Floral Design – LIVINGLOVELIER

Welcome to my dining room which also serves as my office. Or better said, welcome to my dining office!

We entertain here, we eat here, I work here. Unlike many dining rooms in today’s world, this room is fully employed.

I love to prepare a delicious meal, set a noteworthy table, arrange fresh fragrant flowers and welcome my friends and family into my home. That said, having a special and unique room to entertain was one of the high priorities on the decorating “to do” list.

The room needed to be a place of comfort, warmth, and relaxation. We host many dinner parties so I wanted it to be intimate and welcoming. So, during the construction phase, we were sure to include lining and capping the fireplace. That was a good decision.

A previous owner of our home was responsible for hanging the dramatic red and gold floral paper. It was in excellent condition and I loved it so it made the cut. And I used that as my muse.

We were able to repurpose almost every piece of this furniture. I love when that happens.

Notice the two styles of chairs. I found the harp back chairs at an old antique shop. The remaining belonged to My Michaels family. I married them with yellow and magenta leopard print fabric.

I love the juxtaposition of the classic wallpaper and the funky animal print.

The funny thing is that if you look closely at the “spot the difference” photo at the bottom of the page, you will notice that the print on the chair upholstery was so similar. My Boston dining room had a smaller, traditional black and beige print. In my present dining room, the chair cover print is wilder and bigger with unconventional colors.

Now, have a look at the diamond upholstered chair in the corner. It came from My Michaels previous home. The colors and pattern bring the paper and animal print together in an even more interesting way. The deep wood on the arms ties in with Grammy’s secretary (my desk,) the china cabinet and the breakfront (not pictured.)

Speaking of which, the china cabinet and breakfront were in the same old antique shop where I found the harp backed chairs.

The beautiful silk Persian rug (as seen in the “spot the difference” photo of my Boston Home) would have been a lovely addition. My concern was that it would be damaged by the traffic or a spilled glass of Cabernet, (not to mention the three boys, black Lab and orange Tabby.)

I surfed around and I found a reasonably priced neutral-trimmed sisal rug on Overstock. (You know what I love about Overstock? There are so many filter options on the site that it is easy to find the perfect option quickly.)

My brother painted the still-life hanging above the fireplace. I call the frame it’s “fruit bowl.” It does look like one, doesn’t it?

The brass “piggy banks” were given to my stepsons as babies by My Michael’s parents.

This pillow was made for me by a sweet neighbor, Jeannie. She was about eighty when she gave it to me in 1992. She lovingly collected and sewed clothing labels together to make a fashionable mosaic. It is worn but loved.

My Michael and I believe, at times, that we were born in the wrong era. We love our evening talks in our Parlor (soon to be showcased,) listening to Frankie-Blue-Eyes with and adult beverage (Manhattans or Martins on special occasions or when we are feeling particularly in a 1950’s moment) which we pour at our drink cart! We are so Ward and June-ish.

As I enjoy this room, I remember many family dinners where we sat in the harp backed chairs in Boston and listened to my late Dad’s stories. I remember as a child, poking through Grammy’s secretary and finding her and ‘Pa’s social security cards and her photos from her youth in Ireland in hidden little nooks. Now I love gathering around with those I love and making memories right now.