Showing posts with label Dining Rooms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dining Rooms. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

20 Tastefully Designed Dining Banquettes


There's something sooooo appealing about a DINING BANQUETTE.

I love the coziness of this style of seating... perfect for intimate, after-dinner conversations or leisurely Sunday mornings with a coffee and the newspaper.

No longer limited to the red vinyl seats at the local diner, today's banquettes are packed with style.

Here's a few (or twenty) of my favorite dining banquettes...




















So many beautiful options!  A DINING BANQUETTE is definitely on my wish list for our next home.

Now it's your turn...    What do you think of banquette seating in a home setting?


Friday, May 4, 2012

Classic Dining Room Decor Update


I have to confess... I'm a TRADITIONAL GIRL at heart.  I love a tailored, classic design style, with a few chic and modern touches thrown in for a bit of sparkle and interest.


I purchased these suede grommet panels almost five years ago when we first moved to our newly built home.  I wanted them to blend in to the existing wall colour, and allow the view to take center stage.


To soften their vertical lines, I made and added simple tiebacks from leftover fabric.  The look is a bit more traditional, but without appearing too formal or stuffy.  What do you think?


I also made a few changes to my dining room tablescape.  This is my lovely new orchid.  Our home has at least one live plant in every room.  For me, fresh flowers and greenery make a space so much more inviting.


Even though the pics are terrible (the sun refuses to come out and play), I wanted to share these little updates with you.  The space feels softer and more elegant now.  Isn't it funny how small changes can make us feel happy inside?


As a Mommy's Day gift, my son and hubby are installing crown moulding in the kitchen, dining room and living room for me.  I can't wait!

Have you made any small changes in your home lately?  I hope they make you feel happy, too!

Wendi xo

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Dreaming of a Round Dining Room Table

(via Interior Design Ideas)
When we purchased our dining room table and chairs 12 years ago, a long, oval table with a leaf extension was a perfect fit for our family and lifestlye.

The set we chose is ideal for entertaining, with seating for up to 10 people.  I still love its mahogany finish and french provincial lines, and until recently, I hadn't even considered the idea of ever selling it.

But, as I start planning ahead for our upcoming move into an 'empty nester' home,  I keep thinking how lovely it would be to have a round pedestal table in our future dining room.

(via Interior Design Ideas)
Round tables feel more intimate and encourage the flow of dinner time conversation.  I like the fact that they physically take up less space, yet provide substantially more chair and leg room below.  

The spherical shape allows for equal spacing between the chairs, which ultimately creates a naturally appealing sight line.

Here are a few images that beautifully illustrate the simple and stunning elegance of a round dining room table.

(via BHG)

(via BHG)

(via Pinterest)

(via Pinterest)

(Julie Dodson)

(via Pinterest)

(Ashley Goforth)
I love each and every one of these spaces and think they're all beautiful in their own way.

What shape and style of dining room table works best your family and lifestyle?


DEAR READERS: Please take a moment to become a LINKY FOLLOWER. (see my upper right sidebar) Google Friend Connect will be soon be phased out entirely, and I'd hate to lose any of you in the process! Thank you!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Open Concept Kitchens & Dining Rooms

via Decor Pad
In response to the continued demand for open concept living, the majority of new homes are  designed with a combination kitchen/dining room.

These floor plans are tailored to a relaxed and casual lifestyle, but they can also be decorated to suit those who prefer a more chic and sophisticated design scheme.

As illustrated in the following images, a white kitchen creates a wonderful backdrop for an elegant dining space.  Its classic aesthetic is conducive to a more formal setting, and makes the flow of the room appear naturally seamless.

Stacy Curran - South Shore Decorating
via Archzine
via Home Decorating and Staging
via Decor Pad
Kendall Wilkinson
via House Beautiful
via Conspicuous Style Interior Design Blog
via The Enchanted Home
via Suburban Style and Design
My Home
A simple, classic white kitchen and an adjoining dining space can be designed to function beautifully from morning coffee through to after-dinner drinks.

Create an environment that best suits your lifestyle, and transform your open concept space into the perfect setting for a well-lived life.


Monday, September 26, 2011

Living with Dark Hardwood Floors



Ideally suited for light, open spaces, DARK HARDWOOD floors provide a home with undeniable character, elegance and style.  

A deep, espresso stain appears almost black against classic white cabinetry and millwork, and makes a bold and dramatic design statement.



With its natural tendency to accentuate the wood grain, a dark finish adds interesting detail and an extra level of dimension.



The warm tones of cherry and mahogany create a sense of luxury, and are a timeless and traditional design choice.



Hardwood floors in a satin finish are less likely to show scratches, and are more forgiving in spaces influenced by direct sources of natural light.



Dark floors naturally absorb light, and are far more resistant to fading than lighter coloured hardwoods.



Multi-toned hardwood floors have a chic and sophisticated appearance, and tastefully enhance the style and design of a room. 



Floors in variegated shades are also less likely to show dust or footprints, and are well suited for areas with high traffic.



A hardwood floor with a medium base and dark striations is unique and unexpected, its undulating pattern playing a key role in a room's overall design scheme.



Tone, colour and finish are important factors to consider when choosing a dark hardwood floor.  When exploring the available options, attention should also be given to type, durability, thickness, and board width, as well as any special requirements of the intended location.

Careful research and planning is necessary to ensure the product selected will be as beautiful in ten years as the day it's installed. 

And while darker woods require extra care to maintain their appearance, the rewards are definitely worth the effort.

The rich, warm and sophisticated addition of a DARK HARDWOOD floor guarantees a look of undeniable character, elegance and style, every single time.