Dinner Plans

Posted on November 4, 2013 by admin

With the holidays upon us, you may be assessing your home with a critical eye. Suddenly chairs need refurbishing, tables need resurfacing, and rooms rearranging. View this time when your senses are heightened to make a to-do list for what can be done now, and what is better considered a longer-term objective.

Dining rooms, often the center of entertainment as family and friends come to visit and celebrate, can be challenging to update. A dining set is typically a major purchase, and should ground the room. With tables of all shapes and sizes, it will be important to consider both the size of your room and the needs of your family. Round and oval dining room tables provide an ease of conversation that most of my clients find very appealing. Expandable tables, with drop leaves, built-in extensions, board inserts, and the like are all practical. Today’s designs take up little “closed” space, and can instantly be enlarged when guests are expected.

Chairs alone are far from a simple choice. Finding the right scale and comfort is well worth the effort. Overly large chairs, though comfortable, can take too much space in the room. Small chairs discourage guests from lingering at the table and enjoying the food and company. Search for well-designed, well-crafted chairs and be sure to test for comfort. Consider also purchasing a few spare chairs for larger gatherings. Upholstered slipper chairs can be an elegant addition and mix well with any wood tone.

A sideboard, chest or armoire will give you needed storage, and provide a key decorative element in any dining room. Know your storage needs before searching for any piece. You’ll never regret the convenience of having silverware, linens and serving pieces handy in the room.

If your design style tends toward traditional, then draping your windows in luxurious side panels or even an elegant swag and jabot treatment will help provide this room with another great focal point.