Dining
Add depth and interest Sometimes, an almost-wall is just the trick to ground an open-plan room by creating the illusion of distinct spaces without overtly defining them. A solid wall would have been blocky in this room; instead the slim, vertical partitions add depth and interest while keeping to the minimalist aesthetic.
Focus light on fine dining fare Forgo a cluster of pendants and make a big statement with one large light shade over a dining table, such as this spectacular pendant, Dome, from Dutch design group Moooi. When positioned over a table, large pendants can be hung lower than in places elsewhere – you don’t have to worry about people walking past and bumping their heads!
Black is always the new black If you aren’t expecting your table to suffer wear and tear, choose the most sophisticated and elegant table you’ve always dreamed of owning. Black tables are notoriously tricky, especially if they are veneered, because the smallest scratch will show up and ruin the look of the tabletop. If you are the careful type, however, black is super cool and will always be so.
A serene colour palette With so much visual stimulation on city streets, it can be a relief to come home to a space that is calm and serene. Colour can go a long way towards creating a serene environment. Think of silvery greys, blues, natural wood tones and white. Pale lilac, soft sage green or warm pink can also be soothing; go with the colours that make you feel relaxed.
Oversize pendants with solid shades direct light directly onto this island, offering plenty of light for slicing and dicing. By directing light toward the centre of the island, this cluster also softens and diffuses the focus on the eating area, making it ideal for both ways this space needs to function.
D'Cruz Design Group Sydney Interior Designers SaveEmail One of the common problems we see is dining furniture that is too large, dark and heavy. For example, when a dark timber table has matching dark timber chairs (or large black leather and timber chairs), and a dark timber matching console. It can make the space feel very flat and heavy. My simple solution is to change over the chairs to a lighter colour (and often a more contemporary style). I also add a colourful canvas or mirror above the console, some bold white accessories and a bunch of fresh flowers to really make a dramatic impact. The room immediately feels lighter, softer and more inviting. TIP: You will notice that contrasting chairs are used in all of the images shown here. It tends to work much better than the ‘matching set’. So if you have a black table, why not look at using some white chairs, or if you have a beech timber table, pair it with some black, sculptural feature chairs.
If your dining area is part of an open-plan living zone, definitely keep the accessories simple and contemporary. Perhaps some simple candles and a pot plant, a tray loaded with a jug and some tumblers, a bowl of fruit or an arrangement of simple vases. TIP: Using an odd number of accessories always works well (one,three or five), and vary the heights of the pieces.
Don’t forget to add a few well-chosen accessories. I do not recommend ‘setting the table’ as a display, as I believe it looks far too contrived – whose home looks like that on a daily basis? Avoid formal crockery settings, silver candelabra and napkin rings. Instead, use something that looks more real. A classic favourite is a simple orchid or bunch of flowers.
Jodie Cooper Design SaveEmail A rug is a good (but not essential) way of adding warmth, colour and style to your room. It can also be used to ‘zone’ the dining area in an open-plan living space. If you do choose to use a rug, make sure it’s large enough to place all the chairs on, so that the space doesn’t feel cramped (the larger the rug, the larger the dining space will feel).
Add some wow-factor by installing a pendant light over the table (or upgrade your existing one). This will add a good amount of light (which buyers always love) and also style. Just make sure you don’t over-spend on this item … because if you do splurge on an expensive piece, you will probably not recover the cost. There are many low-cost options available that still create a dramatic impact WITHOUT the expense. TIP: A large, white drum pendant is always a good option, as it’s simple, inexpensive and works with most interior styles.
A glass table is another great stylist’s trick for a smaller room, as it doesn’t take up much visual space and opens up the room. Simply add chairs that match the style of your home. The great thing about glass tables is that they are super-versatile and many different chair styles will work with them. You can choose a strong, feature chair (as seen here) to make a bold statement, or a more classic style that will blend into a space (a great idea if you already have other strong elements in the room).
SaveEmail No matter what the proportions of your dining room, a pendant that throws patterns onto the ceiling above can add a touch of magic to mealtime. In this dining area, closing the curtains at nightfall provides further opportunity to reflect the patterned light thrown by the pendant – what a way to breathe life and energy into every gathering!
Oversized lighting can be expensive, there’s no doubt about it, but the industrial trend taking much of the world by storm means lights that once cost the earth are now within easier reach because they’re going mainstream. These pendants, from Ikea, direct light just where you need it at dinner time. Add some Tolix chairs and you’ve created an industrial look that’s bang on trend.
Layered lighting has also been thoughtfully introduced into this welcoming home. The dining area is inviting despite the open plan layout, thanks to golden light from above and a range of lighting elsewhere in the room. None of the sources compete with each other but rather combine to create a serene scene.
When a dining area is tucked away into a corner or even its own room, it runs the risk of becoming a bit of a dead zone. I faced this issue in a house I used to live in – it was an old house and the separate dining room felt cold and uninviting. At Christmas time, I added strings of star-shaped lights to the space when friends were coming over for dinner – it gave the room such a boost (they gushed “wow!” as they entered) that I decided to leave the lights there all year round. We used the dining room far more often than we otherwise would because all of a sudden it was a more magical place to be.
Brilliant bulbs Feeling a little fancy? Rather than choosing a standard pear- or globe-shaped bulb for your exposed light fitting, why not try a sculptural bulb that’s designed to be shown off? We love the arresting bare bulbs that take a starring role in this inviting dining area – don’t you think their unique, dynamic design takes the otherwise basic fittings to the next level?
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