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Dramatic Dining Rooms, Part 1

Making an impression is central to dramatic style, so the intimate setting of a dining room is the perfect place to express your creative flair- and to revel in the riches of color, pattern, and texture.

Dramatic style provides you with a bold canvas, whether your tastes are sleek and contemporary or steeped in the glamour and history of a period look. Ambience is important in any dining room, and creating a setting where your guests have a sense of well-being underlines its success. However, the mood in a dramatic dining room or dining area goes further, bestowing a sense of occasion and making any meal served in the room a memorable, almost theatrical experience. The success of the style relies on an imaginative approach rather than a large budget - creating a great visual effect is what matters. Capitalize on the attributes of the room, such as its natural light, height, or size. Even a particularly small dining room can be an advantage because you can emphasize its cozy, intimate atmosphere. Highlight any key elements: extravagant drapes in luxurious velvets, silks, or brocades; crystal glass and sleek, gleaming tableware; large, ornate mirrors and candlesticks; and the most important element of all, strong, bold color combinations.

Creating the Look
Use color on the walls to establish a particular mood. If the mood is to be airy and romantic, pale shades, with gilding or shiny metal accents, will help to create the right ambience. For a classical twist, you could opt for graphic black and white.

If the mood is more exotic, or has a sumptuous, period feel, saturate the room with intense, warming color; reds, glowing earthy colors, faux stone, and rich, dark shades, all have the effect of "pulling in" the walls.

Deep purples, midnight blues, and vibrant malachite greens have this enclosing, haven-like effect, too, but these rich colors also convey a subtly different mood with an air of mystery and a hint of magic.

For floor covering, take the lead from your special theme. Stone slabs or faux effects and black and white tiles suggest many looks, from ancient or heraldic to classical and ethnic, and can also look very modern. Pile carpet, polished parquet, or customized floor designs have a sophisticated, luxurious element to them.

Lighting, like color, captures the mood. Dramatic style relishes special effects, so choose lighting designs that work for your theme. Torcheres, sconces, picture lights, table lights, as well as an imposing light positioned centrally over the table, allow you to create subtle changes. A dimmer switch gives you control. Candles are a vital prop, and are a must for an intimate atmosphere.

Style Pointers
WALLS
Rich/sumptuous: vibrant contrasting color paint effects; colorwashes and glazes, stippling, faux effects; stone, marble, verdigris; murals, trompe l'oeil, bold plain color, gilding/metallics; ornate moldings.

Wall coverings: bold, flamboyant/exotic pattern; classical motifs.

WINDOWS
Flamboyant/curtains: lined, full-length, variations of dramatic classic styles; pelmets, swags, and tails; elaborately draped metal/wooden poles; extravagant tiebacks, sumptuous cord ties.

Blinds: sleek and architectural with slatted Venetians; or theatrical/exotic festoon styles.

FABRICS
Gorgeous/exotic: richly colored and textured silks; satins; moires; saris; luxury devore velvet/velvets; brocades; shimmery metallics; fur fabrics; bold graphic prints; floaty voiles; shiny plastic/PVC; leather; dramatic pattern prints, stripes, checks.

FLOORING
Luxurious/bold: wall-to-wall velvet pile carpet; animal prints; exotic/theme pattern; customized patterns/faux stone/ marble/linoleum effects; parquet; graphic black and white tiles.

Rugs: stylized contemporary/exotic patterns; natural/cream plains.

FURNITURE
Impressive/modern/period: theatrical flourish; glass and metal/black lacquer for contemporary looks; rich fruit woods, mahogany, oak, painted/distressed wood, painted motif for period look armoire, shelving, serving table/sideboard; metal grille-front radiator covers/bookcases.

Table and chairs: contemporary pale wood/glass and metal or heavy period styles for refectory, extending leaf, trestle styles; circular pedestal table; wrought metal/sleek wood chairs; flamboyant slipcovers; rich texture/color upholstered period chairs.

LIGHTING
Bold/atmospheric: sets the mood; extravagant looks for traditional or modern chandeliers; contemporary pendant shades/halogen spots; wrought iron candle fittings, character table lamps; dimmer switches; candles/nightlights.

ACCESSORIES
Impressive/eclectic: luxurious, streamlined contemporary or heavy traditional cutlery; metallic/bold color underplates; streamlined modern, ornate/metallic rim traditional dinner service; goblets; metallic/luxurious tablecloth/mats/napkins; elaborate floral/fruit display; striking mirror/picture frames; decorative screens.

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