Kitchen & Dining
The modern kitchen and dining room are used for much more than simply eating; many families also use this space for doing homework, paying bills, working on craft projects or just hanging out. Choose your theme based on your family's needs. If you have small children and easy clean-up is a must, choose a modern décor scheme that takes advantage of granite, metal and other non-stainable surfaces. If you want a comforting feel, try a traditional French Country scheme with bright colors and a range of textures.
The hallmark of French country design is the harmonious interplay of color, fabric and texture. Blue, yellow, white and red appear prominently. To create the look in your home, choose furnishings in mid-tone woods such as oak, cherry or pine. Vintage or used furniture is perfect for this look-French families hand down their furniture from generation to generation and pieces with scratches or fading can add to the "family heirloom" look.
Designer Ammie Kim recommends wicker furniture and a mix of solid, floral and striped fabrics. Cookware, dinnerware and drinkware can be a part of your décor, too-don't hide them away. Start collecting ceramic and porcelain baking dishes in yellow and blue, and display them prominently on top of cabinets or in glass-door hutches. Sponge paint the walls in a gentle yellow color, then hang framed reproductions of vintage advertising or French botanical prints.
Modern Minimalist
The minimalist kitchen is easiest to achieve if you have lots of storage space (or don't use your kitchen for cooking very often). Counter tops should be uncluttered by appliances and crockery-hence the need for lots of space to store these items. The color scheme is usually monochromatic and pale, accented by stainless steel.
Your furnishings (tables, islands and/or bar stools) might be made of metal, polycarbonate plastic or whitewashed wood. Designer Rebekah Zaveloff has used charcoal-stained maple for the warmth of the good grain with a cool-toned modern color; she recommends pairing the wood with beige marble or limestone counter tops. Keep light fixtures and window treatments straight-lined and unfussy-no lace curtains here. Pleated Roman shades and simple pendant lighting or recessed lighting will do the trick.
Eclectic
Eclectic kitchen and dining areas allow you the most freedom to experiment with style. If you like French Country fabrics, for example, you can combine them with modern Philippe Starck-style polycarbonate chairs and the rounded appliances common in retro kitchens. The key to getting the eclectic look right is to mix design styles and keep a common color scheme. Choose one neutral color, one bold color and one metallic shade and use this palette throughout the area.
HGTV designer Estelle Jaivin has combined traditional modern granite countertops with a colorful custom-made tile mural in one example of eclectic design. Try painting just one wall a bold color, and then tie that color throughout the area with placemats, cabinet handles, curtains or even a bowl of fruit or veggies on display. Eclectic styles often play with artwork, too. Instead of using store bought art, paint a canvas yourself or create a shadowbox display of vintage kitchen items picked up at flea markets or antique shops. Personalized touches like this characterize the eclectic style.
Tags: French Country, bold color, color scheme, , Design Ideas, Dining Design, Dining Design Ideas
