There’s something about settling in around the dining room table that feels important. While the kitchen island works well for snacks or lunch, dinner happens at our table. It feels like the most significant part of the day to us. On most nights, it’s where we gather once everyone is home for the evening and we have nowhere else to be. In the midst of our busy lives and scattered schedules, a leisurely meal around the table is just what we all need to feel grounded. As the kids are getting older, our conversations are getting richer. Nowadays, it seems that we all tend to eat a little slower and no one is in a hurry to leave the table.
I really appreciate what this room represents. It’s a set-apart space that has been intentionally designated for lingering over good food and conversation with family and friends. I want anyone who gathers in our dining room to feel welcomed and comfortable. We have this saying displayed on a wall at our restaurant: “Where everyone has a seat at the table.” I mean this just as much for our restaurant guests as I do for anyone who sits around our table at home. When I think about this space in terms of balancing comfort with this more meaningful purpose, I get really excited about how certain design choices can help turn these ideals of hospitality into reality.
Our dining room happens to share a space with the kitchen as well as the living room, so it’s not really a formally defined space. Still, I wanted to be intentional about its placement in a way that could give it the significance it deserves. Long before we actually bought our farmhouse, we’d sometimes take a drive out to see the property. The owner was always kind enough to let the kids run wild while Chip and I sat beneath one of the oak trees that towered over the backyard. My favorite part about those visits was the enormous trees that sheltered us as we hoped and planned for our future. Once the house was ours, I decided to position our large dining table in a place where we could look out at those billowing oak trees that I’ve loved for so long. To me, even though this space lacks definition and doesn’t allow for a ton of extra design elements, that’s okay. It is made unique by having a front-row seat to the best view in the house. Now, whenever I look out the window from the dining room table, I still remember those early days and all the dreams they held.
It’s pretty standard for older homes to have both a formal dining area as well as a smaller breakfast nook near the kitchen. That was certainly the trend in residential construction for many years, when more and bigger was better. These days, many of our clients prefer to have just one dining space in an effort to maximize the functionality of their house. I love to hear this from clients as I, too, am all about utilizing every square inch of our home to its fullest potential.
If your house has more than one dining space, think about transforming one of these areas into something you would use more often. If you have a formal dining room that you rarely sit in, consider giving it a new purpose and build out your breakfast nook to serve as your primary dining area instead. This can work both ways. Perhaps it’s the formal space that remains while the nook becomes an extra sitting area or a useful coffee bar. When considering these types of changes, whatever makes the most sense for your family is really all that should matter.
I think you’ll find the greatest value in a dining room that’s as functional for everyday meals as it is for formal occasions worthy of the holidays. Many people struggle to move past the idea that dining rooms should look fancy and only be used for the finer moments, but I can’t help but fight for a room that serves both of these purposes well. Typically, the rooms that are reserved for use only a few times a year just don’t have the same level of warmth and life as a space that’s truly lived in.
This room, no matter how often or scarcely you use it, should look and feel like your family year-round, just as much as any other space might. This is where you enjoy good food and conversation. It should never feel plain or muted or uninspiring. In fact, since this space is typically closed off or separated from the main gathering areas of the house, it affords a fun opportunity to be a bit more creative. Perhaps it’s with wallpaper that you love but feel is too bold to put anywhere else. Maybe it’s a whimsical light fixture or cool artwork. Anything that speaks to you that might seem too dramatic, or just different from the primary tone of the house, could be perfect here. The dining room is a great spot to just go for it.
If your dining area is more like mine and shares a space with other living quarters, I recommend choosing textures and colors that complement the rest of the area so that there’s a consistent flow within the space as a whole. Rather than reaching for bold colors or textiles that could make the space feel disjointed, look for chairs that are both beautiful and comfortable and a dining table that works well with your typical crowd.
Kitchens and dining rooms go hand in hand for me, and are two of my favorite places to be. But unlike the busyness that tends to fill a room meant for food preparation, the dining room feels quite the opposite. There, just by taking a seat, I feel prompted to slow down and simply enjoy the people I’m surrounded by. It’s never the actual meal that makes our time together matter, it’s what happens when everyone chooses to linger at the table long after the dessert plates have been cleared. When our kids do eventually excuse themselves or our guests head home, we want them to leave full—not just from the food, but from the experience they had around our table.
Our dining room shares a space with our kitchen and living room, so I kept the look consistent by mixing styles that are used throughout our open floor plan. The distressed farmhouse table is the focal point here, and it sits well beside the shiplap walls and nearby antique kitchen island. The clean-lined leather chairs provide a modern contrast to the antique chandelier that ties it all together and helps establish this spot as the dining area. I love to incorporate found pieces that have some history into my house. The distressed green color of this vintage jewelry cabinet is one of my favorites. Clearly I’m drawn to this tone, because it also shows up in the “Pharmacie” sign that hangs in the kitchen and the antique piano in the living room.
DINING ROOMS: WHAT TO CONSIDER
What you’ll find in this chapter are dining rooms that feel significant and intentional, whether they’re used twice a year or every day. The actual furnishings that fill these spaces tend to be few, but the components featured in this chapter cross all styles and genres of design.
KEEP IT CONSISTENT OR MAKE IT DISTINCT
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Dining spaces that happen to be located right off the kitchen or as part of an open floor plan, like mine, will typically feature design elements that are consistent with the larger context of the area they share. In these spaces, a focal point such as a table or dramatic light fixture can help establish the space as the dining room.
[if !supportLists]· [endif]If your dining room is separated from the rest of the house, look closely at how the homes featured in this chapter set the room apart. Typically, separate dining rooms will feature a few significant design elements that make the space feel distinct, like a large hutch or mirror, a bolder wall color, or a textured or patterned rug.
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Consider how textiles, including window treatments, cushions, placemats, and rugs can help to soften the space.
THE ELEMENTS
•SPACIOUS AND STURDY TABLE•VERSATILE CENTERPIECE
•COMFORTABLE SEATING•INTERESTING ARTWORK
•STATEMENT LIGHT FIXTURE•CANDLES AND CANDLESTICKS
•DRAMATIC WALLPAPER•HUTCH OR BUFFET
I added black built-ins to make a strong statement in this formal dining room, and the paneling behind the shelves resonates with the antique charm of this historical estate. To reach a balance of bold and casual, and to lighten up the aesthetic of the space, I incorporated antique pine dining chairs and white serveware on the shelves. The dramatic beaded chandelier offers an element of grandiosity hung above the oversize double-pedestal dining table. The garland of greenery on the fireplace mantel stands out against the all-black architecture, creating both contrast and an organic element that softens the overall look.
Floor-to-ceiling windows offer a great view of the backyard from this open-concept kitchen and dining area. The simple black dining table and surprisingly comfortable white chairs look right at home within this modern space. The unique, understated light fixture helps to define the dining space and blends in enough that it doesn’t detract from the main attraction: the view.
A lot of styles are brought together in this dining room. The industrial seating and dual light fixtures are balanced by a vintage area rug and ornate mirror. Since this area is right off the living room, the rug helps to make this spot feel anchored and significant in its own right. It also adds a lot of color and warmth to this otherwise neutral space.
I balanced the white walls and light terrazzo floors of this dining room with subtle design features to create an interesting contrast of materials and color. The black-and-white vintage maps of the homeowners’ city add a strong graphic element and personalization to this space. Something as simple as replacing an old chandelier with a modern alternative completely changed the feel of this entire room, suddenly reframing all of the other pieces in the space in an entirely new light. The bar seating is adjacent to the dining room and overlooks the wooded backyard, and for large gatherings, this spot functions as additional seating.
This dining space sits right off the kitchen, and because the square footage of this house is tiny, I installed booth seating to maximize space. The diner-style benches, built from antique threshing-wood flooring, bring in the ranch style that is inherent to the setting of this house. Metal black windows contribute to the overall industrial aesthetic used throughout the home and filter in plenty of natural light throughout the day.
This is the type of dining room you can hang out in for hours without ever caring how much time has passed. This room balances light and dark so well. The charcoal-black wall color and dark wood flooring exude a sense of coziness, and because there is a substantial amount of natural light coming in through the bay window, the moodiness isn’t overpowering. This bold paint choice is perfectly juxtaposed with the light art on the wall and the dining chairs that surround the table, a few of which are family heirlooms.
The wood and leather in this dining room contrast well with the lighter walls, creating a rustic yet elegant look. I incorporated selections of pewter, plants, and hand-thrown ceramic dishes on the open shelves to lighten up the substantial wooden furniture. What you display on open shelving in your kitchen or dining room is oftentimes practical and utilitarian. Mixing in a few unexpected or storied pieces to otherwise neutral arrangements adds an interesting layer to the shelves.
This space reflects both the midcentury architecture and southwest elements used throughout the house. The dining table and seating both have a modern bent while the Saltillo flooring brings in a southwest vibe. These two styles are bridged together by the rustic framed photos on the gallery wall, and easily work well together in this space because they share a warm, natural color palette.
The blend of old and new gives this dining room a unique, timeless look that I just love. The antique table paired with structured metal chairs makes the biggest impact. As an alternative to replacing uncomfortable chairs, just add removable seat cushions in a neutral shade for an easy upgrade to both comfort and style. The gray wainscoting and trim partnered with brass accents give a fresh interpretation to the historical detailing of the room.
DINING ROOMS
TROUBLESHOOTING
LACKING AMBIANCE
lighting
[if !supportLists]· [endif]When choosing a chandelier, think about the scale of the room as well as the ceiling height. Typically, a chandelier can safely hang 26" to 36" above the table. If you have a longer table, consider hanging two larger pendant lights above it. Recessed cans will bring in additional light if your space needs it, or you can install dimmer switches, which allow you to set the level of light in the room to your liking.
wall color
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Bold or rich wall colors can intensify the mood of this space, while lighter, neutral tones bring a brighter vibe. Consider incorporating wallpaper in your dining room for an even bigger statement.
textiles
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Add curtains or a rug to soften and add warmth to the room.
TABLE SIZE AND SCALE
Select a table size and shape that maximizes seating and ensures ease of movement around your table. Determine what shape of table will work best in the room—oval, circle, square, or rectangular. If possible, leave at least 36" between the edge of your table and other furniture or the wall. This allows enough room for someone to pass through behind the chairs while everyone is seated.
NO SEPARATE DINING ROOM
If you don’t have a dining room, get creative and find a spot that you can carve out for this purpose. You can define the space with lighting and furniture, such as an oversize or interesting chandelier or a substantial table. Banquette seating or built-in benches can also bring some functionality to the space.
UNCOMFORTABLE SEATING
If you want people to linger around your table and stay awhile, choose comfortable seating that will make your dining room more inviting. There are so many options out there that are both beautiful and comfortable. Don’t be afraid to mix and match styles for a gathered or eclectic look.
ADD DIMENSION
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Add architectural interest with trimwork around doors, windows, ceilings, and floors. You can take this further with wainscoting or applied wall paneling.
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Walls aren’t the only place you can add dimension. Ceilings can be treated with shiplap, decorative medallions, embossed ceiling tiles, and exposed or coffered beams.
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Windows can also be highlighted with plantation shutters or window treatments.
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Built-in cabinetry can be added to enhance the space through form and function. This is an ideal place to display or store glassware, silverware, and serving pieces.
[if !supportLists]· [endif]In lieu of architectural additions that require construction, wallpaper can add a similar effect through texture, pattern, and color. Grasscloth paper is a great option if you are specifically looking to add texture over pattern. Peel-and-stick wallpaper options are also available if you don’t want to make a permanent change.
������h
