Allerton
Dining Room

The essence of refined simplicity, Allerton is one of our most popular collections, exquisitely crafted of ribbon-stripe mahogany. What we love is how easily it slips into a traditional formal space or, in this case, a casual, window-lined room.

We chose a flatweave rug in fresh blue stripes to keep the casual vibe going (and it's reversible, a great benefit in a dining room). The white faux-coral chandelier adds dramatic shape and texture.

For the centerpiece, we opted for an antique porcelain vase to reinforce the elegance of the furniture and the gorgeous color of the rug.

Seabrook
Dining Room

Talk about a conversation-starter: When guests arrive, ask them what's different about the Seabrook host and side chairs (answer: cutouts are reversed).

We made sure the Tuscan table has the same dark finish but love the contrast between the sleek chair legs and the table's gorgeous cabrioles with ball-and-claw feet. Made in the USA of reclaimed wood, the table has the character of its past in imperfections that give it an heirloom appeal.

The seafoam-green cotton upholstery inspired our choice of an oushak rug in equally subtle shades. Color pops from our gallery wall mixing a landscape, an abstract nude, and black & white prints.

Blue Ming
Dining Room

We started this setting with our popular balloon chair in its new Blue Ming print, inspired by traditional Chinese blue-and-white porcelains. Next came a dark reclaimed-wood table with graceful ball-and-claw feet. The clean lines of our Marlin Blue leather side chairs restated the blue theme in a subtle way.

The chevron-stripe rug works because it's the same shade of blue as the chairs. But when our stylist suggested sky blue for the walls, we hesitated; if that hue had been paler, or more intense, it wouldn't have worked, but it's just right for an unexpected counterpoint to the dark woods and deep indigos.

A quartet of Red Coral prints and scarlet flowers in a blue-and-white urn provide the perfect accent color.

Open Dining Area

The trend away from formal dining rooms has sparked a relaxed mix-and-match approach to table and chairs. Because it's part of a large living/dining area, this reclaimed-pine trestle table is as likely to be set with puzzles, board games, and homework as with place settings. That's why we like the natural, slightly rustic finish and generous dimensions -- 110" long, 40" wide.

We chose classic medallion-back chairs in a complimentary finish, dressed up in black cotton/linen so they work for elegant dinners as well as family meals. The rug is even more important in an open space like this, since it defines the dining area and gives it a finished look.

"Westcreek"
Dining Room

Dinner for six, conversation for hours ? that's what we're going for with these chic but comfortable 'Westcreek' host and side chairs slipcovered in neutral fabric with a subtle blue stripe. They're totally at home with Bernhardt's 'Fowler' trestle table.

Making a dramatic statement on one wall is 'Rendezvous,' an abstract artwork in shades of cream, beige, and blue. Those same tones are echoed in one of our most popular rugs, an oushak called 'Oceanside.'

Fleur-de-Lis Dining Room

Give your dining room a French accent with these charming chairs, in a pattern inspired by vintage flour sacks ("patisserie" means "bakery"). We paired them with Bernhardt's 'Fowler' trestle table.

Our 'La Maison' chandelier casts a warm glow over the 'Fowler' trestle table from Bernhardt. The 'Nosegay? rug adds splashes of blooming color, and the 'Hotel de Paris' pedestal tub is a festive way to chill several bottles of wine and champagne for a special occasion.

"Saugatuck" Dining Room

Like a big, bold asterisk, the Saugatuck dining table?s oak base supports a 60" disc of clear glass to anchor this inviting dining area. And look at the Saugatuck chairs: perfectly proportioned and upholstered in versatile cream-colored fabric, they encourage lingering after the meal but would also be perfectly at home in the living room when you need extra seating. There?s also a matching buffet cabinet with loads of storage for dinnerware, flatware, and linens.

The Square Glass chandelier by Regina-Andrew has an obelisk-shaped steel frame and an extra-long chain to accommodate high ceilings. We added texture with a Neutral Bars rug, hand-loomed and available in four timeless hues.

WHAT WE DID
& WHY IT WORKS

Lavender/Green Dining Room

Maybe it?s their Los Angeles location, but Haute House always brings a mix of glamour and unexpected color to their designs. We started with their Klein Napa banquette in lavender linen, ours exclusively; white welting emphasizes the shaped back and arms, and intricate nailhead trim is the perfect finish.

We also love Haute House?s commitment to eco-friendly ideas, like the reclaimed wood used to craft the Liday dining table. The simple slab top is a sleek contrast to graceful cabriole legs ? and check out those ball-and-claw feet! We mixed in Blanchett side chairs in olive cotton; notice how the cutout back shows off a quilted pattern, while the front is tufted ? a textural tour-de-force.

The chandelier is our uber-popular Salento style with slender curves of steel. The art is ?Next?, a giclee print gallery-floated in a white wood frame.

WHAT WE DID
& WHY IT WORKS

"Loft" Dining Room

This look could work in a traditional setting, but we love the contrast of a vintage-look table and formal chairs with industrial-chic surroundings.

Handcrafted of reclaimed pine, the dual-pedestal table has a rustic bleached finish. It's a terrific counterpoint to the colorful "Micha" wing chairs and skirted Parsons-style "Havana" chairs upholstered in pale cotton duck.

Regina-Andrew's turquoise beaded chandelier echoes the chairs' medallion print, and Carol Benson-Cobb's "Driven" ink-on-canvas provides an artful finishing touch.

WHAT WE DID
& WHY IT WORKS

"Tabitha" Dining Room

A dramatically neutral space puts the focus on people, food, and conversation. We started with "Tabitha" pine furniture: pedestal table, medallion-back chairs, and a demilune sideboard with lighted glass-front display space.

Our best-selling "Salento" chandelier is as light and graceful as a ballerina, with swooping steel arms and an antiqued finish. The set of five white ceramic pitchers is both decorative and useful for serving or foliage, and framed intaglios make an artful wall arrangement.

WHAT WE DID
& WHY IT WORKS

A touch of color – like a fresh, rosy pink – makes all the difference in a neutral zone. We grabbed these damask-print wing chairs from an entryway, reimagining them as host chairs for a dining room. Neutral linen side chairs have picture-frame backs with carved slats that keep them on the feminine side; both chairs have simple dark legs for a coordinated look at ground level.

From Haute House, the Liday table is made in America of reclaimed wood, hand-finished in a subtle silvery shade. We love the contrast between the simple top and ornate legs with ball-and-claw feet!

The Salento chandelier is the perfect size and style for this setting. Against the back wall, Tara Shaw’s grisaille panel adds a romantic view of an ancient Italian city.

The Pearl Blocks cowhide rug, made by hand, adds a slightly modern twist.

WHAT WE DID
& WHY IT WORKS

The best dinner parties are less about food, much more about people and conversation. Lesson 1: A round table makes conversation easier because you can all see each other. Lesson 2: Comfy seating is a must.

The ‘Twine’ pedestal table is a beautifully scaled, almost sculptural piece of cherrywood with metal scrollwork beneath the glass top. The chairs and gently curved two-person banquettes have cushioned seats and backs for stay-awhile comfort.

To balance the furniture’s traditional style, we chose ‘Overjoyed’ abstract prints and the Regina-Andrew orbit-shade chandelier.

Best surprise: the impact of overlapping rugs in high-contrast styles. ‘Oceanside Oushak’ picks up the muted golden yellow of the seating, while the ‘Zebra’ hairhide balances the dark wood and adds riveting shape and texture.

WHAT WE DID
& WHY IT WORKS

The New Pretty makes itself comfortable in the dining room with pale finishes and sophisticated pastels.

We started with the white birch Youngston furniture with pebble-textured accents. Openwork chair backs show off muted lavender fabric, and we love those Greek-key scrolled arms!

The perfect rug? We chose the Felicia oushak, hand-knotted New Zealand wool, because the vegetable dyes produce a such gorgeous, soft colors. Layered over a neutral herringbone-pattern carpet, it defines the space beautifully.

Such light colors call for a light hand with lighting, so we went with a pair of Crystal Ball pendants and cut-glass Empire lamps for the sideboard.