Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Eclectic Dining Spaces

Gone are the days of purchasing an entire set of matching furniture! Although there are exceptions where a matching set can look great...mixing different pieces together looks much more interesting. To achieve an eclectic dining space you can make each chair different, mix different wood finishes and/or upholstery, incorporate benches or stools with chairs, play with the scale / proportion of the table and seating...among many other creative ideas. However, there's a fine line between "eclectic" and "hodgepodge" so you want to choose your pieces wisely. I must admit, my dining table and chairs match but I'm constantly brainstorming ways I can change the look without spending much $$$ (thinking of painting the chairs, which would definitely help). What's your take on this style and design approach? What would you do to create an eclectic dining space of your own? 















14 comments:

  1. I love the mismatched look - the pic with the floral chairs is perfect!! I like a room where it looks like things have been collected over time and for different reasons, not fom the one shop to match like some of those renovating tv shows :)

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  2. I absolutely adore the mixed pastel chairs - they look like little icecreams!!!!! xx

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  3. I have the black version of that S-chair in the first picture and love it! We have a beautiful dining table that has been passed down for generations, and by the time it got to us the chairs had long been gone. So I added in the S-chairs for a little modern-meets-tradition and I think it really works.

    I'm also loving that tufted white bench in the 11th photo down. Where could I find such a beauty? I think that is dying to be in my home. :)

    Bre @ http://theredbungalow.blogspot.com

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  4. I really like the chairs with flowers on them! I've never seen those before! I want them!!! Great pics! xoxo

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  5. My first choice is picture #2 for the choice of chairs and the daring use of colour

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  6. I absolutely love the mix and match first photo,
    and those purple clear chair are gorgeous

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  7. Great post; I really love colors, so this is my style!

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  8. breautiful collection of photos girlie....LOVE them all!!!!!

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  9. I am realizing my fondness of eclectic dining areas, thank you! I think that the collection of different chairs is the trick. I am smitten over the first image. The huge slanted floor mirror is just icing on the cake. Xx

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  10. I am completely in love with those ice cream colored chairs with the handles on top. And that bright dining nook with the citrus-colored picnic table is totally my style. I mixed up my own look a bit ago by adding a rush-seated bench to one side of the table and the four matching chairs are now two on one side and one at each end. If I find a great pair of chairs (what style, I have no idea), I'd love to swap them in for two fo the four. Just for fun.

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  11. Fabulous photos! I love the grey walled one, which is going to be the next color of my foyer. And the stark white with black lantern like fixture is a favorite too.

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  12. I love the contemporary take on a fifties kitchen/dining room in the ninth photo; I've rarely seen that look executed so well.

    XO
    Carly

    All this is Grace and Charm
    http://allthisgraceandcharm.blogspot.com

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  13. The 2nd picture is Holly Dyment's house. See more at www.hollydymentdesign.com

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  14. The first room is oh so perfect! All are, but the first one is my favourite. Great blog.
    Congratulations.
    Anna

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Thank you for your comments! I appreciate you stopping by :)