Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi’s Dining Room Is a Masterclass in Enduring Style – Blending Two Decor Trends That Outlast Every Era

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi consistently showcase flawless style, not least through their highly impressive property portfolio. Now, it's their timeless dining space that has caught our keen design eye.

Dining areas, whether used for cozy lunches or elegant dinner parties, deserve a special ambiance. That's why it’s worth paying close attention to current trends to help set the scene for jubilant fine dining and memorable holiday feasts.

To be a successful room, a dining area needs to not only be highly functional but also visually stunning. This requires careful curation, especially when selecting a gorgeous color scheme and furniture. Investing in classic design trends, much like Ellen and Portia de Rossi's dining room, demonstrates.

Here’s why designers, decorators, and color experts alike adore decorating with green and using timber furniture – two decorating ideas that continue to endure and feel especially comforting as we move into the darker months.

1. Dark green

,,Dark botanical tones work well with most shades to create spaces that are harmonious and easy to live with. Dark green is generally a calming and relaxing color. As the color of nature, it's one that makes us feel good and positive.

'The poet and philosopher Goethe used to describe green as a useful color, a good color to have around,' explains Francesca Wezel, founder of Francesca’s Paints.

'Dark green is often used in traditional gentlemen’s clubs and libraries, goes well with wood and is a color that stimulates concentration and deep thinking. Dark green is a perfect tone for the dining room, as it is bold and calming at the same time.'

Shop the dark green dining room edit

When choosing color combinations for rooms, Francesca adds, look to nature for inspiration – think of the deep greens of evergreen trees in a winter landscape. We love pairing dark green with other neutrals, such as taupe, beige, sand, and stone, for a timeless quality that will last beyond the season. 'I use a lot of dark green because it is very inviting,' says interior designer Sarah Vanrenen.

'I also love decorating with a heritage dark green. I don’t think space is a barrier to going bold – don’t be put off by using strong colors in even the smallest spaces and use it on all four walls. The effect is dramatic and green works with so many other incredible colors, too.'

2. Wooden furniture

Another way to plan and design a space that will surpass all current trends is to decorate with wood. Timber, a material found in nature, is a wonderful way to add character, texture, and plenty of warmth, making a space feel instantly cozier for autumn and winter gatherings.

The growing importance of sustainability will see many consumers move away from fast furniture and invest in designs that can truly stand the test of time, and the use of wood furniture will be at the forefront of upcoming innovations.

Whether old or new, pale or dark, the warm and tactile nature of timber ensures it enhances any home – not to mention the fact that wood gets better with age. The natural beauty of wood, combined with its strength and resilience, makes it ideal for all kinds of furniture. This material is also perfect when considering ceiling ideas for your fifth wall, bringing a touch of natural elegance overhead.