Gingham Bench and Chair Cushion Fabric
  • Green Pillow
  • Plaid Pillow
  • Purple Pillow – Harper from Jolie Marche
  • Kilim Plaid Pillow – vintage off of Etsy
  • Dark Brown Pillow
  • Cafe Curtain Fabric
  • Cafe Curtain Brackets
  • Cafe Curtain Rings
  • Sconces – vintage off of Etsy

Cost Breakdown

Throughout this process, I received a lot of questions about the cost of things, so I thought I’d provide a cost breakdown for you. Please note that some items were provided at no cost as part of a collaboration.

  • Skim Coating and Electrical – $680
  • Wallpaper and Paste – $700
  • Banquette – $450
  • Wood Ceiling – $700
  • Trim – $200
  • Paint (Sherwin Williams Pro Classic Enamel “Creamy”) – $80
  • Fabric – $400
  • Upholstery Work – $600
  • Sconces – $75 (Etsy)
  • Picture Light – $250 (Shoppe Amber Interiors)
  • Chandelier – $750
  • Cafe Curtains and Hardware – $200
  • Dining Table – $900 (antique store)

Full Price Total: $5,985 | Our Actual Total: $4,135

I didn’t include the cost of the hutch, chairs, or most of the decor because we had all of that long before beginning this renovation. If I had purchased all of those items during the time frame of this project, it would have added an additional $900 onto the price tag. Still not bad for an entire room renovation! I can’t imagine how much more it would have been if we had hired out the wallpaper, ceiling, and banquette build.

Thank you to everyone who cheered me on and shared in the excitement of our Swiss Chalet dining room renovation. Whew! It was fast, fun, and so much better with you following along.

signature

You Might Also Be Interested In:

Our Modern Cottage Powder Room Reveal
5 Tips for Blending Modern and Traditional Bedding
5 Reasons You Should Invest in Custom Curtains

Filed Under: All Home, Building, DIY, Home, Kitchen and Dining, Renovations, Sewing, Wall Treatments Tagged With: banquette, dining room, planked ceiling, swiss chalet design

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Comments

  1. KK says

    January 27, 2023 at 2:51 pm

    Where did you find the suede chandelier shades? Love.

    Reply
    • marynnU says

      January 27, 2023 at 5:57 pm

      I actually just covered the existing shades with olive green velvet that I had on hand.

      Reply
  2. Bethany says

    January 20, 2023 at 5:53 pm

    What stain did you use for your ceiling?

    Reply
    • marynnU says

      January 22, 2023 at 4:38 pm

      Special Walnut but I did NOT mix it up. Just opened the can and used the stain that was on the top…it’s sort of thinned without mixing.

      Reply
  3. Mary says

    December 26, 2022 at 7:21 am

    Gorgeous. Where are your dishes and the vase on table from?

    Reply
    • marynnU says

      December 30, 2022 at 11:17 am

      Hi there! Thank you so much. Dishes are from Lenox and the vase is vintage.

      Reply
  4. Maureen says

    November 22, 2022 at 11:19 am

    I came across your dining room while scrolling Pinterest and it stopped me in my tracks. It’s gorgeous. You did a beautiful job.

    Reply
    • marynnU says

      November 29, 2022 at 7:30 am

      Well thank you so much! It’s everyone’s favorite space in the house now. We love it!

      Reply
  5. Diana Bier says

    November 5, 2022 at 5:26 am

    I came across your blog just today–it was a link through a discussion in Houzz, and I’m absolutely blown away by this room! You are incredibly talented and I’m amazed most of all at your woodworking skills, especially the planked tongue and groove ceiling. The banquette detail that mirrors the apron on your table is another beautiful touch. Love the colors, furniture, lighting and accessories–it’s such a refreshing change from the bland gray you see everywhere.
    So happy I found your blog and look forward to reading past and future posts!

    Reply
    • marynnU says

      November 8, 2022 at 8:17 pm

      Wow, thank you so much for stopping by the blog and leaving me the kindest comment. Our dining room was a labor of love and I’m thrilled with how it turned out.

      Reply
  6. Tara says

    September 25, 2022 at 7:23 pm

    I am obsessed with every detail in this space. So impressed with how it all came together!! The link to the bench pad fabric seems to be broken, do you know if it’s still available anywhere??

    Reply
    • marynnU says

      September 26, 2022 at 10:01 am

      Thank you for bringing that to my attention. I just fixed it and yes, it’s still available.

      Reply
  7. Jan Kinman says

    September 21, 2022 at 10:37 am

    Oh My Gosh!! I just saw your site for the first time and had to tell your I absolutely love every piece, design and color of this room! So have my heart with everything you’ve done. Job well done! Thank you for sharing all your hard work! Enjoy!
    A new follower.

    Reply
    • marynnU says

      September 21, 2022 at 2:55 pm

      Well thank you so much Jan! I appreciate you reading the blog and thank you for the very kind compliments.

      Reply
  8. Edna says

    September 19, 2022 at 5:47 am

    This is one of the prettiest dining rooms I have seen. Everything just “works” together perfectly, and the colors are my favorites! But I think my favorite of all is the oil painting. It just lends a sense of home and tranquility to the room.

    Reply
    • marynnU says

      September 20, 2022 at 1:23 pm

      Thank you so much Edna! The painting was the muse for this entire space, and I didn’t even know it when I bought it awhile ago.

      Reply
  9. Ann E says

    September 18, 2022 at 7:53 am

    Absolutely beautiful! Bestill my heart!!!

    Reply
    • marynnU says

      September 18, 2022 at 9:25 am

      Thank you so much Ann!

      Reply
  10. Jami says

    September 14, 2022 at 12:45 pm

    Oh my gosh, it feels like home♥️♥️♥️. This has m who’s heart!!!

    Reply
    • marynnU says

      September 14, 2022 at 7:55 pm

      Thanks Jami! I’m glad the feeling of home comes through the computer screen because that’s exactly how it feels in person too.

      Reply
  11. Rhonda says

    September 14, 2022 at 11:12 am

    Love all that you do, Marynn. You created such a warm welcoming space with layers of beautiful details. I think we are sisters from another mother, because I could move right in!

    Reply
    • marynnU says

      September 14, 2022 at 7:55 pm

      Thank you so much Rhonda! Creating layers is my absolute favorite thing about designing a room.

      Reply
  12. Kelly Jackson says

    September 14, 2022 at 9:37 am

    This is stunningly beautiful! Congratulations on a job well done. You are a very talented designer! I really love the “less is more” approach, meaning you highlight a very edited collection of well-chosen pieces. Combined with the wallpaper and fabric colors, it makes for a delightful room. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • marynnU says

      September 14, 2022 at 11:07 am

      Well thank you so much Kelly for that kind compliment. For me, editing is everything because visual clutter makes me crazy. I’m glad you enjoyed the reveal post, and again, thank you.

      Reply
  13. Alison T says

    September 14, 2022 at 6:06 am

    This is so incredible! Thank you for sharing. Took my breath away when I saw it! Love the woodwork details.

    Reply
    • marynnU says

      September 14, 2022 at 8:06 am

      Thank you so much Alison! It was a labor of love, especially the woodwork details.

      Reply

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