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.

Lato Signature - Modin Rigid LVP Collection Customer Space - CA

Flooret

Lato Signature from the Modin Rigid LVP Collection - Crisp tones of maple and birch. The enhanced bevels accentuate the long length of the planks.
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in San Francisco with grey walls, vinyl floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and yellow floor.

Proyecto Princesa

Nice Home Barcelona

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional open plan dining in Barcelona with grey walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace and beige floor.

Country Pointe Plainview - The Greenbrier

Beechwood Homes

This is an example of a transitional open plan dining in New York with grey walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Modern Beach House

Nima Design LLC

SGM Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in New York with grey walls.

Nemo Drive Dining Table by Cattelan Italia

RoomService 360

Nemo Drive Modern Dining Table is restrained yet inviting with timeless elements that yield its juxtaposition of form and function. Manufactured in Italy by Cattelan Italia, Nemo Drive Dining Table offers top-notch functionality and minimalist style.

Young Rd Residence

Jill Litner Kaplan Interiors

Photo of a large transitional open plan dining in Boston with grey walls, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and coffered.

Urban refresh

Usable Space Interiors, LLC

This is an example of a small midcentury open plan dining in Nashville with grey walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

The LAAN Project

Baiza Interiors

This is an example of a mid-sized modern open plan dining in Austin with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and beige floor.

Гостиная

Екатерина и Андрей Санниковы | Scandinavi

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Other with grey walls, laminate floors and brown floor.

Maple Close, Epsom

GDL London

Design ideas for an expansive contemporary open plan dining in London with grey walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace and beige floor.

Estates at Southgate Showhome

Homes of Distinction, Inc.

• SEE THROUGH FIREPLACE WITH CUSTOM TRIMMED MANTLE AND MARBLE SURROUND • TWO STORY CEILING WITH CUSTOM DESIGNED WINDOW WALLS • CUSTOM TRIMMED ACCENT COLUMNS

Ascent at Aloravita | Plan 4013

Shea Homes - Arizona

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Phoenix with grey walls, light hardwood floors and grey floor.

Addition/Renovation

GREAT FALLS Construction

Bob Narod Photography
Mid-sized traditional open plan dining in DC Metro with grey walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Dining Room

Jibe Design

Mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Philadelphia with grey walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace and beige floor.

Hudson Transitional Remodel

Payne & Tompkins Design-Renovations

This is an example of a large country open plan dining in Cleveland with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Modern Mountain Home, Stowe VT

Patterson and Smith Construction, Inc.

Susan Teara, photographer
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Burlington with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Contemporary Dining Room

Design ideas for an expansive contemporary open plan dining in Salt Lake City with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace and a metal fireplace surround.

Dorset Park - Weymouth, MA

Morr Interiors

Shelly Harrison Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional open plan dining in Boston with grey walls and light hardwood floors.

Modern & Contemporary

Maraya Interior Design

Modern Home Interiors and Exteriors, featuring clean lines, textures, colors and simple design with floor to ceiling windows. Hardwood, slate, and porcelain floors, all natural materials that give a sense of warmth throughout the spaces. Some homes have steel exposed beams and monolith concrete and galvanized steel walls to give a sense of weight and coolness in these very hot, sunny Southern California locations. Kitchens feature built in appliances, and glass backsplashes. Living rooms have contemporary style fireplaces and custom upholstery for the most comfort. Bedroom headboards are upholstered, with most master bedrooms having modern wall fireplaces surounded by large porcelain tiles. Project Locations: Ojai, Santa Barbara, Westlake, California. Projects designed by Maraya Interior Design. From their beautiful resort town of Ojai, they serve clients in Montecito, Hope Ranch, Malibu, Westlake and Calabasas, across the tri-county areas of Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles, south to Hidden Hills- north through Solvang and more. Modern Ojai home designed by Maraya and Tim Droney Patrick Price Photography.

Open Plan Dining 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!