The other day Beth suggested some ways to loosen up the dining room. Funny, we're not even sure that in our increasingly informal lives there's even much of a need for this room anymore but then the holiday season rolls around and we all find ourselves scrambling to transform it from its use as a catchall for mail back to its original purpose. Here are some other ideas, courtesy of Metropolitan Home, of how to work this room to its best advantage...
5 More Tips For Your Dining Room
Metropolitan Home
- Oh, I'm so stuffed: Comfortable chairs are key whether they're a matching set or a mixed bag. This may be your only chance to catch up with your extended family and hear some of their stories and you don't want to be interrupting the good parts because you're squirming around.
- Spotlight the food; flatter the guests: Good lighting should show off the food and the guests. Think soft, skew warm and, even though it's traditional, don't be limited to overheard lighting and candles.
- Peek a Boo: Table decorations are lovely but the whole point of being at the table is to be able to look over and see the other guests without having to bob and weave to find them behind the centerpiece. Low and simple arrangements not only let you see the other guests but they can be moved aside in favour of the real stars of the dining table, the platters of food.
- Something smells good: If flowers or candles are part of your dining experience, go for ones that don't smell (the only exception are natural beeswax candles whose very faint honey-sweet odor won't compete with the food's smell).
- Make room for strays: The best tables don't only have great food and great atmosphere, they also have a great mix of guests. Say "yes" when your sister asks if she can invite a stray friend; suggest that the new neighbors drop by for a drink with your family; encourage your best friend bring that new guy she's seeing; let the kids sit at the grownup table.
For more idea, click here
[image from A South Austin Sunny and Sophisticated Home]
Tags
dining room, entertaining, holiday, dining room, dining, Thanksgiving, holiday updatesRelated Links
- ATLA On The Town: DIFFA's DINING BY DESIGN 2008
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- Look: Grassy Tablecloth
Victoria - 5 More Tips For Your Dining Room
Metropolitan Home - Ethnic Loft
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Comments (14)
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Nice tips, except the kids at the adults table. Most kids are annoying and loud and gross. :)
view msjessiemeghan's profile
Looking to see if anyone has a suggestion for a source. I have trouble finding unscented candles whether they be white or other colors. I would especially love to find ones that aren't white though. Does anyone have anything to offer?
And I will have comfy chairs soon enough! As part of my dining area redo I have vintage chairs that just went on a trip to the upholsterer last week! I can't wait to get them back and try them out.
view Astur's profile
I'm in between letting children set at the adult table. It should be limited to those who know how to act at the adult table. It's a nice way to reward those who learned proper manners though.
view ChrisGal's profile
Kids will never learn to behave like adults unless they're taught to behave like adults - and they don't learn those lessons at the Kids table.
view bepsf's profile
Maybe you are loud annoying and gross :)
view labchick's profile
anyone know where that chandelier comes from? i really like it! :) suggestions?
view luxeandjacs's profile
I've been watching for a buffet on craigslist, which means that I've been looking at a lot of photos of hideous formal dining rooms that get used twice a year. The dining rooms of middle America do really need a lot of help. Such a waste to have a room that never gets used, except to display the good china in a lighted federalist 4-ton be-gewgawed piece of furniture.
view JoanneM's profile
i'm with you, joanneM. formal dining rooms are ridiculous. as are the den-living room-rumpus room-media room-bonus room combos. how many relax-on-a-couch rooms do we really need?
the thing with formal dining rooms is that they're usually on the other side of the house across an expanse of white wall to wall carpeting which looks rather fetching with lasagna dribbles on it.
since the kitchen is the heart of the home, so should a dining room (1), next to the kitchen so that guests can nibble and help out before sitting down to chow down.
view the polish chick's profile
@Astur - Pottery Barn has beautiful unscented candles in white and ivory. Ikea also has great ones (and a lot cheaper).
view Emily the Cat's profile
I feel like I'm in the minority group of people who actually use their dining room on a regular basis (all year around, not just seasonally). Dining rooms don't really need loosening up if you actually use them...
view Cashew's profile
Cashew, you're not alone--we use our dining room too. I don't think that increasing informality in our lives translates into the dining room becoming irrelevant. We have a dining room in our house, albeit a fairly informal setup. Every morning, my husband and I sit at our dining table and chat over coffee to start our day. Most evenings we sit down for dinner together or with friends. I really love the time I spend sitting at our table and wouldn't have it any other way.
Astur, I mentioned this in another post earlier today, but you should check out http://www.creativecandles.com/shop/. I haven't bought any candles from there yet and they certainly aren't cheap, but I'm really impressed with their color selection. With the holidays coming up, I'm definitely going to try them.
view harlie's profile
luxeandjacs, I think you want the Roost Halo Chandelier. You can find it at ww.velocityartanddesign.com
view bluetetra's profile
Anyone know where that beautiful vase is from??
view missgvs's profile
I use my dining room too. Every day. And would never eat a meal while sitting on the couch.
view Daily Nuance's profile