Wednesday 27 March 2013

How To Create A Stunning Dining Room Using Candles

Today we're going to take a look together at how to make your dining room look absolutely stunning using candle-light.


Using windlights is an easy, and relatively low cost way of adding sparkle and pizazz to any room but works especially well in the dining room where people are seated around a table for social activity.


Just take a look at these images to see how well this look works, even during daylight hours...and then grabs more and more of your attention as the night draws on. 


However, plonking a few Ikea tealights round and about just won't cut the mustard. won't do the room any favours. What you need is a showpiece. A focal point. Some real eye-candy to make the statement that this is a thought-out part of your lighting scheme and not just an after-thought add-on.


Here are five rules that will guide you through the process of how to create a real design statement using windlights:


Choose stunning centrepieces.
This is an essential part of dressing up your dining space with candlelight. Choose carefully. You want something that really catches the eye but mustn't overly dominate the table. Look out for gorgeous details, beautiful design and built-to-last workmanship.{The two we use on our dining table are Lombok Seta Rectangular Windlights....and I've just noticed they're on sale!}


Use symmetry
I love the Country-idyll concept of using candles for evening lighting: romantic and soft.....BUT by using choosing windlights that have particularly strong design, and highlighting that design with the help of symmetry, you can create a very Modern take on it to ensure you have the best of both worlds. Yes, my sweets, that's the joy of Modern Country.


Size matters
Keep items on the table low so that you can actually see each other. This is such a common mistake (just check out some of the gorgeous but impractical images in this post). That's where these Lombok windlights are perfect because they're substantial in the right ways - long and heavy (so stable on the table) but, importantly, not too tall. Most windlights in this style are either simply too enormous to sit comfortaly on the table or too tinsy-tiny to encourage the eye-popping, stunner of a look that we're after.


Place your windlights at either end of the table.
Making the most of symmetry has a dual purpose as this allows you to keep the centre of the table free of clutter to leave room for people passing the wine, clearing plates, leaning forwards for intimate chatter and all the other lovely things you want to encourage at your dinner parties....


Use other candles around the room.
Think of using candles as building up layers of visual delight. When you have created a beautifully strong focal point with your choice of windlights for your table, you can use lots of other candles around the room to compliment this first layer.


And there you have it....
Modern Country Dining at its very best: 
relaxed, informal and oh-so-stylish. 
Enjoy!


All images: mine

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15 comments :

Ann said...

Great tips.
I just love candles in the dining room, just light them up and your space immediately looks romantic and dreamy. And if its scented, the room feels like a haven right away.

ZoeB said...

Have you seem the Sainsbury ones ?Good cheap alternative

Donna@anangloinquébec said...

We have candlelight at every meal eaten in the diningroom...actually even meals at the kitchen island.

Karen said...

What a lovely post!
We always have candles in the dining room during dinner -sometimes at breakfast too - when it's a brunch type breakfast! I'm glad my kids are older so I don't have to worry about the candles tipping over or someone reaching over and starting their sleeve on fire! A few nights ago we were out all day and my daughter had dinner ready for us when we got home (such a sweetie!) -the candles on the table were lit and everything looked so gorgeous (I often can't see that when I'm the one setting it up).

Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse said...

I love dining by candle light... Especially when it's very cold outside (because then we often have power outage, but who's not in the dark? me, me, me!). Are those big red letters on your mantel new? I bet the S is for Sarah...

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

Well-spotted! Yes, they're apparently from an old shop in France...the 'S' IS for Sarah, and the 'G' is for Guy...my husband.

Sarahx

Lorrie said...

I love candles on the dining room table. These windlights are a great idea! So pretty.

Young Adventures... said...

These are so pretty Sarah! I'm hosting my book club this spring and if it is warm enough I would love to have the party on the front porch. I would love to incorporate candles/holders like these into the decor for the party. Thanks for the inspiration!

Kay dancingbrushpainting.blogspot.com said...

Gorgeous windlights Sarah! Thanks for a great post with lovely pictures.
-Kay

Stephanie said...

Table perfection! I love it!

Shelley said...

I love your table cloth. Any idea where I can get one similar?

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Home Stars said...

This dining room is absolutely breathtaking! I love everything about it
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Blogger said...

There's a chance you are qualified to get a free $500 IKEA Gift Card.

Laura said...

So lovely post. I always feel better when I get me into your Modern Country zone. You organized your web-world awesomely. The dining room beauty enhancement with candles your showed here to us was incredibly mind-blowing and eye-catching. The glaring candles light made the room in a different look. I love your decent work. Also here I would like to mention Anne Quinn Furniture store for the home decor loving guys who are living in Toronto or GTA and looking for getting their dining room or living room gorgeous with the affordable and durable furniture. Thanks a lot for focusing on such a lovely project.

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