You know that room. It's most often found at the front of the house, just beside the foyer. Sometimes it has doors on it, other times not. It's usually separate from the kitchen and the rest of the house. It's more likely than not to be unused 99% of the time.
In some homes, it's called a "formal dining room", in others, a sitting room or a parlour. Some homes, like the one I grew up in, happen to have both. One thing is for sure, this room is as flexible as it is inflexible. It's extra space, which is great, but it's hard to decorate around and keep it a functional, useable space for everyday living.
Why the ode to the formal dining room?
Well, we finally have one! The layout of our new house is very different than our existing, but the size is similar except for the addition of the extra room by the entry. I feel like I need to do something great in this space because I've actually got the space to work with!
I am really torn about what to do. I have those 6 Louis chairs I am planning on FINALLY refinishing after my first botched attempt, I do have an extra dining table, but I also have a darling love seat from my mom and some side chairs I could use. And, let's not forget my desk, which is one of my favourite pieces.
I am contemplating an office/ dining room combo, or perhaps a sitting room/office combo. I love all the uses of the space in these pictures- if only I had more than one room like this to decorate!
What are your thoughts on the formal dining room?