Breakfast Nooks

As I have briefly mentioned before, my parents are building a new house and have kindly allowed me to give my input when it comes to design.  Currently we are gathering ideas for the kitchen and breakfast nook.  They decided not to include a formal dining room in their new home.  Growing up, the only time we ever used our dining room was during Thanksgiving, and for the rest of the year it laid dormant.  So, no dining room this time around.  That means the breakfast nook will be multifunctional, used both for everyday eating and for entertaining.

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I really love the idea of including a banquette around the table for seating.

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Since this table will also be used for entertaining guests, I think it needs to be a statement piece.  Gorgeously designed, and anything but ordinary. I almost squeeled when I saw this setting:

See more gorgeous spaces after the jump!

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Lately, I've been obsessed with gilded faux bamboo chairs used as kitchen seating.  I would love to do faux bamboo gold chairs that have the same shape as these lucite ones:

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I like the idea of juxtaposing bamboo chairs against a marble table, like in this dining area:

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This is the closest thing I could find to the gilded bamboo chairs I am envisioning.  It took lots of internet browsing to even find these (le sigh):

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Alas, I will keep looking and dreaming up ideas.  What's your favorite dining area look?