Photo found from: The Decorista via Pinterest

Unless you’re big on entertaining, a formal dining room is one of those spaces that rarely gets used, yet is so beautiful when done up right. I love a gorgeous dining area because it inspires beautiful meals and encourages time well-spent with loved ones. As a busy family with small children though, we live out the majority of the day in our open-concept kitchen and family room. Because it’s practical and cozy, we use this area for everything, from daily family dinners to an entertaining space when we have friends over.

In addition to this main functional living and eating area, our newly constructed house also has what the builder called a “flex” space. They’ve taken into consideration the fact that many people don’t need or use a formal living or dining room in the traditional sense, so instead of identifying it as such, they give it this open-ended name to allow the homeowner to use in whichever way they see fit.

Having had both in a previous home, I know that between the two, a formal living room is a completely wasted space for us and our needs. As such, this “flex” space will eventualy become our formal dining room once I get around to designing it.  It’s pretty much the only room in the house left completely untouched by anything except paint. I have a dining table in the center of the room, and that’s absolutely it. No chairs, no hutch, nothing else. I’m not even sure if the table will be staying as we’ve had it for a very long time and I may be ready for a bit of a change.

As with any creative endeavor, I go through phases of working on home decor projects, and since I havn’t tackled one since well before the baby was born, I’m starting to get the itch for a new undertaking. I’m not anywhere near narrowing done the ideas, so I’ve just decided to show you a few of may favorite dining rooms that I’ve pinned on my Pinterest board. By the way, are you following me on Pinterest? I have 46 boards with over four thousand pins of inspirational ideas from fashion to food, home decor to baby.

Which of these rooms tickle your fancy? I would love to hear which one you like best!

Photo found from: Architecture, Art Designs via Pinterest


Photo found from: Zsa Zsa Bellagio via Pinterest

Photo found from: My Design Chic via Pinterest

Photo found from: Dust Jacket via Pinterest

Photo found from: Samuel Masters via Pinterest

Photo found from: Cesare Decor via Pinterest