20 Fantasyland Dining Room Designs That Delight
A wonder to behold, these incredible professionally designed rooms take everyday dining over the top
Although many of us don't use our dining rooms regularly (I'm more of a couch and coffee table gal myself), the space still begs to be bold and exciting. For October's Serving Up Style 2012 fundraising event in Portland, Oregon, 20 designers created spaces that practically kick you off the couch. From a hot air balloon to a Lego sculpture to a reinvented retro design, over-the-top elements figured in each of these inspiring dining rooms.
Tell us: Which one of these spaces is your favorite? Let us know by voting for the People's Choice winner. The deadline is 7 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, October 7, 2012. (Click the first photo to view a slideshow.)
Tell us: Which one of these spaces is your favorite? Let us know by voting for the People's Choice winner. The deadline is 7 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, October 7, 2012. (Click the first photo to view a slideshow.)
Boho Artistry
Design team: Rejuvenation and Abode Design
Inspired by the forward thinking of the 1960s, this design team developed a space that could host your favorite Mad Men. Curated with an imaginary world traveler and artist as its owner, the room's gallery wall and treasures (like the blue vintage Blenko table lamps) give it personal and eclectic flavor.
Suggested menu: Meatloaf, peas and Jell-o salad.
Design team: Rejuvenation and Abode Design
Inspired by the forward thinking of the 1960s, this design team developed a space that could host your favorite Mad Men. Curated with an imaginary world traveler and artist as its owner, the room's gallery wall and treasures (like the blue vintage Blenko table lamps) give it personal and eclectic flavor.
Suggested menu: Meatloaf, peas and Jell-o salad.
Breakfast in Bed
Design team: Diane Keaton Interiors
When designer Diane Keaton found a large, soothing beachfront photo to fill this space's doorway (at left), she didn't see it accompanying a standard dining table and chairs. Instead she envisioned a romantic breakfast in bed, with a door opening to a clear view of the beach.
Suggested menu: Champagne, fresh fruit, croissants.
Design team: Diane Keaton Interiors
When designer Diane Keaton found a large, soothing beachfront photo to fill this space's doorway (at left), she didn't see it accompanying a standard dining table and chairs. Instead she envisioned a romantic breakfast in bed, with a door opening to a clear view of the beach.
Suggested menu: Champagne, fresh fruit, croissants.
RetrØ 12: Yesterday Once More
Design team: Jason Ball Interiors
This design team based this room on the question, What would 1970s design look like if the '70s took place today? Using today's materials, technologies and design styles, Jason Ball Interiors reinterpreted the look of a 1970s dining room. A classic console outfitted with an LCD TV, a stereo console with an iPod dock and wood paneling combine to re-create a retro look for a modern family.
Suggested menu: A family breakfast to start the day off right.
Design team: Jason Ball Interiors
This design team based this room on the question, What would 1970s design look like if the '70s took place today? Using today's materials, technologies and design styles, Jason Ball Interiors reinterpreted the look of a 1970s dining room. A classic console outfitted with an LCD TV, a stereo console with an iPod dock and wood paneling combine to re-create a retro look for a modern family.
Suggested menu: A family breakfast to start the day off right.
A Penny for Your Thoughts
Design team: CoCo Designs
Part abstract painting, part bold dining space, Coco Designs used the tiled exterior of the Museo Soumayo in Mexico City as inspiration for this half wall tiled with pennies. The rest of the design centers around the painting of a woman, resulting in a room that can happily host guests with a daring sense of style.
Suggested menu: Filet mignon, an aged cognac and a seriously decadent dessert.
Design team: CoCo Designs
Part abstract painting, part bold dining space, Coco Designs used the tiled exterior of the Museo Soumayo in Mexico City as inspiration for this half wall tiled with pennies. The rest of the design centers around the painting of a woman, resulting in a room that can happily host guests with a daring sense of style.
Suggested menu: Filet mignon, an aged cognac and a seriously decadent dessert.
Dinner at Tiffany's
Design team: Urban I.D.
Although Holly Golightly dreamed of a luxurious life in Breakfast at Tiffany's, she often resorted to eating her simple breakfast in front of Tiffany's. Urban I.D. created an elegant dining room — complete with an Audrey Hepburn portrait – that would fulfill all of Holly's fantasies.
Suggested menu: Anything from herb-crusted pork with sautéed vegetables and flambé, to weekday meals of pasta and salad.
Design team: Urban I.D.
Although Holly Golightly dreamed of a luxurious life in Breakfast at Tiffany's, she often resorted to eating her simple breakfast in front of Tiffany's. Urban I.D. created an elegant dining room — complete with an Audrey Hepburn portrait – that would fulfill all of Holly's fantasies.
Suggested menu: Anything from herb-crusted pork with sautéed vegetables and flambé, to weekday meals of pasta and salad.
Where to Next?
Design team: Ida York Interior Design
Envisioned as a high-end hot air balloon basket, this space allows guests to imagine themselves eating a picnic meal in a starry sky. Luxurious elements put together by Ida York Interior Design convey this theme, including wicker chairs in lieu of a picnic basket and an animal hide to replace the blanket.
Suggested menu: A picnic meal of exotic cheese and fresh fruits paired with the perfect wines.
Design team: Ida York Interior Design
Envisioned as a high-end hot air balloon basket, this space allows guests to imagine themselves eating a picnic meal in a starry sky. Luxurious elements put together by Ida York Interior Design convey this theme, including wicker chairs in lieu of a picnic basket and an animal hide to replace the blanket.
Suggested menu: A picnic meal of exotic cheese and fresh fruits paired with the perfect wines.
Smell, Sip, Smile …
Design team: J. Myers & Associates
For many food and wine lovers, the ultimate meal would take place at a beautiful winery. J. Myers & Associates used that experience as the starting point for this room, considering how a great winemaker preps the food while the guests watch, sip wine and admire the vineyard view.
Suggested menu: A seasonal and local farm-to-table meal.
Design team: J. Myers & Associates
For many food and wine lovers, the ultimate meal would take place at a beautiful winery. J. Myers & Associates used that experience as the starting point for this room, considering how a great winemaker preps the food while the guests watch, sip wine and admire the vineyard view.
Suggested menu: A seasonal and local farm-to-table meal.
Where Does the Butterfly Go When It Rains?
Design team: Interiors by Blackwood
Named after a book the designer had when she was young, this room brings magical castle ruins to life, complete with a starlit picnic feast and clouds of delicate faux butterflies.
Suggested menu: French bread, fine meats, cheeses, fruit and wine or champagne.
Design team: Interiors by Blackwood
Named after a book the designer had when she was young, this room brings magical castle ruins to life, complete with a starlit picnic feast and clouds of delicate faux butterflies.
Suggested menu: French bread, fine meats, cheeses, fruit and wine or champagne.
An Appetite for Wonder
Design team: The Art Institute of Portland's Interior Design Program, furnished by Ikea Portland
A host in this room would be more likely to serve cake than steak for dinner. The team from the Art Institute of Portland designed it as a child's fort under the dining table. An extra-large version of fuzzy grown-up legs sits just to the right of the space. A swing serves as the head of the table, while plush blankets and sheepskins allow children to eat on the floor.
Suggested menu: Cake for dinner. Or any food item that's fun to play with, like mashed potatoes.
Design team: The Art Institute of Portland's Interior Design Program, furnished by Ikea Portland
A host in this room would be more likely to serve cake than steak for dinner. The team from the Art Institute of Portland designed it as a child's fort under the dining table. An extra-large version of fuzzy grown-up legs sits just to the right of the space. A swing serves as the head of the table, while plush blankets and sheepskins allow children to eat on the floor.
Suggested menu: Cake for dinner. Or any food item that's fun to play with, like mashed potatoes.
Jane + Tarzan's Hollywood Retreat
Design team: Modurne Fine Furnishings + Funktional Interiors
After finding an amazing leopard and zebra tea set, Modurne Fine Furnishings wanted a room to match. A sophisticated "Hollywoodland" glamorous version of Jane and Tarzan seemed to fit the bill. Black and white chevron-painted floors and walls serve as a modern interpretation of a zebra print, while a custom "Hollywoodland" print creates the perfect view.
Suggested menu: Steak tartare and bananas flambé.
Design team: Modurne Fine Furnishings + Funktional Interiors
After finding an amazing leopard and zebra tea set, Modurne Fine Furnishings wanted a room to match. A sophisticated "Hollywoodland" glamorous version of Jane and Tarzan seemed to fit the bill. Black and white chevron-painted floors and walls serve as a modern interpretation of a zebra print, while a custom "Hollywoodland" print creates the perfect view.
Suggested menu: Steak tartare and bananas flambé.
Lost & Crowned
Design team: Terrance Mason Interiors
Terrance Mason found himself intrigued by the concept of objects with past lives and their associated stories, and designed this decadent dining room around the one-of-a-kind antique wooden cog chandelier. Old newspapers serve as custom wallpaper, giving the room a storied feel.
Suggested menu: A luxurious meal of pheasant, lobsters and anything else that's decadent
Design team: Terrance Mason Interiors
Terrance Mason found himself intrigued by the concept of objects with past lives and their associated stories, and designed this decadent dining room around the one-of-a-kind antique wooden cog chandelier. Old newspapers serve as custom wallpaper, giving the room a storied feel.
Suggested menu: A luxurious meal of pheasant, lobsters and anything else that's decadent
The Fine Art of Dining
Design team: Pangaea Interior Design
Pangea Interior Design combined painting, sculpture, lighting and food as a representation of the fusion of the arts, emphasizing that art isn't just what ends up in a museum. The color palette, design and tablescape all circle back to one of the designer's own acrylic paintings on the far wall.
Suggested menu: An Oregon pinot noir, grilled salmon with a cherry reduction, mashed potatoes and toasted hazelnuts. For dessert, extra-dark chocolate truffles.
Design team: Pangaea Interior Design
Pangea Interior Design combined painting, sculpture, lighting and food as a representation of the fusion of the arts, emphasizing that art isn't just what ends up in a museum. The color palette, design and tablescape all circle back to one of the designer's own acrylic paintings on the far wall.
Suggested menu: An Oregon pinot noir, grilled salmon with a cherry reduction, mashed potatoes and toasted hazelnuts. For dessert, extra-dark chocolate truffles.
Sustainable Lifescape: Shifting the Conversation, Artful Living Without Excess
Design team: LooptWorks
True to its Portland roots, LooptWorks designed a dining room that reflects preservation by using upcycled, reclaimed or salvaged materials. While the team wanted to define the room with walls, they didn't want to waste drywall, so they found used drywall from demolished projects.
Suggested menu: Field-to-table fresh, organic, healthy and delicious food. Everything should be seasonal, sustainable and from local farmer's markets.
Design team: LooptWorks
True to its Portland roots, LooptWorks designed a dining room that reflects preservation by using upcycled, reclaimed or salvaged materials. While the team wanted to define the room with walls, they didn't want to waste drywall, so they found used drywall from demolished projects.
Suggested menu: Field-to-table fresh, organic, healthy and delicious food. Everything should be seasonal, sustainable and from local farmer's markets.
Merry Marry!
Design team: Wendy O'Brien Interior Planning & Design
Imagine an impromptu proposal at the top of a Ferris wheel — how would you want to celebrate afterward? This scene dictated the design for designer Wendy O'Brien's dining room. The team went with a Victorian-chic color scheme and mimicked the movement of carnival rides with carousel horses in varying heights.
Suggested menu: A toast with Dom Perignon and a main course of poached salmon with mousseline sauce and cucumber and lobster croquettes, followed by a swirled cotton candy and chocolate wedding cake with buttercream frosting for dessert.
Design team: Wendy O'Brien Interior Planning & Design
Imagine an impromptu proposal at the top of a Ferris wheel — how would you want to celebrate afterward? This scene dictated the design for designer Wendy O'Brien's dining room. The team went with a Victorian-chic color scheme and mimicked the movement of carnival rides with carousel horses in varying heights.
Suggested menu: A toast with Dom Perignon and a main course of poached salmon with mousseline sauce and cucumber and lobster croquettes, followed by a swirled cotton candy and chocolate wedding cake with buttercream frosting for dessert.
Beyond Nourishment
Design team: JQ Jonquil-Design
JQ Jonquil-Design infused this dining room with tree-inspired shapes in a variety of materials. With a chandelier as the centerpiece, the room's decor reflects in the windows, doors and mirror, enhancing each piece's visual effect.
Suggested menu: Mint juleps with quartz-crystal-shaped ice cubes, and a meal made with all-fresh produce.
Design team: JQ Jonquil-Design
JQ Jonquil-Design infused this dining room with tree-inspired shapes in a variety of materials. With a chandelier as the centerpiece, the room's decor reflects in the windows, doors and mirror, enhancing each piece's visual effect.
Suggested menu: Mint juleps with quartz-crystal-shaped ice cubes, and a meal made with all-fresh produce.
Michaelmas: The Fall Festival of St. Michael
Design team: digs inside & out
As fans of Jane Austen's work, the designers at digs inside & out created a room that would honor the author's references to the festival of St. Michael and the coming of the fall harvest. After finding the slightly spooky baby doll sconces and bold orange velvet chairs, the team incorporated their love of all things orange, cozy and autumn related into this space.
Suggested menu: A traditional Michaelmas feast of roast goose, wild carrots, fresh baked bread and punch.
Design team: digs inside & out
As fans of Jane Austen's work, the designers at digs inside & out created a room that would honor the author's references to the festival of St. Michael and the coming of the fall harvest. After finding the slightly spooky baby doll sconces and bold orange velvet chairs, the team incorporated their love of all things orange, cozy and autumn related into this space.
Suggested menu: A traditional Michaelmas feast of roast goose, wild carrots, fresh baked bread and punch.
Once Upon a Time …
Design team: said Interior Design
Rustic and dark, this room's design explores the bizarre world of children's fairy tales. Dark and dreamy portraits by Portland photographer Kim Campbell set the tone, while a rustic table setting and dinnerware convey the forest settings of childhood stories.
Suggested menu: Simple roasted chicken, potatoes, fresh green salad, bread and a bottle of French wine. For dessert, a rustic apple tart.
Design team: said Interior Design
Rustic and dark, this room's design explores the bizarre world of children's fairy tales. Dark and dreamy portraits by Portland photographer Kim Campbell set the tone, while a rustic table setting and dinnerware convey the forest settings of childhood stories.
Suggested menu: Simple roasted chicken, potatoes, fresh green salad, bread and a bottle of French wine. For dessert, a rustic apple tart.
Nature's Sky Box: Where City Chic Meets Rural Rustic
Design team: The Room Stylers with Anne Runde Interiors and Everyday Styling
This design team wanted their space to capture the essence of what makes Portland a great place to live. Repurposed pallet boards and reclaimed decking echo a commitment to green living, vegetables from the designers' gardens reflect a love of local foods, and an elegant mirror on a mural of the Portland skyline emphasizes the city's urban nightlife.
Suggested menu: Hazelnut-crusted Dungeness crabcakes with grilled root vegetables, garden greens with fresh raspberry puree and butternut squash soup, and poached pears Moonstruck dark chocolate for dessert.
Design team: The Room Stylers with Anne Runde Interiors and Everyday Styling
This design team wanted their space to capture the essence of what makes Portland a great place to live. Repurposed pallet boards and reclaimed decking echo a commitment to green living, vegetables from the designers' gardens reflect a love of local foods, and an elegant mirror on a mural of the Portland skyline emphasizes the city's urban nightlife.
Suggested menu: Hazelnut-crusted Dungeness crabcakes with grilled root vegetables, garden greens with fresh raspberry puree and butternut squash soup, and poached pears Moonstruck dark chocolate for dessert.
Annica: The Buddhist Concept of Impermanence
Design team: Stephanie Dyer Interior + Product Design with Harding Construction
The saturated blue hues, gold accents and angled walls in this dramatic space pay tribute to the designer's reflection on life's impermanence — an aspect of Buddhism that's comforted her during difficult times. Deep blues represent grief, while gold represents hope. The poufs and low seating ground the blurred visual lines between the floor and the low table, while a well-dressed mannequin reflects the more couture side of the space.
Suggested menu: A rotating seasonal menu based on unexpected flavor pairings and several communal dishes that encourage parties to eat together.
Event info: Serving Up Style is a fundraising event and design showcase at the annual Portland Fall Home & Garden Show. Proceeds benefit Molly's Fund Fighting Lupus.
Design team: Stephanie Dyer Interior + Product Design with Harding Construction
The saturated blue hues, gold accents and angled walls in this dramatic space pay tribute to the designer's reflection on life's impermanence — an aspect of Buddhism that's comforted her during difficult times. Deep blues represent grief, while gold represents hope. The poufs and low seating ground the blurred visual lines between the floor and the low table, while a well-dressed mannequin reflects the more couture side of the space.
Suggested menu: A rotating seasonal menu based on unexpected flavor pairings and several communal dishes that encourage parties to eat together.
Event info: Serving Up Style is a fundraising event and design showcase at the annual Portland Fall Home & Garden Show. Proceeds benefit Molly's Fund Fighting Lupus.
Design team: Garrison Hullinger Interior Design
An exaggerated chevron design made of sticky notes, light fixtures fashioned from water bottles, and a Lego rhino head offset a sleek Saarinen table in this dining room. Inspired by a modern and affordable take on the bohemian lifestyle, Garrison Hullinger Interior Design created a surprising space that would feel at home in Paris' ninth arrondissement.
Suggested menu: Tandoori fish taco with curried potato and peas samosa.