Six Gateway Technical College Interior Design students will “bring the outside in” through a nature-inspired dining room design at the 52nd Annual Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Show’s Interior Design Contest Feb. 13 to Feb. 16 at State Fair Park in West Allis.

Michelle Adrian (Kenosha), Angie Hovorka (Racine), Sarah Mason (Kenosha), Megan A. Schultz (Caledonia), Katherine Sturino (Union Grove) and Danielle Wales (Lake Geneva) will compete against students from Milwaukee Area Technical College, Mount Mary College and Waukesha County Technical College in the collegiate room design event. The winner will be decided by attendees who will be able to vote for their favorite design at the show.

“This design of ‘bringing the outdoors in’ uses elegant, nature-inspired gestures to make guests feel right at home,” says Gateway Interior Design instructor Rita Serpe.  “It brings in an elegant ambiance using elements inspired by the outdoors.”

The dining room combines warm, neutral tones with earthy prints and finishes to create a classic and informal space. Gourmet mushroom-painted walls bring warmth to the informal setting, while white birch branches arranged against the orange far wall further incorporates the nature theme.

Students selected a dining table created from a reclaimed section of fence which they painted and distressed. Each chair surrounding the table is distinctive and unified by the same color pallet. The walls are appointed with salvaged window shutters, exterior lanterns and a mirrored window while birdcages function as artistic light fixtures.

The NARI show will be held at the Wisconsin Expo Center within State Fair Park, 8200 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis.