Create a dynamic dining room
As our homes and lifestyles become more casual, the dining room is perhaps the only bastion of formality; the one room left for occasions. With the holiday season approaching, this may be the perfect time to reconsider the importance of the dining room in your own family.
DECORATING
The decor of the dining room should blend easily with adjacent areas such as the living or family room. In many cases, we feel obliged to create very formal dining rooms even though we entertain on a much more casual scale. Forget everything you think the dining room should be — dark, dramatic, off limits — and make it what you want it to be. The following practical assessment can help you utilize this important space: ‰ What is the room used for? ‰ What might be required in order for you to use it more frequently? ‰ Will it be used primarily in the evening, or will you enjoy breakfast and lunch here as well? ‰ How much storage is needed for dishes, glassware, table linen, cutlery, wine and so on? ‰ What wall covering, flooring, window treatments and furniture will contribute to the feeling you want to create?
FURNITURE
There is not a great deal of furniture required for the dining room: a table, chairs, perhaps a serving table or hutch with sufficient storage and decorative objects such as a mirror. Round tables are cozy and work well in square rooms. They also facilitate the most energetic gatherings, since everyone at the table can speak easily.
For eight or more diners you will likely prefer a rectangular or oval table. If you are buying chairs to work with an existing table, allow a minimum of 70 centimetres of clearance per chair ( slightly more per chair with arms) of table length. You’ll also want to allow 76 cm of space behind chairs for getting in and out and an ample passageway of at least one metre for serving access.
COLOUR
The fashion for using red and other deep colours in the dining room dates back centuries. Although rich shades work beautifully for dining rooms dedicated to evening entertaining, they are not ideal for rooms used frequently during the day. A mid- tone colour ( one that is neither too dark nor too light) allows more flexibility, as it may appear fresher in daylight and creamier in evening light. Lighter colours will also work. However, they benefit from the drama and sparkle provided by accents such as mirrors, silver and crystal.
LIGHTING
Lighting the dining room is an exercise in layering and subtlety. Ambient or general lighting ( down lights) allows you to move through the space easily. Task lighting ( a focused spot or table lamp) is required at the buffet or sideboard to facilitate serving.
However, decorative lighting is perhaps the most important. Create drama with accent lighting directed to show off paintings, objects, and flower arrangements. And don’t forget about candlelight — a must for special occasions. Kimberley Seldon hosts Design for Living. Go to www.kimberleyseldon.com.