Breakfast Nooks + Recipes

After spending a long, holiday weekend with family (time that was mostly spent eating), I was thinking how nice it would be to have a cozy breakfast nook in the kitchen for family and friends to gather while cooking meals or to have snacks together in between meals.

Image via Chris Barrett Designs

One key element of the breakfast nook includes either a banquet, a settee, or a long bench to anchor the seating arrangement. This type of seating also allows for decorative throw pillows and comfy cushions to soften the eating area and make it more welcoming. Adding chairs in addition to the fixed seating will provide flexibility with the seating arrangement and variety.

Image via Lonny Magazine and Estee Stanley Styling and Interior Design

Good lighting is key, and windows are ideal, but otherwise a good pendant light will also suffice.

Image via Bilhuber & Associates

Obviously a table is also a key part of the equation, but it does not need to match the rest of your furniture, and this will just add to the casual nature of a kitchen seating arrangement…

Image via Elle Decor

Lastly, table decor, like a recycled glass vase with fresh flowers, should be the finishing touch to your breakfast nook.

Image via Lonny Magazine

After spending a very long weekend eating, eating and doing more eating, I thought it was appropriate to at least share one recipe on the blog today and a slightly healthy one at that. This is a family recipe from my dad and mom (my dad’s friends from VISTA had not seen each other in years and they gathered recently at a big house – a la The Big Chill, and made these Hearty Oatmeal Pancakes for the large group of friends). They are delicious and healthy too, plus great for a large gathering of family and friends. So without further ado, here is Roz and Ted’s Hearty Oatmeal Pancakes Recipe (with walnuts and apples, yum!)…