3.11.08

Banquette Seat

Banquette Dining
Banquette Dining


This is a picture of the new banquette which was recently installed in the Breakfast Nook in my own kitchen. When I moved into my new home I decided to keep these antique Georgian chairs (which I have had for years and had previously used in a bedroom and a den) and reincarnate them in the kitchen. I wanted to use white for the upholstery, and deliberated on finding the right fabric that would be user friendly and easy to maintain. I choose a soft washable leather and finished the bottom edge of the chairs with a antiqued nail head trim to keep with the period design. I paired them with a contemporary Saarinen table, which highlights the backs of the chairs and makes them stand out like pieces of sculpture. The custom banquette seat was designed to fit into the alcove and it is covered in the same washable leather. The top corners of the banquette are scalloped to match the back of the chairs. I like mixing different chairs around dining tables and not having them all match. The trick is to find a common element that ties them together. In this case it is the dark wood color that unifies them. I also have Phillipe Stark Ghost chairs that I use when I need more seating around the table. Ghost chairs are like a chameleon and work anywhere. Banquette seats are very comfortable and they encourage lingering. Already this is a place everyone gravitates to and wants to sit and talk long after a meal is finished. It is also one of my favourite spots to sit with a coffee and a good book.

What about you – do you always choose to sit on the banquette when going to a restaurant?
And do you tend to linger longer than usual?

PATRICIA GRAY INC is an award winning interior design firm writing about lifestyle and WHAT'S HOT
in the world of interior design, architecture, art and travel.
2011 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™

26 comments:

  1. I hope we can see every nook and cranny of your house, it is always a great inspiration. So elegant, so fresh. I am also becoming addicted to your photography.
    Ciao

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  2. Anonymous3/11/08

    très belles ambiances dans votre blog.

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  3. Anonymous3/11/08

    Absolutely gorgeous!!!! Your home is breathtaking!

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  4. Wow...your chairs look amazing around that table...

    Do you ever have a hard time letting go of stuff?

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  5. Totally gorgeous! What did you use to cover the seats?

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  6. Anonymous3/11/08

    Cara Patricia,

    Thanks for the "peep". I particularly fancy the Saarinen table. Wish I had one for my breakfast room. Complimenti! Bacione, Ingrid

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  7. So pretty! But what happened to the other table? I loved it too.

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  8. Hi Katie
    Thanks for your kind comments and for taking the time to read my Blog and comment. It is very much appreciated.
    You noticed that I changed tables. The antique table was a little too large for the space, so it now has a new reincarnation
    as a writing desk in my solarium (which is still not finished). Oh how I wish that table could talk. It is a few hundred years old,
    My time with it has only been about 20 years, but it has hosted some marvelous and memorable times!

    Patricia
    PS Happy Election day to you there in the US…I wish I could cast a vote. As Canadians we are so very much effected by
    what goes on in your great country.

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  9. Hi Linda
    I used a washable leather. It is the equivalent to Edelman Krypton leather.

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  10. Hi Michelle
    Yes I do have a hard time letting go of "stuff". I think it is something we all battle with.

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  11. Anonymous4/11/08

    Hi Patricia!
    I will be waiting on pins and needles in front of the television tonight. After the last eight years, we could all use a CHANGE!

    Your table is lovely and I look forward to seeing your solarium! I love your new breakfast area just as much. They are very different, but both very lovely.

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  12. Beautiful
    must be great having your coffee there every morning :)

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  13. patricia - please please show us the rest - if your breakfast nook is this beautiful I can only imagine the rest!!!!!!

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  14. Anonymous6/11/08

    I admire the way you successfully mix contemporary and antique furnishings! What a great way to have the best of both worlds in your home.

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  15. I love it ! You have such a style

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  16. Anonymous7/11/08

    Hi Patricia
    Who is the maker of your banquette? It has GREAT lines.

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  17. Absolutely LOVE it.

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  18. Anonymous8/11/08

    I too noticed the table change. And what a beautiful table it is....I'm glad to hear it's being repurposed for another room. The new banquette is devine. Which reminds me...I'd LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to see more of your home.
    By the way...love the lamp that was sitting on the previous lamp..I have a pair in my bedroom!

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  19. divine !!! love it!!!

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  20. Patricia, your breakfast nook is gorgeous! Such a beautiful sconce in the background as well.

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  21. Patricia - your eat-in area looks exquisite! I love the idea of that washable leather. WHen I first saw white, I assumed you were one of those women who never eats - hehe. Nice to see you can wash and go!

    Gorgeous!
    Terri xo

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  22. Wondering if it is an illusion or have you crafed a half window molding, abutting it next to a mirrored wall in order to have the effect of an additional window in the room? If so, think it very clever!

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  23. That is just so lovely. Such a wonderful little vignette. That Canadian air certainly agrees with your creativity!

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  24. Patrica- I was doing a google search of the saarinen table in breakfast nooks & this came up-- (for ideas in our new home) I just LOVE the beautiful combination of the chais & table!!

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  25. Dying to know where you got your banquette - it's exactly what I've been looking for (for months one end)!!

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Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™

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