How To Design Your Dining Room

http://www.lonnymag.com/decorate/dining_spaces

Your Dining Room is a very important space regardless of if you use it. It's not just a space for formal entertaining, but also a space for casual dining. When designing your dining space be sure to buy comfortable chairs. In my dining room, I bought arm chairs instead of dining chairs. I find arm chairs more comfortable to sit in then the standard dining chair. Buy at least two lamps for your dining space. Lamps add visual interest and soft lighting to the space. Don't overcrowd your Dining Room with multiple china cabinet's or console table's and don't buy a Dining Room set. Be creative, and add a touch of the unexpected! (ABOVE) The lamps in this Dining Room designed by David Cafiero are amazing as their height is very unexpected. I am a huge fan of the rug and low sitting china cabinet's. Not using a ceiling fixture in the Dining Room, creates a casual look. (BELOW 1) The floors in this Dining Room designed by Susan Becher have an awesome vintage flare. This table setup is great for the holiday's. (BELOW 2) This Dining Room designed by Celerie Kemble has a feminine touch. The table has rough edges, and it works beautifully with the gentle color scheme of this space. The low backs of the chairs, allow the table to stand out. (BELOW 3) I love the eclectic feel of this Dining Room designed by Celerie Kemble & Anna Burke. The orange console table adds a pop of color and the Sputnik chandelier adds a burst of energy. I like the way the designers took a bold chance with the wallpaper in this space. You can add as little or as much to your space as you want. Don't follow rules, just do. 

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My Three Tips: To A Well Decorated Dining Room

http://www.delightfull.eu/en/

Tip #1: Buy A Light Fixture That Pop's

When you look at your dining room, what's the first thing that you look at? If you said table, than your light fixture ain't poppin'! Your light fixture should make one of the biggest statements in your dining space. A brilliant light fixture sets the tone in the space, and makes the space. It's sort of like walking out of the house without a jewlery piece or your iPhone. It's that little sparkle and shine that the space needs. 

Tip #2: Spice Up Your Ceiling   

The first post I posted on BAD in 2011 was about spicing up your ceiling. Two years later, I still strongly advocate making your fifth wall something to remember. Of course a white ceiling looks nice, but there's something about a ceiling that is painted stripes, or done in wood paneling that brings it all together. I'm sort of going through a bit of a mental dining room renovation of my dining room. I'm dreaming of a dark wood paneled ceiling, and walls, with a fantastic 60s Italian light fixture. 

Tip #3: Make It Personal   

So many dining rooms these days look like they came out of a catalog. Please! Make your dining room--you! Add a painting of your granny (well...), mix and match the seating, bring in some vintage lamps. Your home is an extension of your wardrobe. Let's put it this way. The apps on your phone are different than the apps on your friends phone. Your dining room should be different, it should be personal. What are your three tips? 

(ABOVE) I love this light fixture. It's that statement piece that I'm writing about! It sort of looks like a musical instrument (trumpet?)   

http://www.lonny.com
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(1) In this dining space featured in lonny, the ceiling is original and funky. Just like BAD likes it! The wood molding that runs along the inner part of the ceiling brings texture into the space. 

http://www.elledecor.com
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(2) The space belongs to fashion editor Kim Hersov. Why do I like this space? It's her! It doesn't look like it came out of a catalog. It's elegant, yet still has that rock-n-roll sprit. The candlesticks are from her grandmother and the chandelier is 60s Italian. 

http://www.gomoneyways.com
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(3) How great are these floor to ceiling, wall to wall bookshelves? Bookshelves in the dining room are the ultimate personal touch. Looking at the books one reads is as personal as it gets. If you want to break up the rows and stacks of books, than stack your books in different directions, and add a few decorative objects in between. 

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Invest In One Good Table

http://lookbook.elledecor.com/search/room-Dining-Room

http://lookbook.elledecor.com/search/room-Dining-Room

Every space needs a table. Whether you own an apartment or a mansion the need for a solid table is crucial. A dining room table brings together the one’s you love. A side table houses your goods and displays your lamps. A coffee table allows your TV dinner to have a place to rest, and your books a place to display. Invest in one good table. Whether or not you use it, it is always good to have one. Table’s serve an obvious function, however, they should also have a creative form. Take a look at some of our favorites. You can add as little or as many table’s to your space as you want. Don’t follow rules, just do. 

Crate & Barrel 
Paloma Dining Table $1,999

CB2 
Dylan Dining Table  $899

West Elm 
White Wood Side Table $79.99

West Elm 
Emmerson Dining Table $999

http://www.kellywearstler.com/hillcrestestate.html

The Heart Of The Kitchen

http://lookbook.elledecor.com/search/room-Dining-Room

http://lookbook.elledecor.com/search/room-Dining-Room

Memories are made, laughter is heard. The breakfast nook right off the kitchen, is a place where you’ll gather with your family and friends. Why not make the breakfast nook the heart of the kitchen? Now think, is your heart going to be hard like an old wood four legged chair? Or is it going to be soft and lush like a sofa? When designing your breakfast nook, put to rest the standard table and four bland chairs. Add a sofa to your breakfast nook, don’t worry if it looks like it belongs in a living room. A sofa is a great way to bring people around the table, and add texture to a defined space, such as a kitchen. In addition, a sofa can possess much needed glamour. Choose a table that is round. A round table enhances conversation. Finally, add a great rug, pillows, and some color. The breakfast nook is the perfect escape from the upright, formal feel of a dining room. You can add as little or as much to your breakfast nook as you want. Don’t follow rules, just do.

http://www.kellywearstler.com/avalon.html

Fashion Meets Design: Classic + Retro Mix

The Fashion:  Isabel Marant Mallonia Beaded Crepe Mini Dress, Marni Embellished Stretch Cady Top, Thierry Lasry Perfidy Sunglasses, Tibi Amber 1 Band Sandals, Low Luv x Erin Wasson Cosmos Double Finger Ring, The Model, The Design: Splendid Pierre Cardin Dining Table from Jaky Wilson, Italian Brass Sputnik Chandelier from Skalar Modern, The Interior

The street style outfit, and Office inspired both the fashion and design picks. The office is very retro, but has classic elements. The rug, doors, and flooring are very classic. The design picks reflect both the retro and classic mix of the office. The street style outfit reflects the space. For the fashion picks, I played with a classic fit with pattern and solid color. A patterned top that reflects both the street style outfit and painting. The blue sandals reflect the colors from the painting.

The Fashion:  M Missoni Chevron Print Gathered Jersey Dress, Equipment Signature Washed Silk Shirt, Tibi Ivy Contras Strap Sandals, Alexander Wang Rocco Duffel with Silver Hardware, The Model, The Design: Red Table by Gerard Bringuier from 21st Twenty First Gallery, Pair of Vistosi Sconces from Craig Van Den Brulle, The Interior

The street style outfit, and Living Room inspired both the fashion and design picks. The Living Room's architecture is very classic, I love the moldings and the furnishings are very retro. The red coffee table adds that punch of color. For the design picks, I choose pieces that are featured in the space. For the fashion picks, I choose patterns, and colors that are found in both the street style outfit and space. The sunglasses that the model is wearing sort of remind me of the Vistosi scones in the space! 

  

The Fashion:  Peter Pilotto MB embellished mesh dress, Splendid Voile Shirt, Ivy Kirzhner Cleo Suede Sandals, Kenneth Jay Lane Draped Collar CZ Necklace, The Model, The Design: Vintage Turkish Kilim from Esmaili Rugs, Sculptural Glass and Steel Bowl from art1, The Interior

The street style outfit, and Dining Room inspired both the fashion and design picks. The Dining Room is simple and retro. I absolutely love the area rug. It looks like stone. I also love the built in shelving. The sculptural glass bowl in the design picks, resemble the architecture of the shelving. For the fashion picks, I tried to pick up the different patterns and colors from the space and street style look. The dress features a fantastic beaded, center design. This design mirrors the painting hanging in the space. The shirt reflects the fantastic area rug. 

Room Spotlight: Moroccan Meets Modern

http://mdesignla.com/residential/residence_8/index.html

I love this Dining Room designed by M. Design Interiors. From the red King Louis armchairs with a black and white patterned cushion, to the Moroccan accents, such as the chandelier, mirrors and painting. This space has a touch of the unexpected. In addition, the white walls and ceiling allow the accent colors to really pop. What do you love about this Dining Room? You can add as little or as much to your space as you want. Don't follow rules, just do. 

Room Spotlight: Asian Exotic Treasures

http://www.elledecor.com

I always love seeing spaces designed by people who do lots of traveling. These spaces are always infused with a certain energy, a creativity that has no bounds. This space designed by John Robshaw has so many wonderful pieces from around the globe. The Syrian table is breathtaking. The unique detailing at the base adds so much interest to Robshaw's New York City Dining Room. The chairs have a very classic English feel to them, but also a strong Eastern influence. The one piece however, that would change the look of the space significantly is the large art piece. It ties together the space into one Exotic, well-traveled Dining Room. Each piece in this space has its own voice and tells its own story. It's so important that each piece in a space has its own voice! Which piece is your favorite? The rug, chandelier, table, what is getting your juices excited? You can add as little or as much to your space as you want. Don't follow rules, just do.

Lighting Is The Key To Creating A Perfect Room

http://lookbook.elledecor.com/Dining-Room-Eclectic-Going-for-Baroque/id209

http://www.kellywearstler.com/

Often times we assume that as long as the art, furniture, and layout of a room is well thought out, than our rooms will be glamorous. That assumption is only half true. Lighting is the key to creating a perfect room. Beautiful furniture alone will not save your room. Buy a great chandelier or a fabulous lamp. I for one hate recessed lighting and fluorescent bulbs. Not only does recessed lighting and fluorescent bulbs strain your eyes, but they also make you look and feel tired. Lighting contributes to the overall success of a room. Be bold when buying lighting for your home. Don’t just choose some chandelier or some lamp. If your buying a lamp, mix up the shades. Buy an orange lamp shade on a lamp with a white base, or buy a turquoise lamp shade for a lamp that has a gold base. The biggest injustice you can commit when buying lighting is following trends and not taking risks. Every light you place in your home must be meticulously thought out. When using overhead lighting such as a chandelier or pendant be sure to add a dimmer. Dimmers create different moods depending on the time of day, plus they are a great energy saver. Each light should speak for itself, but work collectively. You can add as little or as much lighting to your home as you want. Don’t follow rules, just do.

http://www.elledecor.com/image/tid/5879?pause=0&page=8

The Most Important Room In Your Home

http://tishkey.com/

http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/colors/colorful-kitchen-0507

The kitchen is the most important room in the home. It is a room where you cook, hang out, and spend the most amount of your time. I find the kitchen a very difficult room to design and build. Unlike the living room, dining room or bedroom, the kitchen cannot be constantly updated. The kitchen must have a good ‘flow’ to be well designed. Before you dive right into building your kitchen, spend time walking through your space and lay out where you would like your appliances and cabinetry to go. By walking though your kitchen space you can imagine how you would use the appliances and other utilities. When designing your kitchen be sure to have the refrigerator, oven, and sink closer together. I am a huge fan of Kitchen Islands. My home has an Island that can seat five people. Islands make you feel like you are apart of the conversation and are very practical. Don’t use a stone floor in the kitchen. Stone floors are very hard and often times cause one to have a bad back or cramped knees. Wood floors are the best choice for the kitchen as they are soft and easy to be standing on all day. When choosing your kitchen backsplash and countertop be sure to have fun. Often times in new homes you will see a bland granite countertop. Spice up your countertop with a unique color, texture or material.  However, always be sure that backsplash and countertop match and are not competing with each other! Be sure to add unique pieces to your kitchen such as a lamp, vase, or painting. These special details can make your kitchen feel more personalized. I am a huge fan of see through kitchen cabinets. My previous post Own One Good Set Of Fine China, brings to attention the importance of china in a home. By having see through cabinets in your kitchen you can display your china. You can add as little or as much to your kitchen as you want. Don’t follow rules, just do.

House Beautiful & Elle Decor

http://www.architecturaldigest.com/homes/features/2009/02/cooks_kitchens_slideshow_022009#slide=5

Modern Revival Of A Classic Apartment

http://www.elledecor.com

This updated 1860s apartment in the 7th arrondissement of Paris is meticulously revived to original glory, yet stays modern and current in its furnishings. Often times I talk about the importance of mixing classic with modern, this apartment is the perfect example of this. (ABOVE) The Living Room features classic French wall paneling. Gold leafing is quite common. Some of the modern features of the space include the wall sconces, sofa, armchair, tables and lamps. I love the classic hard wood flooring. (BELOW 1) The kitchen does not feature the signature French gold leafed wood paneling. The space features modern cabinetry and a bold red cabinet. (BELOW 2) The walls of the Dining Room are very detailed. I love the intricate raspberry tapestries on the walls. The ceiling light fixture is very modern and looks great in the space. (BELOW 3) The furnishings in the Dining Room are modern and bold. How great are the chairs? You can add as little or as much to your space as you want. Don't follow rules, just do.

http://www.elledecor.com
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Moving In: Stockholm Country Estate

http://www.sothebysrealty.com

"Moving In" is an all new series on BAD. The series will explore fantastic homes across the world that I would love to be moving in to, how I'd furnish my new home as well as a few clothing picks for those days and nights on the town. This home is located in Stockholm, and has over thirty acres of land. With views of the water and its own private tennis court, it's a sure beauty. (ABOVE) The architecture of the home is quite stately. I love the simplicity of the facade. It's not overly adorned. I think the roof would be better flat? (BELOW 1) An aerial view of the home. The water is only a few feet away. All the trees surrounding the home create much privacy. (BELOW 2) The rear lawn is naturally landscaped. No hedges, or flowers, just freshly cut grass. The pathway leads to the water. (BELOW 3) A private dock sits on the water behind high bushes. What a romantic spot for a dinner. (BELOW 4) From the dock, one has incredible views of the surrounding area. Would you move in? 

http://www.sothebysrealty.com
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The Dining Room: (1) "LB-71" by Lou Blass from Ad Lib Antique, (2) Pucci de Rossi Dining Table from 20C Objects, (3) Modernist Collage Signed Gerard from Avant Garden, (4) Copper Frame Dining Room Armchairs from Morentz, The Kitchen: (5) Pair of Industrial Adjustable Bar Stools from Blend Interiors, (6) Pair of Art Deco Chandeliers Attributed to Petitot from Rearview Modern, (7) Modernist French Rug from Alberto Levi Gallery

The Casual Look: (1) Alexander McQueen Embellished Cotton T-Shirt, (2) Tibi Neon and Metallic Jacquard Straight Leg Pants, (3) Linda Farrow for The Row Rounded Leather Sunglasses, (4) Marc by Marc Jacobs Top Chicret Solid Cross Body Bag, (5) Tibi Edita High Heel Sandals, The Formal Look: (5) Chloé Smocked Silk Blend Chiffon Dress, (6) Venessa Arizaga Pretty in Pink Necklace, (7) Reece Hudson Stendahl Minaudiere, (8) Sergio Rossi Slingback Heels