Weather House is a bespoke home for a young, nature-loving family on a quintessentially compact Northcote block. Our clients Claire and Brent cherished the character of their century-old worker's cottage but required more considered space and flexibility in their home. Claire and Brent are camping enthusiasts, and in response their house is a love letter to the outdoors: a rich, durable environment infused with the grounded ambience of being in nature. From the street, the dark cladding of the sensitive rear extension echoes the existing cottage!s roofline, becoming a subtle shadow of the original house in both form and tone. As you move through the home, the double-height extension invites the climate and native landscaping inside at every turn. The light-bathed lounge, dining room and kitchen are anchored around, and seamlessly connected to, a versatile outdoor living area. A double-sided fireplace embedded into the house’s rear wall brings warmth and ambience to the lounge, and inspires a campfire atmosphere in the back yard. Championing tactility and durability, the material palette features polished concrete floors, blackbutt timber joinery and concrete brick walls. Peach and sage tones are employed as accents throughout the lower level, and amplified upstairs where sage forms the tonal base for the moody main bedroom. An adjacent private deck creates an additional tether to the outdoors, and houses planters and trellises that will decorate the home’s exterior with greenery. From the tactile and textured finishes of the interior to the surrounding Australian native garden that you just want to touch, the house encapsulates the feeling of being part of the outdoors; like Claire and Brent are camping at home. It is a tribute to Mother Nature, Weather House’s muse.

Bay Pearl

Kirsten Johnstone Architecture

Inspiration for a large modern dining room in Melbourne with grey walls, porcelain floors, grey floor, wood and wood walls.

The Miramar

Robbins Contracting

Design ideas for a large country separate dining room in Denver with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, coffered and decorative wall panelling.

Lake Living Dining and Great Room

Joseph Philip Craig Custom Homes

Custom lake living at its finest, this Michigan property celebrates family living with contemporary spaces that embrace entertaining, sophistication, and fine living. The property embraces its location, nestled amongst the woods, and looks out towards an expansive lake.

Dining Room Design

Caron Kelly Interiors

Design ideas for a transitional dining room in Miami with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor and recessed.

Firehouse Family House - Dining Room

Noz Design

Colin Price Photography
Mid-sized eclectic separate dining room in San Francisco with grey walls, multi-coloured floor and recessed.

Modern Bling

Turner Design Firm

***Winner of International Property Award 2016-2017*** This luxurious model home in Silo Point, Baltimore, MD, showcases a Modern Bling aesthetic. The warm, light wood floors and wood panel accent walls complement the coolness of stainless steel and chrome accented furniture, lighting, and accessories. Modern Bling combines reflective metals and sleek, minimalist lines that create an indulgent atmosphere.

The San Anita Dining Room

JayMarc Homes

Dining room with stained beam ceiling detail.
Inspiration for a large country separate dining room in Seattle with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and exposed beam.

ISLAND REHAB IN AURORA & A NEW CUSTOM DINING BUFFET

KE Interior Solutions

Homestead Custom Cabinetry was used for this newly designed Buffet area. It beautifully matched the custom Live Dining Table
Mid-sized transitional kitchen/dining combo in Other with grey walls, carpet, no fireplace, grey floor and vaulted.

Great Room And Dining Room

Germania Construction

There's space in this great room for every gathering, and the cozy fireplace and floor-the-ceiling windows create a welcoming environment.
Inspiration for an expansive contemporary open plan dining in Salt Lake City with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and wood.

Moody Dining Room

Vanessa Foley Interiors

This is an example of a transitional separate dining room in San Diego with grey walls, grey floor and recessed.

Custom Dining Room in Coto De Caza

Jeffrey V. Riggs, Architect

Design ideas for a large modern open plan dining in Orange County with grey walls, slate floors, no fireplace, grey floor and vaulted.

Parade Home // Utah // Liz Tate Interior Design

Shakuff

This is an example of a contemporary open plan dining in Salt Lake City with grey walls, grey floor and exposed beam.

Via Aragon

User

Photo by Matthew Niemann Photography
Photo of a contemporary dining room in Other with grey walls, no fireplace and recessed.

Homewood Residence

Bureau Namas

Inspiration for a large traditional dining room in Los Angeles with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and recessed.

Dashing Duplex | Full renovation in Kensington, London, W8

Jemimah Barnett

Wall colour: Grey Moss #234 by Little Greene | Chandelier is the large Rex pendant by Timothy Oulton | Joinery by Luxe Projects London
Photo of a large transitional open plan dining in London with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a hanging fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, coffered and panelled walls.

Orono Deer Hill Preserve

John Kraemer & Sons

Design ideas for a transitional separate dining room in Minneapolis with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and wood.

Glencoe Residence

YAMINI DESIGNS

This dining room is a play in textures. Textured wallcovering, a live edge dining table, a reflective globe chandelier harmonize together.
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in Chicago with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, recessed and wallpaper.

Built-in buffet cabinets

Benvenuti and Stein

Dining space with pass through to living room and kitchen has built -in buffet cabinets. Lighted cove ceiling creates cozy atmosphere. Norman Sizemore-Photographer

Northcote House

Into interior design

Mid-sized contemporary dining room in London with grey walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, beige floor, exposed beam and wallpaper.

All Ceiling Designs Dining Room Design Ideas with Grey Walls

A dining room can be used for casual dining, integrated into an open plan and connected to the living and kitchen areas; or as a formal space reserved solely for entertaining. While it may not be used frequently, it is a great focal point in the home, and requires little furnishings. Here's what you need to consider before you start planning a new dining room...

How will you use your dining room?

First, consider how frequently you will use the space. If you plan on using your dining room on a daily basis, a casual dining set-up with sturdy, long-lasting furniture is best. As for where you position it – well, any unused space in the home can be converted into a casual dining space, whether it be at the end of a kitchen island, or at the bottom of the stairs. A formal dining room, on the other hand, is more suited to a dedicated space, which is more common in heritage homes where space originally wasn’t at a premium. Perhaps you want your dining room to multi-task and accommodate everyday meals, homework sessions and grown-up dinner parties… If that’s the case, furniture is key. Look for versatile dining tables in either Australian or New Zealand hardwood or weathered timber for a more rustic look. These won’t show up sticky fingerprints as much and can be dressed up for guests.

What size and shape should your dining table be?

Your dining table should be able to seat all family members with some room for additional guests – each person should have at least 60 centimetres of space at the table. The right size, however, also depends on how much room you have. A general rule of thumb is to leave no less than 1 metre from the dining table to the wall or any additional furniture, so people have enough room to comfortably move around the space. Rectangular dining tables are versatile and can work in a variety of settings, while oval dining tables are more traditional and can turn any meal into an occasion. If you have a tight space to work in, a round dining table is best, and also a great option if you want to encourage conversation. A square dining table can be a dramatic addition to a dining room, but only if you have the space. It allows everyone at the table to see each other, but the bigger the table, the harder it will be able to hold a conversation with someone at the other end.

What type of dining chairs should you choose?

Once you’ve decided on a dining table, look for dining chairs that share a common design element. If your dining table legs are curved, for example, try to match them with dining chairs that have a similar curve, either in the legs or back. Next, consider the dimensions of the chair. The height of your dining chairs should allow at least 30 centimetres between the top of the seat and the top of the table. And to keep your tush happy, avoid dining chairs narrower than 45 centimetres.

How can you decorate your dining room?

Dining rooms are relatively minimal spaces, but that makes them a great place to splash a little colour through artwork, especially if yours is a formal dining room. If your dining room is lacking warmth, consider painting the walls a deep shade of red or blue, or go contemporary with black or grey. A cosy rug will make the space feel more intimate, while a sideboard or cabinet of curiosities will further personalise the space. Often overlooked, dining room lighting can also drastically alter the mood of a room, creating drama, spurring romance or encouraging conversation. Opt for soft lighting in the dining area with dimmer switches, and choose oversized pendants in large, open spaces or to make the dining area more of a focal point. Finally, add some table settings, such as a lace tablecloth for a whimsy feel, or a more basic table runner for a chic look. If you need some help designing your dining room, consider checking the Houzz directory of interior designers, home stylists, cabinet makers and more!