精致生活係列之二 餐廳篇 4 ZT

French-style Dining

In the dining area, French-style chairs with a distressed, creamy white finish surround a vintage European farm table.

Buried Treasure

While renovating this Key West home, the owners found found Dade County pine, a now-rare wood prized for its durability and rich grain, beneath linoleum and barrow board.

Covered Couches

These couches, originally navy and white, get a soft touch with off-white matelassé slipcovers.

Serene Dining Room

These mahogany dining chairs were painted to complement the cream walls that were combed with apple-green paint. The table reflects the garden mood out back.

Stylish Versatility

A dining room need not be confined to one use. This library converts to an elegant dining room with the setting of the table.

Dining in the Round

Faced with the challenge of a big room, many would have turned to the more traditional long, linear table, but this homeowner elected to place two tables, each seating six, in the space. The two identical tables consist of stone-and-wrought iron bases topped with glass, which complement the heavy woods present in the room's remaining furnishings. An eggshell-hued ceiling and crown molding trim help soften the room's look, as does the striking gold-framed circular mirror leaning on the mantel.



This color scheme contributes to a feeling of simple elegance. Tone-on-tone, subtly striped wallpaper in bronze and gold gives the appearance of depth and adds visual interest. Everything blends well, including the chair upholstery, which has an animal print on the front and a plain back. Coordinating fabric is draped across the tables, and plant centerpieces become additional focal points. An antique chandelier with a mirrored sphere hangs above each table.

Marsh View

A wall of windows offers a view of the marsh.

Entertaining

Gracious hospitality seems effortless with a well-equipped kitchen and flowing living area.

Teak Tables

A teak table fills the dining porch with casual style. A teak serving cart with an Italian tile surface and trays makes entertaining easy.

Set a Lasting Impression

Here, light and airy pale blue walls, along with white tray ceilings and trim, provide a sky-inspired backdrop for the natural wood furnishings and creamy touch of color. Interior designer Darryl Carter's style exemplifies his passion for blending old with new and his ability to integrate period pieces from all around the globe.




Timeless touches integrated with a host of furnishings from various periods and unusual accent pieces are nothing short of welcoming. The comfortable setting is conveyed through the space's updated farmhouse feel, rich in antiques and flea market finds.

Almost Alfresco

Bold blue brush strokes turn the flanking walls of this dining room into large abstract canvases. Artwork balances the walls and hand-painted lime green chair fabric.

Table for Eight

Inside the front door, in place of a traditional foyer, a long pine dining table invites guests into the cottage. With two 18-inch leaves, the table stretches more than 8 feet, easily accommodating eight ladder-back armchairs. A low-hung chandelier brings intimate lighting to the table. If a party's in the works, the chairs can be pulled away and the table becomes a perfect buffet.

Serviceable Sideboard

This young couple stores stemware in style with this sleek, easy-to-make skirted table. With economy as a priority, they designed a practical plywood shelf and dressed it up with fabric that is as elegant as premium wood furniture but costs considerably less. After drawing up a few quick sketches, taking a trip to a local cabinetmaker, and visiting the upholsterer, the result was a $400 side table with $4,000 appeal. (8是很喜歡，米國人大概不知道在中國這種擺設意味著什麽。。。)



Clever upholstery conceals simple plywood shelving, perfect for storing glasses, china, and silver.

Walker's Bluff Idea House: Dining Room

This dining room occupies the opposite side of the foyer from the study. Its wainscot paneling--raised higher than the standard 36 inches--serves as a plate rack as well as a prop for artwork. The spacious room easily accommodates a large, round dining table and six antique chairs with striped cushions in a flat-weave velvet. Reproduction wall sconces complement a pewter-and-gold finished wrought iron chandelier.

Dining Room Revisited

Combining different design elements can be a challenge. The space shown here works well for several reasons. The room's good bones--exposed brick, French doors, and glass walls--are allowed to shine. The furnishings and decorative accents highlight rather than dominate. Also, the warm mix of wood finishes softens the area. Don't be afraid to combine mahogany, oak, cherry, satinwood, and maple pieces if the blend feels harmonious.



A valance adds substance and a bit of drama. The textured fabric is gathered up at intervals and attached to the curtain rod for a ribbon-like effect. Subtle accessories contribute to the elegant, serene attitude--shells, white procelain containers and china, and a small sketch on a marble-top chest.



This conversion of a sunroom into a dining room works well because two living spaces connect to the revised dining room through pocket French doors original to the 1940s house.

The Ultimate Before & After

The casual elegance of this library-turned-dining room easily lends itself to both relaxed and formal affairs. The decor of the room is accented by exposed ceiling beams and a stuccoed fireplace surround. Four hand-painted tiles were inset into the stucco for a great effect.

Dining Room Renewal

When faced with decorating their newly purchased Vestavia Hills, Alabama, home, this couple set out to integrate the cultural elements they love. The couple used simple techniques to transform the house, which possessed interesting structural details but had dated interiors. "Our home is open, with unusual architecture throughout. When we moved in it had a country look that didn't suit us. We wanted to maximize the arches, lines, and spacious feel, so we enhanced these elements with Art Deco touches," the homeowner says. （一眼看上去就很中國化哈）



"Oriental influences represent a large part of the Art Deco style," says this homeowner. "So we chose a dining room set and sideboard with dark wood and black lacquer trim. The pieces' slick surfaces and curved lines create a nice contrast against the neutral backdrop." She added, "interior designer Margaret Jones recommended painting the walls with dual-tone colors in neutral shades for a sense of openness; we used ivory above the chair railing and a shade of putty below. The original railing was simply painted a glossy white."

2001 Northwest Idea House: Dining Room

Tailored dining chairs are upholstered in two different fabrics in this dining room. The padded seating echoes the red walls, and the textured mushroom-colored backs pick up the rich mahogany tones of the dining room table and sideboard. （這種顏色是不是增進食欲啊？）

2001 California Idea House: Dining Room

Side chairs with an antique black finish and upholstered end chairs establish a friendly, eclectic look in this dining area. The colorful table setting combines fruit and flowers into a living centerpiece.

2000 Northwest Idea House: Dining Room

In this dining room, an oil painting depicting a New Year's Eve celebration in the 1930s sets the nostlagic tone that's underscored by pine green walls and a white coffered ceiling.