flapper

Decor

Dining Room

The dining room was the one area of the home where wallpaper was still welcome. Typically, a scenic pattern was chosen to set off the Federal style furniture. Queen Anne and Hepplewhite were also favored for the dining room furniture. The lines of all those styles were clean, uncluttered. On the floor would be the ubiquitous patterned rug, an oriental or a Wilton. Woodwork was usually of North Carolina pine enameled in cream or a pastel gray or taupe.

In 1920, House Beautiful offered this description of an ideal dining room in the Georgian style:

The atmosphere of simple dignity which seemed to pervade the delightful dining halls of Georgian England was inspired by an orderly arrangement of a few well-chosen objects. Such a grouping is particularly appropriate to the moderate size dining room of today. Its broad casement windows and delicately paneled walls present a perfect background for the graceful sideboard and table. The very simplicity of this ensemble creates an air of distinction and effect of spaciousness.

As the dimensions of the dining room grew smaller, built-in cupboards became popular and alcoves or bay windows were designed to hold the buffet.

China was usually of a simple design, perhaps featuring some decoration in light yellow and other pastels. Linens were desirable but expensive.

The Great Depression of the thirties, followed by the wartime priorities of the forties and soaring construction costs tolled the death knell for the expendable dining room.

This large, older dining room has been updated to flapper taste. Note the Queen Anne furniture, the oriental rug, the scenic wallpaper.

Another dining room reflecting the gracious quality: the light Hepplewhite furniture, Oriental rug, paneled walls. Simple elegance. This room also shows another favored feature of twenties architecture: the french doors.