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Annette Suarez transformed an orange-and-white dining room she described as cold and sterile into a darker, vintage-inspired space, according to Apartment Therapy. The project cost $5,000 and included new wood flooring, green paint, wall molding, layered lighting and a DIY corner bookcase that cost $150.
Annette Suarez renovated the dining room she shares with her husband, Sergio, replacing terracotta floor tile and white walls with warm wood flooring, dark green paint, wall molding and vintage furnishings in a project that cost $5,000, according to a recent Apartment Therapy report. The makeover also opened the room to the kitchen by removing the wall between them and added a DIY corner bookcase that Suarez says cost $150, including its light fixture.
Suarez described the original room as “cold and outdated”, with terracotta tile she felt clashed with the more intentional, moodier look she wanted. She told Apartment Therapy that removing the tile made the room feel like a blank canvas. Removing the wall between the dining room and kitchen also made the connected area feel more open, the report says.
The updated room uses Benjamin Moore’s Vintage Vogue green paint, picture-frame molding, warm-toned wood furniture and multiple light sources. Suarez added a chandelier, sconces and a candelabra, along with secondhand frames above a credenza. Some frames were spray-painted; others kept their worn finishes to create a collected look. Apartment Therapy reported the overall renovation cost as $5,000.
A corner bookcase was a particular DIY project for Suarez. She used inexpensive MDF boards, added basic trim and installed a sconce above the shelves. The materials and fixture together cost $150, she said. Suarez told the publication that careful sketching, measuring and preparation were important, and advised seeking help with wiring or structural work when uncertain.
How the Renovation Changed the Room
The project shows how several coordinated changes—not paint alone—shifted the room’s appearance and use. Removing the dividing wall changed the relationship between dining room and kitchen, while replacing the tile addressed a material Suarez viewed as visually heavy. Green paint, molding and wood furniture then supplied the warmer, more layered style she wanted.
For readers planning a renovation, the report offers specific cost information: the full project was reported at $5,000, and the corner bookcase at $150. Those figures describe Suarez’s project, not a general estimate for similar work. Costs elsewhere can vary with room size, labor, materials and whether demolition, flooring or electrical work is needed.
The makeover also illustrates Suarez’s approach to mixing vintage and secondhand pieces. She recommends keeping a consistent palette of complementary wood tones and using fabrics and natural textures to soften the mix. Her advice is personal design guidance, rather than a guarantee that the same choices will suit every room.
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From Terracotta Tile to Vintage Vogue
Apartment Therapy published the before-and-after report as part of its home renovation coverage. The article identifies Suarez as a DIYer who shares the project under the name @moodywhimsicalforest. It describes the original dining room as orange and white, with terracotta tile and white walls; the available report does not provide a renovation start date or a detailed timeline.
Suarez said she planned the room around a moody, cozy atmosphere and treated lighting as an early part of the design. The finished space combines overhead lighting with sconces and other light sources, including the fixture above the bookcase. She told Apartment Therapy that relying on overhead lighting alone would not create the effect she wanted.
The room’s vintage character came partly from reused objects rather than a matching new furniture set. Suarez said she sourced frames from thrift stores and flea markets, keeping some in their original finishes. She also recommended choosing wood pieces that complement one another without needing to match exactly.
““The tiles felt outdated and heavy, and the white walls made the space feel sterile instead of inviting.””
— Annette Suarez, speaking to Apartment Therapy
Project Costs and Practical Details
The source report gives a $5,000 total and a $150 cost for the bookcase, but does not provide a full itemized budget, contractor costs, or a breakdown of materials and labor. It also does not specify the room’s dimensions, the amount spent on flooring or furniture, or how long the renovation took.
The report says Suarez removed the wall between the dining room and kitchen, but does not explain whether it was load-bearing, what approvals or professional work were required, or whether any structural changes were made. The article’s advice to seek help with structural work and wiring reflects Suarez’s recommendation; it does not document the technical details of her own work.
No Further Renovation Plans Reported
Apartment Therapy’s report describes the completed room and does not announce another phase of the project or a planned follow-up. Suarez’s practical takeaways for people considering a similar DIY bookcase are to sketch the design, check measurements carefully and prepare before buying or cutting materials. She also suggested bringing measurements and a sketch to a hardware store, where staff may be able to cut boards.
For any project involving electrical wiring or structural changes, readers should consult qualified professionals when they are unsure how to proceed. The publication did not report further plans from Suarez or provide a schedule for additional work.
Key Questions
How much did Annette Suarez’s dining-room renovation cost?
Apartment Therapy reported a total cost of $5,000. The article does not provide a complete itemized budget, so the figure should be understood as the reported cost of Suarez’s project rather than a general renovation estimate.
What were the main changes to the dining room?
The renovation removed the terracotta tile and the wall between the dining room and kitchen. Suarez added warm wood flooring, Vintage Vogue green paint, picture-frame molding, vintage furnishings and layered lighting.
How much did the DIY corner bookcase cost?
Suarez told Apartment Therapy that the corner bookcase cost $150, including the light fixture. She built it from MDF boards and added basic trim for a built-in appearance.
What lighting did Suarez use?
The room includes a chandelier, sconces and a candelabra, with an additional sconce above the bookcase. Suarez recommended planning for multiple light sources rather than relying only on overhead lighting.
What did Suarez recommend for mixing vintage furniture and decor?
She advised choosing wood tones that complement one another, even if they do not match, and keeping a cohesive color palette. Suarez also suggested using textures such as linen and dried florals to soften a mix of vintage and secondhand pieces.
Source: apartmenttherapy.com
