Nearly Four Decades Later, Designers Agree Jane Seymour’s 1990 Dining Room is Still the Height of Nostalgic Glamor – it Combined Gold Candlesticks, Tapestry Dining Chairs, and Majestic Houseplants
Jane Seymour's luxe, layered dining room brings together antique furniture, metallic accents, and natural greenery for a perfectly balanced look
Jane Seymour has always epitomised understated glamor – the kind that feels innate and glows from within, rather than something put on or overly styled – so it's no surprise to see her homes through the years have captured that same luxe, yet sophisticated look. This archival image of her 1990 dining room in her Santa Barbara home, which she shared with her husband at the time, David Flynn, is the ultimate example.
As the dining room makes a comeback for 2026, we look to examples like Jane Seymour's for our inspiration. The combination of dark wood, tapestry-upholstered chairs, gold candlesticks, and a dramatic Kentia Palm feels authentically rich and layered, fuelled with 1990's nostalgia.
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Dining Room Buys Inspired by Jane Seymour's 1990 Look
These vintage 1970's chairs in the style of Louis XV feature floral tapestry upholstery – like Jane Seymour's dining furniture – and nail head detail as well as cabriole legs. They're an investment, but are sure to become family heirlooms.
For a more mid-century twist on Jane Seymour's luxe, dark wood dining room look, these ash wood dining chairs have a distinctive silhouette, a Roman column backrest, and are upholstered in a retro jacquard fabric.
In solid wood with a rich cherry veneer, this extendable dining table, with a luxe, antique aesthetic, boasts a classic design featuring reeded legs and a removable leaf and seats up to six people when at full length.
Jane Seymour's table is enhanced by the addition of some bold gold twist candlesticks, like this set, which includes three different heights to create depth and interest. Pair with simple cream taper candles.
The Kentia palm in Jane Seymour's dining room looks so dramatic, framing a corner of her space in a natural, yet sculptural way. This faux version is perfect for those looking for a similar, yet low-maintenance look.
Made from 100% rattan by artisans in Vietnam, this basket mirrors the tone of the dark wood furniture whilst picking up on the natural basket weave texture of the planter in Jane Seymour's luxe dining room.
Jane Seymour certainly seems to have nailed the formula for how to make a dining room look classy. Caron Woolsey, Founder of Texas-based CW Interiors, explains why it works. 'A dining room should feel like it has been gathered over time, not installed all at once. The pieces carry more weight when there is a mix, something with history, something new, something quietly personal. That is where the room begins to take on a sense of gravitas.'
The key to achieving that feeling of history is in the art of layering – an interior design technique that creates depth and interest with color, texture, and form. Caron expands: 'You might have a strong wood table anchoring the room, paired with upholstered chairs in something with depth – a subtle tapestry, a small-scale woven pattern, even a tonal stripe or a softly aged velvet. Nothing too high contrast. It should read as texture from across the room and reveal itself as you get closer.'
Pairing the dark wood furniture with the textured floral tapestry really sets the tone in Jane Seymour's space. Adding metallic accents through accessories like her gold candlesticks and contrast, with the green structural form of the Kentia palm (this faux one from Pottery Barn is a great low-maintenance option) in a woven basket, builds on those layers for a final flourish.
Rebecca Formichella, the founder and principal of Studio Formichella, NYC, weighs in: 'Creating a luxe and layered dining room is all about balancing richness with intention – starting with a strong foundation, and layering up from there. Upholstered dining chairs in a tapestry-esque or textured fabrics instantly elevate the room, adding depth, pattern, and a uniquely "collected" feel.'
And when it comes to these final touches, Rebecca advises: 'Have fun mixing finishes – layer an antiqued brass, a polished nickel, a touch of bronze, this will make the space feel anything but uniform.'
The final, and perhaps most crucial, element in Jane Seymour's dining room is the lighting. The right dining room lighting ideas can be the difference between a flat, stark space and a deeply ambient one, and, as Caron suggests, should be considered as 'another layer, casting a warm glow in the evening.'
Rebecca agrees: 'Lighting selections in the room also play a huge role in creating this luxe atmosphere. To make the room feel more enveloping, we love a statement chandelier paired with wall sconces, creating dimension by casting light at different heights.'
Whilst we can't see the lighting in Jane Seymour's dining room, the space reads warm and inviting, and is beautifully illuminated with a softness that brings the richness of the furniture to the fore. Caron is conclusive: 'When it is right, the room feels settled in a way that is hard to describe but easy to feel. It invites people in and holds them there, which is what ultimately gives it a lasting sense of luxury.'
For more decor inspiration that leans into Jane Seymour's luxe and layered look, read up on the dining room trends for 2026, which include old-world craftsmanship and warm lighting.
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