精致生活係列之二 餐廳篇 6 區域性餐廳 dinning area ZT

Desert Yard Becomes a Courtyard Oasis

This Phoenix, Arizona, front yard was transformed from a sea of gravel to a courtyard designed for outdoor living. Brightly colored furnishings and accessories accent the new courtyard’s comfortable living areas, while stately saguaro cactus and a graceful, green-limbed palo verde tree rise behind the walls.



The entry gate of rusted iron -- designed and welded by the owner -- leads to a breakfast seating area.

 

Fine Dining

The designers put a modern twist on a traditional Queen Anne—style dining table by replacing some of the chairs with a cream-color, tufted-leather settee.

Perfect Blend

The great room makes for a study in contrast, mixing light and dark hues and soft lines with angular ones. Light floods the entire space through seemingly infinite panes of glass.

Fine Dining

A pair of round pedestal dining tables with a handsome ebony finish offers seating for eight. A chandolier with green glass accents provides adjustable lighting and visually unifies the dining room.

Shared Space

The family room and kitchen share a hipped roof, with an exposed beaded board ceiling and rafters. This type of treatment creates a relaxed setting and continues the louvered cabinets' tropical feel.



An under-mount, full-size stainless sink with side compartment and disposal is center stage. Its removable grid shelf lets just-washed vegetables drip-dry.



A 48-inch gas range with convection, six burners, and a griddle provides a convenient work space.



An informal dining area for family meals is an extension of the casual kitchen.

Striking Stainless

Kitchen appliances are visually striking with a stainless-steel finish that complements the tawny cabinetry.



Appliances hide in an oversized island with a deep stainless sink and shelved storage under an African Iroko hardwood countertop.



At the ends of a trestle dining table, two cushy wing chairs ensure the space will be used well past mealtime.



A soft gray color on the walls and ceiling mimics decades-old whitewashed limestone.

Reinventing the Past

While bright recessed bulbs illuminate the kitchen, a dramatic chandolier hangs over the dining table.

Bring Outdoor Furniture Inside

A casual sun porch invites use year-round for coffee and casual gatherings.

The New Family Room

Today, the modern kitchen is an extension of the family room. Here the kitchen and the family room are combined in one functional and fun room. The island holds the sink and dishwasher, freeing up space on both sides of the stove for food preparation. An informal table stands at the same height as the island. Besides meals, it's a place for kids to do homework and create craft projects.



The kitchen is furnished with ornate yet highly functional custom cabinets. Appliances include a heavy-duty down-drafting stove and a central space for the microwave, oven and warming oven. The countertops are marble, chosen for their beauty and their ability to stand up to heavy use.

A Place to Entertain

The lowered ceiling soffit establishes a coziness in this dining room and provides a place for recessed downlights to create an ambient glow.

Informal Accents

A farm table anchors the gathering space in this appealing kitchen. Lightly finished wood countertops contrast beautifully with classic subway tiles and darker hardwood flooring. Slipcovered chairs keep the arrangement informal.



The wall of cabinetry offers storage and brings another subtle color into the space. A work space is built in for bill paying, list making, and note writing.

Pacific Coasting

The long L-shaped window seat beside the fireplace in this living room by the sea beckons weather-watchers. Storage niches control clutter. The homeowners used linoleum tiles to create a striped floor pattern that looks like wood flooring. Not only do the light and dark gold and reddish brown stripes mimic the color of the sand (hiding any brought in on shoes and bare feet), the tiles are water resistant and don't scratch easily.

Morning Light

Sunshine bathes this breakfast nook. Unfettered by curtains, the windows afford views that change with the seaons.

The Color Red

This room is meant for entertaining, so we selected a dynamic red to draw people in. The round table encourages conversation.

Rolling Farm Table

"I wanted a visitor-friendly kitchen where guests could linger and chat, so I devised a contemporary version of the farmhouse kitchen table," says interior designer Katherine Murray. Her stainless steel table--mounted on castors to make it counter height--is high enough for guests to lean on and large enough for six people to dine at casually, and can be easily moved if more space is needed for larger buffet entertaining.

Green Diamonds

This kitchen's wood floors sport a diamond pattern of green and cream.



This home's sea of greens ranges from modern darks to vintage pastels.



An apothecary glass holds a bouquet of spatulas.

Classic Palette

Kitchens are the most often remodeled room in the house, and a white palette will never go out of style. Here, a sturdy tile backsplash and a classic checkerboard floor look fresh (for a more subtle palette, consider pewter gray instead of black for the checkerboard). Windows free of curtains and blinds take advantage of the natural light that makes white sparkle.



White kitchens are always desirable because they create a sense of cleanness, newness, coolness, and openness, a nice contrast to the small, poorly ventilated versions of our ancestors. They're also versatile and provide a great jumping off point if you want to add color later.

Slipcovered

A trio of hanging lamps provides a warm glow over the dining area. Beneath them, an antique oil-finished table and slipcovered chairs make a classic statement in the lofty expanse.

Morning Light

Sunshine bathes this breakfast nook. Unfettered by curtains, the windows afford views that change with the seaons.