Spring Decorating Part Two-The Dining Room

This week I would like to talk about spring decorating for the dining room. Sadly, most people don't use their dining rooms that often. They are used for dinner parties or holidays, and the rest of the time they sit unused. In my home we use the dining room for many different purposes other than dining. It is also my library. We have floor to ceiling built in bookshelves on one wall in the room. I have a tall and very comfortable chair where I can sit and read a book. We also have large baskets stored in there where I keep art supplies. The dining table is perfect for drawing, making jewelry, and of course dining.

FLOORS: As I said in my last blog post, roll up your heavy carpets and use something lighter for spring. A needlepoint area rug is a nice choice. Even a bare floor is a nice change when the warm weather sets in. A stencilled border on your wood floor done in either stain or paint can be beautiful.

WALLS: Many choices are available for the walls. I think the dining room is a great choice for wallpaper. I think a few spaces in a home should be different and have wallpaper. Too much of the same painted walls throughout a house makes it bland. You need to mix it up to keep it interesting. Another choice is to have a decorative painted technique. Shiny lacquered walls are very dramatic. Venetian plastered walls can be elegant. Consider having an artist paint a mural for one wall. If you choose this option ask the artist to paint the mural on canvas. It can be installed on the wall and then taken down if you move. I know of many wonderful artists that can do any of these techniques for you.

FURNITURE: The largest piece of furniture in your dining room is most likely your dining table. I love round tables in a dining room. I think the conversation is easier sitting at a round table. A lovely way to decorate for spring is to have  a floor length table skirt made for it. I love a silk skirt with a flannel interlining. Flannel interlining makes the skirt hang beautifully with body to it. They have a very luxurious look and feel to them, almost like a ball  gown! These do work beautifully on a round table. If you have a rectangular table you can still skirt it , but it should be more tailored and fall straight down to the floor. Dressmaker details like a Chinese frog closure holding the top sides together is a nice touch. If you don't like the idea of a skirt, you can also put a decorative runner down the length of the table. Add some color and texture to make it interesting.

In the warmer months I think entertaining is more casual. Dining chairs do not have to match! Mix them up. Just be sure that the seat height and the styles are similar. Make the two head chairs fully upholstered chairs. If your side chairs are Queen Anne or chippendale, etc...think about slipcovering them. The seats on my side chairs are velvet for winter. I had a slipcover made for just the seats of my side chairs that are a summery print. I added a scalloped short skirt to the slipcover and they look perfect for spring.

I don't like matching sets of anything in a home. It is boring! Put a beautiful armoire or linen press in the room instead of a matching china cabinet. So much better to mix things up!

LIGHTING: This is one of the rooms in a house where I really love candlelight. Find some antique sconces for candles and hang those on a wall in the room. Have a dimmer switch installed for your chandelier or recessed lighting. Soft lighting along with candlelight are sure to set the right mood for a dinner party. Everyone looks better in candlelight!If you have a chandelier, think about finding some small lampshades for them. If you have them custom made, get pale pink silk lining.

ACCESSORIES:  I really think that accessories can make the room. Details are key! The dining table is a perfect place to make a statement. Change it around often.  Group some large Chinese ginger jars in the center of the table. Fill them all with different white flowers. Tulips, orchids and hydrangeas are a perfect grouping. Pink and white hydrangeas in a large basket is also a beautiful look.

A mirror is a must in the dining room. The mirror will help the room look larger and it will also reflect the soft lighting in the room at night. Don't hide your beautiful dishes! Display them in some way. Perhaps hang them on the wall. There are plate hooks available which can be easily found in any hardware store. Keep some of your silver out to use everyday. A large silver pitcher used for ice water is wonderful to use everyday. Have your orange juice in a beautiful cut crystal glass. If you have nice things, use them!

Look at your dining room and see how you can use it everyday. Add color and interest.

Happy Spring!

www.LeslieDeanInteriors.com