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Thursday, October 23, 2008

Dining Room Wall Decor - Part II

In part I of my dining room wall posts, I showed pictures from my inspiration files in which there are mirrors on the wall of the dining room. I think that mirrors work so well in a room that is mainly used during the evening; perhaps it is because candlelight reflects so beautifully in a mirror, and a mirror can highlight and enhance a chandelier.

Another common theme in my dining room inspiration files is art in the dining room; most of the art that captures my eye is contemporary art. I particularly like when designers pair contemporary art with traditional furniture, and isn't the dining room usually one of the more traditional rooms in the house? To me, it is the perfect place to experiment with contemporary art.

Which came first, the painting or the molding? I love this dining room by Caldwell-Beebe, because the neutral color scheme really makes the contemporary art the star of the show. (Hmmm...where is the chandelier? I have gazed upon this picture so many times, but never noticed that there is no chandelier).

Gerrie Bremermann, one of my favorite designers, creates beautiful dining room scenes. It helps that she has such great architecture to work with; she lives and works in New Orleans, and many of the homes in her portfolio are large Garden District manors. Here, one of my favorite looks: traditional furniture, billowing silk curtains, and contemporary art. I love the juxtaposition of the old and the new, the antique and the contemporary. Image via Cote de Texas.

The Cy Twombly takes up an entire wall in this dining room, and isn't it much more dramatic than a buffet? I am assuming that the owner of the house does not have young kids who will smear the priceless painting with dirty hands. Interior design by Jan Showers, image via Habitually Chic. (I don't see a chandelier here either - maybe it is the camera angle?)

The architect for this home is Bill Baker. Pictures only reflect two sides of a room, so there may be something else on another wall, but this is the side that the photographer chose to feature. I think it is interesting that there is a painting with nothing underneath, as you would typically expect a buffet or cabinet. I love the sconces on either side of the painting, and the chandelier is striking.

(Sidenote: Bill Baker is a well known architectural designer in Atlanta, and it is interesting to note that this is the architect that Suzanne Kasler chose for the complete renovation of her own 1930s Georgian. I am keeping my fingers crossed that her new home is published in one of the shelter magazines sometime in 2009)

This is the picture that almost caused me to almost change the decor of my entire house! The chandelier is gorgeous, and I love how the large wall of the room is broken into an alcove that is the perfect size for a console, two lamps, and a great piece of contemporary art. Interior design by Shane Reilly.

Again, the photographer chose the angle, so we cannot see what is on the wall, but a small painting in between the windows makes a lovely vignette. Interior designby Kimberly Seldon.

Another dining room from one of my favorite designers, Jim Hawes of Caldwell-Beebe. A beautiful table, a great chandelier, and a nice piece of art above the buffet. The French doors add to the light and clean feel of the room.

I saved this picture because of the beautiful painting, which takes the room from good to great.

I should know who did the interior design of this room...but I did not make note of it! Please e-mail or comment if you know the designer of this colorful and varied room. There is a lot going on, and the art on the wall really provides a soothing balance to the activity in the room. (Update: the interior design is by Sheila Bridges)

I originally saved this picture because of the contemporary art, but I just noticed that the chairs are the Barbara Barry for Baker script chairs. I love it when you save a picture, and see something new whenever you look at it. Interior design by Steven Miller.

Last but not least, a dining room by Suzanne Kasler. I am not a fan of pink, but I love Suzanne's style, I love the console, and I love sconces in a dining room, so this room became part of the dining room file. The artwork is not my style, but it is an interesting shape and emphasizes the horizontal rather than the vertical. It actually looks like a stretched piece of fabric, or even a panel of handpainted wallpaper.

I started this series to help me clarify what I like in a dining room. My conclusion: I love contemporary art on the wall, especially when it contrasts with traditional furniture. For the time being, I have a nice mirror in my own dining room, because it was easier for me to find a mirror than a great piece of contemporary art (I am very particular when it comes to art). I will still keep my eyes open for the perfect piece of art, but like everyone else, I am not out there making any unneccesary purchases. That's most of the fun, though...the search, not the purchase.

For more dining room wall decor, please see part I and part III.

23 comments:

  1. Great post and great pictures. The picture of the dining room with the green walls is Sheila Bridges.

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  2. Love this post.So mmany ideas and inspirations.

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  3. I love the luminesence on the walls by Jan Showers. I have a pic on my blog of the entry hall of that same house and it just glows and is so chic. I love her - I am in Dallas and always in her shop when I need French 40's deco inspired objects and furnishings for clients. Divine!

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  4. I absolutely love the beauty of mixing contemporary art with traditional decor. Be sure to see my latest paintings.....

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  5. Thanks for the comments! I will update the picture from Sheila Bridges. Avidhome, which one is Jan Showers - the one with the Cy Twombly? I had no idea! I would love to see the magazine feature on this home. I think I know what the entry hall picture looks like, and it is one of my favorite pictures from Jan SHowers' portfolio. Starburst mirror, I believe, above a chest?

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  6. I think given the current economic turmoil, creating a place to dine, to digest, to discuss and to have dessert is truly the best revenge. A kitchen and dining table often are the hub of a home.

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  7. PVE, you are right. I have always focused more on my home than on clothes, makeup, and jewelry, because I prefer to feather my nest than to get all dressed up for others.

    I must admit, though, that it feels a bit strange to be posting about interior design when our economy is absolutely reeling right now. I like your perspective: creating a more inviting dining room encourages us to focus on the more important things in life - family and home.

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  8. I agree so much about having a cozy nest for the family to just , relax, unwind and put stress behind. It is difficult in this economy, however we are all thinking of ideas that can make a difference, inexpensively. After reading Eddie's post,I found a large Mondrian style scarf in navy, fushia, and gold, voila a new pillow!

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  9. I, too, have been looking for new art for my dining room, which also has a large mirror in it, which I've become bored with (the crux of being a designer I think!) I like the Cy Twombly pic with the metallic wall. Gorgeous!

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  10. i love the juxtaposition between the twombly and the chairs. a odd mix but very nice.

    r.

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  11. I LOVE dining rooms... I LOVE to entertain... and there is no better place than to sit around a table and visit! LOVELY post!

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  12. wonderful pictures all! soooo - how's your dining room coming these days?

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  13. My dining room project has come to a halt...I am not in the mood to spend money these days! I need to reframe a few etchings and get something to flank the mirror - possibly sconces (I am so tired of the plates I had on the wall), and I want to get a simple rug for the floor instead of the elaborate oriental silk rug that has been in the dining room for a decade. But, I am certainly impacted by the mood of caution that is pervasive in the country right now.

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  14. We love that you share your views on art and its importance to a room. As a couple of photographers who focus on selling premium wall art, we couldn't agree more!

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  15. Great post. My soft spot in a house is were the food is, and dining rooms are close to heaven for me!

    I will say that even though the economy is reeling and free spending has slowed...if you are going to spend, spend wise by using a designer if you need one. I have watched several clients cut out their designers (me included to save $ and they are making mistakes that are costing them twice to fix and their spouses are rather unhappy about that.

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  16. Alex, I wholeheartedly agree with you. Spending money on a designer is a very good use of money. I think that good designers have an eye for proportion that novices do not, and having that expert eye involved in a project usually makes purchases work much better.

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  17. You are so right. Contemporary art is just the thing to spark dinner conversation and update more traditional furnishings. One of these days, I want a huge Carolyn Carr for my dining room. (Hear that, Santa?)

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  18. It's so much fun to hear about your design process.
    I think you have convinced me that contemporary art looks lovely in a dining room. I also like the softness of oval back dining chairs in the rooms designed by Suzanne Kesler and Jan Showers.

    xo
    Brooke

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  19. I love the warmth of the diningroom in the second photo, it is so welcoming and elegant yet cozy. Thank you for this wonderful post, I found it very inspirational!

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  20. Oh that waterfall like chandelier is absolutely breathtaking!

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  21. I'm working on my dining room right now, so I appreciated these inspirational photos. I never would've thought to put pink in a dining room, but this one's really lovely. Thanks! :-)

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  22. Yes correct! One of my favorite images - luxe, elegant, and a dash of glam!

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  23. great blog some how i found you when i was researching things on our sons birth defect esophageal atresia and other complications. i wish you nothing but the best. I was also wondering if there is anyway if i put your link on my site if you would be able to return the favor and add my ink on your sight, i again wish you the best.

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