Last week we discussed making a breakfast area more intimate. To continue the theme and go a little further, I would like to discuss another project that made a big difference just by changing a few things.
Again, as you can see in the before picture, the breakfast area was cold, uninviting and had little personality.
The oval table fit the space perfectly, so it was good to stay. In such a nook it was helpful to have rounded edges on the table for easy access around the table. A curved detail also pops a little more in such a rectangular space, with rectangular doors and windows.
I decided to add decorative fabric drapery panels only on the far window. This helped to make the area seem deeper, giving a nice backdrop and a sense of dimension.
I found a fabric that the client liked.
It was a multicolored crewel fabric that brought in some fresh, pretty colors. The treatment also frames the window nicely. I tend to have drapery panels made the length that is halfway between the top of the window molding and the bottom of the crown molding.
The hardware then sits a little above that halfway point. I try not to go too high or too low. Too low doesn’t read “custom” and too high looks like you tried too hard. If a volume ceiling is involved, even more considerations should be made. Shades were added on all of the windows for light filtering/blocking.
The main change was the chandelier.
The original was dark and boring and looked like something straight out of the early 1980s. The shades on each light bulb only added to the dark feel. And the size was too small.
Keeping in mind the rectangular architecture of the room, I found a fabulous round chandelier. I selected a metallic gold finish so that it would reflect light more than the original bronze.
The bulbs are not covered, so they emit plenty of light when turned on. Metallic finishes are very popular on today’s home decor. The sheen adds a certain depth not achieved by flat or matte finishes.
And don’t hesitate to mix metals. Sometimes things can become too “matchy.” Mixing metals, if brought together properly, give a well-thought-out design scheme.
