Possibly more than any other space in the Southern home, the dining room has developed in both design and function over the years. For those of us who never said farewell to our dining rooms– and those who bid them adios and have given that invited them back– we’re constantly excited to hear what trends designers are anticipating for the year ahead.
Unwinded Atmospheres
For many of us, the dining-room has actually long been a special-occasion spot, booked for birthdays, holidays, and honored guests. However designers state they’re preparing for a welcome shift in this state of mind. “I’m thrilled to see the pattern embraced for everyday use of the dining-room rather than seeing the area as entirely formal,” says Trudy Stump, Lead Designer at Huff Harrington Design in Atlanta. “We’re focusing on bigger, more comfortable seating and authentic wood grain or pedestal dining tables for our customers. In this method, the dining-room is becoming an area for regular use and readily raised for a more official supper celebration when necessary.”
St. Louis, Missouri, designer Amy Studebaker agrees: “The dining-room doesn’t require to remain a space that is only enjoyed a couple of days or weeks out of the year– really living in our homes and utilizing every space, every day ought to be the goal.”
More of “The Good Stuff”
Similar to more daily usage of our dining-room, designers are likewise encouraging their customers to frequently set the table with style. “I’m thrilled to see homeowners amusing in the house more and using their finest china whenever they wish,” says Raleigh, North Carolina-based designer Niki McNeill Brown. “Don’t conserve the ‘good things,’ really use it and enjoy what you invested in.”
In her own home, and those of her clients, Gainesville, Georgia, decorator Maggie Griffin prepares to” [welcome] the specialness that comes with setting a table with your more formal things, and celebrating all of life’s moments, big and small. Dining areas will continue to be outfitted in pretty, comfy seating, lovely lighting, and layers of color, wall treatments, and window fabrics.”
Saturated Tones
“I anticipate to see people accepting saturated colors in dining spaces more than ever,” says Nashville designer Debbie Mathews. I believe the dining room is the ideal space to experiment with these deep colors as it can be the ideal backdrop for an unique candlelight supper, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.”
Character-Filled Choices
Designers are known to inject powder spaces with an extra shot of personality, however in the brand-new year, they’re looking forward to taking this equally maximalist approach in the dining space. Dallas designer Lisa Henderson is on-board too: “Don’t be passive– no one is sorry for a bolder dining area.”
” Look Up!” Moments
Mathews aspires to expand her dining room canvas in the coming year. “I am seeing clients ending up being more thinking about creating what I call the ‘5th wall,’ or ceiling, in the dining-room,” she says. “Whether it be a contrasting paint color, wallpaper, or molding like a tracery ceiling, the ceiling is becoming more of a focal point.”
Lots of Contrast
We’re all for restoring your great-grandmother’s hand-me-down dining set, however if you’re looking for a modification, designers are seeing more customers welcome a more mix-and-match technique to furnishings. “I anticipate to see individuals continuing to welcome the concept of host and person hosting chairs that are different from their side chairs …” says Mathews. “My customers no longer believe that dining chairs have to be a matched set but rather are more intriguing when mismatched.”
This concept encompasses the time periods in which the pieces were made too, states Austin decorator Annie Downing: “I likewise anticipate much play with contrasting eras– modern silhouettes paired with antique pieces,” she keeps in mind. For her, this is in the service of “producing areas that feel curated instead of contrived.”
Particular Design Choices
While it’s tempting to copy/paste decorating selections from your cooking area to the dining space, one designer is confident that the new year will trigger a shift in people’s oft-repetitive thinking. With a lot of our work in hospitality, we like to view dining spaces as separate amusing areas, apart from the rest of the cooking area.
Smart Picks
It’s much easier than ever to include the latest innovation throughout your home, and Mathews predicts that she’ll see individuals embracing this modern move in the dining room.
