精致生活係列之二 餐廳篇 1 ZT

New, Classic Design

The focal point of the dining table--and surefire conversation starter--is a trio of goldfish bowls added as a whimsical centerpiece. The wooden furniture's clean lines and the modern accessories have a graphic sensibility, which contrasts with the upholstered host and hostess chairs. The curio cabinet with its seeded glass doors and the dark apothecary cabinet add storage with style.

Easy Entertaining

The expansive dining room window offers views of an outdoor meditation deck and garden. The recessed spotlights and overhead fixtures add a mix of directional and mood lighting.

Salado View Idea House: Dining Room

Ideal for entertaining or formal meals, this dining room combines Texan drama with elegant appointments. Grounded by pine flooring, the room soars to 14 feet tall. Notable among the furnishings is a handsome, hand-hewn mesquite dining table. Six high-back, hand-crafted chairs surround it. One wall is painted a rich green and acts as a welcoming backdrop for the rustic credenza. Large pottery vases rest on wooden stands in front of the Mission-style candelabras.



This window takes advantage of the room's 14-foot ceilings.



Instead of upholstering the dining chairs with all leather, we used a striped material on the backs for a custom look. The leather seats are durable, and using fabric on the backs saves on expense.

Brookfield Idea House: Dining Room

Camel-colored walls and plaid silk draperies set the elegant tone of this dining room. A round, scalloped-edge dining table and coordinating chairs in a cherry finish provide the bones for this small but grand area. Columns help visually separate the area from the adjoining foyer and nearby kitchen and family room.



A dramatic arrangement of brown and cream plates and serving dishes creates art on the room's one wall.

Dining Splendor

The dining room is a large space with seating for up to eight. Finished in warm earth tones, these colors give any family gathering a peaceful feel. Two-over-two windows bring in buckets of outside light. Columns flanking the dining room entrance were built on site. The clean lines and sharp angles recall a time when homes reflected a simpler notion of craftsmanship.

Open Seating

Open windows allow cross breezes to cool the house. The exposed framing suggests a lack of insulation, but layers of insulation are hidden behind the boards.

Perfect Balance

A double tiered crystal chandelier establishes a tone of elaborate formality in this Birmingham dining room. Designer Mary Evelyn McKee complements it with simple chair skirts and tailored curtains.



An antique English sideboard and silver samovar are de rigueur in a traditional Southern interior. The color palette and the Arthur Stewart watercolor reflect this designer's unique approach to style.

Echoes of Paris

A French style Dallas house is home to this jewel box of a dining room with paneled walls, French doors and a festive round skirted table.

Bold Style

The key to working around a large print, such as that found in this wallpaper, is to add other elements that don't compete with each other. You can accomplish this by selecting items with a similar color palette. The rug repeats the golden hue from the wallpaper and combines a geometric pattern with a softer leaf design that pairs well with the design on the walls.



Here, the homeowners' artwork reflects the same muted tones as the wallpaper. Each landscape painting repeats the gold and green colors but adds a touch of blue as well. The simple gold frames, along with the additional blue, highlight the pieces against the pattern. Hanging the pair together gives more visual impact.



Because you use a minimal amount of fabric in dining rooms, be daring. Here, the host and hostess chairs were covered in a wonderful striped silk. Soft gold, green, and cream come alive with the addition of the eggplant-colored fabric. These two chairs complement the wallpaper and rug and give the room a dramatic flair.

Air Flow

Three pairs of French doors lead to this generous room where the kitchen, dining, and living areas flow seamlessly.

Anchored by Stone

This cabana-themed breakfast room is outdoor fresh with its wicker chairs and a wooden table faux-painted to resemble stone.

Shades of Blue

In this dining area, pale blue walls complement deeper shades on the chairs and draperies.



The seashell chandelier and sea-star centerpiece add beach flair to this dining table.

Dining With Neutrals

This dining room may be small in size, but it abounds in style. The homeowner created a refined room that forms the centerpiece of this St. Louis home. For this space she worked in shades such as putty, eggshell, cream, and ecru. The result is luminous and airy. The key is to stay within a limited color spectrum so the neutrals don't jar one another. An Irish wake table provides a darker contrast and fits perfectly in a square space.



For the walls the homeowner chose a shade of taupe with a hint of green in it to pick up the splashes of color in the dining room--green glass jars and a green leaf plate. An antique mirror and golden sconces add glamour.

Teak Hawaii

An elegant teak dining set, custom crafted in Bali, lends the room a touch of 19th-century Hawaii.

Poolside Dining

Blue-and-yellow striped draperies frame pocket glass doors that slide into the walls, allowing interiors to spill seamlessly onto the pool patio.

Dining Room Dress-Up

Striving for an eclectic look, designer Susan Noble Jones knew slipcovers would be the perfect solution to update these chairs. Usually a slipcover fits over the entire chair, but Susan created a two-piece design. The tops of the chair backs are wrapped in a sheer silk fabric. For the finishing touch, the edge is banded in a red-and-metallic gold braid. The seats are dressed in a tailored lattice-design velvet skirt that coordinates with the braided trim.



The seats are dressed in a tailored lattice-design velvet skirt that coordinates with the braided trim. Covered buttons add a nice detail to the corners. The durability of the material makes it a great choice.

A Gathering of Memories

This is an elegant dining room with down-home elbow room. Featuring a large fireplace, the room embraces a round table for eight and a feast of life-long memories.



The dining room fireplace offers warmth and ambiance for both formal and informal gatherings around the table. The mantle provides space for seasonal floral and decorative arrangements.



 chest of drawers offers dining room storage space and, on top, more surface area for serving large meals. A simple arrangement of plates around a mirror serves as a focal point of the dining room.

Great Divide

To define the kitchen as its own space within the great room, the designers separated it with architectural detailing. Caribbean-inspired decoration such as the turned pine posts and scrollwork over the stove adds interest.

Decked Out

Houston designer Pam Pierce gave this dining room country sophistication with a checked fabric and painted wood furnishings.