I bought this cheerful cushion this past spring and plonked it in a dark corner of the dining room. I really like the way it looks and it got me thinking about pleasing pops of pattern and colour against the rather dark paint and furniture in our dining room.
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| Dining room. |
I decided we needed more of it, but how many patterns and colours could I introduce into the room without looking hodgie-podgie?
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| One of my many china patterns that involves pattern and colour. |
Shiny glasses, white serving pieces and colourful patterned china looks so good in contrast to dark surfaces.
I've often thrown a colourful tablecloth down as a backdrop to add some interest:
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Friday night drinks and snacks.
A colourful, patterned tablecloth is a temporary solution to the dark room. |
I also have a gorgeous antique paisley which I purchased from our dear Ellie. But this piece is quite old and can't really stand up to my messy family as a dining room tablecloth, I'm planning to use it as a throw on a bed or sofa.
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Antique paisley, gorgeous but I don't want it ruined.
In the background you can see the dark silk draperies we're replacing. |
I had some draperies made for our front hallway last year which have really completed the entrance to our house, I just love them. I'll often shut them on a drab day so I can look at some pattern and colour rather than bad weather.
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| One of the two windows in our foyer covered in this colourful drapery. |
Blues, orange, coral and true reds look terrific in the dining room:
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| Spode vase. |
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Modern art "Red Values".
Currently hanging above the sideboard. |
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| Persian rug in blues and coral. |
This is the linen fabric that upholsters our dining room chairs, I love it:
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| Linen fabric on the dining room chairs. |
What drapery fabric could possibly pick up all of these colours, add some pattern, and somehow not look hodgie-podgie all at the same time?
THE WINNER:
I've got them ordered up after darling Julie the designer visited the house twice to measure. Twice is key! They'll be ready in about three weeks, which seems quite quick just before Christmas. Not complaining though!
I'd also like to add a bit more light with a couple of perfect little lamps for the sideboard, I need to do a shopping trip to find just the right ones.
How about these in a simple glass, so pretty:
Anything blue, yellow, and coral is catching my eye, have a look at this beautiful dining room:
And this one:
I'll need to introduce some sort of greenery and try not to murder it!
I also need to keep our chandelier sparkling clean, ugh it's a terrible job cleaning a chandelier! Any tips for me?
Here are some inspiring chandelier-tastic images:
Love the blue and white, greenery, bits of coral and general fabulousness of this room:
Sources for the dining room images can be found on my
"Dining Room"pinterest board.
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| Actual sample of our fabric. |
I'll let you know how I do with the dining room refresh!
Hope you're having a super day,
xoxDani
