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.

Alma Residence

Frits de Vries Architect Ltd.

Balcones

Soledad Builders, LLC

In lieu of a formal dining room, our clients kept the dining area casual. A painted built-in bench, with custom upholstery runs along the white washed cypress wall. Custom lights by interior designer Joel Mozersky.

Organic Modern, Cordillera Ranch

NR Interiors

We fully furnished this open concept Dining Room with an asymmetrical wood and iron base table by Taracea at its center. It is surrounded by comfortable and care-free stain resistant fabric seat dining chairs. Above the table is a custom onyx chandelier commissioned by the architect Lake Flato. We helped find the original fine artwork for our client to complete this modern space and add the bold colors this homeowner was seeking as the pop to this neutral toned room. This large original art is created by Tess Muth, San Antonio, TX.

Riverbend

CLB Architects

In the main volume of the Riverbend residence, the double height kitchen/dining/living area opens in its length to north and south with floor-to-ceiling windows. Residential architecture and interior design by CLB in Jackson, Wyoming – Bozeman, Montana.

Haus im Ammertal

LARS POPP & FRIENDS

Vernacular Modern

Rehkamp Larson Architects, Inc.

Scott Amundson Photography

Big Fir Vineyard

Prentiss Balance Wickline Architects

A feature unique to this house, the inset nook functions like an inverted bay window on the interior, with built-in bench seating included, while simultaneously providing built-in seating for the exterior eating area as well. Large sliding windows allow the boundary to dissolve completely here. Photography: Andrew Pogue Photography.

No 36

Jessica Gething Design

design by Jessica Gething Design built by R2Q Construction photos by Genevieve Garruppo kitchen by Plain English

Tahoma

McClellan | Tellone

Bendemeer Residence

HARO Flooring New Zealand

Midcentury Moroccan Loft Kitchen, Living/Guest Room | Kimball Starr Interior Des

Kimball Starr Interior Design

Looking under the edge of the loft into the guest bedroom on left, with opaque walls opened up and a Murphy bed closed on the wall. In front, a pair of patterned slipper chairs and a Moroccan metal table. Between is an opaque wall of the guest bedroom, which separates the dining space, featuring mid-century modern dining table and chairs in coordinating colors of wood and blue-green striped fabric.

La Cabane du Lac

Studio Pépites

Vue banquette sur mesure en béton ciré. Projet La Cabane du Lac, Lacanau, par Studio Pépites. Photographies Lionel Moreau.

Wine Country Rustic

BK Interior Design

Perched on a hilltop high in the Myacama mountains is a vineyard property that exists off-the-grid. This peaceful parcel is home to Cornell Vineyards, a winery known for robust cabernets and a casual ‘back to the land’ sensibility. We were tasked with designing a simple refresh of two existing buildings that dually function as a weekend house for the proprietor’s family and a platform to entertain winery guests. We had fun incorporating our client’s Asian art and antiques that are highlighted in both living areas. Paired with a mix of neutral textures and tones we set out to create a casual California style reflective of its surrounding landscape and the winery brand.

Paris - Tiny House Wabi-sabi sur les toits de Paris

Projet Wabi-sabi

Projet de Tiny House sur les toits de Paris, avec 17m² pour 4 !

PS22 | Einfamilienhaus in Prien am Chiemsee

PW.QUADRAT | Wagner Weinzierl Architekten

Park City Modern

Williams Metcalf Interiors

D Residence Custom Home

Via Builders, Inc.

Stealth Farmhouse

Lurie Building Design

Mid-Century Modern Envy in Oakland

Lauren's Interiors

Dining Room Design Ideas with Concrete Floors and Wood

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!