Mealtime Moods: Doing up the Dining Room

Yes, we start with a colour that is a metaphor for moodiness, but also serves to define the depths of the ocean or the daintiness of a peacock. When we think of a theme colour for a space, we tend to imagine it awash in that colour. But, perhaps, only a trained and talented hand would know how and where to apply the colour to achieve a fine balance between elegance and impact.

Ar. Puran Kumar’s restrained use of one of the rarer shades of blue on just the seat cushions and the door and window frames in this muted and minimal dining space (cover image) is ever so impactful and elegant, it’s impossible to imagine even an extra drop of the colour anywhere else in the scheme. And then, the indigo shades in the art-work on the wall and the porcelain on the table just tune it up optimally. As you lose yourself to the dreamy comfort of those white woven chairs, do not miss the copper pendant lights adding just that touch of shimmer!

Isn’t it amazing that dreamy blues and earthy browns come together so charmingly? Like in this arty oriental ensemble (image 2) which echoes the peacock feather print on the upholstery with the matching chandelier, with the almost unseen patterns on the rug and wall paper, the flaming roses with the earth-coloured ceramics, and finally, the rich, dark chocolate polish and paint. And, the elegance of the combination of colours culminates in the peaceful portrait on the wall.

To re-do an existing set-up to dramatic effect can take really minimal intervention. This is displayed excellently in this set of moulded laminated white round table and classical polished wood chairs matched with a simple cushy sofa with grey fabric. A few sunny yellow squares as the upholstered chair seats, modern art works on the wall and the big cuboidal pendant light, serve to not just brighten up the room but actually unify the eclectic collection.

A very basic set of chairs and a table (image 3) comes alive in this embrace of perky colours used in the paint, the drapes and the accessories. The brightest shades of a wide range of colours have been skilfully merged to create this stunning dining set.

A dining space by Sandeep Khosla and Amaresh Anand of Khosla Associates, Bengaluru (image 4) uses solid colours – yellow flooring, deep red carpet, blue walls – with a no fuss basic brown, comfortable and contemporary dining set to create an attractive and inviting ambience. How all the square corners in the chairs, table, lamps, carpet match up to unify is just as notable as the black and white art works adorning the back wall that complete the eclectic nature of this colourful ensemble.

If one needed proof to show how a single bold accessory can change the entire look of a room, then here it is (image 5). A plush though not particularly striking dining set up is sharply dramatized by the use of the bold fuchsia and lavender floral carpet underneath! Of course, the fine tuning rendered by matching flowers in a silver vase is not to be missed…

Rahul Menon and Ojas Chaudhari of Studio TAB have crafted this open kitchen and dining space (image 6) in perfect uncluttered elegance. More striking is the ease with which this perfect set up lends itself to a change – just a change of upholstery for the chair seats, a new mural on the wall or new colour finishes for the cabinets can engineer the required change!

This is an even more basic set of moulded red chairs, cushioned and matched with a raw wood table top and placed on an eye-catching zebra-striped mat (image 8). The muted blue of the surrounding walls and the full-length mirror next to it make a nifty setting, but the accessory that adds maximum value is the flaming red floral chandelier…

An old basic dining set, painted in black and white, becomes part of a beautiful set up of the same colour scheme here (image 11), completed to perfection by the chequered carpet underneath.

Architects Amit and Ashmi Shah have created magic in black and white here (image 12) using some really simple techniques to spectacular effect. A huge panel of black granite clad on the wall contrasting with the white cabinet mounted against it and the black printed upholstery on the chairs lend a remarkable effect.

A set of transparent glass table with black cushioned bucket chairs receives an edge through the black beady chandelier and back-lit floral wall mural in this rendering by KNS Architects (image 13)

The all-white open kitchen with bar counter and dining space in Dipen Gada’s creation (image 14) get mildly punctuated by soft grey chair upholstery and grey herring bone patterned wall mural and matching table supports. The soft amber backlit accents lend the space a surreal aura.

A snow white dreamland with transparent surfaces, sheer screens, sleek steel frames on wheels, fairy lights and flaming orange highlights created by Sonali Shah makes it difficult to imagine the space as a functional kitchen! Is it a futuristic fantasy from a Disney movie….?

It’s an inexhaustible list of options out there in dining space designs. Find more than 200 inspirational décor ideas for dining rooms on TFOD! And keep coming back for more...