Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Breakfast Room Inspirations

I thought I'd kick the morning off before my big trip with a little eye candy. I've been scouring the web for inspiration for a breakfast room with a built-in banquette and I've come across so many beautiful rooms I had to share. Don't you just wish you were sitting down at one of these tables with a cup of coffee, the Sunday newspaper and some peace and quiet?


Mary McDonald

Katie Ridder

Frank Roop

Aerin Lauder, Elle Decor, July 2009

As for my own little breakfast room, here's what I'm thinking:

For now at least, I'll keep the walls the same greige as the kitchen and family room and bring in color with accessories. I'll order the Coventry bench from Ballard Designs in an L-shape (you can order various lengths to get a more customized fit) and have it upholstered in a spa blue Sunbrella fabric, which should be able to withstand Olivia, the cats and a messy husband. I'll then reupholster a few of my existing dining chairs in the coordinating spa blue and cream stripe (which is on sale for a reasonably $17/yard) and maybe throw in a few throw pillows in the same striped fabric and a coordinating modern floral for good measure. While I'd love to be able to buy a new kitchen table, I'll be making due for now with my existing dark wood table.

Because the back wall of the breakfast room is a long one (almost 115') and faces directly out onto the family room, some statement art is definitely a "must" here. I'm thinking about ordering a triptych of prints from the Biltmore collection by Artaissance, which conveniently comes in a sky/snow colorway. I'm keeping my standard-issue Pottery Barn great white coup dinnerware, but will punch it up with some brightly colored serveware from Kate Spade's "Gwinnett Lane" pattern. For the table top, some perfectly lovely pink ranunculas from Sophie Dahy Designs atop a gorgeous Pagoda sky lucite tray from Iomoni.

P.S. - Stay tuned for an exciting announcement later today.

12 comments:

Sanity Fair said...

Great ideas - I think it will be beautiful. That Mary McDonald room is one of my favorites.

Christy said...

I can't decide which of your inspiration rooms I like the best - they're all beautiful! And your own kitchen area is going to be so fabulous Averill. Makes me want to hop on a plane to texas for tea with you in your cozy space! I can't wait to see what it looks like when you're done! I wish I had a little nook like that...I'd order colorful chair prints from annechovie, and that same Kate Spade serverware. Or would that be too weird? Too copy-catish?!

Regardless - LOVE IT all! And I'm dying to know what the announcement is! TELL US!

Sarah Klassen said...

I love how your place is taking shape. It's exciting to watch the progress!

I love your choice for seating in the breakfast room area - the L shape offers a comfortable and inviting look and feel, and the color is lovely.
The "Gwinnett Lane" Serveware set is a must-have upon closer look. Can't wait to hear the exciting announcement today! I will be celebrating Canada Day at the beach today, but checking my iphone periodically :)

Liz said...

Ug, my internet connection stinks and I think it just ate my comment. Anyways, after looking at your inspiration rooms I'm so jealous I don't know what to do with myself! I think your upholstered bench will be beautiful and so elegant. And I can't wait to hear read what the announcement is!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the inspiring photos and I'm loving your taste for your own breakfast room too!

Things That Inspire said...

That breakfast room banquette in Aerin Lauder's home is beautiful. Aerin married a business school classmate of my husband's, so I am always (discretely) on the look out for her at reunions, but I have never spotted her. Oh well!

Kristina at The Purple Pea said...

I love that light blue color. I am in love with the brightly painted dishes. That has my name all over it. I am a fan of the upholstered bench. I think it'd be cozy and not too heavy.

Can you please come to my house and redo a few rooms? ;)

Dumbwit Tellher said...

I am in banquette heaven. You gave so many terrific examples. Erin Lauder's is my favorite but that Frank Roop photo & then of course Mary McDonald's nook is show stopper too. Yours is going to be devine, I love all your picks. So exciting!

Alicia said...

Banquette are so easy & the sunbrella fabric is smart. Have a lovely trip & remember..you could always paint the table.

Beth Connolly said...

Love it all-exactly my taste. Have a great trip.

sophiedahydesigns said...

Averill, Thank you so much for including our pink ranunculus arrangement in your beautiful Blog along with such amazing designers. We truly appreciate it!!

alison giese Interiors said...

I can't imagine how I missed this post! I would LOOOVE to have a banquette - some day.....
Can't wait to see what you pull together - I've been eyeballing the Biltmore collection since Eddie Ross featured the Artaissance site - gorge!

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