Dining Archives

Our latest lookbook explores homes where built-in benches or banquettes offer an inviting place to sit around the dining table, while also helping to save space.

Built-in seating is a popular solution in kitchens and dining rooms where the optimal position for a table is along a wall rather than in the centre of the space.

For homes where space is limited, a fixed bench can provide more seats than would otherwise be possible. It can also be a clever way of integrating extra storage, with concealed compartments under the seat.

The most straightforward approach is to build a fixed seat along one side of the table and then add dining chairs on the opposite side, although L-shaped or curved seating installations can also be possible, depending on the layout.

Whatever the design, the key to getting it right is ensuring that the table legs don’t clash with the base of the bench, so that it’s easy for people to get in and out.

Read on for 10 examples, ranging from a minimalist terrace in London to a warm and tactile family home in Melbourne.

This is the latest in our lookbook series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, other recent lookbooks feature colourful shower rooms and kitchens with tiled worktops.

10 Fold House, Australia, by Timmins + Whyte

This extension to a family home in Melbourne, designed by architecture and design studio Timmins + Whyte, includes a casual dining space that slots into a corner between the kitchen counter and the end wall.

The L-shaped bench is topped with peach-toned cushions, which match the warm tone of the mid-century-style oak table. As well as providing comfort, they conceal storage areas underneath.

Find out more about 10 Fold House ›

Spruce House by Ao-ft — Photo is by Rory Gardiner

Spruce House, UK, by Ao-ft

A bench seat forms an extension of the polished concrete floor in this cross-laminated timber-framed house in east London, designed by Ao-ft founders Liz Tatarintseva and Zach Fluker as their own home.

This is possible because the living space is slightly sunken. This means the concrete plinth, which actually sits at ground level, is the perfect height for sitting at the table.

Find out more about Spruce House ›

Project Karper by He! — Photo is by Tim Van de Velde

Karper, Belgium, by Hé!

This converted warehouse in Brussels was designed to serve as either a family home or a co-living building, so it features a range of different live and work spaces. One of these is a casual dining space located next to the kitchen on the second floor.

A custom-made bench anchors this space to the side wall. A matching table has a squashed circle shape, creating the feel of a round table while also aligning with the seating fixture.

Find out more about Karper ›

Dining space in Frame House by Bureau de Change — Photo is by Gilbert McCarragher

Frame House, UK, by Bureau de Change

When remodelling this south London terrace, architecture studio Bureau de Change added a three-tiered extension at the property’s rear.

The stepped terrazzo floor was designed to incorporate casual seating areas, with one of them serving as a seating area for the adjacent dining table.

Find out more about Frame House ›

Interior of Steele's Road House by Neiheiser Argyros — Photo is by Lorenzo Zandri

Steele’s Road House, UK, by Neiheiser Argyros

If a kitchen has a window bay, this can be a good place to create a seating area. This is what London studio Neiheiser Argyros did in its renovation of a Victorian terrace in the west of the city.

A curved banquette wraps the base of the window, framing a fixed cafe-style round table.

Find out more about Steele’s Road House ›

Dining room interior of Girona Street apartment in Barcelona, designed by Raúl Sanchez Architects — Photo is by José Hevia

Girona Street Apartment, Spain, by Raúl Sanchez Architects

Barcelona studio Raúl Sanchez Architects employed colour-blocking to create the dining space for this renovated apartment in the city’s Dreta de l’Eixample neighbourhood.

A seating bench and the wall behind it are both painted deep blue, in contrast with the white tones elsewhere, which gives the dining space an increased emphasis.

Find out more about Girona Street Apartment ›

Kitchen with perforated breeze black walls and a timber ceiling — Photo is by Tom Ross

Sunday, Australia, by Architecture Architecture

A kitchen island provides the backdrop to the dining table in this house in Melbourne designed by local studio Architecture Architecture.

Upholstered in a muted colour textile, the banquette has a cantilevered seat that slots neatly under a long, slender table, while traditional dining chairs are positioned on the opposite side.

Find out more about Sunday ›

Kitchen island with built-in bench seat at Scalloped Concrete House

Scalloped Concrete House, USA, by Laney LA

California-based studio Laney LA found another way to position a dining space beside a kitchen island for this home in Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles.

Instead of extending out, the bench seat is built into a recess within the wooden volume.

Find out more about Scalloped Concrete House ›

Dining table and bench seat in London terrace by O’Sullivan Skoufoglou Architects — Photo is by Ståle Eriksen

Kensington Place, UK, by O’Sullivan Skoufoglou Architects

In this extension of a mid-terrace property in London’s Kensington, a built-in bench allowed O’Sullivan Skoufoglou Architects to fit a dining table into a narrow space.

Built from plywood, the bench incorporates storage. It is slightly recessed at the base, while a backboard makes it feel more integrated with the wall behind.

Find out more about Kensington Place ›

Dining table with built-in banquette in Nido House by Angelucci Architects

Nido House, Australia, by Angelucci Architects

The ground floor spaces of this family home in Melbourne wrap around a glazed courtyard, so an L-shaped seat was the best solution for fitting in a dining table.

Designed by Angelucci Architects, the space incorporates a green leather banquette and a dining table featuring a marble surface and a base wrapped in ceramic tiles.

Find out more about Nido House ›

Reference

Dining area of Landaburu Borda by Jordi Hidalgo Tané

Interior Design

Eight open-plan interiors where dining tables take centre stage

By Zarkon Group,26/08/2023

A brutalist apartment in Belgium and a coastal house in Australia feature in this lookbook, which collects open-plan interiors where dining tables are the focal point.

With dining rooms often forming part of larger, multipurpose living areas in our homes, tables are an easy way to create a focal point that subtly breaks up space.

As demonstrated by this lookbook, dining tables also present an opportunity for homeowners to bring personal style into a room while carving out an intimate setting to entertain guests.

This is the latest in Dezeen’s lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks that feature interiors with reclaimed materials, art deco influences and sunny yellow finishes.

Landaburu Borda, Spain, by Jordi Hidalgo Tané

A dining table takes centre stage in this house extension, which architecture studio Jordi Hidalgo Tané added to Landaburu Borda in rural Navarra.

Supported by chunky metal legs, the table is formed of two giant pieces of wood and paired with bright red chairs that help it pop against a backdrop of concrete walls.

Find out more about Landaburu Borda ›

Riverside Tower apartment, Belgium, by Studio Okami Architecten

Studio Okami Architecten used the dining table as an opportunity to inject colour into this concrete apartment, which is located in a brutalist tower in Antwerp.

The bright aquamarine tabletop was married with slender red-metal legs, which draw the eye to the dining area with the help of a black ceramic chandelier plunging overhead.

Find out more about the Riverside Tower apartment ›

Pared-back dining room in Barwon Heads House — Photo by Timothy Kaye

Barwon Heads House, Australia, by Adam Kane Architects

Slabs of travertine form this monolithic table, located in the large living and dining room at a coastal home in Barwon Heads.

It brings a lavish aesthetic to the otherwise understated room, which features black wooden chairs, sheer curtains and a pared-back colour palette.

At one end is a sink, allowing the table to also be used as an island for food preperation.

Find out more about Barwon Heads House ›

Pink dining table — Photo by Megan Taylor

Sunderland Road house, UK, by 2LG Studio

Pink was used throughout this renovated Edwardian house in London by 2LG Studio, including in the playful dining room set.

Set against white walls and a baby-blue vitrine, the statement table has a top made from waste wood chips and resin and matching sculptural pink chairs.

Find out more about the Sunderland Road house ›

Interior of Three Chimney House by T W Ryan Architecture — Photo by Joe Fletcher

Three Chimney House, USA, by T W Ryan Architecture

A mottled-brass chandelier was suspended over this big eight-seater table, which sits at the heart of Three Chimney House in Virginia.

Its minimalist yet striking wooden form stands boldly against white walls, a pale-brick chimney and delicate spindle-back chairs.

Find out more about Three Chimney House ›

Wooden dining table — Photo by Read McKendree

Sag Harbor 2, USA, by Kevin O’Sullivan + Associates

Smooth edges and a curved cut-out give a sculptural look to the wooden legs beneath this chunky dining table.

Teamed with vintage Fresco dining chairs by G Plan, it brings a mid-century-style focal point to the contemporary interior of Sag Harbor 2.

Find out more about Sag Harbor 2 ›

Exposed ceiling beams in Nieby Crofters Cottage by Jan Henrik Jansen and Marshall Blecher — Photo by Jose Campos

Nieby Crofters Cottage, Germany, by Jan Henrik Jansen and Marshall Blecher

Architects Jan Henrik Jansen and Marshall Blecher designed this dining table as an extension of the island in the kitchen at Nieby Crofters Cottage.

Illuminated by low-hanging pendant lights, the table was surrounded by eight of Hans Wegner’s Wishbone chairs and creates an opportunity for the owner to entertain guests while preparing food.

Find out more about Nieby Crofters Cottage ›

Television Centre apartment interior — Photo by Michael Sinclair

Television Centre apartment, UK, by Waldo Works

Flanked by a black fireplace and kitchen cabinetry, this dining table stands out because of its glossy pine-green top.

Waldo Works contrasted it with saffron-coloured chairs a mustard-yellow rug, which helps establish it as the focal point and social heart of the open-plan room.

Find out more about the Television Centre apartment ›

Reference

Interior Design

Eight welcoming wood-panelled dining rooms with an organic feel

By Zarkon Group,02/07/2023

For our latest lookbook, we’ve selected eight dining rooms from the Dezeen archive where wooden panelling was used to create cosy, earthy environments with an organic feel.

From South America to Europe, these wood-panelled dining rooms serve as focal points in the interiors and create social spaces for residents and guests.

Whether they’re made from timber, pine or plywood, the wooden finishes on these statement walls and ceilings have been used to create welcoming environments with peaceful atmospheres.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring homes with focal point wardrobes, statement headboards and homes with pergolas.

ER Apartment, Brazil, Pascali Semerdjian Arquitetos

This apartment in São Paulo has an exposed concrete ceiling and uses natural materials, such as walnut, bronze, onyx and stone in its furnishings and finishes.

Pascali Semerdjian Arquitetos used vertical timber cladding, local art and furniture by Brazilian architects and designers Oscar Niemeyer and Claudia Moreira Salles in the dining room to make the space “deeply Brazilian and vividly cosmopolitan”.

Find out more about ER Apartment ›

Photo of a dining room and stairs — Photography is by Eric Petschek

Carroll Gardens Townhouse, US, Starling Architecture and Emily Lindberg Design

Starling Architecture and Emily Lindberg Design combined two units in a Brooklyn townhouse to create this family home. The townhouse features Belgian white oak on the flooring and along the corridor, stairs, mudroom, kitchen and dining area.

The New York-based studios used neutral tones to decorate the five-story house. In the dining room, wooden cabinets and decorative lamellas match the floor and ceiling.

Find out more about Carroll Gardens Townhouse ›

River Thames engraving in Dragon Flat by Tsuruta Architects — Photography is by Tim Croker

Dragon Flat, UK, Tsuruta Architects

Artificial intelligence (AI) was used to design the patterns engraved on plywood panels that decorate the dining room of the Dragon Flat in London’s Notting Hill. Tsuruta Architects used a CNC router – a computer-controlled cutting machine – to engrave a pattern of the River Thames on the wall.

The architecture studio also updated the two-level maisonette to include a walk-in wardrobe and tatami room, which features an engraved design on its panelled walls.

Find out more about Dragon Flat ›

Wood-panelled dining hall — Photography is by David Grandorge

Homerton College, UK, Feilden Fowles

Homerton College at the University of Cambridge includes a dining hall by London architecture studio Feilden Fowles made from concrete, timber and 3,200 faience tiles.

The building, which was constructed with chestnut-laminated timber frames and clerestory windows, features a larger eating space, a smaller eating room, the kitchen and staff amenities.

It was designed to celebrate handcrafting techniques and contemporary construction and engineering.

Find out more about Homerton College ›

House in El Peumo, Chile by Cristian Izquierdo Hehmann — Photography is by Roland Halbe

House in El Peumo, Chile, Cristián Izquierdo Lehmann

This house, designed by Cristián Izquierdo Lehmann, centres around an open-plan kitchen and dining room with a vaulted ceiling that is used for cooking, dining and socialising.

A minimalist decor compliments the dramatic ceiling, with red stools used for dining and a bookcase lining the wall.

Located in El Peumo, Chile, the house was clad with laminated pine and features concrete floors and large windows for the owners to enjoy the green exterior.

Find out more about House in El Peumo ›

Another Seedbed, US, Future Projects

The Another Seedbed loft in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, serves as both a home and performance space for its owner. To function as both, the space is predominately open, with hidden rooms located around the apartment.

Warm pine walls mark the dining space, which features a complementary red angular table and wooden sculptural chairs.

Other walls in the loft are covered in hand-troweled earthen clay plaster, blue penny-round tiles and floor-to-ceiling shelving.

Find out more about Another Seedbed ›

Stone Creek Camp by Anderson-Wise Architects — Photography is by Art Gray

Stone Creek Camp, US, Andersson-Wise Architects

US-based Andersson-Wise Architects designed the Stone Creek Camp in Big Fork, Montana, as a family retreat of cabins and cottages.

While it is wood-clad, the kitchen and dining area does not feature traditional panelled walls. Instead, one wall is made from wooden logs that have been assembled to create an unusual wall with a highly textured surface.

The ceiling was clad in wooden panels that match the floorboards in the home.

Find out more about Stone Creek Camp ›

Cabin Geilo, Norway by Lund Hagem — Photography is by Marc Goodwin

Geilo Valley Cabin, Norway, Lund Hagem

Panelled with blackened timber, this Norwegian ski cabin shelters residents from harsh weather conditions and offers panoramic views of the Geilo Valley. The cabin’s exterior concrete walls have also been tinted black to reflect the interior panels.

The walls and ceiling of the dining room use the same timber cladding, matching the kitchen island to create a cosy, coherent atmosphere.

“The dark tone allows the nature outside to come closer and creates a darkness that contrasts with the white winter landscape,” said the project’s architects Lund Hagem.

Find out more about Geilo Valley Cabin ›

Reference

Interior Design

Ten dining rooms in American homes that are a feast for the eyes

By Zarkon Group,24/06/2021

With glimpses of the seaside to views of the Rocky Mountains, our latest Dezeen Lookbook rounds up 10 dining rooms in American houses that would be spectacular settings for a Thanksgiving dinner.

This is the latest roundup in a series providing visual inspiration for the home. Previous articles in the series showcased cosy living rooms, domestic bathrooms designed by architects and colourful kitchens.

Bayhouse, New England by Studio Rick Joy

A dramatic wood-covered ceiling covers the dining room in New England residence Bayhouse designed by Tucson-based Studio Rick Joy.

When seated at the long table – which forms part of a wood palette throughout the house – diners enjoy views out to the sea.

Find out more about Bayhouse ›

Dining room in Dawnridge House by Field Architecture

Dawnridge House, California by Field Architecture

The dining room of this house, in a suburb of Silicon Valley, is designed so that it is always open to the outdoors and frames a large oak tree.

Food can be served up from a built-in barbecue or from the kitchen, which adjoins the space via sliding glass doors.

Find out more about Dawnridge House ›

Dining room in Wasatch House by Olson Kundig

Hale Lana, Hawaii by Olson Kundig

An expansive roof provides shade to a wooden deck furnished with a dining area in this residence Seattle firm Olson Kundig has completed on an old lava field in Hawaii.

Suited to a large gathering, the wood table and benches mirror the form of the surrounding wood architecture.

Find out more about Hale Lana ›

Dining room in Hudson Woods home by Magdalena Keck

Hudson Woods Home, New York by Magdalena Keck

A more intimate gathering would suit this foldable Finn Juhl dining table – one of a number of Danish mid-century designs furnishing the holiday home in a Catskill Mountains development.

The table is placed to make the most of a square window framing a view of the outdoors.

Find out more about Hudson Woods home ›

Dining room in Ledge House by Desai Chia

Ledge House, Connecticut by Desai Chia

Placed between the kitchen counter and a concrete fireplace with a wood-burning stove, the dining table forms the heart of this home in Connecticut.

The pale wood table extends to large rectangular windows that span the length of the house providing views of the hilly landscape.

Find out more about Ledge House ›

Dining room in Little Peek by Bernman Horn Studio

Little Peek, Maine by Bernman Horn Studio

Weathered metal chairs and a weathered wood table form a simple, stripped-back setting for diners in Little Peek House.

The area is an enclosed patio that is sandwiched between two cedar volumes to form the holiday home that the founders of Berman Horn Studio built themselves on an island in Maine.

Find out more about Little Peek ›

Dining room in Shaw Mesa by Michael Doty Architects

Shaw Mesa, Idaho by Michael Doty Architects

The Rocky Mountains in Idaho are visible through sliding glass doors from the dining table in this Shaw Mesa residence by Michael Doty Architects.

Metal slices through the wood table top referencing the materiality of the house, which includes charred-black timber walls and a corrugated metal roof.

Find out more about Shaw Mesa ›

Dining room in Sheffield House by Vincent Appel

Sheffield House, Masschusetts by Vincent Appel

The dining room in Sheffield House is furnished with warm, red-hued wooden chairs with woven seats and a glossy black table.

With these bold hues, which provides a contrast to the house’s bleached cedar exterior, the dining area provides an anchor in the open-plan living space.

Find out more about Sheffield House ›

Dining room in Valley Street house by Síol Studios and Levy Art and Architecture

Valley Street House, California by Síol Studios and Levy Art and Architecture

Black gridded windows and doors wrap a corner of the dining room in this residence in San Francisco.

They open onto a terrace with glass railings, ideal for hanging out before or after a feast.

Find out more about Valley Street house ›

Wasatch House, Utah by Olson Kundig

Set in Salt Lake City, Utah, Wasatch House by Olson Kundig is furnished with a circular table for four diners.

Hues of green, orange ad brown pick up the tones of woodland visible through the window.

Find out more about Wasatch House ›

Reference

Interior Design

Ten inspiring outdoor dining spaces for spring

By Zarkon Group,22/06/2021

As spring approaches in the northern hemisphere, it’s time to start preparing for sunnier days and warmer evenings. For this lookbook, we’ve rounded up ten inviting spaces featuring outdoor furniture for relaxed al-fresco dining and socialising.

Getting together in public spaces may still be restricted in much of the world over the coming months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Domestic gardens, courtyards and patios could well be the best place for sharing quality time with friends and family this spring and summer. Read on for 10 inspiring ideas from the Dezeen archives.

This is the latest roundup in our Dezeen Lookbook series providing visual inspiration for the home. Previous articles in the series showcased living rooms with statement shelving, green kitchen interiors, peaceful bedrooms and designer bathrooms.

Guadalajara House, Mexico, by Alejandro Sticotti

This house in Guadalajara, Mexico makes the most of the benign climate with an L-shaped, open-sided gallery that extends from the home to provide a cool space for dining and relaxing.

The gallery, which is paved in polished stone, features two zones. The dining area features a twelve-seater wooden table set next to an outdoor fireplace while the lounge area consists of a cushion-strewn, timber-framed sofa, leather Butterfly Chairs and a large, square coffee table.

Find out more about Guadalajara House ›

Dining tables at House of Flowers winery by Walker Warner Architects

House of Flowers, US, by Walker Warner

This plein-air dining zone is at a California winery but its rustic style could equally work in a domestic garden or courtyard. Here, visitors can enjoy a glass of wine in the sun while sitting against a warm adobe wall.

Built-in wooden benches are matched with sturdy tables and rough-hewn wooden stools. Tables are decorated with simple bouquets from the garden.

Find out more about House of Flowers ›

Courtyard dining spot in Old Jaffa House 4 by Pitsou Kedem

Jaffa apartment, Israel, by Pitsou Kedem

This sea-facing Jaffa apartment in a historic building has a narrow courtyard that is used for outdoor dining during the summer months. A glossy dining table is easy to wipe down and is complemented by practical plastic chairs.

The ancient stone walls and concrete floor are softened by shrubs and climbers set in oval planters.

Find out more about Jaffa apartment ›

White-painted garden pavilion with dining area

Garden pavilion, UK, by 2LG Studio

British interior designers Jordan Cluroe and Russell Whitehead of 2LG Studio built themselves a white-stained pavilion in their back garden that is used as a dining space and for socialising when the weather allows.

The raised pavilion is clad in slatted timber and serves as a covered dining area. Wide timber decking adds a touch of the seaside boardwalk to the ensemble.

Find out more about Garden pavilion ›

Casa 4.1.4, Mexico, by AS/D

This multigenerational weekend retreat in Mexico features four separate dwellings arranged around a courtyard that is paved in granite and bisected by a shallow rivulet.

Extending from one of the lodges is a steel pergola with a canopy of slatted timber. This creates a shady spot for family dinners that is furnished with a teak table, dining chairs and benches. An outdoor kitchen allows prep and cooking to be done outside.

Find out more about Casa 4.1.4. ›

Dining table outdoors in Greek holiday home

Mykonos holiday home, Greece, by K-studio

A walnut pergola covered in traditional reeds provides shade for the outdoor living space at this holiday home in Mykonos. Consisting of a lounge area and a ten-seater dining table, the generous stone terrace looks across an infinity pool towards the ocean.

“To create a house that would allow guests to enjoy being outside throughout the day we needed to filter the overwhelming intensity of the climate by providing shade and protection from the elements,” said architect K-studio.

Find out more about Mykonos holiday home ›

Country House, Italy, by Studio Koster

Studio Koster’s Italian Country House near Piacenza has an idyllic outdoor dining space set amid a cottage-style garden. The setting, close to a timber wall, provides shelter from breezes while lava gravel provides a rustic, low-maintenance touch.

Steel-framed chairs with rattan seats plus poufs with woven covers – both by Italian brand Flexform, which furnished the house for a photoshoot – give the space an eclectic feel.

Find out more about Country House ›

Wooden table and chairs on tiled floor surrounded by flower pots

Villa Fifty-Fifty, The Netherlands, by Studioninedots

This dining space in Villa Fifty-Fifty in Eindhoven is both indoors and outdoors. Folding glass doors peel back to turn the room into a loggia that is open to a courtyard on one side and a densely planted border on the other.

Quarry tiles and statement plants in terra-cotta pots add a taste of sunnier climes while the only furniture is a chunky dining table and a set of Elbow Chairs designed by Hans J Wegner for Carl Hansen & Son.

Find out more about Villa Fifty-Fifty ›

House B, Austria, by Smartvoll

An outdoor dining area sits on a split-level concrete terrace outside this house in Austria, which was an extension and renovation of an existing building. The dining table, made of dark wood to contrast with the pale cement, is set close to the house to protect it from the elements.

Large potted oleanders protect the dining space from view on the upper level of the patio while squash vines planted in a circular void spill over the lower level.

Find out more about House B ›

Sunny dining spot in Puglia house with white walls

The White Tower, Italy, by Dos Architects

This bright white house in Puglia has an outdoor dining space with a simple, elegant design. Directors’ chairs with beige canvas seats give it an outdoorsy, camping-like feel and match the pale-wood table. A pergola made of slender steel columns is shaded with canes.

Two decorative table objects in green break up the beige colour scheme and add a simple but elegant touch.

Find out more about The White Tower ›

This is the latest in our series of lookbooks providing curated visual inspiration from Dezeen’s image archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing green kitchen interiors, peaceful bedrooms, calm living rooms and colourful kitchens.

Reference

Interior Design

Ten beautiful and practical combined kitchen and dining rooms

By Zarkon Group,12/06/2021

For our latest lookbook, we’ve found ten projects in the Dezeen archive where kitchens and dining rooms have been combined into one practical and sociable space.

Most homes around the world traditionally had separate areas for preparing and eating food but over the last few decades, the popularity of combined kitchen dining rooms has soared.

These are more informal spaces capable of hosting a variety of activities including entertaining, home-working as well as cooking and eating.

Kitchen dining rooms can also save space in smaller homes.

The ten examples below show some of the best examples from Dezeen’s archive and feature a variety of kitchen layouts including kitchens with islands, peninsula kitchens and kitchens with breakfast bars.

This is the latest roundup in our Dezeen Lookbooks series providing visual inspiration for the home. Previous kitchen-related roundups include compact kitchens and terrazzo kitchens.

Lover’s House, Spain, by Isla Architects

Local studio Isla Architects adapted and improved this holiday home on the Spanish island of Mallorca, using a minimalist material and colour palette to “reveal the simple geometry of the building”.

In the kitchen and dining space, matte white cabinets and countertops complement the off-white walls.

A tiled floor picks up the warm terracotta hue of the house’s exterior while utilities such as the sink and hob have clean, unadorned designs that contrast against the rustic wooden dining table and chairs.

Find out more about Lover’s House ›

The Cedars, US, by Michael Yarinsky

The Cedars on Long Island, New York, has a light, open kitchen and dining area with a kitchen corner that features a tiled back wall to demarcate it from the rest of the room.

As well as the larger dining table, the kitchen nook has a breakfast bar for more informal eating that has been painted in a dark petroleum blue to match the cabinetry.

Danish furniture brand Hay’s black J1110 chairs add an eyecatching graphic touch to the room, while a playful light by Ladies & Gentlemen Studio hangs above the table.

Find out more about The Cedars ›

Marine, Australia, by David Barr Architects

Wood runs through this kitchen and dining space in an extension to a home in Perth, Australia, designed by David Barr Architects.

Wooden cabinets and a wood kitchen island covered with grey stone countertops sit next to a wood-clad wall that hides the oven and various storage spaces.

Above the sink and work areas, open shelves hold a collection of decorative ceramics, while a matching ceramic jug and bowl sit on the wooden dining table. One side of the kitchen island functions as a breakfast bar, complete with ash chairs by Mattiazzi.

Find out more about Marine ›

Kitchen in House for a Sea Dog in Genoa by Dodi Moss

House for a Sea Dog, Italy, by Dodi Moss

This loft apartment inside a 300-year-old building in Genoa, Italy, was designed to feel as open and spacious as possible. In the kitchen and dining room, a one-wall kitchen in a soothing dark-grey hue sits against a red brick wall.

This leaves space for a dining table and a selection of bentwood chairs with rattan seats. The oven and fridge are hidden away in white cupboards that blend into the wall.

Find out more about House for a Sea Dog ›

Three Chimney House by T W Ryan Architecture

Three Chimney House, US, by T W Ryan Architecture

A large kitchen island with a marble countertop sits in the middle of this kitchen and dining room in Three Chimney House in rural Virginia.

With a design that was informed by both modernism and Southern colonial style, the room has been given a striking material palette. A stone floor matches the stone splashback that runs along the kitchen workspaces, while a tiled wall sits below the angled white ceiling.

Mid-century modern Stick Back chairs by Thomas Harlev underline the sparse geometric design while Lindsey Adelman’s 15 Bulb Drop System chandelier, which hangs above the table, gives the room a sacral feel.

Find out more about Three Chimney House ›

Cabin Son, Norway, by Jon Danielsen Aarhus

The rectangular kitchen in this spruce-clad holiday home in Norway has a small dining area and a sofa for lounging.

The multiuse space features a long single-wall kitchen that holds an oven and sink as well as multiple cabinets.

Colourful shelving above the countertops adds additional storage space and a vibrant touch against the pale-wood walls. A wooden table and black chairs by Danish designer Arne Jacobsen give the kitchen an elegant, modern feel.

Find out more about Cabin Son ›

Casa Meco, Portugal, by Atelier Rua

A built-in kitchen clad in a decorative veiny marble, complete with a matching breakfast island, sits in one corner of Casa Meco’s enormous main room.

Wooden cupboards on either side of the kitchen hide the kitchen facilities. A long table made from pale wood with contrasting black chairs and a black bench can be used for large dinners, while a breakfast bar adds more seating options.

Find out more about Casa Meco ›

House-within-a-House, UK, by Alma-nac

Alma-nac’s joyful design for House-within-a-House in south London includes an extension that holds the kitchen and dining area. Here, simple white cabinetry and a jet-black kitchen island sit on one side and offer plenty of space for food preparation and cooking.

Opposite, a dining table is completed with vintage-style apple-green plastic chairs. Their bright colour picks up the yellow hue of a sofa in the raised lounge area next to the dining space.

Find out more about House-within-a-House ›

Mài Apartment in Vietnam designed by Whale Design Lab

Mài Apartment, Vietnam, by Whale Design Lab

Graphic terrazzo surfaces decorate the kitchen area in this Vietnamese apartment by Whale Design Lab, which has a design informed by American architect Louis Kahn.

The splashback, countertop, breakfast island and floor were all crafted from the material. The organic, curved shapes of the kitchen island and workspaces are mirrored in the grey dining table that sits underneath a small indoor tree.

Bright red Dragonfly chairs by Einrichten Design add a splash of colour to the room.

Find out more about Mài Apartment ›

Quarter Glass House, UK, by Proctor & Shaw

Proctor & Shaw’s design Quarter Glass House is an extension to a London house that holds the kitchen and dining space and was designed to have as much height and light as possible.

The studio lowered the floor to create more space, and combined exposed timber with duck-egg cabinetry and shiny copper surfaces to fulfill a request for warm and textural materials. A kitchen island with a breakfast bar has practical shelving on one side, and long floating wall shelves add storage space.

A simple white table with rattan chairs can seat six people and overlooks the garden outside the extension.

Find out more about Quarter Glass House ›

This is the latest in our series of lookbooks providing curated visual inspiration from Dezeen’s image archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing peaceful bedrooms, wallpapered interiors and colourful kitchens.

Reference

Landscaping

A Delightful Terraced Garden Sits In Front Of This Outdoor Dining Room

By Zarkon Group,04/06/2021

Andrew Mann Architecture has completed the remodel of a home in Sonoma, California, that includes a newly designed garden with tiered planters and a covered outdoor entertaining space.

A modern garden with an covered outdoor dining area and terraced built-in planters made from concrete.

The garden pavilion, which was designed by Andrew Mann Architecture, also included the hardscape and layout of the fences, as well as the surrounding planter beds.

The dining pavilion, which can be lit up at night, acts as an outdoor entertaining space that’s surrounded by peaceful gardens completed by Christa Moné.

A modern garden with terraced built-in planters made from concrete.

The raised planters, which have a simple concrete border are filled with flowering plants of different sizes.

A modern garden with terraced built-in planters.

The pavilion, which has a sloped roof, is built from dark stained wood and has a large open area dedicated to outdoor dining.

An outdoor pavilion includes dining area, a kitchen area with fridges, a pizza oven and firewood storage, as well as a separate space for storing garden items. This small room can be hidden from view by the large sliding barn doors.

The pavilion also includes a kitchen area with fridges, a pizza oven, and firewood storage, as well as a separate space for storing garden items. This small room can be hidden from view by the large sliding barn doors.

Let’s take a look around the main house…

Architect Andrew Mann and interior designer Katie McCaffrey of Angus – McCaffrey Interior Design collaborated on the partial remodel of the house, which was originally built in 1974 by Roland Miller Associates.

Andrew focused on form making, while Katie defined a material palette different in feel and mood from their client’s city house. Exposed wood beams and a wood ceiling complement the wood floors and furniture found in the open plan living room and dining area.