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
