Close your eyes and picture a Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving: Grandpa carving the turkey at one end of the long wooden table; Grandma at the other end, seated on one of 10 matching chairs.
For a long time, that set-up was synonymous with “dining room.” But the American family has changed, and A
merican dining rooms are changing too.
“People are entertaining in a much more informal and creative way today,” says San Francisco designer April Sheldon. “They’re mixing different patterns in their dishes and putting branches and shells on their dining tables. The traditional mahogany table just isn’t working with today’s lifestyle.”
So, what is working in today’s dining rooms?
Mixable, matchable furniture in unusual materials and unexpected finishes, making a style statement by breaking all the rules.
While wooden tables are still the most readily available, tables in more unusual materials are increasingly popular. and can really set the tone for a dramatic dining space. Sheldon set a round marble tabletop on a base of bleached, rift-cut white oak and surrounded it by clear, modern chairs.
If you have a screened-in porch or sunroom, consider using it for casual dining. Backless benches are surprisingly comfortable, and are easier to get in and out of than benches with high backs. And because there is no upholstery, spills are never a concern.
Sometimes, a single long table really is the best option for a particular room. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with matching chairs.
Mix settees in with the chairs; just make sure you select pieces that coordinate well with the upholstered chairs so the arrangement looks thought out, not thrown together.
If you can’t decide whether to go for one big table or several little ones, why not do both at the same time?
“The most unusual table that I have done,” says New York designer Roderick Shade, “is one that was a big square, but came apart to be four smaller tables to seat more folks in the dining room. The best part was that it was a very simple parsons-style table in a bright red lacquer surrounded by Chippendale-style chairs.”
Susan Kleinman www.hgtv.com
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