Artfully arched

If you love to eat and spend time with your friends and family, your ‘happy place’ within your home is likely your dining room.

Whether you’re looking to redecorate or simply need a little inspiration to liven things up, a fresh coat of Resene paint can help get it in tip-top shape for both dinner parties and everyday use. This eclectic dining room brings a number of colour and design trends together to create a unique and engaging space for entertaining that’s chockfull of character.

The dominant hue, lilac, is a newly emerging colour trend that has come about as a divergence from the sunset pinks that have hugely become popular during recent years. The back wall features two of the most fashionable variations Resene has to offer: Resene Dreamtime (left) and Resene Mozart (right). When balanced with classics like black, white and mid-range grey, what is typically considered a very feminine colour becomes much less precious and pretty and much more sophisticated.

A painted arch in Resene Black (outline) and Resene Alabaster (inside) shows a clever way to visually expand the space, creating the illusion that there is another room beyond. The shape has strong ties to Art Deco design, which has swung back into popularity in recent times. It also creates a space to frame and bring attention to a shelf, painted Resene Dreamtime, displaying artwork, trinkets and treasures. While most of the accessories are fairly neutral, a mask-like statue painted Resene Mozart becomes a standout by tying in the accent wall colour. The thick black wavy line on the lampshade, painted in Resene Black, imitates the thick line of the arch despite it being a different shape. The legs of the dining table, painted Resene Blackjack, echoes it in much the same way, too.

The floor, painted in Resene Walk-on tinted to Resene Half Stack, features a circular painted rug in Resene Alabaster to define the dining area. In a room where spills are a constant concern, a painted rug is much easier to keep clean than a textile one. Plus, it removes the possibility of it becoming a tripping hazard. The best part? The shape itself mimics the white dining plates, created further continuity within the room.

By opting to include a smoky translucent ‘ghost chair’ rather than a matching solid white version, the room gets the benefit of having just as much seating without feeling overcrowded as its see-through nature keeps it from taking up as much visual space. It’s a great strategy to employ if your room is a little short on space.

The windows have been dressed in gauzy Resene Harmony Voile curtains in Blonde, which features wide, modern stripes with a fine herringbone detail. The light-filtering fabric adds to the softness of the space, creating a relaxing room where you and your loved ones can wind down the last hours of the day.

If lilac or lavender doesn’t tickle your fancy, other restful hues include pale blues and greens. Try swapping Resene Dreamtime and Resene Mozart with Resene Mystery and Resene Raindance or Resene Kandinsky with Resene Nourish for a completely different look that still maintains its sophistication and creativity without overwhelming. Or, go for a completely achromatic scheme with walls in a soft grey-white like Resene Merino or Resene Sea Fog.

Styling by Kate Alexander. Photography by Bryce Carleton. 2019