The first floor's open plan makes the dining room inviting and easy to get to from the kitchen. The focal point of the dining table--and surefire conversation starter--is a trio of goldfish bowls added as a whimsical centerpiece. The wooden furniture's clean lines and the modern accessories have a graphic sensibility, which contrasts with the upholstered host and hostess chairs. The curio cabinet with its seeded glass doors and the dark apothecary cabinet add storage with style. A brown, taupe, and cream wool rug anchors the seating group. "The house is all about a classic design brought into the 21st century," says interior designer Cheryl Carson Simpson. "I like to create a cohesive blend of new and old items into something that really works."

Designer Cheryl Carson Simpson devised an interior with a balance of textures and colors, as well as classic and contemporary furnishings, creating a timeless feel in this dining room.

Upholstered host/hostess chairs: Thomasville Furniture; Dining table, armchairs, curio cabinet: Thomasville--Cinnamon Hill; Apothecary chest: Thomasville--Urban Retreat; Chandelier: Progressive Lighting; Window treatments: CCS Interior; Rug: World of Rugs; Tall baskets: J. McKinney Designs; Accessories and print: CCS Interior; Trim paint and wainscot: Sherwin-Williams--Creamy