What to do with that Extra Room formally known as the Formal Dining Room
You know that room. It's most often found at the front of the house, just beside the foyer. Sometimes it has doors on it, other times not. It's usually separate from the kitchen and the rest of the house. It's more likely than not to be unused 99% of the time.
In some homes, it's called a "formal dining room", in others, a sitting room or a parlour. Some homes, like the one I grew up in, happen to have both. One thing is for sure, this room is as flexible as it is inflexible. It's extra space, which is great, but it's hard to decorate around and keep it a functional, useable space for everyday living.
Why the ode to the formal dining room?
Well, we finally have one! The layout of our new house is very different than our existing, but the size is similar except for the addition of the extra room by the entry. I feel like I need to do something great in this space because I've actually got the space to work with!
I am really torn about what to do. I have those 6 Louis chairs I am planning on FINALLY refinishing after my first botched attempt, I do have an extra dining table, but I also have a darling love seat from my mom and some side chairs I could use. And, let's not forget my desk, which is one of my favourite pieces.
I am contemplating an office/ dining room combo, or perhaps a sitting room/office combo. I love all the uses of the space in these pictures- if only I had more than one room like this to decorate!
What are your thoughts on the formal dining room?
I've been working on our dining room also. I think as long as you don't decorate it too formal it won't feel too formal. Our eat-in kitchen only has room for a 4 person table, so we need to use the dining room for larger groups. I'm hoping to decorate it in a more casual and inviting way!
ReplyDeleteWe will only have an eat in kitchen for 4 as well, however we don;t have family or friends out there (yet) so I wonder how often we'll actually have people over to necessitate a dining room - oh well, I'll probably change my mind when I get there about what I want to do with it!
DeleteI like #3 and #4. Too many mirrors in the last one. Every time I caught myself in one from the corner of my eye I'd think I was being attacked. We're buying a new house that is 1000 square feet bigger, so yeah, we have some new rooms to fill up!
ReplyDeleteOoooh, that will be fun! I'd love an extra 1000 sq ft to decorate! Exciting!
DeleteWe rarely use ours, but every now and again its nice. If we had a kitchen with no table I'd keep it but otherwise it seems sort of silly to have two tables right next to each other! (which I do now). Fun inspiration here!
ReplyDeleteI know, I don't want to end up with a room we rarely use, but I really don't know what I want to do with - if you come up with a genius idea let me know!
DeleteIf you don't have another office space, I'd say maybe decorate/furnish it with that in mind.. a sort of office/dining hybrid? So... less helpful comment of the bunch maybe? Maybe.
ReplyDeleteWhere can I find that office ghost chair?
ReplyDelete