Posted on: December 31, 2008
Mix & Match for Dining Delights
Don't be afraid to mix it up in the dining room
By Carley Ribet
CTW Features
Image courtesy Paradigm Interior Design
The dining room doesn't exactly have a fun, exciting reputation - it's stereotypically known as formal, traditional and full of matching furniture and accessories. However, more people are starting to embrace their personal preferences in the dining room, creating a room that's as welcoming as it is entertaining.
"Mixing antiques with newer pieces, either a traditional table where the chairs are antiques and the table is sleek and modern, or vice versa is something I've been doing for the last five to 10 years," says Jenise Pencek, interior designer at August Interiors in Philadelphia. "I think the idea of everything matching is out the door. You can mix and match now."
Dawn Chau, owner of Paradigm Interior Design in Denver is seeing a similar trend in her clients. "I'm seeing a lot of eclectic things happening. Sometimes people have an heirloom table that someone has passed down. They happen to be modern people. Using a contemporary chair with the traditional table," she says.
Additionally, decorators are inclined, depending on space, to use multi-purpose pieces of furniture. "Usually, you aren't serving dinner for a lot of people. You only need space for two or four, and this type of functionality allows for both," Pencek says.
Another trend seen throughout the home, is a move toward eco-friendly designs. In dining room tables, one of the ways that this is accomplished is through the use of antiques and heirlooms. "I think reusing pieces of furniture is eco-friendly," says Pencek. "I have seen more recycled materials."
Likewise, Chau says that environmentally friendly items are likely to become more popular. "I try to push it with my products but I haven't had a lot of clients say they want it. It's coming around," she says. People still think its going to be rustic looking, and they need to see more refined designs."
Adding color to the dining room table rather than to the walls themselves is another way that trends in dining rooms are changing.
"We still see a lot of darker wooden tables, but I am really hoping to see lacquer now," says Chau. "One fun thing you can do with lacquer is stain it a different, spunky color, and as we see people moving away from traditional styles, we will see a lot of this."
No matter what your style, there is a fun creative way to decorate your dining room. New styles in dining room tables, and more innovative styles will help you to exercise your own style and creativity. Whether it's chic contemporary or traditional, you can find dining room tables to satisfy it all, and no longer need to feel inhibited by a one-stop box set.