Staying in is the new going out and a great dining area is the perfect space to share good food, good times and hang out with good friends. The mood in this one is all fresh flowers, candles and carafes of wine - a chic and friendly look that’s the complete opposite of the cluttered corner we first encountered.
We set a cooler tone by using fresh floral wallpaper that mimicked the homeowner’s blue and white crockery. There are many great types of wallpaper specially designed for kitchen application, so don’t be scared that they will not look good in a functional space. If you’re using wallpaper, try not to use it close to water or steam; instead, use a backsplash in these zones for a resistant finish.
A dressed dining table no longer has to have rigid place settings and the family silver to make a statement. Here, the look is colourful, casual and cool, emphasizing smart, easygoing elegance. When using a tablecloth, you don’t always have to cover the entire surface, especially if your table looks smart underneath. Here, a simple runner leaves lots of white exposed but the table looking dressed at the same time.
The white dining table didn’t just happen by accident; we picked it to tie in with the white kitchen doors, the white skirting boards and white window surrounds. Having all of your wood finishes in the same shade makes shopping easier and the finished result is considered and crisp. Buying a white table and painting the wood costs the same as mismatching, so this look is less about cost…and more about planning and forward thinking!
Farmhouse kitchen style comes from having a relaxed attitude towards guests with the emphasis on everything feeling homely. Here, fresh produce on the table adds colour, while the choice of artwork on the walls contributes to the ‘just off the farm’ atmosphere.
We removed the net curtains and replaced them with a white painted timber Venetian blind. Painting the edge of the window frame the same white - and making sure the blind fits the aperture perfectly - will give you the look of fancy window shutters but without the big expense. Shutters immediately bring to mind Nantucket and beach houses so this look really serves up some delicious inspiration.
Having a white chair cover really increases light levels and helps stop the underside of the table from appearing dark and shadowy. While white might not seem like the most practical solution, the covers slip off easily for home washing, so they’ll keep clean for years to come. Tip – try adding an additional fabric runner to the chair backs for a bit of extra (seasonally adjustable) drama.
Colin & Justin
Decor column by RONAMAG on Sunday, March 31, 2013
Colin & Justin by Colin and Justin on Monday, January 28, 2013
Colin & Justin by RONAMAG on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
