If you are lucky enough to have a self-contained dining room, use it to create a cozy, dramatic singular setting, says Jane Drew
1. Cut out the clutter
Stick to a bare minimum of statement-making furnishings. Essentially all you need is a table and chairs, a sideboard or buffet to hold serving dishes and tableware, task-specific lighting, an area rug, a large-scale mirror or artwork and attractive window treatments.
2. Dress the table
A freshly starched linen tablecloth shows the tableware off to advantage and, for a formal dinner, be sure to mark each place setting and provide neatly pressed napkins. A floral bouquet or ornamental centrepiece adds the final touch: this should be low-lying so as not to block diners’ eye lines.
3. Colour up
Dining rooms are traditionally painted red or green, not least because these hues are said to induce hunger. As a general rule, the darker the hue the more formal the feel; don’t be afraid to choose a bold paint colour or wallpaper, even if you restrict its use to just one wall.
4. Furnish to fit
When choosing a table and chairs for your dining room, avoid blocking traffic lanes. You need to be able to seat diners with ease and they will need plenty of space to push their chairs back and relax at the end of the meal. The contours of the room, as much as personal taste, will therefore dictate the table’s shape.
5. Match don’t mix
For a coordinated look, it’s important to follow through with the soft furnishings: the predominant wall colour should feature in the patterns chosen for drapes and seat covers. Add in flimsy white sheers to soften the effect and promote light flow by day.
6. Tread carefully
If you have a wood or tile floor, set a carpet square beneath the table to create a cozy feel and add further colour. Make sure that when the chairs are pulled back to accommodate seated guests, there is space for the entire chair to rest on the rug.
7. Focus on the walls
To add to the ambience, hang a beautifully framed mirror near the table where it will reflect the candlelight (and make even a tiny dining room appear larger). This is also a good space to display favourite paintings, since you and your guests will be able to admire them at your leisure.
8. Create atmosphere
You don’t need a general level of background lighting: use a rise-and-fall pendant to concentrate all light on to the table. When you bring the lamp low, position it at a level that doesn’t obstruct the eye contact of your guests but is not so high that it exposes the glare of the bulb.
9. Light well
It’s important to use tungsten and halogen sources in the dining room because of the excellence of the colour rendering. The appearance of food is just as important as the taste, whether the occasion is a quiet family supper or a formal dinner with business associates.
10. Factor in the feng shui
Arrange furniture in circular, square or octagonal groupings in the middle of the floor. Position dining chairs so they back in the direction of a wall rather than a doorway. Neither the dining table nor any of the chairs should be positioned under a false beam. Round tables promote positive feng shui as they allow good “chi” (energy) to circulate.
