A feast for the eyes!
Trendy restaurants are influencing the way we decorate our homes, says Holly Thomas
DINING in is the new dining out. So from what better place to take away some five-star design tips for your dining room than your favourite restaurant?
The elegant style of an eaterie can make just as much of an impression as its delicious food.
‘Restaurants are turning up the style stakes with unique and trend- setting interiors, so it’s no wonder we are looking to recreate these designs in our own dining rooms,’ says Emma Deterding, creative director of interiors firm Kelling Designs.
‘There are many elements you can include to get that luxury restaurant aesthetic.’
Interpreting a style must fit in with your own taste. ‘Select a look that represents you and the type of gatherings you host,’ says interior designer Rebecca Lewis-Chapman, director of The IAD Company.
‘You may want to create a fine-dining experience for formal events, or something more artisan and relaxed for family get-togethers.’
TRY ‘TABLESCAPING’
THE easiest way to update a dining room is to display table-laying fit for a Michelinstarred restaurant, known as ‘tablescaping’.
For dinnerware, gone are the days of minimalist designs. Instead, break out your boldest patterned tableware, says Alison howell, design development manager at British pottery brand Burleigh.
Try the one-of-a-kind Burleigh collections designed in collaboration with Ralph Lauren home. The starry Midnight Sky range is a splurge, at £38 for a dinner plate and £32 for a cereal bowl ( burleigh.co.uk).
howell adds: ‘Mix and match patterns in the same hue to amplify the impact.’
Including a combination of colours and different materials on your table-top is a winning combination, says Philippa Prinsloo, head of home design at John Lewis.
‘Placemats and napkins create character and a feeling of luxury. Mixing your eclectic dinnerware with coloured table linens will give your guests a real feeling of occasion.’
PULL UP A CHAIR . . .
IF You’RE updating your chairs, then you should choose upholstered designs such as the ones used in Mayfair restaurant Sketch London’s famous pink dining room, according to Philippa Prinsloo.
‘They don’t all have to match,’ she adds, ‘ but you should keep to the same style or finish.’
She suggests John Lewis’s Velvet Moritz dining chairs, which come in three colours — amber, silver and ocean green — for £299 each ( johnlewis.com).
or, to save space, banquettes, such as the upholstered benches used at The Ivy restaurants, provide a unique take on seating, allowing for entertaining, relaxing and dining.
‘It gives you the flexibility to be as bold and daring as you like, for example with a jewel-toned or patterned velvet,’ says Emma Deterding.
When it comes to finding the right table, extendable dining tables will cater for all occasions. oak is modest, while walnut or dark oak have depth of colour and create a striking silhouette. Metallic finishes add a touch of glamour.
The Calia eight to 12- seater extending dining table is £899 ( johnlewis.com).
PICK A COLOUR SCHEME
WALL finishes have a huge impact on the mood a restaurant creates. Colour and texture should be chosen to mirror the style you are working towards.
In a fine-dining space, you could opt for classic wallpaper using deep, rich colours, which could be reflected in your upholstery and window dressing, too.
‘If you want something slightly cosier, paper-backed cork is a great option for walls and works brilliantly as an alternative to paint or regular wallpaper,’ says David harris, the design director at Andrew Martin. ‘It has a beautiful, warm, soft touch.
‘For a glamorous look, opt for metallic finishes, which work amazingly on walls.’
Try Ibos Cement, a grasscloth wall covering against silver foil, at £ 228 per roll ( andrewmartin.co.uk).
SEE THE LIGHT
‘ RESTAURANTS create serious drama with lighting,’ says Rebecca Lewis-Chapman. ‘To recreate this at home, look for statement pendant lights or a chandelier.’
For maximum impact, Frederick Fischer, the managing director of Lalique UK, suggests a large chandelier such as those seen at Cliveden house in Berkshire. ‘use a clear or soft-gold lustre crystal overhead, which can be dimmed to add drama and intimacy,’ he says.
Lalique’s chandeliers will set you back from an eye-watering £11,380.
For a more affordable high Street piece, try Next’s Ashdown six-light chandelier at £140 ( next.co.uk).
Fischer adds: ‘use table votives on the table-top instead of candlesticks so you can see your guests.’
FINISHING TOUCHES
HIGH-QUALITY glassware to match the drinks menu is a must. Showcase your collection for all to enjoy. ‘The art of display is something that is prominent in most restaurants, laying out everything from tableware and glassware, to collections of alcohol bottles and decorative pieces,’ says Deterding. This can easily be recreated with freestanding or built-in display cabinets. Deterding adds: ‘If you want to give your dining room a refresh, then use your favourite restaurant as inspiration and take a few ideas home with you.’