Extend a fresh outdoor feel throughout the house by bringing a bright colour palette through from a sitting room, but this time make it more subtle. Turquoise is the dominant colour in cushions, tablecloths and tableware, with dashes of orange as the accent shade. Choose natural materials where possible for a more relaxed mood: smooth oak contrasts well with a rustic console table, cane chair and a rush basket.

HOW TO MAKE IT WORK
• Keep the mood informal with a refectory-style dining table and a mix of seating, including a bench and matching dining chairs.
• Add a sense of fun with a hanging cane chair that can be transferred to the garden.
• Mix fabric patterns for a casual look, but keep them in the same palette.
• Create a subtle difference between the two areas with tongue-and-groove on the dining room walls.

FURNITURE Hanging cane chair, Baileys Home & Garden. Henge oak dining table; oak dining chairs; all Marston & Langinger. Oak bench, Mass N16. Aztec stool, Pod Interior Style. Similar rustic sideboard, Josephine Ryan Antiques & Interiors.
FABRIC Blue patterned cushions in Ananas in Lake, hand-printed linen, 115 cm wide, Raoul Textiles at Kathryn Ireland Fabrics. Plain cushions in Brera in Marine, linen/cotton mix, 140 cm wide, Designers Guild.
ACCESSORIES Large cushion on hanging chair, Designers Guild. Grace bedspread used as tablecloth; Portuguese china bowls; plates; green-blue vase; all The Conran Shop. Similar fruit bowl, Opium. Baobab clear glass vase; faux Bird of Paradise flowers; faux Singapore orchids; amber Abeche vases; faux tall fern tree; all Sia at Figaro Interiors. Masagran coffee glasses; Bistro cutlery; all The French House. Small faux Australian fern tree, Fake Landscape. Similar white plates, Poole Pottery. Similar blue vases, Alfie's Antiques Markets.


FEATURE LUCY ELWORTHY
PHOTOGRAPHS DEBI TRELOAR
MAY 2005