INSPIRING LOOKS AND IDEAS FOR A CHIC HOLIDAY-READY DINING ROOM

As the holiday season merrily approaches, many of us are starting to get our homes ready in time to celebrate the holidays with family and friends. With all the baking, meal preparation and entertaining that comes with the holidays, a good place to begin might be in the busiest rooms of the house at this time of year, the kitchen and dining areas. Because we’ll soon be spending a lot of time in these two spaces cooking, dining and entertaining it’s important we make sure these spaces are clutter-free, well-organized and properly equipped with efficient appliances to allow us to create and serve fabulous festive fair in an impressive culinary environment that’s as elegant and comfortable as it is functional.

Over the holidays the dining area will take centre stage where family and friends will gather around a beautifully decorated dinner table for the holiday feast and casual family dinners. Prepare the dining area to be as comfortable as possible by making sure there is enough space around the dining table for diners to move their chairs easily in and out and provide guests with comfortable seating. Being prepared with enough comfortable dining chairs to accommodate everyone will make for a more relaxed dining experience for everyone. Depending on the style of your chairs, if necessary offer cushions to make dining for long periods of time easier. Ideal for families who love to entertain, extendable tables allow for flexible seating arrangements when needed.

Click here for more ideas on family dining tables.

Tip: Space to sit. From formal dining rooms with a limited amount of space to large open concept kitchen/dining rooms that offer more flexibility, keep in mind that as a rule the amount of space needed to pull out chairs from the table, or to walk behind people seated at the table is 3 feet. Allow 24 inches per chair/person and 2 inches (tight) to 6 inches plus between chairs.

Here are 3 designer-inspired Thermador kitchen/dining rooms that offer unique looks and clever ideas to transform an existing dining area or to create a fresh new look just in time for the holiday season.

Bathed in natural light this spacious open-concept dining area sits beneath a beamed vaulted ceiling between the kitchen and living room. It features a convenient custom servery that features a Thermador coffee machine, under-counter wine fridge and additional storage for entertaining essentials. Offering plenty of space to accommodate an expandable dining table and additional chairs when needed, it’s the perfect flexible dining space to suit any occasion. The natural wood dining chairs with all-weather upholstered seat cushions and synthetic rope details make them comfortable, easy to maintain and can be used both indoors and outdoors.

Design: Tiffany Holbrook of Simply Made Home

Loomlan Chairs also available in bar stools: Perigold.ca

The contemporary vibe of this inviting two-toned kitchen/dining area is defined by the unique dining area that’s been designed for entertaining in style and comfort. The linear look of the large wood table is softened by comfy upholstered dining armchairs that are detailed with polished brass frames for a touch of modern glam. To get the look and save on space, use armchairs for the head of the table only and add matching armless chairs around the table. Enhance your dining experience with large pendants set on dimmers to evenly illuminate the dining table and diners in soft ambient light. Thermador’s refrigerator and freezer columns are paneled and painted to integrate into the kitchen’s modern shaker-style cabinetry design.

Design: Molly Howe Design @mollyHowedesign

Everly Quinn chair: Wayfair.ca

Get creative in your combo kitchen/dining room by mixing up the seating options for the dining table. Here, an armless Belmar sofa, slipcovered in performance fabric that resists spills and stains, is paired with Pamplona ebonized artisan-style wood and woven rope armchairs around the table taking the kitchen design to a new level. Thermador’s refrigerator and freezer columns are paneled in the same natural wood accents used the kitchen.

Design & seating: Courtesy CrateandBarrel.ca @crateandbarrel