Coral Dining Room

Since I am at the beach this weekend, I thought I would post a blog that is beach-related! This is a dining room at my wonderful friend and client Paige’s Montauk house, and here is the story behind the design.

I started this room like I start many rooms: with the color. We decided to make this room coral pink (it’s pink,  red as the pics might make it seem). After painting all the walls this color we thought to fill the room with all white furniture. We needed a long dining table; couldn’t find one, so designed one instead. The table has rounded eased edges (like a surfboard) and has a high-polished, glossy finish. It’s held up by two mid-century modern tulip bases. To mix styles a bit, we picked traditional chairs and had the frames painted white. I upholstered the chairs in a pinkish patterned linen to pick up the coral color again, but covered the fabric in vinyl so that it would be completely stress free for the client. Nothing easier than wiping off a chair after a messy meal.

To continue the story in a more literal way, we hung a large, white coral chandelier from Moth Design over the table. Texture plays an important part when designing with this much white so the texture of the back of the chairs, the coral fixture, and the glossy white table all play off each other. The fireplace was original to the space so we kept it and it adds even more white texture and interest to the room. To mix in an additional element to the room the art follows none of the established design rules. The art is really what makes this room fun and loosens it up a bit. The interior is all so carefully thought out so I like that the art Paige chose is unexpected. Paige is the expert at placing art since she is an art collector and the owner of Mixed Greens, a gallery in New York. She is also the author of a book called "The Art of Buying Art" (which everyone should own; it’s amazingly informative and fun).  The circular A.A. Rucci piece over the fireplace gives a loud pop to the wall as do the Maira Kalman portraits on either side of the main window. Nothing better than swinging open the doors out to the deck with its spectacular views!