topic Re: A FEW DINING ROOMS in Home

A FEW DINING ROOMS

Oznell — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 00:20:21 GMT

Do you like dining rooms that are more formal, or more casual? I lean more casual, although, as a spectator, I can admire beautifully appointed, fancy dining rooms. But me, I always need more weathered woods, and softness, sometimes whimsy.

This antique French gateleg table below is my ideal. I have an old one I got in New Orleans, that is acting as a side table for now, but someday I want it to be the main table again!

Really like most of this dining room-- that table, the vintage chairs and mirror, simple stoneware pitcher and frosted glass candle sticks, the horse, sweet polka dot window treatment. But I think a darker stained floor would set the whole thing off better than the light finish they have, which doesn't quite work for me in this particular neutral room-- more contrast is needed--

.... a floor as lustrous and rich as this one below, would suit both casually appealing rooms.

To me, part of what makes dining rooms "informal", is when the different elements -- sideboard, table-- don't necessarily match. I like the eclectic mix here. It just seems "relaxed". But then I enjoy the combination of both painted, and natural stained furniture.

This is moving toward a little more formality below, with the symmetry of the china cabinets and the sconces, but the softness of the generous curtains and the painted chairs, the bohemian quality of the bamboo blinds, the gentle natural light coming through, keeps it approachable.

To me, Steven Gambrel is great with dining rooms-- they can be stately, yet feel friendly too. I think he achieves that with the next two. This one says, "come right in" --

.... and in this architecturally spectacular room below, he purposes an intimate dining area that takes advantage of the curving window to give diners a hospitable round table, and a cushioned window seat to loll on...

Maybe this room below is closest to being textbook 'formal', with its sparkling chandelier, fine wood, and matching wall and apricot silky curtains? But, there's no stiffness-- it still seems inviting. And that banquette visible in the distance on the lower left-- can't you see some guests just drifting over there to continue conversation and after-dinner coffee...

What are your must-haves, or on your wish list, for a dining room?

Re: A FEW DINING ROOMS

SaveTheTurtles — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 00:25:49 GMT

I prefer a more casual vibe that is large enough for a table for 8 and a china hutch. I'm not a formal person and don't entertain that way.

Re: A FEW DINING ROOMS

on the bay — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 23:32:55 GMT

To me these all look formal except maybe the first one.

Maybe it's the furniture.

For a dining room I like elegant, pretty and comfortable. I like pretty dishes and interesting napkin rings. My daughter always has beautiful flowers. I guess nothing looks staged and formal though like these rooms seem to me.

For a kitchen dining place, I really like informal and comfortable, and fun and color.

I used to have ivy wallpaper and of course real ivy.

But the #1 has plants overtaking everything.

Maybe these pictures look so formal because they are photos taken for a magazine or something.

A table should be like you love to be there, wanting to stay for a long time and to really appreciate everything about it.

Which can happen in every kind of style I think. It just depends on what makes us feel at home.

Still I can also appreciate chandeliers, 5 piece place settings, linen napkins 10 different glasses (ok I exaggerate) but you get the idea.

Or a tea room with delicate china cups and tiers of cakes and finger sandwiches on glass or pewter trays.

They can be appreciated too.

And thats my opinion and I'm sticking to it!

Re: A FEW DINING ROOMS

cheriere — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 02:00:06 GMT

@Oznell They're all very pretty in their own way. I find them to be very for,al too. I have more of a traditional dining room.

Re: A FEW DINING ROOMS

GingerHead — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 02:11:39 GMT

I love a more casual rustic look (aged,chippy,loved,french country).

@Oznell Pretty table, I can see why it's your ideal.

I love the aged wood tables in your pictures but totally agree about needing more contrast in that first dining room, the table and floors are beautiful on their own but one or the other needs to be darker to make their beauty really pop.

I also really like that baby blue lantern light pendant over the second dining room table, nice use and pop of a pastel color. I like using rustic, outdoor looking lighting inside.

I really like those designs by Steven Gambrel , especially the first blue room.

Thanks for the lovelies!

Re: A FEW DINING ROOMS

Puggywuggy — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 03:42:19 GMT

Because I have an open floor plan on the ground level, my rooms all 'play well together '. My dining room has a large, heavy Spanish style table accompanied by large tooled leather chairs. Centered above the table is a large, wrought iron chandelier. The walls are adorned with Spanish style artwork. I change the table settings depending on the seasons and meal styles. Thank you for the photos. I enjoy them immensely @Oznell!

Re: A FEW DINING ROOMS

Judaline — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 12:06:35 GMT

Whenever I see a dining room like this I always think, "who are they expecting??"

And I love the gate-leg table.

Re: A FEW DINING ROOMS

Iwantcoffee — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 12:27:54 GMT

I enjoy seeing formal dining rooms. We do not have a formal dining room nor did I have one in my childhood home. We would use a tablecloth on the table on special occasions to give a different, more formal look.

I like the china cabinets in this dining room.

Beautiful table and I like the pretty peach wall and drapes.

I love this dining room from the blog Between Naps on the Porch.

Re: A FEW DINING ROOMS

DREAMON — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 14:37:34 GMT

I prefer informal Dining Rooms. I like most of what is pictured.

#3 is not for me

#6 -I would change the decor and then LOVE that room. It has a cold vibe as is IMO.

Re: A FEW DINING ROOMS

wagirl — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 15:01:49 GMT

I like #2---but generally, I wouldn't have a separate diningroom-- I like an eat in dining area----for me--it's a waste of space and I don't have the need for one. I did have one --it was separate from the kitchen--had a buffet built in with cabinets over it, maybe used it 20 times in the 35 years I lived in that house---

Re: A FEW DINING ROOMS

spiderw — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 15:51:45 GMT

I like formal dining rooms that are comfortable. I inherited my mother's dining room set which was custom made in the fifties. The breakfront is huge because as I have mentioned before she was a collector. The table can sit eight when the leaf is added . The chairs are comfortable and this was where we entertained.

Whenever I have company we sit around the dining room table. However, I do not entertain that much anymore and think of downsizing and getting a smaller set. Lots of great food, so much conversation has happened around the dining room table over the years! Memories!

Re: A FEW DINING ROOMS

GinaV24 — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 16:48:17 GMT

@Oznell I like 2 and 3 the best. #2 with all the lovely windows and soft colors is so nice. Then of course I take the exact opposite and also love the pink chairs!

Like you I love the gate leg table. I mentioned in one of your other threads that my mom collected small antique tables. I have a lovely tilt top table that was hers.

I don't have a real dining room any longer as I don't entertain enough to make it worthwhile. I do love looking at photos of them.

Re: A FEW DINING ROOMS

DSD2 — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 19:51:05 GMT

The first dining room is my favorite, I actually love the color of the flooring.

The second dining room seems more spacious but I prefer the first.

I like formal dining rooms but as I only have an eat in kitchern I'd be grateful for either!

I do have a large china cabinet which looks very pretty; it showcases my collections, mostly inherited from my mother.

Re: A FEW DINING ROOMS

Sooner — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 19:59:31 GMT

Our dining room is pretty formal, a little less so than in our last house. That being said, it has never interfered with wonderful parties and celebrations, space to do a project, sort out paperwork, string a guitar (with a big towel underneath), and for the two of us to have a meal whether it's fancy or a burger.

We have a bar-height counter in the kitchen and a table and 4 to 6 chairs also, plus this dining room and we use them all. Why wouldn't you? It's just a table and chairs no matter what the style! Use it!

Re: A FEW DINING ROOMS

RedTop — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 22:36:36 GMT

I grew up in a house with a small eat in kitchen, which seemed even smaller when the 5 of us sat down to eat. My chair was in front of the refrigerator, so if we forgot to set something out, or anyone needed anything, I had to get up to get it.

Our mobile home had a neat galley kitchen, and a dining area with big windows on the end. One of the reasons we chose the floor plan of this house was because of a galley kitchen with a separate eating area. Since we used that side door as our main entrance for many years, the room has always been casual and even with adult children I choose to keep it that way. Nothing in this country house is formal.

Re: A FEW DINING ROOMS

ECBG — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 23:53:56 GMT

I prefer this dining room which would look beautiful with antique china. LOVE the patina of the floor. I would change the light fixture to pewter to be more correct to the period.

Re: A FEW DINING ROOMS

ECBG — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 00:05:51 GMT

@Oznell

My dear, sweet step grandmother had a dining room set likethese Duncan Phyfe shield backs. They would eat your back up! Duncan Phyfe tables had a center column coming down then four feet with etched brass "paws".

Re: A FEW DINING ROOMS

AuntG — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 00:15:45 GMT

I like #5 because it is blue, and because of the fireplace. I've always liked them in dining rooms instead of living rooms.

Re: A FEW DINING ROOMS

Oznell — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 12:27:45 GMT

I love hearing all your ideas about dining rooms!

Thanks for posting a picture of your favorite dining room, @Iwantcoffee -- so pretty. That Venetian style mirror is gorgeous.

Our tiny dining room ( about 11 by 12) doubles as a library, since we have our major book case in there. It's also a "passage way" room, so it's constantly used and seen. I'd like to set it up as even more of a library, and once we just have the drop leaf gate leg table as our only dining table, there'll be room to do that, yay.

Formal or informal, I think the key to dining rooms is we all want them to be welcoming places where we feel comfortable to linger...

Re: A FEW DINING ROOMS

wilma — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 20:41:05 GMT

Our dining room is more formal, but we eat in it every day. It has a cherry table with matching chairs and hutch. The table has leaves we can add if we need more room for guests. Whether casual or formal, I want a dining room that's functional and practical.

We renovated our kitchen and dining room several years ago. We knocked out the top half of the wall separating the kitchen and dining room. I decided at that time we might as well use the dining room daily instead of just on major holidays. We don't even have a table for eating in our kitchen anymore. Just lots of counter space and storage. I haven't regretted the change at all.

Of the photos posted I like #7 best. I really like the peachy orange color.