The ten images from around the web that we've chosen for this post all have something in common: they make great use of what space they do have and they consciously add elements that enhance the cozy feeling. Whatever the size of your entertaining events this holiday season, remember that guests will feel enlivened when they've had delicious food surrounded by friends in a warm, friendly and intimate setting.
Top Row:
1) A thick round table, warm wood tones and a deep, rich red accent wall: Mara Murphy of Dutch Door Press
2) Using a big floor lamp to create a cozy feel: Photographer Emily Johnston Anderson's Chicago Apartment
3) Plush, comfy chairs to create an intimate feel: Jesse and Whitney Chamberlin of Our Labor of Love
4) Over-sized furniture in a tight nook: Nikole Herriott of Herriott Grace
5) A teeny, tiny dining booth: Kristen Stocks of Deluxa
Bottom Row:
6) Upholstered, living room furniture in a dining area: Lindsay Bentis of Thread Art and Design
7) Using a corner for a tiny built-in: Family Living via Desire to Inspire
8) Lots of pillows in a warm, comfy nook: Ruben of Errez Design renovation
9) Streamlined and simple but still cozy: Shari Markbreiter of MH Studio
10) If there's no room inside, make a cozy dining space outdoors: Husohem via Desire to Inspire
Images: 1:Mara Murphy; 2: Emily Johnston Anderson; 3: Jesse and Whitney Chamberlin; 4: Nikole Herriott; 5: Kristen Stocks and Lorie Reilly; (1 -5 via Design*Sponge) 6: Lindsay Bentis website; 7: Family Living via Desire to Inspire; 8: Ruben of Errez Design renovation; 9: Shari Markbreiter of MH Studio and 10: Husohem via Desire to Inspire
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great post!
These are great spaces, and they all look really comfortable with the exception of the picnic table in pic. #4. The rest are perefect, with #6 being a brilliant solution.It's important that a dining space be inviting... a place where you enjoy lingering, talking, relaxing.
( perfect. )
How do you get to the other side of the table in #4? Climb over?
There's no bench on the other side of the table in #4, so there's no need to get to the other side.
The picnic table is cute but seems impractical. The lamp with the arc seems impractical. At the very least you need a lighting fixture over the table, and there are ways of doing this with a track instead of wiring it in. My diningn room is small, so I am glad to hear there are some perceived advantages. Yes, I agree - I once had a large dining room and it seemed a bit austere.
alex_pina - notice there are no chairs on the other side of #4 - thinking this is a one sided situation
#7, I love the idea of "floating" benches and leaving the floor free, but could they really hold a person's weight even when the brackets are presumably attached to studs?
The first pic has a wonderful use of yin-yang feng shui shapes. And the red wall is a beautiful shade, too.
Re the picnic table, I assumed you climb in through the window ;-)
Love the kiddie-seat (if that's what it is) in #7 ~ much nicer than the stepstool we used to use
The first one is lovely. Makes me realize I should get smaller chairs for my small dining room -- I like the Parson's chairs I have, but they are really too big for the space. (Came witht he table as a set...) Oh well, one of these days...
the picnic table is moved into another space when more than one person wants to eat. the site said there was a nearby space and the other bench is brought in from elsewhere in the home.
while it is a cute idea, it would be nicer to have a larger space for it. It just looks crammed in there.
Although the dining area of #9 is rather simple, the rest of the house is exactly my style. The formal dining space has canvas painted seats. It's awesome!
I don't know anyone over the age of 7 who'd fit in that booth in #5. Not only is the space between the table and seat too close, but that giant pedestal leaves no room for any legs. Cute, otherwise.
OK, so about 25 years ago we acquired the beat-up trestle table that my folks had had in their "camp." It was not a thing of beauty then, and now....
Nonetheless, it's remained way down on our list of things to replace because the immediate solution has been cheap: candles.
Candles every night have been so much a part of our family meals that my 2 year old wouldn't eat until a baby sitter lit them. You can't buy moments like that.
#3 looks more like an office meeting space.
Hi!
what kind of red is that on the wall?
is perfect.