Saturday, August 7, 2010

This Week's Ideabook On Houzz: Mixed Company

Why just pull up identical chairs to a table? Mix it up by selecting two or more styles of chairs and begin inviting the guests. Including a bench in the mix is also a great way to achieve this unexpected and often eclectic look. Though as you'll see, this design trend can also be used with success in more understated spaces.

Mag Mile 2 contemporary dining room

What a fun example of mixed seating at a dining room table. Blue, yellow and orange fabric, along with a stripe, cover chairs in varying styles. The unique collection is pushed up to a Lucite based table, sitting under a modern glass chandelier. It is somewhat surprising how this arrangement is placed in a room featuring classic architecture and a subdued color palette. Maybe this is why these selections work.

Designer Dining Rooms  dining room

Here the opposite approach is taken, with an equally successful result. Deep gray walls are a strong backdrop for the worn pale wood present on both the table and all the seating, with the exception of the dark wood stool. The inclusion of the Louis XV settee clearly defines the space.

FORMA Design contemporary dining room

Often mixing seating styles at a table results in a very eclectic look, but here it becomes a successful element in a modern, understated dining room. The coordinating white bench and chairs create a sophisticated mix paired with the sculptural stools placed at each end of the table. I love how these stools are in the same design as the table base. It all adds up to a very cohesive design that still has an element of surprise.

To see more excellent examples of this fun trend click here to read the entire Houzz Ideabook.

Have a great weekend...Janell

All images from Houzz
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14 comments:

L.Duncan@Home23DuncanBoys said...

We recently purchased our dining room table and I did buy for of the matching chairs. BUT, I'm on the look out for two wing back chairs for the heads of the table! Wing backs+fabulous fabric=GORGEOUS!!!

Have a great weekend!

Janell @ Isabella and Max said...

That works for me! I love this look, thinking about mixing it up when I address my kitchen nook...one of these days! Janell

Tonia @Chic Modern Vintage said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tonia @Chic Modern Vintage said...

It's nothing like a good mix, and LaKeitha, I have two modern-ish wingback chairs if you want them. I can load them on Greyhound?

Karen@StrictlySimpleStyle said...

I think this is a fun look, but I'm afraid if I tried this in my own suburban midwest home, my friends and neighbors just might think I'd lost it a little.

Erika at BluLabel Bungalow said...

What a great look and far much better than purchasing the entire suite. This look appears to have a more thoughtful approach. Great topic Janell!

AB HOME Interiors said...

I agree with Erika. It definitely has a more thoughtful look. More collected and special!
xo
amanda

michiganhome said...

After reading this post and paging down to the bottom of it, I saw the first picture of your Aug. 6 post again with fresh eyes, and you know what I saw? I saw how awesome it would look if the cabinet color matched the mirror frame. Don't kill me!:) What do you think?

Sally J said...

I'm a big fan of mixing things up. I really like using a cool bench, especially when clients have kids. I remember liking sitting on a bench when I was a kid. I'm in the process of changing my chairs...at least some of them, and a bench is on my list. Just a word of caution...always check seat height!!
www.divinedistractions.blogspot.com

Janell @ Isabella and Max said...

Sally J...
Yes!! I love your comments as you bring so much experience and knowledge to the table, pointing out details that many of us with less experience may overlook! Janell

LindsB said...

I love the idea of mixing pieces, I think it makes for a collected over time look :)

Lady Carlson said...

I have a chocolate brown dining room (deep chocolate)...I have a table (no chairs yet) I am thinking of painting black...do you this the dark table + a dark room is a bad design choice...???

Lady Carlson said...

I have a chocolate brown dining room (deep chocolate)...I have a table (no chairs yet) I am thinking of painting black...do you this the dark table + a dark room is a bad design choice...???

Kelly said...

I like the idea of mixing seating, but really prefer if the pieces have some sort of balance, in terms of scale, and a similar relationship to the table.

Also, have we seen the nook you speak of?! Now I'm intrigued!

Kelly