SETTING THE SCENE

Entertaining at home may not be easy, but half the battle is w on when you have a stylish dining area to host your guests. We put together four distinctive looks to consider.

Navi reclaimed rope pearl pendant lamp, $479.20, from Departures & Arrivals.

Denali red rug, $690, from Departures & Arrivals.

Ferm Living Kelim rug, price unavailable, from Lifestorey.

Bloomingville Sandrine plate, $38, from Stylo Deco.

Bloomingville Flowers On Cream dessert plates, $68 for set of three, from Stylo Deco.

Ethnicraft Slice Teak dining table, from $1,425, from Originals.

Nomad Village Dinglik teak bench, $680, from Originals.

Frost blue vase, $169, from Homes To Life.

Lis Deco insects, $32.95 a pair, from Homes To Life.

BOHO - RUSTIC

The boho-rustic look is free-spirited, with no pressure to be prim and proper (or matching). Warmth is imbued through layering soft furnishings such as rugs and cushions, as well as colours and prints. Organic materials, textures and shapes give it a hint of nature.

Key elements:
• Wood pieces with textured surfaces, or weathered furniture pieces
• Elements of nature, in the form of items with animal and floral designs
• Organic materials such as rattan and jute for a rustic touch
• Woven rugs and bright-hued cushion covers
• Mismatched tableware.

House Doctor bowl and plate by Hand, $14 and $25, from Mondays Off.

Mini vases, $18 each, from Oh Leaf.

Kamuy dining table, price unavailable, from Conde House.

Comet lamp, $549, from Galanga Living.

Gebruder Thonet Vienna single curved stool, from $1,045, from Space.

Baltic linen table cloth, $135, from Kamilinen.

Chatter vases, from $28, from Oh Leaf.

Oak low table, $469, from Muji.

MINIMALIST JAPANESE

The Japanese use empty spaces to highlight the forms and textures of the items present, so take your cue from this philosophy. Keep the space bright, open and clutter-free, and use only furniture and items with subtle details and clean shapes. There is a preference for natural tones and textures. Add colour with nature, such as a simple potted plant.

Key elements:
• Plenty of natural lighting
• Light hues such as white, cream, browns, and pale grey
• Primarily wood furniture with smooth surfaces
• Accessories made of natural materials, such as ceramic, linen, and stone
• Greenery, be it towering plants or smaller potted shrubs.

Barbara Barry Bowmont chandelier, price unavailable, from Proof Living.

Nobilis decanter, $229, from Villeroy & Boch.

Nobilis glassware, $169 for a set of two glasses, from Villeroy & Boch.

Potocco Bon Bon table, $10, 410, from The Beuro.

Tufenkian Galaxy Crystal Blue rug, price unavailable, from Proof Living.

Baker Arcade Shell chair, price unavailable, from Proof Living.

Diane James Blooms faux flowers, price unavailable, from Proof Living.

La Classica Contura tableware, from $34.95, from Villeroy & Boch.

MODERN CLASSIC

Glamorous without being too fancy or fussy, this look is classic, yet keeps up with the times. Balance more ornate traditional styles with clean-cut designs for contemporary luxury. You will never spot anything too “trendy” in a Modern Classic theme — think elegant colours, too.

Key elements:
• Luxe fabrics, such as velvet and silk
• Neutral base colours, with jewel-tone accents
• Brass or gold-tone metallic trimmings and details
• Fresh flowers with opulent blooms; for example, roses, hydrangeas and lilies.

George Nelson Bubble lamp, price unavailable, from Pomelo.

Applicata Torso vase, from $50, from Bibliotek Design Store.

1900s’ brass candleholder, $150 for a pair, from Mobler.

1950s’ cheese platter from Denmark, $80, from Mobler.

Brina dining table, $1,799, from Commune.

1960s’ vintage Danish Schionning & Elgaard teak dining chair set, price unavailable, from Noden.

Ansley vases in olive and pumpkin, $39.95 and $59.95, from Crate & Barrel.

MID - CENTURY MODERN

The graceful, refined proportions, and uncomplicated details of this style ensure its enduring appeal, and make it very desirable. Design masters, such as Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson and Hans Wegner, created a warm and cosy vibe with their furnishings, which dominated homes of the mid-20th century.

Key elements:
• Lots of wood with a clean, natural and smooth finish
• Furniture with pointy pencil legs, and pared-down forms (preferably a design classic)
• Darker neutral tones and earthy colours
• Graphic optical-art patterns
• Nature-inspired motifs.