Hot seats

<br />Dining rooms have a tendency to be formal affairs with matching table and chairs. but that doesn't mean they have to be. You can shake it up with unique styles and colours.    Here are some of my favourite <b>Wow</b> dining "sets" from my <a href="http://pinterest.com/mryall/dining-rooms/">Pinterest collection.  </a><br /><br /><b>Make it  patterned </b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMrea3evl_Laot-rc_8gkbkC3Cr7-SmPs7D_CzX6-HOt1Vn4_U5NEkOQtZEqM7Tu4-ZEcqW3kp5jbkfTgNL-5ctNL3p07BVyL1fXncJr0cgsnEMfLhIKevD9oH2ud0njLiCZf215NeKhD/s1600/171277592048041248_3HKoICh5_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMrea3evl_Laot-rc_8gkbkC3Cr7-SmPs7D_CzX6-HOt1Vn4_U5NEkOQtZEqM7Tu4-ZEcqW3kp5jbkfTgNL-5ctNL3p07BVyL1fXncJr0cgsnEMfLhIKevD9oH2ud0njLiCZf215NeKhD/s640/171277592048041248_3HKoICh5_f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />These luxurious chairs invite you to cozy up to the table. I'm a sucker for texture, and I would totally enjoy having a meal at this table.  Think of how soft the fabric would be!   I like the fact that the chairs  are patterned on the back and  plain on the opposite side.  The tufting supports the more traditional design and the high back chairs at the ends work well with the size of the space and the curves of the other chairs. The  hobbled roman shade is is a soft but clean window treatment in this room.  Lots of ideas to steal in this set up.<br /><br /><b>Repeated curves</b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-g3LaMH_Y6SyhyphenhyphenoDnY3W9PCqO8AvQqt20c6bajOBB6TNt9iOKfWG9_wmVXtYeR7wUPgyqw5u2HyayEiPvZIOQ-jFEDiYG9sy8J29XUd3jXubtJ_bZWAPO6vAksBWXabO8T-9VVpH0cb2s/s1600/125960120797782645_4q8JpmwF_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-g3LaMH_Y6SyhyphenhyphenoDnY3W9PCqO8AvQqt20c6bajOBB6TNt9iOKfWG9_wmVXtYeR7wUPgyqw5u2HyayEiPvZIOQ-jFEDiYG9sy8J29XUd3jXubtJ_bZWAPO6vAksBWXabO8T-9VVpH0cb2s/s640/125960120797782645_4q8JpmwF_f.jpg" width="478" /></a></div> Lately I'm very attracted to everything aqua. Doesn't this colour look great with dark wood?  Curves abound in this room - in the draperies, the stairs, the chair arms, the vines in the carpet and in the light fixture. A soothing room all around with an unconventional chair colour. <br /><br /><b> Popping yellow</b><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIpnF3jxNrthIY3T-XtgI7Y9RcTZOjcWvWWEd8UBe2yP2J5UPBXvUUPqw2Eoi0A1tLqZgJ9wuzdiSeF27_kC2G4IfH6ITqqto1s0AGDyHNUHfFYK4LXaSAIb9F9iZuktZMMdvgQF64OzM/s1600/214413632229812813_E0yuNJnU_f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIpnF3jxNrthIY3T-XtgI7Y9RcTZOjcWvWWEd8UBe2yP2J5UPBXvUUPqw2Eoi0A1tLqZgJ9wuzdiSeF27_kC2G4IfH6ITqqto1s0AGDyHNUHfFYK4LXaSAIb9F9iZuktZMMdvgQF64OzM/s640/214413632229812813_E0yuNJnU_f.jpg" width="492" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Who could ignore these canary yellow chairs? I love the way everything else in the room plays second fiddle to the chairs and allows them to be the star. I want to whisk those red flowers away though. Don't we all have our opinions about what looks best.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Serene colour scheme</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKv_SanDwaMgri2PpBbiwSh2LWh4t1Dgk22U78naM1U7woJA9bkrxlLkhjK9qJC9jsZpfOH6i8ZXXoDLSjz9I4_0DmV-TEy2jMD4Ji-fLbsn4bVkcXvy9flQ7lTmz8EGgfcs3cLnusAM6M/s1600/171277592048041247_zLBCoE1L_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKv_SanDwaMgri2PpBbiwSh2LWh4t1Dgk22U78naM1U7woJA9bkrxlLkhjK9qJC9jsZpfOH6i8ZXXoDLSjz9I4_0DmV-TEy2jMD4Ji-fLbsn4bVkcXvy9flQ7lTmz8EGgfcs3cLnusAM6M/s1600/171277592048041247_zLBCoE1L_f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKv_SanDwaMgri2PpBbiwSh2LWh4t1Dgk22U78naM1U7woJA9bkrxlLkhjK9qJC9jsZpfOH6i8ZXXoDLSjz9I4_0DmV-TEy2jMD4Ji-fLbsn4bVkcXvy9flQ7lTmz8EGgfcs3cLnusAM6M/s640/171277592048041247_zLBCoE1L_f.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This room is different in every way from the one above. I love the clean lines of the benches and chairs . Remember that you need a central leg or an X leg if you want to move easily to and from a bench style seat. Armless banquettes are the most versatile.   The texture on the front of the buffet;  the circular ceramic vases with  twigs, and the rounded edges of the table add interesting lines and some complexity to the room. The colour and lines of the light fixture work well with everything else.  Doesn't this room look serene? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b> Repetition of curves </b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLOxj9GHZt5klLYO96qm4ZkqL2VKcz2Jm81OwmH74XuIbmRVIwLfiiaslgbxn2fsVZeOQek5f_yxgDyXIVLXuo8QYdKtIAYYuDEXL2Oz1xa_WMjnFHj67SjXoS8Pu241NtoB1DGPRuyWb/s1600/177962622744890857_TOy4d5VO_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLOxj9GHZt5klLYO96qm4ZkqL2VKcz2Jm81OwmH74XuIbmRVIwLfiiaslgbxn2fsVZeOQek5f_yxgDyXIVLXuo8QYdKtIAYYuDEXL2Oz1xa_WMjnFHj67SjXoS8Pu241NtoB1DGPRuyWb/s640/177962622744890857_TOy4d5VO_f.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><br />More  banquettes, but this time paired with patterned chairs and a curvy table. The four leg table design will make getting into the banquette a little more difficult.The arms will add to the problem.    The chair  shape is repeated in the  mirror and the doors of the buffet.   An interesting mix. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIpnF3jxNrthIY3T-XtgI7Y9RcTZOjcWvWWEd8UBe2yP2J5UPBXvUUPqw2Eoi0A1tLqZgJ9wuzdiSeF27_kC2G4IfH6ITqqto1s0AGDyHNUHfFYK4LXaSAIb9F9iZuktZMMdvgQF64OzM/s1600/214413632229812813_E0yuNJnU_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAVKnrm30CR6MOwJFqf4duStGlhUeqDHTtJBtE0OUx-XaAky-YUCQl0lZDWx9I3hk3fPw75jZtnV5QhjCcEF9gJ9ahm6uVdpdI96APx_cgNHijBQpGqtEqRi90nysryR8lZuqhYMMD8di/s1600/285415695104110842_eiBop4m2_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAVKnrm30CR6MOwJFqf4duStGlhUeqDHTtJBtE0OUx-XaAky-YUCQl0lZDWx9I3hk3fPw75jZtnV5QhjCcEF9gJ9ahm6uVdpdI96APx_cgNHijBQpGqtEqRi90nysryR8lZuqhYMMD8di/s640/285415695104110842_eiBop4m2_f.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><br />There's nothing formal about this room! It will definitely appeal to the colour and texture lovers out there. I want to see a more substantial table with all this colour, but that's just me. <br /><br />How do you feel about chairs and tables not matching?

Hot seats

Dining rooms have a tendency to be formal affairs with matching table and chairs. but that doesn't mean they have to be. You can shake i...

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White, black and ...

<div style="text-align: center;">YELLOW! </div><br />The colour of energy, sunshine and brightness. <br /><br />It's difficult to ignore the high contrast colour scheme of white, black,  and primary yellow.    My personal preference is to have mostly white with hints of black and yellow, but the scheme plays out in different ways. You can tell from the images I've selected that it is a very contemporary look and not one you see often  in traditional decor.  A quieter look would be created if you substituted the black for gray- my all time favourite combination.  You can have a little or a lot of yellow through accessories. I've stayed away from the obvious choice of painting walls yellow which seems to be just too much yellow  for my taste.  Perhaps you disagree. <br /> How do you like yellow in......<br /><br /><b>Dining areas </b><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/140437/Willowgrove-Kitchen-contemporary-kitchen-other-metros"><img alt="Willowgrove Kitchen contemporary kitchen" border="0" height="312" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/140437_0_8-5507-contemporary-kitchen.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444;"><div style="text-align: center;"><small><br /><a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/atmosphereid/atmosphere-interior-design-inc" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"></a></small></div><div style="text-align: center;"><small> </small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/140438/Willowgrove-Kitchen-contemporary-kitchen-other-metros"><img alt="Willowgrove Kitchen contemporary kitchen" border="0" height="604" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/140438_0_8-5500-contemporary-kitchen.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b><small> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/atmosphereid/atmosphere-interior-design-inc" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Atmosphere Interior Design Inc.</a></small><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Only yellow art work makes this room vibrate.</div><b><span style="font-size: small;"> Bedrooms....</span></b><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/544575/Mallin-Cres---Master-Bedroom-contemporary-bedroom-other-metros"><img alt="Mallin Cres - Master Bedroom contemporary bedroom" border="0" height="612" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/544575_0_8-7985-contemporary-bedroom.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><small> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/atmosphereid/atmosphere-interior-design-inc" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Atmosphere Interior Design Inc</a></small><br /><small>.</small><br /><small><span style="font-size: small;">This yellow is more toned but still effective with white and black. </span></small></div><br /><div style="color: #444444;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/43988/Malibu-Mediterranean-mediterranean-bedroom-los-angeles"><img alt="Malibu Mediterranean mediterranean bedroom" border="0" height="332" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/43988_0_8-7825-mediterranean-bedroom.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designer/los-angeles" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"></a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/tam51761/tracy-murdock-allied-asid" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Tracy Murdock Allied ASID</a></small><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/295077/Hollywood-Regency-Style-Detail-eclectic-bedroom-los-angeles"><img alt="Hollywood Regency Style Detail eclectic bedroom" border="0" height="376" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/295077_0_8-3339-eclectic-bedroom.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><small> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/staging/madison-modern-home" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Madison Modern Home</a></small><br /><br /><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/544605/Mallin-Cres---Guest-Bedroom-contemporary-bedroom-other-metros"><img alt="Mallin Cres - Guest Bedroom contemporary bedroom" border="0" height="722" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/544605_0_8-3950-contemporary-bedroom.jpg" width="500" /></a><small> </small><br /><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/atmosphereid/atmosphere-interior-design-inc" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Atmosphere Interior Design Inc</a></small><br /><small>.</small><br /><small><span style="font-size: small;">Finding the right accessories finishes a space.  Imagine the tables in the two rooms above  without the hit of yellow.  </span></small><br /><small> </small><small> </small><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/388135/Glitzy-Glam-meets-Farmhouse-Chic-contemporary-bedroom-minneapolis"><img alt="Glitzy-Glam meets Farmhouse-Chic contemporary bedroom" border="0" height="750" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/388135_0_8-4990-contemporary-bedroom.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designer/minneapolis" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"></a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/oharainteriors/martha-ohara-interiors" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Martha O'Hara Interiors</a></small><br /><br />Only yellow pillows in the bedroom and yellow flowers in the bathroom but it's enough to lift the spirits of these two rooms. <br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> Living Rooms</b></span><br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/57046/Loft-Living-modern-living-room-boston"><img alt="Loft Living modern living room" border="0" height="750" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/57046_0_8-6985-modern-living-room.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><small> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/emily-elizabeth/emily-elizabeth-interior-design" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Emily Elizabeth Interior Design</a></small><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Painted furniture brightens every room but you can't get any better than a yellow hue. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0Q_o-u0uqSa5S2-tX8CbUMLIaWFHNS8zkoYjCmOCM_ep24m_LVq12TCre7Gi8B9nG_vNctKwka3zWipAs0bflX9vEO4-jKEhEbN6cSDxtR4Rm-xupZSG2nM6KAZWzHEx_Ipg1aY_PkRI/s1600/3724703523_89a2505a8d_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0Q_o-u0uqSa5S2-tX8CbUMLIaWFHNS8zkoYjCmOCM_ep24m_LVq12TCre7Gi8B9nG_vNctKwka3zWipAs0bflX9vEO4-jKEhEbN6cSDxtR4Rm-xupZSG2nM6KAZWzHEx_Ipg1aY_PkRI/s640/3724703523_89a2505a8d_o.jpg" width="514" /></a></div><a href="http://design-crisis.com/?p=385"> source </a><br /><br />Yellow is a very commanding colour for chairs.  You certainly won't be ignoring this one.I love the way your eye moves from the chair to the art work and then to the accent pillows.  Perfect colour scatter. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b>Bathrooms </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3Lin0ky6m3469gd_KjvazqwHd-1aPdoRjNImqbpgiSz2T_UyxYf4x2K2J_PS6iJW5pitCfJDobsrprOTKTqnXopD43oIDEineHPAmh43GUu26RJzhbcWhQ_2OlXYYpeEXAj4kzXmOnIY/s1600/649dbb6d0a34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3Lin0ky6m3469gd_KjvazqwHd-1aPdoRjNImqbpgiSz2T_UyxYf4x2K2J_PS6iJW5pitCfJDobsrprOTKTqnXopD43oIDEineHPAmh43GUu26RJzhbcWhQ_2OlXYYpeEXAj4kzXmOnIY/s640/649dbb6d0a34.jpg" width="442" /></a></div><a href="http://www.decorpad.com/photo.htm?photoId=58001">Decor Pad </a><br /><br />One bright yellow chair speaks volumes and it's waterproof! <br /><br /></div></div><div style="color: #444444;"><small><br /></small></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/293419/2010-Decorator-Showcase-modern-bathroom-san-francisco"><img alt="2010 Decorator Showcase modern bathroom" border="0" height="750" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/293419_0_8-0928-modern-bathroom.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/architect/san-francisco" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">t</a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/demeza/de-meza-architecture" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">De Meza + Architecture</a></small><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">White and black small mosaic tile with splashes of bright yellow to enhance it.  Lining the drawers with yellow is an extra surprise .  </span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/369874/Indian-Grove-Bathroom-eclectic-bathroom-toronto"><img alt="Indian Grove Bathroom eclectic bathroom" border="0" height="750" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/369874_0_8-1930-eclectic-bathroom.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><small> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/palmerston/palmerston-design-consultants" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Palmerston Design Consultants</a></small><br /><br /><small><span style="font-size: small;">Imagine this room without the commanding art work.</span></small><br /><small><span style="font-size: small;">  </span></small><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><small><br /></small></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/186190/Glenwood-Residence-eclectic-bathroom-little-rock"><img alt="Glenwood Residence eclectic bathroom" border="0" height="752" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/186190_0_8-9593-eclectic-bathroom.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><small> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/tobifairley/tobi-fairley" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Tobi Fairley</a></small><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Porches  </b></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">Sometimes one perfectly placed accent makes a room sing.   </span><small><br /></small><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/77576/Art-as-Pop-traditional-entry-los-angeles"><img alt="Art as Pop traditional entry" border="0" height="750" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/77576_0_8-4730-traditional-entry.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/artist-and-artisan/los-angeles" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"></a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/trudymonty/blue-tangerine-art" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Blue Tangerine Art</a></small><br /><br /><small><span style="font-size: small;">Don't forget the power of art to move a space from boring to exciting. This is one of my favourite images to show how art can lift any space to something special. </span></small><br /><br /><small><span style="font-size: small;">Did you find inspiration in any of these rooms?  If you don't like yellow you could substitute yellow green, magenta, coral or turquoise.   </span></small></div>

White, black and ...

YELLOW! The colour of energy, sunshine and brightness. It's difficult to ignore the high contrast colour scheme of white, black,  and pr...

Read more »