Cornflower Blue at www.japanese-home-gardens.com

Old pine furniture gets a modern twist with cornflower blue walls and a stylish display of china in this welcoming room.

The rich cherry wood of the table, chairs and storage chest is teamed with deep, cornflower blue for a strong but sophisticated look. Dining rooms were traditionally painted dark colours, giving evening candlelit meals a feeling of luxury and sensuality. This blue is a modern take on the rich reds and greens traditionally used and is picked up in the cushion covers.

This room has white walls and an off-white vinyl floor, creating a neutral, fresh backdrop. To stop it feeling drab or bleached out, two strips high up the Wall have been masked off then painted a cornflower blue. This makes the room feel wider and less like a corridor. The same blue is picked up in the tablecloth, while cheery cushions and accessories create little points of colour around the room.