Image from www.ghoofie.com
Formal dining rooms are a thing of the past…but we still need some designated area for eating. The problem is, now that dining areas are integrated into the kitchen/living areas, often not quite enough space is allocated. If, like half Australia’s population, you’ve got a small dining area, hopefully this post will give you some good ideas to turn that pokey space into a great space to eat and entertain.
Image from www.housetohome.co.uk
Built-in bench seats like this are very effective for maximising floor space. Fantastic solution in a galley style kitchen .
Image from www.buckboardhill.typepad.com
A built in bench seat doesn’t have to stay in the kitchen…they work brilliantly in lounge/dining areas too. I love the mix of bench and chairs…so cool and informal.
Image from www.desiretoinspire.net
And nor do they actually have to be benches… Loving these old diner booths and table.
Image from www.homesandgardens.com
And while we’re exploring alternative seating options… This is clever. Two x two seater couches…now that’s a grown up dinner party. Or a comfy one at least.
Image from www.geheause.com
Of course, bench seats that aren’t built in are also excellent for small spaces. Not only have you lessened the number of chair legs (my pet hate), you can still have them hard up against the wall, and they can slide underneath your table and be entirely out of the way when not needed.
Image from www.geheause.com
Combos of seating can look fab, just don’t have too much action going on with them at eye height.
Image from www.floatproject.com
Stools and benches add loads of interest, but take no space at eye level.
Image from www.littlebitsoflovely.blogspot.ca
Rugs play an important role in small areas. They help delineate the area, and unify the pieces within it. Particularly fond of a hide under a dining table…
Image from www.paloma.blogspot.com
This may look great, but take my word for it … shag should be nowhere near your dining room. That rug is on its way to becoming a petrie dish.
Image from www.homeresult.com
And finally, colour – when used well – does amazing things for small spaces.
Hope you got some inspiration!
Visit our online shop http://www.iwanthomewares.com.au/
For an at home or online consultation email me at mailto:ria@iwantiwantiwant.com.au
I want I want I want! on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/iwantiwantiwant
Image from www.thirddrawerdown.com
Yippee!!! I’ve finally got my facebook page properly up and running!
Image from www.tomkelleystudio.com
Which means you can access all the videos I’ve been making ( …yes, the making of them look just like this ) that I can’t upload on the blog. Finally! The videos are a fun mix of gorgeous images and tips…and so far we have…
Chalkboard walls
Multiple mirrors in bathrooms
Trunks and old suitcases
Stencilled floorboards
Decorative ladders
Quirky bedside tables
Pendants in bedrooms
Organised hallways
Hanging a wall gallery (very handy tips!!!)
Not hanging prints
White painted floorboards
Image from www.google.com
So… to follow me on facebook all you need to do is click on this link
http://www.facebook.com/iwantiwantiwant
Click on the “Like” tab underneath the main photo. Then click on the “Mailing List Sign-up” and enter your details.
Easy peasy!
Don’t forget to click on the “like” tab!
Image from www.google.com
This means not only can you see all existing videos, but I can also let you know when there are new ones to see, and even when I’ve posted a blog and what it’s about (to save you from going to the blog when I’ve been lazy and not posted!).
I’ve also been able to load up on Facebook lots of photo albums I’ve compiled…
21 so far and counting! …including room makeovers.
So yay! I’m looking forward to having you all join me on FB x
Image from www.google.com
That link once more….!!!
http://www.facebook.com/iwantiwantiwant
Image from www.apartmenttherapy.com
Whilst open plan homes are great…sometimes you need a few doors inside.
From a green perspective it’s a lot more practical to heat the one room you’re in rather than the whole house.
From an aesthetic perspective, doors, walls, angles (even the rooms) are elements that can play a decorative role. And it’s nice to be able to have different feels per room and it’s nice to wonder what lies behind a door. I like to have a little sense of privacy…or at least separateness in my home.
Image from www.home-industrial.blogspot.com
Glass doors are excellent for inside. They provide the sense of separateness without being heavy or closed off.
Image from www.bellemaison23.com
This is such a clever idea for an entrance hall. Stops the weather from coming in and separates the functional entry area from the living area without losing any of the great sense of space. The glass also allows for some really clever colour play…breaking down the main colour of the living area and drawing attention up to the stained glass….fabulous.
Image from www.pinterest.com
And they can be just beautiful in their own right. Some images to inspire….
Image from www.annasage.com
Image from www.trendir.com
Image from www.desiretoinspire.net
Image from www.inspirebohemia.blogspot.com
And if the glass breaks…how cool is this…
Visit our online shop http://www.iwanthomewares.com.au/
For an at home or online consultation email me at mailto:ria@iwantiwantiwant.com.au
Image from www.missdaisybuchanan.tumblr.com
I’m so over the set of plain white table ware on everyone’s table! It’s time to bring some character and flair back to your dining experience. So… as the old Maxwell and William’s chip and go to plate and bowl heaven I’m replacing them one by one with sweet finds from op shops, garage sales and second hand stores.
Image from www.homelife.com.au
A good mix of table ware not only makes a dinner party a whole lot cooler…it makes small events nicer. A la Nigella…if I’m making myself the perfect snack…then I want it on the perfect dish.
Image from www.madamebonbon.com.au
It’s like finally ditching the safe black handbag from your wardrobe….once you’ve brought in some beautiful plates and bowls, you can go from strength to strength with a cool mix of table cloths, place mats, vases…etc etc.
Image from www.pinterest.com
And afternoon teas will have a graciousness that’s long been missing…
image from www.vintagetableware.co.uk
Vintage tableware is so in right now that top end wedding planners are making it a big feature of their packages… and rightly so…how great does the grooms setting look?
Image from www.weheartit.com
And this Mad Hatters Tea Party is fantastic! I’m so doing this!
Image from www.madeliefje-madelief.blogspot.com
Some great images of beautiful, beautiful vintage crockery to get you on the hunt this weekend…
Image from www.vintagetouch.co.uk
Image from www.homelife.com.au
Image from www.pinterest.com
Image from www.kitchencritic.co.uk
Image from www.goldsnowdrops.blogspot.com
Image from www.homelife.com.au
Image from www.citified.blogspot.com
Visit our online shop http://www.iwanthomewares.com.au/
For an at home or online consultation email me at mailto:ria@iwantiwantiwant.com.au
Image from www.heatherbullard.typepad.com
With weather like this it’s crazy not to have your next dinner party in the back yard.
Image from www.google.com
Not a problem if you don’t have an outdoor table…just re-locate your dining table and chairs to the nicest (and flat-est) park of your front or back yard for the evening.
Image from www.arielyve.blogspot.com
With ipod docks,lanterns and a couple of oversized ice buckets your garden can be transformed.
Image from www.prettystuff.tumblr.com
And it’s just as gorgeous, if not more so, to do it for a lunch (or brunch, or afternoon tea…).
If you can’t entertain in the back yard because the weeds are overgrown, or you haven’t cleared that pile of old rubbish in the corner…then weed it or clear it. It’s summertime, there’s a long weekend coming…get on it. Here are some great images to motivate you…
Image from www.housetohome.co.uk
Image from www.housebeautifiul.com
Image from www.brookegiannetti.typepad.com
Image from www.gardeinginheels.tumblr.com
Image from www.google.com
Image from www.homesandgardens.com.
And if you don’t have a dining table…use cushions, rugs and a coffee table. But whatever you use…spend a minute…style it up. You’ll love it and so will your guests.
Visit our online shop http://www.iwanthomewares.com.au/
For an at home or online consultation email me at mailto:ria@iwantiwantiwant.com.au
Image from www.housetohome.co.uk
When you’re sorting out your lighting please, please don’t just run down lights throughout the house. Take a little more time thinking about each area and the best light for it. There is nothing intimate or welcoming about downlights and a dining table should be both. Pendant lighting, on the other hand, ensures that the focal point is the table … drawing you to it.
Image from www.homes.ninemsn
There are thousands of amazing pendants out there if you want to make a statement.
Some images below to inspire…
Image from www.awelltravelledwoman.blogspot.com
Image from www.diychichome.com
Chandeleirs are a great choice for the dining room. Elegant and beautiful, they can complete a more formal look. Or, when teamed with distressed walls and metal chairs as they have been here, you get a groovier, informal feel.
Image from www.houzz.com
Love the idea of overhead candlelight!
Image from www.niceroom.tumblr.com
I don’t love the direct light you get from an exposed globe. But these types of industrial globe pendants do look amazing, and mulitples can look even better.
Image from www.gallery.apartmenttherapy.com
Image from www.browndresswithwhitedots.tumblr.com
Image from www.desiretoinspire.com
Image from www.none.com
Open plan homes are the norm now so your kitchen and dining will often share the same lighting plan. That doesn’t mean they have to be the same. I love how they’ve paired a chandeleir with a porcelain pendant here…very cool.
Image from www.missmustardseed.blogspot.com
A dining table is one of the largest pieces of furniture you’ll have in the house…so it’s worth putting a bit of thought into it.
Image from www.restorationhardware.com
Straight legged tables aren’t bad by any stretch, but if you want this big part of your house to have a bit of character, then have a look at the legs….
Image from www.restorationhardware.com
This Grand Baluster table from Restoration Hardware has gorgeous, voluptuous turned legs. Notice how they’ve used chairs upholstered to the floor? You don’t have to team a turned leg dining table with matching chair legs (if anything…please don’t).
Image from www.uktv.co.uk
It can work beautifully in a shabby, vintage way. But if you don’t want the shabby look, then it’s best to let the table legs stand on their own (couldn’t resist sorry).
Image from www.girlofistanbul.tumblr.com
Love the teaming of industrial metal chairs with the solid turned legs here.
Image from www.restorationhardware.com
Detail on legs doesn’t mean they have to be ornate, these fluted ones above have a really elegant line to them but not too much detail…
Image from www.restorationhardware.com
And these chunky ones are fabulous, and far from ornate.
Image from www.decodir.com
Or… you can go two legs, with no detail at all. An unpretentious and solid look….
Image from www.interiordesignhouses.com
Trestle table legs are very simple, and can go from country to contemporary depending on the colour.
Image from www.ballarddesigns.com
Or you can have some real detail on just the two legs.
Image from www.worldmarket.com
So if you’re thinking of buying a dining table…go beyond the basics…it’s worth it, you’ll be seeing that table a lot over the coming years.
Image from www.housebeautiful.com
The problem with most dining suites…is the suite factor! If you have a 6 – 8 setting, then you have 6 – 8 of exactly the same thing grouped in one spot. I’ve mentioned how much multiple chair legs do my head in..but the sameness of dining chairs is also pretty boring.
Image from www.room-galleries.myhomeideas.com
Vinatge wooden chairs really lend themselves to the mix look. Painting up a set of wooden chairs in different fun colours really makes an impact.
Image from www.housetohome.co.uk
Or.. have different style chairs, but paint them all the same colour. I love this approach.
Image from www.housetohome.co.uk
Covering dining chairs in a mix of fun fabrics is another way of avoiding blandness…
Image from www.emmas.blogg.com
Having a variety of chairs around your table doesn’t have to be a full on vintage look. Having fun with a real diversity of retro chairs looks amazing and doesn’t take you down the shabby chic route.
Image from www.google.com
Love this grouping.
Image from www.polkadotmagazine.tumblr.com
Having one bright, statement Eames chair always revs up a mix.
Image from www.seesawdesigns.blogspot.com
Or… if you want variety in colour, not style… then try a group of all Eames chairs, but in different colours.
See www.mattblatt.com.au for coloured Eames replicas from $69.00.
Imager from www.westelm.com
And West Elm have some great scoop back chairs in a variety or colours and patterns from $80.00
For an at home or on-line consultation email me at ria@iwantiwantiwant.com.au
Ria FitzGerald has worked as an interior stylist in Melbournes inner east for the past twelve years.
Now based on the Bellarine Peninsula, Ria continues to offer in-home styling consultations for both the visual and the practical elements of your home, renovation and colour consulting and event styling.
Rias work can be seen featured regularly in Home Beautiful Magazine.
\"The I want I want I want! blog is a weekday (ish!) update with reviews of the best online homewares shopping, styling tips, peeks into my favorite homes and commentary on design, interiors and art.
Hopefully you will find new products, designs and ideas to inspire you to make your home the most fabulous place it can be!\" Ria x
