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Jennifer Sergent

Senior Communications Writer | Perkins Eastman

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Byron Risdon’s Dining Room Makeover

January 5, 2017

What a great way to start the new year: A designer named Byron Risdon, who recently relocated from New York to DC, reached out with images of a night-and-day makeover he orchestrated for young family’s dining room in Petworth. They have two rambunctious little boys, so Byron sought to give them a beautiful space where they could eat and not worry about damage or mess.

Mission accomplished, huh?

All photography by William Knopf of Tamarack Images

Byron’s clients had redone their kitchen, visible above, a couple years ago. They were now ready to update the dining room to create more cohesion, he says.

I can see why, based on this before picture:

The owners wanted to lighten the space and make it feel more open. At the same time, it all had to be super durable to withstand the two little tornadoes. As the mother of two sons myself, I totally get where they are coming from!

“I like to mix things up, and use both old and new pieces in my design, creating a curated look as if the space were done over time,” Byron says.

Chandelier by Noir; Cabinet from Room & Board; rustic table Four Hands; leather chairs to the trade; rug by FLOR

Byron did a great job blending new pieces with that fabulous old pocket door, in addition to the vintage botanical prints his client, a botanist, found on Etsy. The custom banquette is covered in seagrass-colored vinyl by Duralee, and by using carpet tiles, a spill or stain won’t require the purchase of a whole new rug.

One of the things I love about this room, especially because it’s long and narrow, is that Byron ignored the conventional wisdom that a dining table should go in the center of the room. By shifting the seating area over toward the wall, there’s now a clear passageway into the kitchen—something I dearly wish I had in our former house when our boys were toddlers.

The Room & Board cabinet not only stores dishware, but contains everyday items such as pen, paper, mail, scissors, etc.—a must-have in a small home where rooms have to multitask.

Painting from trade resource; Roman shade with linen fabric by Clarke & Clarke fabricated locally at Essence Interiors.

“We kept a couple of the homeowners’ furniture pieces to add character and pay homage to the room’s original ‘Italian’ design,” Byron says. He’s referring to the armchair in the window nook above, and  below, the tiny Italian table underneath a modern striped print.

Congratulations to Byron for such a dramatic before-and-after. I will be looking forward to seeing more of his work now that’s he’s in DC.

Filed Under: Designers, Home Decor Tagged With: before and after

Before Footer

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Apr 9

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This lady saw so much, lived through so much, and her son, DC photographer @maxhirshfeld, captured that totality on a return to her former prison at #auschwitz. Today’s blog features a book he wrote and illustrated that was inspired by this journey back to Poland. Link in bio.
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Mar 9

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Another inspiring before and after from Regan’s guest post, linked in bio! 
@rbhomedesign 
📷 @angelanewtonroyphotography
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Mar 8

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Couldn’t be more proud to be starting a job today with @perkinseastman.washington, the firm behind @thewharfdc and so many other stunning designs around the world!
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Mar 4

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My latest story for Home & Design! 

#Repost @homeanddesigndc with @make_repost
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A 1940's-era Colonial in Friendship Heights was renovated and expanded into a contemporary abode while preserving its original roots. Natural light, high ceilings and warm wood elements complement the interiors. The rear addition combines two- and three-story volumes with the owners' suite on the third level; the addition was clad in wood siding that comes down over the original brick façade. An open concept master bathroom adds a sleek and sophisticated vibe.⁠⁠
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Renovation Architecture: @jonathankuhnarchitect 
Contractor: Eric and Brad Bernstein / @bradbern_construction 
Landscape Design: Carlos Uman / Green Fields Landscaping⁠⁠
Text: ⁠⁠@jensergent 
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#jonathankuhnarchitect #bradbernconstruction #architecture #architecturalrenovation #archreno #smartmakeover #renovation #contemporary #contemporaryarchitecture #contemporarydesign #interiors #design #architecturaltransformation #kitcheninteriors #remodel #homeanddesigndc
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Mar 4

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What a breath of fresh air! Swipe to see this kitchen before Regan Billingsley @rbhomedesign worked her magic. More before and after sin the blog post, link in bio
📷 @angelanewtonroyphotography
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Mar 2

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Now on the blog: A Q&A withe the delightful Regan Billingsley of @rbhomedesign about a delicious facelift she executed in Chevy Chase, link in profile! 
📷 @angelanewtonroyphotography
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Jan 22

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When I told my husband I wanted to name our first son Henry, he readily agreed because Henry Aaron was his favorite baseball player of all time. And several years later, my mother gave a framed, signed photograph of this legend to @hjsergent for Christmas, and it hangs right next to his bed. What a sad day, felt all the more personally because I can’t think of my wonderful son without thinking also of the great man who helped inspire his name.🙏🏻
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Jan 21

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Interior design isn’t just pretty. There’s real power and symbolism in the choices you make, which deeply affects how you and your visitors feel in your home. This @washingtonpost piece on the #ovaloffice, linked in bio, illustrates how. @potus 
📷 @olearypix
Story by @alinskey
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Jan 20

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January 20 is finally here!! Sending Godspeed to @joebiden and @kamalaharris ❤️🤍💙
📷 @senatephoto
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Jan 13

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The amazing thing about the #uscapitol is that we enjoy the same beauty as the generations before us. Our fashions might change, but not the glorious encaustic tile, gilded mirrors or the clover-like pendant lights in the Senate Press Gallery. Swipe to see the modern version, shot by @ronbluntphoto. 
Full post in my bio link!
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Jan 12

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With the help of photographers like @adam_brockett who took this glowy halo around the #uscapitol, and my friends who know and cherish that building, here’s a love letter, blog link in bio
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Jan 7

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Memories of the late-night lines to see George H.W. Bush lying in state. Thousands of peaceful mourners waiting to pass through the Rotunda of this majestic Capitol.
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DC by Design is my passion project, a chronicle of design talents throughout the DC-Maryland-Virginia region who are doing beautiful and imaginative things in the categories below. Click here for blog information and guidelines.

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