Wuff, that's how it should be...unfortuntely things are hardly ever as they should be and mny people these days haven't a clue about ettiquette....that applies to some adults in particular. I agree that fine dining restaurants are not suitable for children...unless of course, as you describe, the children hav been schooled in proper behaviour. One restaurants I've been taken to on specil occasions actually has a policy of "no children"..but in order not to breach discrimination ettiquette they have a special chidren's dining room with waiters dressed in colorful uniforms. There's also a fine dining children's menu. The children are called 'maam' and 'sir' and have their chairs pulled out for them....they have their non alcoholic drinks served in lovly glases as if it were champagne or wine....it really delightful. They also have themed evenings. There's a dining etiquette that the children are expected to observe..and how to hold and use the cutlery. Parents are given a little booklet about it.. I thought it a good way to instruct the adults under the guise of instructing the children. It works well and the restaurant owners are to be commended for such a novel approach to...well, it "manners" isn't it? And not many know the mening ot the word these days. The children come away from such an experience feeling important..and I think some parents learn a few things too. There's nothing worse that not being able to go out for a dignified meal because other people don't realise that some places are just not for children..especilly their chidren. Its one thing being well-to-do and completely another having manners. My dear old Mum was the eldest of 12 children...their Dad was an Engine Driver, but he insisted that each and every one of the children learn manners.. As disadvantaged as they were, they "dressed" for dinner in their best always clean, pressed, starched clothes,,, darns, mends and all, and he'd inspect them all before they were allowed to be seated. Mum's Aunt Laura taught her to..."be a lady" and educated her about the arts, taught her how to dance, how to set a table for a three course meal, how to dress, how to be polite, and..how to cook and manage a home...so she would be able to "mix it with the best" and not be thought out of place. How things have changed...its all more relaxed. Manners and respect for others seem to have..."Gone With The Wind"..regarded as outmoded and old fashioned. Pity! Wonder how we can get a gracious, respecful society back?

Interesting range of comments - Is it that there is a general shift towards an industrial trend? Topic is far too close for comfort, as I have a bathroom being tiled in a couple of days, have had tiles for a couple of months now, so doubt does set in!! A while back I probably thought I would go towards a traditional look, but looks like I have moved towards the industrial - which the family are fully supportive of - young adults and husband. Our home is . . . transitional, though I hesitate labelling it. Also these images make me wonder if a cool grey is a more traditional look and a warm grey more representative of an industrial look or modern look? These are my tiles: Left pale grey/white for ensuite floor and walls, with white cabinetry work, centre mid grey for family bathroom & laundry floor, with white cabinetry work, right mid grey to darker grey for a large open plan area of kitchen/dinning/small sitting area. They all feature flecks of whites, greys, taupes, even tans and blue greys.

Get a cabinet maker to custom build a work station across the entire width of that blank wall. As it is on full show I would recommend incorporating mainly cupboards and drawers so you can hide stuff away. Consider using a coloured polyurethane and nice stone bench top and cabinetry hardware, as it will be the first thing guests see when entering your home. Contact me if you would like further design suggestions.

Hi siriuskey. Not sure how to place the furniture yet. Still trying to work it out.. I am selling my dining table and chairs. My new chairs just arrived today. I bought some hooks to put my mirror up.I am going to order those prints shortly. Also trying to find a round dining table I like. Getting there slowly : Thanks for asking. Thank you Julie. Very kind of you. :) Thank you legendaryflame :)