This is a page from my book, “The Pretty and Proper Living Room”, photographed in our Living Room at Fox Hall. I chose to surprise Stuart and dine in the living room as a change of venue. I brought in a Pembroke table from another room and removed the coffee table in front of the sofa. The two Hepplewhite chairs are from the Living Room. It was the first day of spring, so I used my grandmother’s flower Limoges plates. We enjoyed a delightfully romantic evening!
Perhaps you have noticed my new tagline at the base of the MMM logo? I decided to add “Lessons for Lovely Living” to expand the breadth of a gracious lifestyle.
This will enable me to share more than just Mummy’s etiquette secrets with you. I will venture even further into interior design and entertaining ideas that contribute to a timeless and tailored house. “Lessons for Lovely Living” will encompass all of the realms and nuances of creating an inviting abode where family and guests do not want to leave!
On that note, having been sequestering at home for such a length of time, “not wanting to leave” is presently not applicable! Three meals a day at the same table can become rather mundane, right?
As such, why not simply try changing your dinner venue?
From the dining room or the kitchen table, find an unexpected place in your house, even if it is for only one meal. With children, without children, or even by yourself, creating a new venue to dine, any time of year, can contribute to a sense of adventure and a cherished memory.
Some ideas for dining differently:
If you have children, let them brainstorm and choose a new place to dine. I am always surprised at what children think of... from the attic to the basement, and anyplace in between. This project will also help to keep them occupied, which is key! If you’re in an apartment, perhaps it would be fun to have a “pretend picnic” where everyone sits on the floor with pillows atop a decorative tablecloth.
Go shopping and incorporate decorative items from around the house! The treasure hunt is the amusing part. Discover uncommon and meaningful items on your bookshelves, tabletops, china cabinets or, if you have a library, wine cellar, or a garden shed, look in there, too. From an animal theme, to a pink and green theme, horse theme, an Asian theme, even a candlestick theme, or a gold or silver theme, the options are endless. Consider using different linens, plates and glasses.
Have your children create their own placemats for the occasion or design a “zoo” table with their toys and stuffed animals. (You probably feel like you are already in a zoo, at this point!). Vary the normal seating placement for your family. Perhaps, seat the youngest where an adult usually sits.
Please, share with me the new dining destinations that you create in your home! Because of this present day quarantine situation, we have an opportunity to spend even more time to realize who and what is really important in life...CHEERS to that!
LET'S SPARKLE ON!