HomeStyle 365

Posted on: September 28, 2009

Table Talk

Don't dine and dash - create a dining room your family won't want to leave

By Taniesha Robinson
CTW Features

The dining room should be one of the most inviting spaces in your home. Yet when your kids and spouse grab dinner then run to their respective quarters everyday, it may seem more like anathema. Resist the temptation to create new uses for the space - instead make it more welcoming.

Hang Loose

If there are windows in your dining area, clean them until they sparkle. Also try silk draperies. "They hang beautifully and the cost of silk has come way down," says Christy Knapp, ASID, of CJ Knapp Interiors in Pacific, Mo. "You can make a dramatic statement with just panels fanned out onto the floor."

Wall Whispers

The color of your walls can also make a statement, like 'eat more.' Warm colors like orange, yellow and red are inviting, but the latter stimulates the appetite. So you might want to avoid it if you're planning to diet. Hanging mirrors on the walls can make the room seem expanded and adds elegance.

Center of attention

Jill Vegas, the New York-based author of "Speed Decorating: A Pro Stager's Tips and Trade Secrets for a Fabulous Home in a Week of Less" (The Taunton Press, 2009), says "get inspired by color" and make inexpensive centerpieces using fresh produce like green apples, grapes and strawberries. She suggests boosting the presentation by placing fruits in a long skinny bowl or platter in the center of the table. Use a candy jar or serving piece as a flower vase. "I like to use what I have and have it do double function," Vegas says.

Look up

Knapp focuses on the ceiling when trying to bring drama to a room. "Sometimes I will paint a ceiling red and then pull that color down one wall, making the other three neutral," she says. "A large piece of art is often the only other decoration that is needed."

Five Musts For Any Dining Room

1. A chandelier: Hanging a lavish fixture is the perfect way to add glamour to a dining room. This can be a pricey addition, but it doesn't have to be. Look at flea markets for older lights that simply need rewiring. Or find out when show-rooms are getting rid of their samples for a bargain. My friend Barry picked up a gorgeous designer chandelier, which retailed for $1,500, for under $200 at a showroom that was discounting the style. Score!

2. Stylish, comfortable chairs: Repair wobbly legs or torn upholstery. This is quick and it won't cost much. If your chairs need complete reupholstering, there are beautiful fabrics at just about every price point, so look around for one that fits your budget. It's also important to relocate delicate antiques that might intimidate larger guests. Buying all new chairs can be a significant investment, but this is a worthwhile place to spend. Comfortable seating is a must for an inviting dining room.

3. A table that fits: It should be big enough for most dinner parties with plenty of room for chairs to fit comfortably around the table.

4. Candles: Have fresh tapers on hand, and trim those wicks so they burn with a clean, clear flame.

5. Fresh flowers: They brighten any space.

Text courtesy of "Speed Decorating: A Pro Stager's Tips and Trade Secrets for a Fabulous Home in a Week of Less" (The Taunton Press, 2009) by Jill Vegas