CECILIA MÖLLER KIRCHSTEIGER INTERIOR DESIGNER
DINING AREA WITH EXTENDABLE DINING TABLE
CREATING SPACE FOR EVERYDAY AND CELEBRATION
Let the dining area become the natural focal point of the home. Cecilia Möller Kirchsteiger shows how an extendable dining table and thoughtful styling create both functionality and atmosphere.
FROM VISION TO REALITY – THE FAMILY'S HOME IN NORDIC STYLE
Three years ago, Cecilia Möller Kirchsteiger moved to a wooden house in the countryside with her husband and their two daughters. The couple's vision has always been to create a cosy, easy-to-clean home in the Nordic spirit. These were therefore important cornerstones they had to start from when they designed their house on their own. To anchor the Nordic spirit, the choice of materials was obvious, and they have therefore chosen to furnish with a lot of wood in light shades. Very fitting since the house is located in a birch grove with an adjacent forest and open fields over the Östgötaslätten.
Cecilia works as a photographer and marketer and has spent over a decade traveling around to photograph interior design reports for magazines both in Sweden and abroad. On her social media, she shares her interior design tips and her home, but also tips on everyday technology.
THE HEART OF THE DINING AREA – AN EXTENDABLE DINING TABLE
The family spends a lot of time together at the kitchen table and wanted to create a calm, homely atmosphere. Therefore, it was especially important to find a flexible dining table that suits both everyday life and celebrations. The old table was too small, so they started looking for a white-pigmented table in timeless design with solid quality – and preferably extendable, as they often gather friends and family.
WHY CHOOSE AN EXTENDABLE DINING TABLE?
For the family, it is now a given to have an extendable dining table. The simplicity of having a smaller table in everyday life that is flexible and easy to extend, which can be pulled out to make room for more. Or to allow life to continue with the ongoing game or puzzle being assembled on the other side of the table when it's time for dinner.
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One more thing that is so incredibly convenient and smart is that the extension leaves have their place hidden under the tabletop when not in use and do not need to be stored elsewhere, and they are easily accessible when needed.
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CECILIA'S BEST TIPS FOR AN INVITING DINING AREA
To create an inviting and inspiring dining area, Cecilia shares her best tricks:
- Keep it clean and tidy – a calm atmosphere feels more welcoming.
- Decorate with soft details like candles or flowers.
- Set the table with cloth napkins or a lovely linen tablecloth to create a warm and cosy feeling.
It doesn't necessarily have to be expensive or exclusive to feel luxurious. Bringing in a bouquet or branches from the garden can be just as beautiful and inviting as a purchased bouquet.
INSPIRATION FOR TABLE SETTING
Cecilia's biggest sources of inspiration are Instagram and Pinterest, but she encourages everyone to take the time to dare to experiment.
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Taking the time to go and do some small fixes with a table setting with nice music in the background is pure enjoyment! Favourite details for a cosy atmosphere will always be candles for me. Preferably grouped and many!
”She prefers cloth napkins when she hosts dinner parties. For everyday use, she offers a simple tip that paper napkins instead of kitchen paper are a way to spruce up a weekday evening. Cecilia also reminds that clean, polished glasses and cutlery make a big difference. Feel free to light candles even for a simple Tuesday dinner – it's the small details that make everyday life cosier.
SET THE TABLE FOR AN AUTUMN DINNER
Let the season shine and take the opportunity to use what each season has to offer. Use autumn leaves, carrots, pumpkins, and autumn-colored flowers in the table setting. Dare to stick to a theme to create a grand feeling – for example, by grouping several candles or decorating an entire runner with pumpkins and candles.
The basic tip is to avoid mixing in too many different elements as it complicates the creation of a harmonious feeling. Cecilia's favorite colors in the table setting lean towards the warmer palette while avoiding blue, as it can easily be perceived as cold.
RENEW YOUR DINING AREA WITH SIMPLE MEANS
Are you interested in updating your dining area? Cecilia gives us her two best tips.
- Rearrange the furniture. Place the dining table in a different way, perhaps it can be oriented differently, which gives a completely different feel to the room and makes your existing dining table feel like new.
- Use tablecloths and other textiles even on ordinary days, not just for dinner parties. It creates a warm and inviting atmosphere all year round.
If you want to see more of Cecilia's home and inspiring tips, follow her on Instagram @cicimollerkirchsteiger.