11.16.2010

Dining Bliss

I simply can not believe that next week is Thanksgiving. I am sure that our years are getting shorter some how. I just adore the holidays. Really I adore any time that food brings people together and when family and friends have to cram around dining room tables, because there is simply never enough room. The laughter and joy that occurs during these times is absolutely divine. I think any one of these dining spaces could do...


A formal and dark space would make any meal time instantly intimate.  A simple centerpiece adds a pop of color without being over the top.


This space would have absolutely no problem fitting a hoard of people. Of course the people on the end would have to be in charge of keeping plates piled high and glasses full.


Maybe your holidays are simply for two love birds or a kid table may be in order. This one could add style to any space and look much better than an average card table with metal folding chairs.


For those of you who are blessed with gorgeous weather could have an outdoor feast. I know this would make me insanely happy.


A space like this could make a meal with your own small family feel extra lovely. I could easily see myself spending hours here just chatting away.


A dining room like this is made for a holiday gathering where family and friends come from a far. I think with more chairs 16 could fit around this grand table. Bumping elbows would never feel so good.

How are your holidays spent? Every year we go to my parents for Thanksgiving and this year my mother handed Christmas over to me. I could not be any more excited and nervous at the same time!


{images here via Elle Decor? / here / here / here via Elle / here}

13 comments:

Danielle said...

Can I please have everything in these pictures? Especially that last dining area, so country comfy.

Melissa @ Veranda Interiors said...

That first images has been a favorite of mine for a couple of years now (Traditional Home I think). Love the warmth to it!
You will do an amzing job at Christmas, my favorite time of the year when the whole family is together, so much laughter & joy!

Living It At Home said...

Lovely photo's of beautiful places to eat! I will be doing Thanksgiving at my house for the first time in many years. All of the other times, it has been very small. I must say I am a bit nervous! My problem is, I enjoy the decorating and creativity aspect of the holiday's. I like to fiddle with arrangements and table settings. This then leaves me really no time for the essential things...like cooking! I do enjoy cooking too however but would rather be creative!

Cassie said...

Paula you have provided some gorgeous examples here, the benches with the little toddlers on is adorable.

Even though we don't celebrate Thanksgiving here in England we did have a huge family celebration for Harvest Festival.
xx

molly b. said...

Paula! How pretty these images are! I have always wanted to set up a dining area outside. (a little hard in Alabama since you'd be fighting the heat & mosquitoes!) This year is the very first time in my life that I will be away from my immediate family on Thanksgiving. However, my man & I will be able to join my extended family at their ranch here in Texas to celebrate and then... home to Alabama for December! yay!

annie@mostlovelythings said...

Love them all, but I adore that trestle table with the seating all around. Love the colorful art in the more serene room. Looking forward to your Christmas dinner posts?!

Unknown said...

How cool would it be to have your big dinner outside.. day dreaming now :)

Polish and Patina said...

I want that antique table with the built in benches! I could spend hours there too. :) Good luck with your dinner...I'm making it for the first time, too! Lindley

Unknown said...

The idea of Thanksgiving dinner outside around a huge table on the grass makes my heart sing! Love the first picture and thanks for the inpsiration!

Doug Davis said...

always love that grey dining room! and I hope it's warm enough to open the windows here next week

Anonymous said...

The outdoor dinner table and amazing dining room pics remind me of home back in SA. There we had the space to be able to do such things. As an ex-pat in England I'm still to find a house with that kind of space and a price for mere mortals. There's also the fact that christmas dinner outside would be out of the question in the middle of winter. However, back home I'd never be able to find Christmas dinner deals where I can go to a Marco Pierre White restaurant on cristmas for the family at a price for mere mortals. As I always say, swings and roundabouts...

Kelly Green said...

Lovely pics - we always hope for Christmas lunch outside, thats if we can get away from the mozzies! KG

Priyam Gandhi said...

These pictures look absolutely beautiful. I would love to eat at this restaurant for sure