OMG! Thanksgiving is less then a week away!!! You are probably getting your head into the preparations that you have to do... And you might be feeling overwhelmed, excited and getting really busy! This year I am going to have a different Thanksgiving... I am not cooking. I am not preparing anything! I have been cooking the Thanksgiving meal since I married an American guy, Mike... about 15 years. Where I come from there isn't Thanksgiving... I didn't know the meaning until I got here (I knew about it only from American movies). And while living here and being part of the Thanksgiving celebration, for a while I didn't care so much about it. But I always would cook 'the meal' with great pleasure... because I love cooking! But then I started learning how to enjoy the whole thing altogether... enjoying the cooking, sharing of the food, the decorating, spending time with my husband's parents, and sometimes a few friends would come over to join us. This year I am not having Thanksgiving at home because I don't have my in-laws around anymore... I feel strange, kind of sad... maybe there is a gap inside me. I used to prepare the 'whole thing' to share with my elderly parents-in-law who seemed to really enjoy my food! I remember last Thanksgiving with them, last year, my father-in-law (already in a dementia process... devouring the turkey and not speaking a word during the sit-down time. It was a joy to me to observe them enjoying a good homemade meal. I think this year I am going to just be quiet with Mike and maybe just bake a chicken with veggies; and enjoy a nice bottle of wine around the fireplace. I feel like being cozy at home! And meditate... We were going to serve food to the homeless people, but Mike didn't find any volunteer work available for that day. I let him to search for it. Maybe I should have searched...
Meanwhile... I still want to share my 'gifts' with you. I am a good cook. But I am not sharing recipes (even though I have a wonderful turkey recipe). I want to share my designer's ideas on how to make your home cozier and give it a refresh for the holidays' entertaining season. I am sharing 5 suggestions on how to make your dining room to 'pop' this year. I truly believe that the nice ambience can help to bring good feelings on people. I think Thanksgiving celebration is all about 'good feelings', good food and intimate time with loved ones. Well, and of course, it's about reminding ourselves to be thankful (which I think shouldn't have to be reminded just once a year). Haha! Maybe we should have 4 Thanksgivings per year (one per season)! If you have the time to go shopping this week and make the installations before next Thursday, here are some few key elements that can improve your dining room dramatically.
1 - BRING A DRAMATIC LIGHTING FIXTURE ABOVE THE TABLE
2 - ADD INTERESTING ART WORK TO THE WALLS
3 - INSTALL A LARGE RUG UNDER THE TABLE
4 - PAINT THE WHOLE ROOM IN A STRONG COLOR, OR JUST ONE ACCENT WALL, OR A HALF WALL
5 - SIMPLIFY YOUR TABLE SETTING, BUT ALWAYS BRING CANDLES AND FRESH FLOWERS
The room below designed by amazing designer Amber Lewis, is a perfect example of the all the elements mentioned above; and how they are put together in perfect harmony, creating a dramatic and warm room.
Designed by Amber Lewis - Photography by Tessa Neustadt
If you have the time to paint yourself that's great! But you might be able to coordinate with your painter to apply your latest favorite color in a half wall of your dining room. How unexpected this turned out to be?! The chandelier is also a great focal point! I would add a few pieces of a collected artwork (vintage or antique) above the color half-wall, bringing more of a personal touch... and warm it up a bit.
Design by Leanne Ford - Photography by Reid Rolls
Maybe you feel like painting the whole room with one dramatic color, including the ceiling. The gray color brings a touch of modern, intimacy and drama.
Designed by Amber Lewis - Photography by Tessa Neustadt
Unique, original art can 'express the walls' and serve as a 'conversation piece' during the meals. TIP: to find something inexpensive you should 'art hunt' in a thrift shop, and/or a garage sale, antique shops, goodwill kind of stores.
Design by Lauren Liess - Photography Unknown
What I like about this setting is the simplicity... the warmth and unpretentious overall feeling. Natural textures from the place mats, linen table cloths, and the natural beeswax candles. Nothing special, but ALL special! Does it make any sense?!
And of course! No parties start without wine and cheeses! Voila! Let's start it!!! A chart below to help you to become an expert in wine & cheeses.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
“Wishing you all the best, and love!
Dream, work hard and keep going…”
XoXo & Beijos,
Renata Gross
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