I need your help...

Okay, you know how it's always harder to make design decisions for yourself than for everyone else?

I've just been standing over this beauty....

my future dining room chandy,

with two cans of spray paint.

One is black, and one is "Chinese Laquer" Red.

With a teak table, chairs upholstered in black,

white walls, with black & white art and bits of colour,

and a sisal painted out with red, white, black and magenta...

which one will work?

The black is classic, and will continue on the black lighting we have throughout the rest of our home...

but in red?

In red she'll be the party girl, dancing around over the table.

Hmm... maybe I've just answered that one for myself....

Thoughts, please!!

the entertaining posts: dining room

No. 2 of the entertaining post series...




Last time we looked at kitchens, 

and part of the discussion we got going was whether or not we like formal dining rooms.

Not everyone likes a formal dining room, 

but we have one here, and it is well-used.

(although we won't be using it this weekend, as it's currently under a bit of an upheaval - 

we've just painted the walls, have to hang the art, change out the chandy, and add a carpet... 

both of which i also have to paint :) You can see the previous incarnation here....)

We try to have friends in at least every other week for dinner, 

and we host all the big holiday celebrations for both sides of our family.

Nothing makes me happier than the house being full of our favourite people.

I've gathered up a few beauties here for inspiration...

any of them tickle your fancy?


for the maximalist, a plethora of pattern...

for the elegant country home...

for the organic mod -

in black

or white......

(I really, really love the welcoming feel of this room,

truly one of my favourite spaces, ever)

for those of us that adore "junktiquing"....

the classics, happily re-imagined....

a room for stilettos and champagne, non?

If space is an issue

(and who isn't it an issue for?)

a dining room and office combine perfectly...

How about adding a piano, or a DRUM SET?!!

I love these rooms - 

the decor not be quite my style, 

but the idea of that little munchkin rocking out in the corner just makes me smile.

speaking of kids, 

these clever kids have found a way to ensure it's not a wasted space...

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So, how about it?
Do any of these make you long for a formal dining space?

Since we are revamping our own,
I've come up with a short list of the elements I prefer -

I'm particularly partial to round tables, I think they encourage good conversation.
I like striking art, to peruse during dinner. 
An unusual, dimmable chandelier as your focal point.
Lastly, since this isn't a space you normally spend long periods of time in,
some daring colour and pattern to fill in the space visually.


What does your list look like?













(next up, sometime during the next few days....
a post looking at entertaining-friendly living rooms-
hope you'll stop by..)

the entertaining posts

How about a theme week?

Are you up for it?

Fresh from a wonderful weekend filled with some of our favourite friends,

and one which we were at their houses, not ours,

my thoughts today are all about entertaining.

Of course, the company always makes or breaks the evening,

but I love to go over to a friends home and try out a new gem of a recipe,

or enjoy an old favourite,

to relax, inevitably, around the kitchen table,

and catch up over a bottle of wine...

It makes our family happy to have our home filled with the laughter of those we love,

and so we have company almost every weekend.

I think that D and I tend to be attracted to people who, like ourselves, are very relaxed about entertaining.

Are you the same?

Even at holidays, while the table may be a bit more spiffy,

the atmosphere in our home is always one of relax, eat (I am half-italian, after all!), and be merry.

It's all about the food and the company.

That said :) I'd like to know how you all entertain.

This week I am going to open discussions about what type of kitchen you prefer, where you entertain in your home, what's on your table, the cocktail area,

and entertaining with children, and see where you stand.

Sound good?

Let's start with the kitchen.

Are you an open kitchen or closed kitchen sort?

Do you choose to serve food that can be prepared in advance and left to roast away in the oven,

 while you are off somewhere else?

Or too you chop merrily away while chatting with your guests?

I tend to do quite a lot of prep ahead of time, and always try to have some appetizers ready to go,

but no matter who comes over, we always settle in at our kitchen table,

or if the kids have claimed that space,

our dining room table, which is also open to the kitchen.

The country style kitchen, with the table literally at the centre of it all,

is the most intimate type of dining.

As a bit of a klutz, I love an open kitchen, but one where the cooking are is clearly delineated,

so that you don't end up with major traffic while you whirl around with pots of boiling water

and enormous, sharp knives.

And in smaller spaces, the galley kitchen is perfection.

and of course, somewhere comfortable to sit is an absolute must - entrer dans la banquette.

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Now let's hear about your kitchens -

do you spend a lot of time there when you have company?

What do you love about your space?

What would you change?