9 interior designer holiday dining room style ideas

With the Holidays just around the corner we've been invited by interior designers chat, http://interiordesignerchat.com/2013/11/10/intdesignerchat-nov-12-topic-how-to-bring-style-and-ingenuity-to-the-dining-room/ to share some holiday interior dressing tips which are special to each of us here at Wynter Interiors DSB and Stylemaker Magazine. We hope you enjoy reading them as much as we've enjoyed compiling them. Charmaine Wynter

        

                                                                                                 

They asked: The Holiday’s are all about lighting; what element do you focus most on? 

Tatjana Emer responded: I like adding candles of all shapes and sizes placed in groupings or clusters to my holiday table. I place some in decorative stemware, adding a small candle gives a little more sparkle to the table top. As well, I've used battery operated green wired lights with greenery to add a festive touch to a simple wreath; it allows me to add shimmer wherever it's needed ~similar to the image pictured above.

Interior designers chat asked:  What are your favorite dining room upgrades?

Charmaine Wynter responded: My two favorite upgrades to the dining room are:           

1. A statement chandelier- I saw a blinged out, honking Chrystal piece suspended above a mid-century modern table that sat atop a polished concrete floor in a New York loft years ago and I've never forgotten the impact!  

2. Decorative moulding on the walls -and the ceiling for that matter- weather traditional or transitional it creates a distinctive luxurious feeling to the space and a finely spun hand knotted wool rug...oops that's 3 :)

Interior designers chat asked: What services do you provide for dinning rooms?
Tatjana Emer responded: At Wynter Interiors Inc, we provide complete redesign services for clients. It includes: Space planning, colour consultation, designer wallpaper specification, millwork design, semi custom furniture selection, window covering fabrication, light plans, art and accessory installation. So all they have left to do is host a party!

They asked: What entertaining tips do you suggest for dining rooms during the holiday’s?  

Charmaine Wynter responded: With many of us living in open concept spaces...some say the dining room has gone the way of the dinosaur. I disagree, while we may no longer have the luxury of an entire room...ones' knee is no place to rest a meal. So whether you have a separate room with a dedicated dining set or simply compile a eating surface made out of a old door thrown atop ikea saw-horse legs for the day-

1. A stunning centerpiece is a must- so go big for grand impact intermixing candles, fruit and flowers.

2. Lighting is key- the pendent fixture is star for the day once the table is set.  No overhead light?
Don't  worry add standing lamps placed in all four corners of your room to enhance lighting & dramatic effect.

3. Comfort is important- select your seats wisely a sore tush shorten the life of any gathering no matter how great the wine!  

THE BEST BLACK-and-WHITE UPDATES EVER!

Welcome back Black and White!

"A Modern styled lounge in crisp white with black accents is saved from starkness

 by the floor to ceiling book shelf" Charmaine Wynter

Always classic and not conforming to colour schemes trends; black-and-white have always been
“in”. This designer style movement has spread from simple black-and-white bathroom designs to a
black-and-white palette all over the house. From dining rooms to bedrooms, this color combo is back in the forefront and gaining popularity. 

"A black-and-white bedroom is set off by a mix of metallic frames" Charmaine Wynter

This neutral colour pair can be seen together in rugs, wallpaper, art and the black -and-white pattern can also be found in accessories (lamp above Sold at DSB)   In essence, it's easy to include black-and-white into your space. As a neutral, it can be added to almost any décor to add a classic element that is always en vogue! Tatjana Emer 

Quick & Easy Hall Makeover that Won't Break the Bank!

Draperies, upholstery and rugs are simple and classic ways to add pattern to any room.  But, if you’re looking to add a quirky and hip element to enhance your space

let’s put aside those traditional ways of incorporating personality into your interior design.

Instead, Why not use wallpaper on the risers of each step?

" Various patterned wall coverings were used to highlight

this staircase's risers beautifully" Charmaine Wynter

"One can also achieve a graphic statement using the same wallpaper" Charmaine Wynter

This custom made declaration was for a client 

who wanted a unique sentiment displayed -but 

with limited wall space it was incorporated here!

How to get the look:

  

Select a beautiful designer wallpaper -this one is available through DSB

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Follow the manufacturer’s instruction for surface prep and installation

Cut to size and apply wallpaper to risers

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Enjoy your newly decorated space!  Victoria Seguin

How to Glam Up your Interior!

As promised in my last post How to Man Up your Interior here are my sure fire tips on  How to Glam up for Gals without looking like a sissy!  

 " The room is saved from being overly masculine in design, by the addition of these white sculpted  board room chairs" Charmaine Wynter

I bet you think my post is going to be about adding pretty pink floral pictures, satin pillows, ribbons and lace curtains, poofs and frilly accents like that, right?~ Not so. 

1. Start with the basics
When designing a room for female appeal its important to think with your senses; How things look, how they feel, as well as, how they smell plays a huge role in the way a gal enjoys a room.  For her, its natural to want to touch or feel so add a throw on the end of the bed or draped over the back of a sofa she won't be able to resist touching it...which could lead to her touching you!

2. Keep colors simple
A neutral colour scheme of white, black and grey creates a sense of harmony and an atmosphere of comfort that will never go out of style and will ensure that the room can be enjoyed by both sexes. But color is a strong draw for us gals ~ So add color as accent chairs, toss cushions or as trim detail- you can always move small items quickly, to another room on poker night.

" While manly in feel, the flowers flanking the bathroom vanity offer balance to an otherwise dominant decor" Charmaine Wynter

3. Remember your lighting

What woman doesn't want to be the queen of the castle? Fella's, rid yourself of hag lighting (tiny builder ceiling lights) Instead if you dare, hang a crystal chandelier which captures light and adds sparkle making her skin look enticing and showcases her at her irresistible best.

Finally remember guys, any space can be designed in a beautiful manner but when you enter a room that smells like hockey practice it's an instant girl chaser a simple way to feminize a space is to incorporate plants to keep it smelling fresh.

I'm sure these tips are enough to get you started;  should you need additional design help Look me up at www.wynterinteriors.com  Victoria Seguin

How to decorate with Black-and-White

Whatever the draw this fall, black-and-white color combinations have once again turned into the lux interior palette for design aficionados.

" The balance of white and black, and uniformity of furniture style ensure that this is a winning interior"

Tatjana Emer

Perhaps part of the appeal of the black-and-white combination is its more subdued monochromatic character ie, black suits- white shirt, black bag- white gloves. Perhaps the appeal is its classic richness - the black dress coupled with white pearls or the black tux and white tails. Or perhaps the appeal is its timelessness- a black car always looks grand with a white leather interior....

This white trim moulding is visually balanced by the white dining set and lends an almost sculptural quality to the chartreuse chandelier.

Since the advent of color, black-and-white often connotes something "nostalgic", historic or anachronistic and now with fashion mags touting; Get back to black-and-white one can hardly miss that this winning duo are once again in the spotlight for on trend interiors.  Black and White together, are truly yet another medium in which we can showcase our artistic design sensibilities to their full capacity so now that you've looked at some of the interiors be sure to post a comment telling me your favorite. Charmaine Wynter

3 Designer secrets about Color

"We not only play with style to evoke design greatness, we also manipulate space with color" Charmaine Wynter Design Principal Wynter Interiors Inc

A boldly hued orange paint balances out Art Deco styled furnishing in this decor     www.wynterinteriors.com

Color is an extremely important and effective tool in an interior designers arsenal.  We often use bright, bold warm hues to make an object appear larger, or nearer.  We also use color to designate gender~ for instance to add a stronger masculine feel to the room pictured; we deepened the Orange paint applied to the walls. 

"Shades of spice and paprika were used to balance the black lacquer furnishing and strong Art Deco styled elements" Charmaine Wynter

Had we wanted to create a much more feminine feel we could use a less saturated Orange paint on the walls; in tints of coral, flesh tone or peach. Sakshi D. Kapoor