Formal Dining room.
Many believe the formal dining room is a relic of the past. New homes are being built without them. The great room is more popular and informal dining is the trend.
The only place this is not the case is in large, opulent homes, where a great deal of entertaining occurs. In these homes the dining room is critical and usually a place to highlight exciting décor. The key to designing a formal dining room is to maintain the formality, without looking dated or stuffy.
Walls
Current trends are for dining rooms to be painted in rich jewel tones. If that is too dark for the room, install a chair rail and paint the chair rail and everything under it white and everything above it in the jewel tone. Another stunning idea is to apply either gold or silver leaf to the ceiling. If that seems overwhelming, insert a medallion and gold or silver leaf only in the portion within the medallion. Other popular options for a formal dining room include: high-end wood paneling and hand-painted murals. If you choose wallpaper, be careful since it is easy to look dated. Select historic motifs or an Oriental mural design.
Lighting
A formal dining room needs a chandelier. Regardless of the size of the dining room and the height of the ceiling, there is a chandelier that can work for you. Crystal chandeliers are the most traditional, but brass ones can work as well. Add lampshades to the lights to spruce up brass ones. Put a dimmer on the chandelier for romantic dinners. Also consider adding recessed spots to add overall lighting in the rest of the room.
Furniture
The traditionally appointed formal dining room features a large table and chairs, a china cabinet and a server. The most traditional style is a wooden rectangular table in a Queen Anne or Chippendale style. While those are certainly still acceptable options, trends today show round tables gaining popularity. The round table works extremely well in square rooms. Another very popular trend is to use an eclectic style; in other words, mix styles and materials while still keeping the formal feel. For example, if the table is wood, consider having a granite or stone server, which can handle hot foods better. Combine a traditional table with modern upholstered chairs.
Flooring
The traditional formal dining room features wood flooring with a large oriental rug. Another eclectic option is to select a more modern style rug. In southern climates, you often see the wood flooring replaced with stone or tile.
Accessories
If you have a china cabinet, you have to have items for display. Traditionally the large matching pieces of the china set were displayed. Currently, pieces collected through travels are highlighted; this does not have to be strictly china, but can include crystal and art. The stands to display plates or small pieces of art can be purchased at most arts and craft stores.
Other formal accessories include candle holders, a silver tea set, crystal decanters or art. Fresh flowers displayed in formal vases always add a special touch. Keep it simple and not too cluttered. Edit and only display a few of your best pieces. If you can not choose between them, rotate them, which will keep things fresh
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