What’s happened to the dining room?

In Victorian times, the kitchen was often detached from the main house and the dining room was restrictively formal. That would make it tough to enjoy a glass of wine and some spinach dip while keeping an eye on the stove and dishing with friends. Thank God those days are gone!
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A few tips on creating great integrated space
Dinner at eight – spirit style
Pretty in pastels – oasis style
Fresh, flirty, intimate style – global village style
How many homeowners still reserve the living room for receiving guests? And how often does a successful party end up in the kitchen?

Of all the rooms in today’s home, the dining room is the most likely to vanish. Market studies have shown that dining rooms are disappearing from newer houses. It’s not that there isn’t any use for a dining room these days, but rather that it’s becoming more and more integrated into the kitchen and living area. An integrated space is an open concept that helps to bring family members and guests closer to the cooks during food preparation. In fact, the integrated area has become the heart of the new home; the place where we find ourselves not only eating, but also socializing with our families and friends. After all, how many homeowners still reserve the living room for receiving guests? And how often does a successful party end up in the kitchen?

A few tips on creating great integrated space

Whether the dining area is integrated with an open-space kitchen or the living room, it should be warm and inviting. Here are a few hints to help you make the most out of your open-concept dining area.
  • Orange tones are good for stimulating appetites and conversation.

  • You can add intimacy and warmth to your room with the right window trim.

  • Using a round table enhances conversation and a convivial atmosphere.

  • The usual table height is 30 inches. If your table is lower, make sure that your chairs are well-designed for maximum comfort.

  • The right lighting is key to a good atmosphere. Install a dimmer so you can easily dim the lighting to suit the occasion. Opt for a pendant light that measures about a third the diameter of the table, and hangs about 32 inches (or maybe a little more) above the table top.

  • Cramped space? Why not use some — ex seating—like a bench?

Dinner at eight – spirit style

Light, bright, contemporary and laid-back, this dining room makeover is perfect for stylish dinner parties, family get-togethers, as well as everyday dining.

We started this makeover by installing beautiful, pre-finished hardwood beech-coloured flooring. Then, to add architectural interest and draw attention to the colourful walls, we applied our own unique wainscoting—a style that’s easy to achieve because you use just simple mouldings and panels. The applied panel mouldings not only add character to the room, they also make the space feel much more intimate. First, we partitioned the walls by installing a chair rail at a height of 36" and then installed vertical boards at regular intervals, creating frames. Finally, in the middle of each frame, we applied MDF squares to further accentuate the rectangular wall panels. Before installing the panelling we painted the upper wall a gorgeous shade of green, the lower wall a rich grey (RONA paint Viride 218-53), and the panelling was pre-painted in white. Touching up any painted surface after the construction project was a breeze.

We put up a faux wood venetian blind on the window and white “Cité” drapery panels with metal grommets that draw due attention to a handsome pewter-finished curtain rod.

We selected an area rug that reflects the colours in the room, as well as echoes the rectangular shapes on the walls and furniture design. Upon the rug, we centred a dark beech coloured refectory dining table, and placed a matching buff et along the side wall. Simple furniture are practical choices for busy people and they are remarkably easy to keep clean and tidy. We selected classic upholstered dining chairs and added white chair covers—purchased separately, making them easy to change as the mood or season takes you. The white chair covers provide fresh contrast and lend the dining room an air of sophistication.

For just the right ambient lighting, we centred two contemporary white plastic hanging lamps above the table. We completed the look with a “jelly bean” mirror, an assortment of art canvases featuring flower images, a set of three “Ainsley” picture frames and a stunning silver and glass vase.

Pretty in pastels – oasis style

Fresh, refined, and inviting, this oasis style dining room makeover has an understated elegance with an eclectic touch.

The size and proportions of this room make it the ideal space to make a design statement by using wallpaper with a dramatic pattern. We chose a gorgeous metallic “Silk Damask” wallpaper in muted bluish-grey tones to prevent the scheme from becoming too overpowering. The elegant wallcovering is the perfect complement to the new Savana-coloured, beech hardwood flooring.

We took advantage of the existing window nook and built in a window bench. It not only looks great and provides the perfect place to curl up in on a sunny afternoon, but you can remove the cushions and lift the lid to reveal a practical storage space — ideal for storing bulky throws or seasonal linens.

For the window in the nook, we created a unique window-shade sewing a simple taupe-coloured curtain panel with a raised design. We hung a white, faux wood venetian blind on the smaller window to provide lots of light, yet plenty of privacy.

We kept the furniture to a minimum, using a simple dining table and side buffet with crisp, clean lines and rich brown tones that echo the new flooring. Soft ambient lighting from a “Glam Scala” 3-light pendant crystal and fabric chandelier ensures the mood is just right for dining. An eclectic collection of ceiling medallions was painted and hung over the buffet to create pops of pastel on the wall. An area rug anchors the room and several chairs, slip-covered in pale almond, complete the room.

Fresh, flirty, intimate style – global village style

Great textures, strong clean lines and bold pops of crimson create the perfect mix for casual dining.

Guests will look forward to receiving a dinner invitation to your house, after this enticing dining room makeover. To create this charming space, we stuck with a simple colour palette, a few good pieces and added interest with texture. As a backdrop to the fireplace, we created a sort of textual tapestry by installing decorative “Ledgestone” wall ceramics. These fabulously versatile tiles are very easy to work with, add depth to a room and create an urban, loft-like feel. Then, we installed an electric chimney replace insert that’s very realistic looking and throws off enough heat to warm a 400 square-foot room. Perfect for cozying up to all winter long, it also provides ambiance to dinner parties.

To ground the space, we installed pre-varnished birch flooring with a satin finish to augment the richness and textures of the room. The satin finish reflects the warm glow of the fire as well as light from the windows.

On one window we installed an espresso-coloured, horizontal faux wood blind, while on the larger window, we added drama with crimson-coloured “Paula” drapery panels that are as attractive as they are practical—they’re completely reversible. The drapes are hung on a handsome resin and metal “Plaza” curtain rod.

A simple wooden table and a “Sillon” area rug are highlighted by an ultra-modern “Tamari” 3-light ceiling pendant. Made of opal glass and metal with a chrome finish, this chic chandelier easily adjusts to different heights. A matching dark-beech side buffet is decorated with a couple of elegant vases and some picture frames. A trick many designers use to relax the formality of a dining area is to use a variety of seating styles. Here we’ve incorporated a rock-solid bench that can be used for seating at the table, or can be moved to perch by the fire. We’ve casually tossed around a few comfy pillows and draped a chocolate coloured, fringed “Dulce” throw on the bench to soften the wood. We selected red slipcovers for the upholstered dining chairs. The slipcovers are purchased separately so you can easily replace them whenever you want a change. Remember, setting your table differently and re-slipcovering your chairs gives you a chance to redecorate whenever you want!
If you want to turn your dining room into a backdrop for unforgettable soirées, begin by paying special attention to the decor— it will help to ensure your evening is a success. Bon appétit.
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