Yes! Yes! Yes! I have always been an advocate for the separate dining room and have maintained a formal one through the ebb and flow of their popularity. I like classic dining rooms and think they should be decorated in such a way that it is a definite treat to be invited for a dinner party. And YES, I love dinner parties, boardgame night parties and entertaining in general. Unfortunately it is harder to get people together these days so I don't have the chance to entertain as often as I use to.
For years now homeowners have been opting to forgo the formal dining area. I am so pleased that the trend of converting the dining room into every kind of room imaginable is a thing of the past. Finally, with sit-down family meals making a comeback, people are once again wanting to stay home to cook, entertain, and foster a better connection with the ones they love. Architectural Digest reports that more and more young buyers are requesting a separate dining area to entertain family and friends. Good for them I say!
During the past decade people have opted to go out to a great restaurants. However now couples are realizing that the same kind of atmosphere can be achieved in your own dining room. The restaurant is being abandoned for old-fashioned dinner parties as people are wanting to create a room for a grand celebration for friends and family
With the formal dining room undergoing a current revival perhaps it’s time for you to bring back one of your own. Remember that "formal" has a different connotation today than it did in the past. Today's dining room is generally much more comfortable and casual while still maintaining a chic, elegant style. Below are some images of dining rooms in various styles that hopefully will convince you to embrace the fact that dining rooms are back, and help you create a stylish one of your own.
The formal dining room like this one in Waddesdon Manor, was considered a symbol of wealth and privilege in the past. This is the room where you wanted to "wow" your guests.
Miguel Flores-Vianna
While I have always loved old world dining rooms, most people today simply can 't decorate in THAT grand of style. However, even today, you can create lovely dining rooms that will still provide the "wow factor".
Today's homeowners desire spaces unique to their use, and we're seeing more separated dining rooms.
Recently there has been a bigger push for families to come together around the dining room table again to actually sit down for a meal.
It is nice to have a room free of TV screens or computer monitors. Just a place for family, friends, food, and good conversation.
The dining room style is a matter of personal preference. All sorts of possibilities present themselves, but let's look at some examples that might pique your interest if you are considering jumping on board the trend. The French dining room normally has a comfortable elegance that makes a room interesting and chic without the overdone matchy, matchy look Americans, especially, have come to expect in a dining room. Tip....start out with some great chairs.
You don't have to be "formal" to breathe new life into one of the most important rooms in your home. Two French looks, the farmhouse and the chateau, are extremely popular today because they are naturally loaded with a quite, elegant, charm that is very appealing to homeowners.
A rustic farm table, used with more elegant tableware and beautiful flowers, makes a grand statement for any dinner party.
or English in style, the rustic farmhouse style dining room is still very popular.
You can choose to show off your lovely table........just remember you can choose to match or unmatch the chairs and table. No longer are dining room "sets" popular.
These chairs are certainly not matched to the table but the look is stunning. Cane back chairs, popular for use in 18th century country chateaus of the French aristocrat, bring a light airy look to any modern dining room.
via Pinterest
Or you can choose to dress your table in layers of cloths for a warm chateauesque style.
Lisa Farmer - Eye For Design
I have just changed to this style myself after years of keeping my table au naturel. Also I have opted to use an antique cane back sofa and country French rush bottomed seats together for a casual French look. Guests love sitting in the settee, something they don't normally see at the table.
Keith Irvine, Designer
Learn to think differently about the definition of a the dining room chair. For an elegant dining room look simply pull up a couple of wingback chairs for the ends of your table.
Make your dining room table interesting by using contrasting materials and styles. Here a rustic wooden top rests on a couple of classic faux architectural salvaged stone columns. Today's dining room look is all about contrasts.
Today's dining room calls for a playful sense of style. Shiny stone surfaces, dressier finishes, and glass tops are more popular than ever.
Understand that the only furniture in a dining room need not be a table and x number of chairs with matching china closet. Other seating and interesting pieces can be added for charm and interest as well an functionality. Since it's a space that sparks conversation that might not happen in any other room of the home, why not include more seating.
images via Pinterest
Creating beautiful table settings has become popular again,
as traditional formal tableware for the dining room is also making a comeback. Ask anyone!!!
Thomas Jayne via Architectural Digest
Update your dining room using contrasting materials and styles. Try using contemporary furnishings with rustic or antique pieces.
source unknown
My favorite thing about the desired look for the new dining room is the feeling of casual elegance. Gone is the "all pieces must match, go to the store and by a dining room suite" mentality. Now it's all about mixing pieces and using them in different ways.
Designer, Mario Buatta
Make your dining space traditional with a single table but also consider setting up two restaurant type tables.
Via Victoria Magazine
Since we are seeing the return of wallpaper from the scorned and rejected area, try adding a beautiful pattern to your dining room walls.
Leta Austin Foster, Designer
Or consider a beautiful mural or trompe l'oeil painting on the walls of your dining room.
Atlanta Homes Magazine
Since the new dining room design is all about eclecticism and using interesting pieces, it should be decorated........and that doesn't mean you just add a table, chairs, and traditional serving pieces and then stop. It means bringing excitement and personality into your dining room.
A dining room is the space where you can let your personality shine no matter which style décor you prefer.
Look for alternative spaces for your dining area. This is so cozy......just tucked away on a landing.
Tara Shaw
As for dining room lighting, a classic chandelier is always glamorous.
A French style crystal chandelier is a good investment and will always survive the trends.
However, with a plethora of stylish lighting out there, your options are unlimited.
via Pinterest
Consider an interesting industrial fixture,
or lanterns for your dining room space. There is something for everyone.
Susan Ferrier via House Beautiful
Although a big bouquet is still gorgeous, your centerpiece doesn’t have to be a vase of flowers.
Here sea shells take center stage.
In olden times, dining rooms used to be just for.......well, dining. This is now an outdated trend as more and more homeowners are choosing to combine their dining rooms with a home library or study space. I like the idea of a "double duty" dining room.
The return of the formal dining room is major interior trend.
Catch the fever!
For more dining room ideas you might like: Decorate With Round, Skirted, Dining Room Tables, Decorating With Banquette Seating, Decorating With Slipcovers, Decorating With Mismatched Dining Room Chairs
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This blog post was published by Lisa Farmer