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.

Contemporary Residence

User

Bay Pearl

Kirsten Johnstone Architecture

Double Storey Extension - Ashgrove, Brisbane

Smith & Sons Renovations & Extensions Ashgrove

Paddington Residence

Alena Smith Interior Design

Penthouse Apartment Renovation

Mal Corboy Design

This penthouse apartment has glorious 270-degree views, and when we engaged to complete the extensive renovation, we knew that this apartment would be a visual masterpiece once finished. So we took inspiration from the colours featuring in many of their art pieces, which we bought into the kitchen colour, soft furnishings and wallpaper. We kept the bathrooms a more muted palette using a pale green on the cabinetry. The MC Lozza dining table, custom-designed wall units and make-up area added uniqueness to this space.

Meriden Residence

Studio Steinbomer

Dining room after the renovation. Construction by RisherMartin Fine Homes Interior Design by Alison Mountain Interior Design Landscape by David Wilson Garden Design Photography by Andrea Calo

Monterey Heights Remodel - Kitchen Breakfast Nook

Gisela Schmoll Architect, PC

Two rooms with three doors were merged to make one large kitchen. Architecture by Gisela Schmoll Architect PC Interior Design by JL Interior Design Photography by Thomas Kuoh Engineering by Framework Engineering

Minnesota Residence

O’Hara Interiors

Martha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Design | L. Cramer Builders + Remodelers, Builder | Troy Thies, Photography | Shannon Gale, Photo Styling Please Note: All “related,” “similar,” and “sponsored” products tagged or listed by Houzz are not actual products pictured. They have not been approved by Martha O’Hara Interiors nor any of the professionals credited. For information about our work, please contact design@oharainteriors.com.

Glenview Classic

Dual Concept Design

A transitional dining room, where we incorporated the clients' antique dining table and paired it up with chairs that are a mix of upholstery and wooden accents. A traditional navy and cream rug anchors the furniture, and dark gray walls with accents of brass, mirror and some color in the artwork and accessories pull the space together.

Harbor View

Kennedy Cole Interior Design

Vacation Home - Florida

Fifi and Coco Interiors

South Orange NJ Residence

YZDA | Yoshida + Zanon Design Atrium

Traditional dining room with wall papered ceiling

Joni Spear Interior Design

With the original tray ceiling being a dominant feature in this space we decided to add a luxurious damask wall covering to make the room more elegant. The abstract rug adds a touch of modernity. Host and hostess chairs were custom-made for the project.

Herb River Drive

Rethink Design Studio

Richard Leo Johnson

Formal Dining Room

Rhonda Vandiver-White

Photography by Dan Piassick

Relaxed Living

Julie Coppa Designs, Inc.

Firehouse Family House - Dining Room

Noz Design

Colin Price Photography

Dining Nook

Nine Dot Design

Virginia Highlands Home

WAKE + LOOM DESIGN

Dining Room Design Ideas with Grey Walls and Purple 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!