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BY ROOM
Kitchen & Dining
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As the cornerstone of the home, the kitchen is where we nourish ourselves in more ways than one. It’s where we contemplate thoughts over coffee each morning and regale our loved ones with tales of our day come suppertime. It’s the room we always gravitate to at parties and where we find ourselves, night after night, cathartically braving the built-up dishes. So, as much as the kitchen is a practical, hard-working space, it’s also a personal and lively one. Even if you can’t cook, won’t cook, here are a few ways to put the fun in functional (sorry)…
To create a kitchen that you want to spend time in, approach its décor like you would a living room. Start by thinking about print and colour: “Clean and fresh shades make for an inviting kitchen and comfortable workspace for preparing meals,” says our Decorating Consultant, Steve Corcoran, “whereas if you go too dark, it can make it tricky to see what you’re doing!” Try working the wallpaper into unexpected crevices, too – let it hover above the stove, line a cutlery drawer or peek out from behind an open shelf. Speaking of shelves, line yours with recipe books (who cares if they’re just for show?) alongside displays of your finest crockery – you could even go so far as to match the chinaware with your chosen print or colour scheme. "As William Morris says, everything in your home should either be useful or beautiful – but by using pots, pans and utensils that add to the aesthetic of the space as well as being purposeful, you won’t have to worry about hiding them away all the time,” says Steve.
COME DINE…
Whether your dining room is open plan or occupies its own cosy nook away from the kitchen, the same rules apply: to connect the space to the rest of the house, simply embellish it with the prints and pieces you love. Conversation-starting wallpaper will set the mood for dinner parties (and after-dinner drinks), while statement lighting and treasured artwork serve up extra slices of drama. “Just don’t be scared of using print in the kitchen or dining room,” says Steve. “Simply sealing your chosen wallpaper with a matte decorators varnish (our favourite is Poylvine’s Dead Flat) will give it a durable finish, so you won’t have to worry about any splashes or spillages.”
TOP TIP
BEST SEATS IN THE HOUSE
Reupholstering (rather than buying new) is good for your pocket and the environment.
For those who prefer just a slither of print, try reupholstering your dining chairs or bar stools in our British-made fabrics. Whether you opt for crisp cotton-linen or sumptuous velvet, all our designs boast a rub count of 40,000+, making them as hardwearing and family-friendly as they are irresistible to the eye.
Put all the above design ingredients together and what have you got? A kitchen and dining area you will want to linger in from dawn ’til dusk, a space where you can relax and let your mind wander over some good food – or while you’re elbow-deep in washing-up suds at the end of the night.
In our House, we also can’t get enough of plants. From clusters of geraniums to giant leafy ferns.
In our House, we also can’t get enough of plants. From clusters of geraniums to giant leafy ferns, botanicals have the unique power to infuse a room with colour, vitality and life. But amidst all this, the loveliest addition might just be to carve out your own quiet little nook.
In our House, we also can’t get enough of plants. From clusters of geraniums to giant leafy ferns.
In our House, we also can’t get enough of plants. From clusters of geraniums to giant leafy ferns, botanicals have the unique power to infuse a room with colour, vitality and life. But amidst all this, the loveliest addition might just be to carve out your own quiet little nook.
In our House, we also can’t get enough of plants. From clusters of geraniums to giant leafy ferns.
In our House, we also can’t get enough of plants. From clusters of geraniums to giant leafy ferns, botanicals have the unique power to infuse a room with colour, vitality and life. But amidst all this, the loveliest addition might just be to carve out your own quiet little nook.
We unwind here on evenings and weekends. We entertain here, whether it’s our guests or ourselves – breathing in all the films, music and books that inspire us. We may even work from home or play with the kids here. It’s a lot to ask, and yet the lounge plays these parts seamlessly, shapeshifting to fit our varying moods and needs throughout the day. And that’s without mentioning that as the most social, visible space in our home, we also want our living rooms to look jaw-droppingly cool to anyone who might pop round unannounced.
The trick? To not pitch that seemingly obvious focal point, the television, as the centre of attention. Instead, draw the eye towards something infinitely more beautiful, whether that’s a feature fireplace, a magnificent mirror or an enlivening view out the window. This is one room where exquisite wallpaper can actually play second fiddle for a change, serving as the perfect backdrop to an astonishing piece of art or a gallery of framed photographs.
When it comes to furniture (which can also be a scene stealer in its own right), your choice will likely be dictated by the number of family members and friends who will regularly be hanging out here: will a cosy two-seater sofa be enough, or will you also need a chaise longue and a few ‘bottomans’ for your visitors to park their, um, bottoms on? If your existing seats are well-loved, but perhaps a little too well-worn, recovering them in a new fabric – be it a sumptuous printed velvet or a smooth cotton-linen – can be enough to make you want to snuggle up on them all over again.
The last few pieces of the puzzle are the myriad layers and textures that make a space so inviting. Think a coffee table stacked with books and tactile cushions in an intriguing mix of shapes, sizes and patterns – all things which are easy to move around until you find a combination that appeals to you. A mantelpiece, if you’re lucky enough to have one, is even more swoon-worthy with the addition of eye-catching candelabras, hand-painted porcelain candle pots and treasured keepsakes you’ll have picked up on your travels.
If your existing seats are well-loved, but perhaps a little too well-worn, be it a sumptuous printed velvet or a smooth cotton-linen – can be enough to make you want to snuggle up on them all over again.
When it comes to furniture (which can also be a scene stealer in its own right), your choice will likely be dictated by the number of family members and friends who will regularly be hanging out here: will a cosy two-seater sofa be enough, or will you also need a chaise longue and a few ‘bottomans’ for your visitors to park their, um, bottoms on? If your existing seats are well-loved, but perhaps a little too well-worn, recovering them in a new fabric – be it a sumptuous printed velvet or a smooth cotton-linen – can be enough to make you want to snuggle up on them all over again.
A mantelpiece, if you’re lucky enough to have one, is even more worthy.
The last few pieces of the puzzle are the myriad layers and textures that make a space so inviting. Think a coffee table stacked with books and tactile cushions in an intriguing mix of shapes, sizes and patterns – all things which are easy to move around until you find a combination that appeals to you. A mantelpiece, if you’re lucky enough to have one, is even more swoon-worthy with the addition of eye-catching candelabras, hand-painted porcelain candle pots and treasured keepsakes you’ll have picked up on your travels.
If your existing seats are well-loved, but perhaps a little too well-worn, be it a sumptuous printed velvet or a smooth cotton-linen – can be enough to make you want to snuggle up on them all over again.
When it comes to furniture (which can also be a scene stealer in its own right), your choice will likely be dictated by the number of family members and friends who will regularly be hanging out here: will a cosy two-seater sofa be enough, or will you also need a chaise longue and a few ‘bottomans’ for your visitors to park their, um, bottoms on? If your existing seats are well-loved, but perhaps a little too well-worn, recovering them in a new fabric – be it a sumptuous printed velvet or a smooth cotton-linen – can be enough to make you want to snuggle up on them all over again.
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When it comes to furniture, your choice will likely be dictated
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When it comes to furniture, your choice will likely be dictated by the number of family members and friends who will regularly be hanging out here
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When it comes to furniture, your choice will likely be dictated by the number of family members and friends who will regularly be hanging out here
“We will never stop fighting for this planet, for ourselves, our future and for the future of our children and grandchildren.”
- Greta Thunberg, Environmental Activist
