Love: Mirrors over Mirrors

...for their depth, sparkle and easy way to update decades-old plate mirror. More commonly found in bathrooms (really)?, don't overlook opportunities to add a smaller mirror in front of a larger one - your gut will tell you if it works. A small sample of ideas follows:

Simple His 'n Hers

Convex shape, frame and museum cord are a great foil for plate mirror 



Venetian mirror also a nice pattern addition



Love everything about this dining room! Framing out the plate mirror also a good idea...



Shape, finish and bevel make this fabulous

...and the treatment can whisper, as well...

Had to throw this in: love art hung in front of mirrors!

 

 

Image credits:drivenbydesign,traditionalhome,littleapple,mynottinghillblogspot,thecubaninmycoffee

Love: Dining Rooms That Aren't a One-Trick Pony

Unless you host a lot of sit-down dinners, that particular piece of real estate doesn't have to be a static room in your home. Think about other purposes that would serve you and design accordingly. I did one as an escape-from-sports-TV room using a fully upholstered curved settee, a Harden Hi-Lo round table and two slipper lounge chairs. This space also had a TV/console and the table is set at cocktail height, but raise it and pull up the comfy chairs and dine in comfort...I've also done one where I re-purposed a Williamsburg settee and swapped out three side chairs; softened up all that matching wood!
Here are some other ideas:

One of my all-time favorites - books are always in style and a round table ideal for cards or intimate gatherings

Similar idea with a transitional style

A modern multi-purpose room

So feminine and great blending of dining and living areas

Dining room? Game room?