— Essentials —

Death of the Dining Room?

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I recently went to a Parade of Homes. I was disappointed to see that many builders have given up on including dining rooms in their model homes. Yes, they have larger kitchens with casual eating areas, however, the dining tables in the kitchens are not large enough to host dinner parties. In fact, most could only seat a family of four to six.

I’m all for dining rooms being less formal than our parents dining rooms. I never wanted the formal table with the matching hutch. Growing up it was an ordeal to put heavy table pads on my mom’s dining room table and then a tablecloth that was a bear to iron.

Dining room tables today are more casual. You can use placemats or chargers and forgo the tablecloth (and the ironing!). Although I still love china for special occasions, I very much enjoy setting a casual table such as this rustic place setting by Martha Stewart.

Casual rustic table setting

via Martha Stewart

Dining Room Table Love

What I love about a dining room table is surrounding it with friends and family. I couldn’t imagine forgoing dinner parties where we have the best conversations. Where we can linger for hours and enjoy each others company. We reminisce about the past and dream about the future. So I say, long live the dining room.

Dinner Party

via Remodelista

A Collection of Dining Room Styles

Following are a collection of dining room photos. Whether formal, casual, modern or traditional, the most important element of a dining room are the guests that fill it.

Dining Room with a view

via New England Home

Williams Sonoma Dining Room Table

via Williams Sonoma

Neutral Dining Room

via South Shore Decorating

Casual Dining Room

via My Domaine

Aerin Lauder's Dining Room Table

via Habitually Chic

What are your thoughts? Do you still have a dining room? Do you use it? If you were to move, would you purchase a home without a dining room?

 


1 Comment

  • DebbsSeattle November 12, 2017 at 2:21 am

    We have a dining room and it stands at the ready with full silver service everyday. We use this room…sometimes on a weeknight for two because we need a little touch of elegance just to make it through a tough week. We are cooks, appreciate fine things and beauty. We like to dine, not just eat. We just bought a second home in Montana, a log home that can get by being totally casual, my hesitation was the eat in kitchen no formal dining room. I got past it as I can still fit a 10 top table…we have friends in that community and will entertain there. If we were to change primary residences, we would make certain a dining room was had. In fact, my wish list would include a bigger one and a butler’s pantry, although I am sure we would need to custom build for that combo these days.

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