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[Oznell]

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--

1)

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

2)

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.

3)

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.  

4)

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" --

5)

.... 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... 

6) 

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...

7)

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

[SaveTheTurtles]

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. 

[on the bay]

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!

[cheriere]

@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.

[GingerHead]

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!

[Puggywuggy]

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!

[Judaline]

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

And I love the gate-leg table.

[Iwantcoffee]

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.

[DREAMON]

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.

[wagirl]

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---