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FeedFine Dining
Spare and simple makes dining divine
by Alecia Stevens
Photo by alex steinberg
Kelsey chose well: The pieces from the Baker “Charleston” collection remain a testament to timelessness. “I wasn’t afraid to buy fine furniture,” she says. “So much is disposable and over-scaled now.” Good point. With all the talk about “green” products, buying a classic, once-in-a-lifetime piece is more economical and ecological than purchasing the latest trend every few years. The cream, cotton damask upholstery is also original, although she admits to being ready to change that.
Kelsey combined this fine dining room set with creamy white walls and masterful editing to achieve a look that is crisp without being prim.
1. Scale
For traditional to work in a modern way, design elements must be limited. Here, the matching Baker dining room set (still available through Baker, Knapp and Tubbs) is the only furniture in the room. Additional pieces, multiple woods, or a panorama of colors and fabrics would make this room appear frumpy, rather than fresh.2. Accessories
Make a room memorable by spending more on less. A few things you love that are strong enough to make a statement are more powerful than too many tiny trinkets. Kelsey chose a bronze bowl from Thailand for the table, an antique mirror, a few favorite dishes (the key word is “few”) for the corner cupboard, and a grand, traditional chandelier. Her attitude: “I don’t buy it until it is right.”
3. Color
The combination of white walls and ebony-stained floors is nothing new, but going all white was a stretch for Kelsey. “I wasn’t looking for stark” she says. “I wanted fresh.” And it worked: Benjamin Moore’s “Linen White” on both walls and the trim adds a yellow undertone that warms the room and creates a stunning contrast against the mahogany. Elegant drapery panels, rather than an architectural window treatment, soften the severity of the all-white color scheme. 4. Classics
Don’t fret over window treatments; fussy drapery can quickly date a room. Follow Kelsey’s lead: Use simple, lined panels of exquisite, neutral fabrics, like this Bergamo wool, and custom dark-iron rods. Like a beautifully tailored suit, they will last for years.Alecia Stevens is an interior designer and frequent contributor to Midwest Home.
For more information on resources featured in this story, please reference our Buyer's Guide.
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