Create a dining room that speaks of who you are.
For most, the dining room is a formal area where homeowners can entertain guests, welcome them into their homes over a meal and make them feel comfortable. The decor of a dining room says a lot about the family that hosts there, and can complement the feel of a down-home meal or classy dinner party. And, like all decor, it all starts with color.
Dining in the Country
Bring the country inside with some daring colors.
For a down-home country feel to the dining room, select colors that will complement a white dining set and bright linens. Try colors found on the farm for the walls; pale yellows and greens can invite thoughts of open fields, and pale blues can evoke the impression of the open sky. For those who are a little daring, try barn red walls with white trim or an apple orchard border. With the right furniture (try a white dining set and china cabinet) and draped in sheer curtains, red walls can create the perfect atmosphere for a home-cooked meal.
Sunny Retreat
Neutral colors can help keep focus on the room's natural light.
Converting a sunroom into a dining room can result in an open, airy atmosphere where guests can kick back and enjoy the outdoors as they dine. To complement large windows and the views beyond, stick with neutral colors that won't detract from the natural scenery. Off-white or cream colored walls will blend nicely with the stained wood frames of the windows, and any sort of natural brown dining furniture. On the solid wall opposite the windows, try a discreet border of wallpaper halfway up the wall, and a subtle, two-tone paint. Leave the upper half the same off-white or cream, and paint the bottom half a soft shade of brown from the same family as the wood stain and furniture.
Classy Chic
For a classy, elegant look to a 's intended to bring out the most of crystal glasses, silver cutlery and fine china, try dividing the room into sections. Select one wall to paint a sophisticated black. Look into texturing options; there are a number of metallic paints on the market, and a chic silver paint can be added to break up the black. To keep the room from looking too claustrophobic or small, use a bright white on the remaining walls. These other walls can be highlighted with the same metallic silver, a perfect surrounding for a glass dining table topped with a centerpiece of red roses.
The Far East
Use dining room walls as a blank canvas for new designs.
The Far East has captured the imaginations of Westerners for generations, and a dining room with a touch of the Orient can truly be something special. Pale tans and bright reds will complement any Asian furniture and accessories, and texturing any color to create the appearance of delicate, paper-thin walls will create a new atmosphere in any dining room. Instead of artwork, consider painting traditional Asian characters and designs on pale walls. Slender cherry trees or birds in flight---done in the style of ancient illustrations---can provide a more striking backdrop than any more modern artwork.
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