Celebrate those passed-down treasures!
Alison Gootee; Styling: Page Mullins
Key Takeaways
How Southern is your dining room?
This enlivens the space and keeps the room ready for hosting.
Credit:Alison Gootee; Styling: Page Mullins
The design duo recommends placing flowers orbrancheson the buffet or sideboard.
A Sideboard
Where else would you store your linens and good silver?
Or set up the holiday buffet display?
Credit:BRIE WILLIAMS
Mix and match styles throughout the room with new finds and thrifted treasures.
BRIE WILLIAMS
Wallpaper
Nothing says “Southern dining room” like a beautiful wallcovering.
Hand-painted mural scenes feel extra traditional.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Barbara Schmidt
Lighting on a Dimmer
Nothing kills the mood at a dinner party like overly-bright lighting.
A large, solid wood dining table with matching chairs are a staple, says Brackett.
Traditional styles like Queen Anne, Chippendale, or Shaker are popular choices.
Credit: Brie Williams; Styling by Kate Malpeli
Layers of Pattern
Embrace pattern anywhere and everywhere, says Levenson.
Use patterns and textures to infuse personality in the formal space.
Just-Right Lighting
A beautiful light sets the tone for the entire room, says Atlanta-based designerLaura Jenkins.
While lighting serves a necessary function, it also allows for creativity with form.
Let your personality shine through and have fun with lighting.
Be a little playful, use an unexpected shape or scale to make a statement, she says.
These pieces often have glass doors to showcase the contents.
Dining rooms offer a fantastic opportunity for art, says Wolf.
Photography and abstract art can be really fun contrasts in a dining room.
Plenty of Comfortable Seating
Stylish chairs are important, but so is comfort, says Wolf.
Consider not only the style and material of the chair, but also its height.
Just as we always have plenty of pie, the same rule applies to seating.
A good rule of thumb is to have enough chairs for the whole family, plus a few.
An Area Rug
Anchor the table and chairs with a floor covering.
It also helps manage the noise volume and echoes from group gatherings."
