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[stevieb]

@KentuckyWoman I agree with you on the whole open concept thing. To me, the best of both possible worlds is a home with dedicated living and dining rooms and a kitchen that extends into a keeping room, great room, family room... or whatever one wants to call it... Even if, as others have noted, 'formal' living and dining rooms aren't used so often, for me, they'd still be nice to have... Yes, there's the upkeep, but since they aren't used as frequently, it would tend to be a bit less intensive...

[stevieb]

@CelticCrafter Crooked pictures make me crazy too... 

[stevieb]

@Venezia I love the whole idea I've seen in magazines of combining a dining room and library. It's a good way to maximize use of a room that, as others have said, isn't always used very often...

[stevieb]

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@Spurt wrote:

@stevieb

Its a very pretty room.... I like the way the soft green color on the walls coordinates so well with the crown molding.  The clock and dinning room table and chairs look so nice together.  Just a pleasant relaxing room

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@Spurt I agree. I think it's a lovely room. It probably isn't what I would do had I a dedicated 'formal' dining space, but I do think it's pretty and serene...

[stevieb]

Some have noted the barometer and the lamp on the sideboard... I'm not a big fan of the lamp but do like the barometer. I suspect the lamp was chosen to pick up the metallic color of the barometer and, if I'm not mistaken, part of the face of the grandfather clock, but I think I'd have preferred a more creamy color porcelain lamp...

[stevieb]

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@Mominohio wrote:

It's a very pretty room, and my change would be the wall color. Nothing wrong at all with it, but just not my dream color. I especially love the wood work that you just don't find in homes today, and the built in as well. 

I will say that whenever the topic of this 'old way' of formal style and dining comes up here and other places I post, I'm amazed at the people who aren't comfortable with such a setting. 

I can see it not being one's style, and I can see one being in a place where they don't want the upkeep of such fancy things that they may use infrequently or not at all. And I can even see this not being the style of dining you would choose to do on any particular occasion. But I always wanted to make sure in raising my son, that he would be 'comfortable' in any setting, regardless how formal or simple, and everything in between. 

I find it unfortunate that formality is seen as uncomfortable, a thing of the past, not worth the effort and not liked anymore. It certainly isn't something I want to deal with every single meal, but I do find it very reminiscent of days gone by, and a pleasant and enjoyable experience for all the senses, to enjoy fine things like this on occasion. 

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@Mominohio I absolutely agree with you, though I changed your 'sad' to 'unfortunate'... 

I surely wouldn't want every meal to be a formal occasion, but there are times I enjoy sitting in a pretty room enjoying a leisurely meal that doesn't involve being in a high priced restaurant with people I don't know... 

[Elodie2]

A little too frilly and busy, I think. The chandelier is so distracting.  The room itself with the built ins is great.  I'd replace the matching china with an eclectic array of collectibles and leave the dining room table bare with only the 2 flower arrangements.  Love the color of the wall, the clock and the barometer!

[insomniac2]

Jam-packed with stuff. No room to breathe.

[ScenicMaine]

I love how many of you still use the formal dining room.  Some things from the past don't always need to be "a thing of the past."  Traditions are nice to carry thru generations.  

This room has pretty colors (although I'm not too much of a fan of darker wood but it does have its place.)  Just seems the space is tight with too much going on.  Maybe a few less accessories .. might do the job.

We're more casual & comfortable being so.

[Sooner]

As long as people can scooch around the table and be seated comfortably, you can have a dining room!  People are at the table, looking at one another and laughing and talking and that's ok.

I have been in very small dining rooms, and very big ones, and honestly, while you're eating, it's all good as long as there is space at the table. 

Then when you don't have company you can put a heavy cloth on the table and do taxes, do a puzzle, wrap gifts, stack books, or use it for games!