Room Of The Week
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Room of the Week: A Dining Room With a Heroic Feature Wall
Dramatic oversize floral wallpaper gives this classic open-plan dining area the kick the clients were looking for
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
Brief
The brief was to update my client’s tired kitchen and bring some life and fun to the space by injecting drama and an eclectic feel that reflects their personalities. They wanted ‘their’ version of a wow factor and engaged Style & Design to bring that vision to reality.
Find a decorator or interior designer near you on Houzz to revamp your home
The brief was to update my client’s tired kitchen and bring some life and fun to the space by injecting drama and an eclectic feel that reflects their personalities. They wanted ‘their’ version of a wow factor and engaged Style & Design to bring that vision to reality.
Find a decorator or interior designer near you on Houzz to revamp your home
Starting point
We changed the footprint by swapping the original kitchen and dining areas around to create better flow in the space.
We changed the footprint by swapping the original kitchen and dining areas around to create better flow in the space.
We then used the wallpaper as the jumping-off point to tie the three areas in the open-plan living space together. Everyone in the family was onboard with the wallpaper, which cemented the fact that they really did want to have some fun with the design process.
Wallpaper 101: Pro Tips for Picking It, Putting It Up and More
Wallpaper 101: Pro Tips for Picking It, Putting It Up and More
The far end of the room, where the wallpaper is reflected in a mirror
The floor plan before works
The floor plan after works
Key design aspects
Colour palette: Warm whites, black and grey with the warmth of a timber floor and, of course, the myriad beautiful colours in the wallpaper, which I used in the fabrics and styling accessories.
Colour palette: Warm whites, black and grey with the warmth of a timber floor and, of course, the myriad beautiful colours in the wallpaper, which I used in the fabrics and styling accessories.
Materials palette: Ellie Cashman Design Dark floral II wallpaper was the jumping-off point for the balance of the scheme. A mix of textures were used in the form of rugs, fabrics, timber and brass to add visual interest to the scheme.
Key pieces of furniture/fittings: Finsbury Geo Buffet from GlobeWest. Indio Brass Pendant over dining table from The Lighting Outlet. Le Valliant Collection artwork from Designer Boys. Atlas and Custom Black rugs from Armadillo&Co. Porter Pendant lights over kitchen island. Custom tall cabinets beside fireplace from Hudson Furniture. Leather Lounge from Freedom.
Visual Comfort Clarkson Black Floor Lamp with shade and Idaho Drinks Trolley from Bloomingdales Lighting. The dining table is the client’s own. The dining chairs are the client’s own upholstered in Warwick fabric, the wingback chairs are also the client’s own, upholstered in Mokum fabric.
Visual Comfort Clarkson Black Floor Lamp with shade and Idaho Drinks Trolley from Bloomingdales Lighting. The dining table is the client’s own. The dining chairs are the client’s own upholstered in Warwick fabric, the wingback chairs are also the client’s own, upholstered in Mokum fabric.
Thinking behind the arrangement of furniture/fixtures
We suggested moving the kitchen for ease of indoor-outdoor living as well as being able to see the whole space while my clients were cooking in the kitchen. It allows them to be more involved when entertaining, which they love doing.
We suggested moving the kitchen for ease of indoor-outdoor living as well as being able to see the whole space while my clients were cooking in the kitchen. It allows them to be more involved when entertaining, which they love doing.
What challenges did you face?
More structural work than what was originally in the scope of work needed to be undertaken to make this vision come to fruition.
At the end of the day, I think it was well worth the effort to remove doors, windows and walls. This space is open and inviting and we could never have achieved that working within the original footprint.
The client had also just purchased a large fridge that needed to be considered in the kitchen design.
More structural work than what was originally in the scope of work needed to be undertaken to make this vision come to fruition.
At the end of the day, I think it was well worth the effort to remove doors, windows and walls. This space is open and inviting and we could never have achieved that working within the original footprint.
The client had also just purchased a large fridge that needed to be considered in the kitchen design.
Why do you think this room works?
This design answered the brief by using an eclectic mix of materials, texture and pattern to create drama and an interesting space to live in. The elements work together in an unexpected way. This is exactly what the client wanted.
My client also really wanted a kitchen island, which we were able to give them by moving the layout.
Your turn
What do you love about this open-plan space? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Craving more great interiors? Take a look at our last Room of the Week: From Dated Holiday Kitchen to Streamlined Space
This design answered the brief by using an eclectic mix of materials, texture and pattern to create drama and an interesting space to live in. The elements work together in an unexpected way. This is exactly what the client wanted.
My client also really wanted a kitchen island, which we were able to give them by moving the layout.
Your turn
What do you love about this open-plan space? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Craving more great interiors? Take a look at our last Room of the Week: From Dated Holiday Kitchen to Streamlined Space
Answers by Kate Liedtke, owner and creative director of Style & Design
Who lives here: A couple with three teenage children and their dog, Pepper
Location: Mortdale, NSW
Budget: Approximately $120,000
Room purpose and size: The kitchen, living and dining rooms total 100 square metres.
Designer: Style & Design