The Jugaad Way to Elegant Dining: One Project at a Time
- Preetha Sankar
- May 24
- 3 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
What used to be a plain white office has now become one of the most loved spaces in our home — a dining room filled with rich color, warm light, and layered personality. Inspired by a swatch in a Valspar paint booklet, I chose Everglade Deck, a deep midnight blue that immediately spoke to me. It felt moody yet inviting, dramatic but grounded — and I knew I had to build a room around it.
This makeover wasn’t a single-project sprint. It came together over time, through DIYs, thrift finds, upcycles, and a few thoughtful new purchases. Here’s how I brought it all to life — the Jugaad way.
A Monochromatic Canvas with Character
The first step was to embrace the bold blue fully. I painted the walls, trim, and even the built-in cabinetry in Valspar’s Everglade Deck. Keeping the built-in and transforming it into a monochromatic dining hutch made the space feel tailored and cohesive, while also saving on materials. The deep blue backdrop became the perfect canvas for gold accents, warm woods, and creative pieces.
The Heart of the Room: A Table Reimagined
At the center of it all is the dining table, which carries its own story of reinvention. I repurposed the base from an old square table we had and paired it with a large butcher block top. The result is a stunning wood-toned centerpiece that anchors the space with warmth and character. It’s not just functional — it’s full of meaning.
A Console Table Glow-Up
The first DIY that sparked this whole transformation was a tired old console table. I refinished it with black paint, and just the right touches of gold to match the room’s glam-meets-grit theme.
A Tray with a Story
This one’s close to my heart — a wooden tray my dad originally made for my daughter’s play sand became a luxe dining centerpiece. I used leftover decoupage paper and wall paint, added a sleek gold handle, and suddenly it was something special again.
The French Armchair Revival
One of my proudest finds: a damaged French cross-frame armchair from Facebook Marketplace. With patience and some upholstery magic, I turned it into a beautiful, elegant statement piece for the room.
A Thrifted Bar Cart (That Stole the Corner)
Sometimes the best pieces are found when you’re not even looking. I came across a charming bar cart at a thrift store, gave it a little love, and now it proudly sits in a corner of the room — equal parts functional and fabulous.
Letting Color Flow: A Personal Touch on the Wall
One of the most meaningful additions to this room is a piece of art I created myself — my first successful acrylic pour painting. The fluid movement and layered blues perfectly echo the room’s moody color palette. It adds a pop of abstract energy while still feeling deeply personal — a reminder that sometimes, creativity flows best when you just let go.
When to Thrift, When to Buy
I tried so hard to thrift the perfect dining chairs and chandelier — but eventually, I had to let go of the hunt. I chose dining chairs from Industry West and a statement chandelier from West Elm. I also purchased a stunning washable rug from Ruggables. These pieces brought the modern polish I wanted, and I don't regret the splurge. Sometimes, it’s okay to mix — thoughtfully.
The Frida Moment
One of the final touches was a bold, possibly AI-generated portrait of Frida Kahlo I found on Amazon. When I hung it, my then-10-year-old surprised me by saying, “Mom, that’s Frida Kahlo!” I hadn’t known who she was — to my embarrassment — but I immediately dove into her story. Now, I can’t imagine the space without her.
Final Thoughts: The Jugaad Way
This dining room reflects what I call The Jugaad Way — finding beauty through creativity, resourcefulness, and a little improvisation. Some pieces were rescued, like the tray, chair, table, and bar cart. Others, like the chandelier and chairs, were purchased with care when the right vintage match didn’t come along — and that’s okay.
Home doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be personal.
Materials
Paint - Valspar’s Everglade Deck
Dining chairs - Industry West
Chandelier - West Elm
Bar Cart - Market place find
Area Rug - Ruggable
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