Five Real Dining Nooks that Really Work

Not sure exactly why, but lately our inspiration folders have been filling up with photos of lovely little dining nooks where real people eat (not just stylists with plasticized food). Maybe the summer's just put us in the mood to sit at a nice table with some fresh flowers and an iced tea. In any case, we thought we'd share some favorites with you. Can you tell what all five of the simple dining nooks pictured above have in common? Click through for the answer...

All five of these pretty dining areas feature a statement light fixture that anchors the room. Of course they've got other things going for them as well—fun mix-and-match furniture; amazing artwork; unexpected décor choices, like metallic wallpaper and salvage windows mounted as art. But choosing a light fixture that makes an impact is a surefire way to create a focal point for a dining area, even when it's carved out of a larger room.

In case you're not already addicted to the blogs where we found these dining nooks (all of which are full of inspiration from real homes), check them out:

• 1 and 2 Young House Love
• 3 I Suwannee
• 4 and 5 Design*Sponge

(Images: Young House Love, I Suwannee, Design*Sponge)

Comments (9)

Holy cow, I LOVE the dining table in that top photo. What a spectacular antique!

posted by Lisa (Montreal) on July 28th 2009 at 9:51pm
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So what do you do if your ceilings are way too low to make a ceiling-mounted pendant light fixture a good idea?

posted by ssssasha on July 29th 2009 at 12:52am
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ssssasha - are your ceilings high enough for a flush or semi flush mounted fixture instead of a pendant?

posted by Laura on July 29th 2009 at 1:29am
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The wallpaper in number 3 is to die for.

posted by Cassis on July 29th 2009 at 10:50am
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I don't know why I love the last one so much, but I really do. I want to have coffee there every morning. I guess it's the awesome natural light and the beautiful wood tones. I also like the plates-on-the-wall arrangement...especially the one little plate that went astray. My symmetry-Nazi husband would never stand for it, though.

posted by FrontPorchPirate on July 29th 2009 at 3:37pm
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can anyone tell me where the hanging colorful light is from in the first photo?

posted by jaimec on July 30th 2009 at 9:55am
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I personally don't think the light fixture is as important as a good nearby window for natural light. I saw that as a more important common thread.

posted by travislessness on August 1st 2009 at 6:27pm
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#4 reminds me too much of the seating at a fast food restaurant. I do like the vintage look of #5 and especially dig the light feature.

posted by verily on August 1st 2009 at 10:56pm
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I miss the natural light in #1, and am not a fan of #4 (tables blocked out door), but I'm with Lisa on the first table, and the last one is really pretty, the light fixture really works there.

posted by Green Martha on August 2nd 2009 at 2:40am
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