Kitchens and dining rooms are where we gather, so they are the perfect place for a little fun. In this post we share playful wallpaper and lighting ideas built around fruit, fish and a few friendly animals, with tips on how to use bold designs without overwhelming the room.
Fruit on the walls
Fruit is a natural fit for a kitchen, and a citrus print brings instant cheer to a breakfast nook or dining wall.
Arance Wallpaper from Cole & Son is a bold repeat of Mediterranean citrus fruits drawn from the Fornasetti archive. The design first appeared on the tray 'Fette d'arancia' in the 1950s and was later reworked by Barnaba Fornasetti as a graphic fabric print in the 1990s. The fruit comes in true-to-life blood orange, orange and lemon on a Seafoam, Cream or Ink ground, so you can choose between fresh and light or deep and dramatic.
A practical tip: if you are nervous about a whole room, paper the wall behind the dining table or a run of wall above the counter. You still get the impact every time you sit down, with plain walls elsewhere to calm things down.
Fish for the dining room
Fish appear as motifs in some of Piero Fornasetti's earliest work, from luxurious silk scarves to trays and decorative porcelain. He was fascinated by how marine life's simple appearance hides a mysterious nature within the depths of the 'aquarium'.
Acquario Wallpaper from Cole & Son brings that idea to your walls with a whimsical composition and striking scale. The colourways (Ink, Seafoam, Dark Viridian, Taupe and Charcoal) keep a Fornasetti classicism, so the pattern feels witty rather than childish. Ink is wonderfully moody for an evening dining room, while Seafoam feels lighter and works well in a kitchen. Explore more in our Fornasetti collection.
Light the table with a smile
A pendant over the dining table is the one light everyone notices, so it is a great place to show some personality.
The Cherry Lamp from Qeeboo is a ceiling lamp in the shape of a pair of cherries, designed by Nika Zupanc. It gives semi-diffused light and comes in a range of colourways, so it can pick up a shade from your wallpaper. Hung above a table against an Arance wall, it continues the fruit theme in a playful way.
For a sideboard or a kitchen corner, the Jack Russel Light from Seletti is hard to resist. It is modelled on Rio, the Seletti family dog, who holds a classic chandelier arm in his mouth. Made from resin and measuring 42cm x 25cm x 34cm, it brings warm light and a big dose of charm. You will find more characters in our Seletti lighting collection.
If you have a double-height dining space or a grand hallway leading to it, the Giraffe In Love M from Qeeboo makes a real statement. Designed by Marcantonio Raimondi Malerba, the giraffe stands 265cm tall and holds a classic Marie-Therese style chandelier in its mouth.
Balance the fun with something calm
Playful pieces shine brightest when they have room to breathe. If one wall is full of fish or fruit, keep the others simple, or choose a quieter pattern for an adjoining room.
Willow Boughs Wallpaper from Morris & Co is a lovely partner. Designed in 1887, it has sinuous lines of willow stems and leaves in subtle tones and brings a calm, natural feel. With 12 colourways, from soft Linen and Willow/Seaglass to rich Bitter Chocolate and Woad, it is easy to find one that sits comfortably beside a bolder design.
Set the table to match
Finally, carry the theme onto the table. Repeat one colour from your wallpaper in napkins, glassware or a centrepiece so the room feels joined up. Our kitchen and tableware and Les Ottomans collection are full of ideas for colourful, characterful table settings.
Want to see these designs together? Browse the collections above online, or visit the shop in Somerset where our team will happily help you match wallpaper and lighting for your kitchen or dining room.
