| Today's dining room is witnessing a lot of functional | | | | yellows and purples are not used in dining rooms |
| changes. More families are opting out of the | | | | unless you're trying to recreate your favorite fast |
| traditional use of a dining room and living room. | | | | food restaurant. And if that's the case, don't count |
| Excitedly, this space is now open for reinterpretation. | | | | on guests lingering long after dessert! |
| Prioritizing, based on the families needs is the first | | | | When investing in dining room furniture is it better to |
| method to determining its new function. | | | | invest in a set or separate pieces? |
| Other than the obvious, what are some other uses | | | | The best design looks like it has evolved over time |
| for a dining room? | | | | with careful selection of each piece. The dining table |
| Opt to make your dining room into a billiards room if | | | | and the next largest furniture item can be from the |
| there is the proper space for it. Since the room is | | | | same collection, sure, but if there's space for a third |
| central to other public areas in the home, make sure | | | | or fourth item, select a complementary item outside |
| the color components still flow throughout. A dining | | | | of that collection. As long as there is at least one |
| room makes a great office. If possible it can still | | | | unifying element in color, finish or the same lines as |
| serve double duty as a dining room with the proper | | | | the larger pieces, you can blend items from different |
| size table. Who says the office desk has to be a | | | | periods. I tell my clients to relax a bit before they |
| formal desk. The more functions to maximize when | | | | complete a room. Wait for that room to speak to |
| decorating the space the better. | | | | you. Let it tell you what it needs. Don't be afraid to |
| Are there particular colors recommended for dining | | | | use a bedroom dresser as your server if the scale is |
| rooms, or colors that should be avoided? | | | | right. |
| When in doubt, homeowners can take a cue from | | | | How much should be spent on furniture? |
| their favorite fine dining restaurant. You won't go | | | | How much you should spend depends on various |
| wrong using hues from organic spices, such as | | | | factors, such as how often the furniture will be used, |
| oregano, basil, paprika, cinnamon and curry. Not only | | | | how often you upgrade furniture, and whether or |
| do they stimulate the appetite but also they create a | | | | not you prefer heirloom-quality furniture that you'll |
| quiet sense of excitement. For homeowners who | | | | pass down through several generations. I would much |
| prefer the focus to be on the conversation and the | | | | rather a client wait for the right piece that may take |
| meals, I suggest softer neutral tones with barely a | | | | a few years to purchase than to buy something of |
| hint of creams, grays, greens, white, certain blues or | | | | lesser value that's cheaper but will have to be |
| a blend. You'll find that color trends vary | | | | replaced in a couple of years. |
| geographically. Typically, stark, vivid colors in blues, | | | | |