Gather round

Dining spaces these days have many functions, but it is still important to make them beautiful for when they are playing host

- ARABELLA YOUENS

MODERN MAKEOVER 

To create an impression that an interior has evolved organically over time is one thing in an old country house, but it's quite another challenge in a new-build apartment. Here it is necessary to work that much harder and be more inventive - or braver, depending on the point of view - with the design approach. Studio Ashby skilfully combined antiques, handcrafted pieces and designs from Sister by Studio Ashby to put together this dining room in Lancer Square, a short stroll from Kensington Palace. The studio's design concept looked to celebrate the rich history of the Royal Borough while capturing its contemporary style and vitality,' explains founder Sophie Ashby.

TURN A CORNER

Use clever design to carve out a space for dining within an open-plan living room. A dining table can work tucked into a corner with banquette seating, as demonstrated here by Kit Kemp. ‘Consider the backs of your dining chairs carefully, particularly in an open space, where you will see them from the rest of your room,’ she says. “Have fun, use a bold pattern or colour, beautiful contrasting piping, an appliqué design or an interesting shape.’

SOCIABLE SEATING

Consider a corner seating arrangement when it’s important to fit as many friends or family members around a table as possible – a banquette is a much more effective use of space than chairs. One trick to borrow from this scheme is to use a table with a slightly curved shape to make it easier for people moving in and out of their place. ‘People tend to congregate in the kitchen and designing a large, oversized banquette bench creates an attractive, sociable, flexible seating area,’ explains interior designer Fiona Duke.