Dine & Shine - MC Design By Local Interior Designer Megan Dufresne (ASID)
Dine & Shine
MC Design By Local Interior Designer Megan Dufresne (ASID)
The dining room is the centerpiece of family gatherings. It's where we share our time and our meal with the ones we care about most. It should feel inviting and reflect our individual style and personality. Creating the best version of your dining space is all about finding balance and getting the details just right. Here are a few tips and ideas that will help your dining room shine.
Furnish In Style - When choosing dining room furniture I recommend using the overall style of your home as a guide. Sticking to one style is the easiest option and will ensure your spaces are cohesive. For example, if you live in a mid-century modern home, opting for mid-century modern dining room furniture is sure to be on point.
For the more daring, a bit of mixing and matching of complimentary styles can create something unique, but be mindful not to muddle too many differing elements that will pull attention in competing directions.
Once the style has been established, you can begin choosing the shapes, colors, and materials that suit the room best. Leather and wood are strong choices and just about any performance fabric will work well in the dining room, especially when considering using lighter colors.
Always choose the largest table the room can accommodate. In smaller spaces, a round table will offer more dining space than a traditional rectangular table. Bench seating is also a great option when space is limited but you want to create as much seating as possible.
As a general rule, armless chairs bring form and function together beautifully in the dining room. These chairs have a streamlined silhouette and offer freedom of movement that armed chairs do not. If you would like to incorporate armed chairs at the dining table, adding one at each end of the table is a great way to bring that style in without it being overdone.
Find Focus - Creating focal points in the room will help bring life to the space and anchor the room. For example, choosing a bold lighting fixture or artwork that provides pops of color are easy ways to add depth and create that warm, layered feel we are always looking for.
Layering colors and textures, whether in wall coverings, upholstery, or even in your choice of furniture, will bring visual interest and serves as a way to show some personality through the design.
In the dining room pictured below we chose to mix and match different seating options in differing colors and styles to add a fun, eclectic feel to this dining area.
Pull It Together - The rug you choose can make or break the overall design of the room. It serves as the foundation for everything else. Always choose the biggest rug the room can comfortably accommodate. All chairs should be able to stay fully on the rug when pulled out. This will ensure that the rug makes the room look bigger, not smaller.
In the first dining room pictured below we used an antique rug and paired it with modern furnishings including a live edge dining table. By choosing a lighter color table and using the underside of the rug for its muted colors, we were able to create an integrated color scheme that pulled the whole room together.
In the second dining room pictured below, we used the rug to add a pop of color and tied that in with chairs in a similar color to make this space feel intentional and cohesive.
Set The Scene - Before your meal even begins, you want to create an elegant and inviting table setting. Napkins, cutlery, plates, and placemats all play a role in creating a stylish and functional tablescape. Metallics are a go to for me because they work very much like a neutral in a table setting and can easily compliment any style, pattern, or color scheme for max usability.
A napkin ring, like the ones pictured below, are a small detail that add elegance and finery to any table setting. This addition not only offers sophistication, it also helps create the perfect napkin display without requiring special skills in napkin folding.
Take It Outside - Dining rooms don't have to be rooms at all. Outdoor dining spaces are a fantastic way to enjoy some fresh air in the summer months and can be a great option when entertaining. Many of the same rules that apply to indoor dining rooms apply to outdoor spaces. Choose the largest pieces to fill the space, create interest with lighting or large focal points, and use color and texture to make it your own.
Climate and surrounding environment will of course impact your design choices. I always remind homeowners to choose materials that will withstand harsh UV light as well as rain or snow where appropriate. Furniture should be moisture resistant and non-rusting. Thinking about these things from the very beginning of a design project will give your outdoor dining area longevity and save you from headaches later.
About Megan Dufresne
Megan Dufresne, founder and principal of MC Design is a Manhattan Beach native who was raised visiting job sites and marking up blueprints with her contractor father. She grew up in homes custom built and designed by her parents.
Today, she brings South Bay’s casual sophistication to residential and commercial spaces across
Southern California. Passionate about textiles and design, Dufresne’s goal is always to elevate
the everyday into motivating spaces for her clients. Innovative, fun and inspiring are three of her
favorite adjectives when it comes to design.
Dufresne works with both homeowners and builders to create personalized environments that are
timeless yet current; with thoughtful layers that look and feel as though they’ve been
collected over time. Focusing on clients’ culture, tastes and interests as well as the structure’s
architecture, she translates those influences into highly livable, visually stunning interiors. Kids,
pets, sand and swimming pools inspire instead of limit her creative possibilities.
She works primarily in the beach cities of Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Redondo Beach, Hermosa
Beach and Manhattan Beach, and travels for clients as needed. While currently building a showroom in Rancho Mirage, Dufresne is excited to expand her Firm to the Greater Palm Desert area.
As a former luxury design specialist for House Beautiful and Modern Luxury Interiors California magazines, Dufresne now brings that knowledge and passion to interior design. She founded MC Design in 2007.
Dufresne lives in Lower Lunada Bay in Palos Verdes Estates with her husband and two Chihuahuas. She’s a firm believer in cocktail hour(s) and beautifully organized spaces.
Follow @MeganDufresneDesign on Instagram
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