Easy Dining Room Makeover

A dining room can be such a fantastic place to entertain, but it can easily be underused if you often eat in the kitchen or in front of the telly instead. Here are a few hints to make it a more special place to spend time?

1) Adding a table cloth and a vase (a pint glass or milkbottle will do for that 'shabby chic' look that is very in at the moment) full of flowers (pick wild ones from your garden/balcony or pick a small bunch of something simple like freesias and gypsophila at your local florist/supermarket) adds instant homely atmosphere to a dining room.

2) Light some candles and turn down the lights to add mood. This doesn't have to be romantic (although it certainly is!) - it is equally relaxing and a lovely way to end a stressful day at work.

3) Create instant new chairs by covering your existing ones with a pretty disguise. All you need is a couple of old sheets and some ribbon. I would recommend batch-dyeing sheets with Dylon Machine Dye (really easy, just follow the instructions on the packet) to a colour that coordinates with your curtains and carpet, then cutting each sheet in half. Your local haberdashers/John Lewis will stock ribbon - I'd choose quite wide ribbon in a similar colour, or another colour in your scheme, eg brown ribbon on cream sheets, or gold ribbon on burgundy sheets for a lovely warm look. You'll need about 1 - 1 ½ metres per chair, depending on the width of the back of the chair. Drape the half-sheet over the chair lengthways, so that the seat and the back are covered, and tie the ribbon around the back of the chair above the seat, so that the fabric on the back of the chair is taut and secure. Tie a knot or a bow at the back, and, hey presto, 'new' dining room chairs!

4) Antique tablecloths and dresses can be cut up to make colourful napkins - simply cut into squares and hem or overlock the edges to make unique napkins you'll never see anywhere else.

Start making supper time a special time that you spend together as a couple or family - a place where you have the chance to talk and share the day's successes and disappointments without the distractions of the television, or even the washing-up (at least not until afterwards!). Enjoy!

Emma Cooper Tarry is the founder and owner of I-Candi Designs (http://www.i-candi.co.uk or by calling +44 (0)1227 860886 or emailing emma@i-candi-designs.co.uk.

MORE RESOURCES:

RELATED ARTICLES

Great Tips for Choosing Furniture
You're finally going to do it! No I don't mean tie the knot, I mean your finally ready to buy that new furniture you've been dreaming about. We adorn our bodies with fashion which makes a statement about who we are.

For A Pleasant Smelling Home
If you're anything like me and the scent of something pleasant can instantly lift your mood, then a house that is pleasant smelling will be a constant lift-booster. Here are some ways to do it.

An Introduction to Wood Stoves
Wood stoves are like small fireplaces. They are inexpensive and can be built into a home or added later.

Use A Wallpaper Border For A Budget Backsplash
You can add some splash to your kitchen without spending a lot of money by applying a simple wallpaper border for a backsplash. You can get a pretty good bargain on borders in the closeout bin at your wallpaper store or home improvement center, but make sure they have enough of the border to go around the area you want to cover as these bargains are usually close outs and you might not be able to get more!Since most wallpapers come pre-pasted, applying the border is easy.

Home Decorating: Planning Lightning
When you are choosing a bathroom light fixtures or lightning for any room in your home, the first thing to take into account is how that room will be used and, thus, the type of lightning you will need. Light is very important in a room, because it affects colors and makes them seem lighter or darker.

Contemporary Bathroom Vanities
Minimal, linear, often metallic and futuristic, contemporary bathroom vanities come in modern finishes such as brushed nickel and chrome, and are usually free of extraneous ornament and decoration. The result can be a synergistic blend of strength and beauty.

Bathroom Vanity Lights: Tips Before Buying Vanity Bathroom Lights
Bathroom vanity lights are often overlooked in a bathroom. Artificial light from vanity bathroom lights and general lighting is important during hours when natural light is not available.

Decorate Yourself Happy: How to Decorate For Everyday Pleasure/Joy
Because psychologists relate true happiness to joyous occurrences happening frequently, decorating your home to promote everyday pleasure makes sense. If you're planning a home makeover, provide for the cumulative total of all the little pleasure moments.

Grandfather Clock Repair
A well-made grandfather clock is an heirloom piece, designed to be handed down from generation to generation. As such, they are made to last over several lifetimes.

Decorating Your Kitchen With Antique Plates
Antique plates can add whimsy and interest to your décor. Many people hang them right on the walls for a unique look.

Granite Countertop Colors
Granite, like marble and other stones, is as old as the earth. Granite is the second hardest stone (diamond being the first) and is created from molten rock.

Futon Slip Covers Protect While Adding A Decorative Designers Touch!
Futon slip covers do two things. Number one and most importantly, they protect your futon mattress from wear and tear.

Seven Ways to Emphasize a Decor Style
After searching decorating books, using trial and error decorating, and growing up a little bit, you have finally found the style of decorating that you really love. Your style could be Arts & Crafts, French Country, Asian, or Metro Hip.

How to Buy a Used Adjustable Bed
Mounting health costs and cuts to government funding are making people seek cheaper alternatives like used or secondhand adjustable beds. Used adjustable beds are no doubt cheaper than new ones, but a lot of care should be taken while buying a used adjustable bed.

Save Money & Time... Plan Home Decorating Projects
Why is planning home decorating projects important? Let's start by asking the following question.What do the following have in common?1) Boxes of odds & ends collecting dust in the basement2) Bags of discarded curtains, bedspreads and pillows in the attic3) Half empty paint cans stacked against a wall in the garageIt could mean you have a hard time parting with anything, however, in this case all these point to decorating attempts gone astray.

All You Need to Know About Murphy Bed Hardware
The Murphy bed, once the best way to fit into a small one-room apartment, has become a clever way to expand the functionality of a homeowner's living space-allowing a room to become a home office or studio, while, at the same time, to be a bedroom for the occasional guest. The cabinetry surrounding the bed can be as ornate or simple as the homeowner prefers, and can utilize any variety of wood, but the hardware that makes the unit a Murphy bed is basically similar in purpose from one bed to another.

How To Install Window Treatments Like A Pro
Tools needed: a battery operated screwdriver, screwdriver bits (Phillips and standard), hex head driver, tape measure, and scissors. Although no special tools are usually required when installing window treatments, it is suggested that you use a battery operated screwdriver or drill to make the job easier.

Blackout Blinds
Tired of waking every morning with a stripe of blinding sunlight across your eyes? Or perhaps you need a way to dim the lights in the baby's room so he'll nap, or in a conference room so that you can project a presentation on a screen. No matter why you need to block the light from entering a room, you will need the right window blinds for the job.

Designing Your Kid's Room is Child's Play!
Would your child's room benefit from some fresh design ideas and reorganization? Most could, but it can be hard to know where to begin and what concepts to use. Obviously, the age and personality of your child, not to mention your budget, will dictate much of the design concept.

Tiffany Lamps - The Artistry of Dale Tiffany
The art and craftsmanship of the original designs are evident in Dale Tiffany lamps. Dale Tiffany is the world's leading designer and manufacturer of quality reproductions and Tiffany style lamps.