Actors and singers are expert entertainers, so it’s no surprise that they know how to put on a show at home. These dining rooms from the AD archives—from the residences of Brooke Shields, Adam Levine, Sheryl Crow, and other stars—are designed for entertaining, whether the gathering in question is an intimate affair or a feast for a crowd. In these spaces, stunning chandeliers, eye-catching artworks, and, of course, tables with plenty of room for family and friends set the scene for a memorable dinner party. Mike DJessica ChastainMarc AnthonyEllen PompeoPatrick DempseyGisele Bündchen and Tom BradyJane FondaBunny MellonNaomi Watts and Liev ShreiberPortia de Rossi and Ellen DeGeneresNina GarciaSharon and Ozzy Osbourne Carole KingWoody AllenWill and Jada Pinkett SmithDiane von FurstenbergRicky Carmichael Leonard LauderSheryl CrowRobert RedfordDemi Moore and Ashton KutcherTina TurnerAli Wentworth and George StephanopoulosDennis QuaidEnliven Your Dining Chairs with Patterns and Prints
Playfully patterned chairs add pizzazz to these dining roomsCelebrity HomesStep Inside 47 Celebrity Dining RoomsActors and singers are expert entertainers, so it’s no surprise that they know how to put on a show at home. Dining Room ArtDecor DiningDining SpacesDark DiningFine DiningDark StudsScene 2Art SceneHouse ToursForwardFrom the sprawling grounds to the gorgeous interiors to that sitting-perfect front porch, this Macon, Georgia home is one you can't help but want to tour!I missed Thursday, media day at Architectural Digest's annual Design Show. I was working (meetings and an appearance at Essence Live! to talk pop culture). But I cancelled everything on Friday to swing bybefore the weekend crowds. I've been waiting for this event. And it was soooo worth walking five avenues from the nearest subway station, and the price of admission ($30 in advance, $40 at the door).I'm headed back over today (Saturday) because 1) the tickets are for good the entire weekend; and 2) I was on Facebook last night, saw some sick interior design images and asked, "where is that?"
Apparently, I missed a whole huge section of the (humongous) exhibit. So, back to the design show today. I know, I know. I'll do a follow up post on whatever awesomeness I find later.Take a look at my favorite pics from Dining by Design, a subset of the larger show (and in a separate building). It's decor for dinners and celebrations. There were some awesome pieces at the main show, but Dining by Design is where the glory is.A slice of greatness from Kravet Inc. Get into those patterns, especially the chairs! A taste of all white everything from Bloomingdale's. Those chairs and ottomans, tho? Orchids ain't so bad either. The next room, by Architectural Digest, was a bit controversial. I posted an image on Instagram and referred to it by what the accompanying placard said. It's an "African-inspired" room. Some readers took issue that an entire continent with so many cultures and continents, was being cited as the influence. It's a valid point, but do we make it when something is called, "European-inspired" or "Asian-influenced?"
Maybe because those aren't often the culture that so many trace back to, we don't take offense. Hmmmm.Anyway, the room was dope. And I loved the Juju headdresses (ie. the feather circles on the far right). I saw a pair in a friend's house once and have been obsessed ever since. They're native to Cameroon, which is on my travel bucket list.This (from the Pratt Institute) blew my mind. Not just the origami, which is awesome, but the lighting. The lighting is what makes the room. I also adored the black walls. (I just painted my foyer and a wall in my living room matte black, and figured out after that we have to change all the lighting to accommodate it. Slow clap for the kids at Pratt. A dreamscape from Arteriors Home: *swoon* Mirrors, mirrors on the walls! An indoor rainforest from Sasha Bikoff Interior Design:I immediately thought of Blue Man Group, which is obviously NOT the inspiration for Sunbrella, but.... a worth monochromatic Moment! Beautiful black and white from Nourison.
I NEVER thought of jelly fish for decor, but it works. Maybe the theme here is under the sea. Not like Ariel, like the deep part that gets no light. The New York School of Interior Design went wild (and futursitic) with geometric patterns. Unfortunately, I didn't catch the name of the design house for this room. But would you look at these patterns?! It reminded me of a luxe safari. It's the animal prints. Last but not least from Dining by Design, a tablescape from Baccart crystal. Oh, and a most honorable mention to Teri over at Harlem Candle Company, who was at the general design exhibit to showcase her candles (buy the "holiday", trust me), but came thru with the best design in show with this vintage Harlem-influenced parlor. Also, check out this 1932 map of where to party in Harlem that ran in Esquire magazine. When you purchase a candle, you'll find the map printed on the inside of the box. There are also candle... vases? Is that the right word? But there are candle holders with the map on them so you can take home a piece of American history/geography.
What did you think of Dining by Design? How to Set a Dinner Table Etiquette enthusiasts, look no further: AD editors present a go-to video guide for your next dinner partyFor Architectural Digest, by Allix Cott. Every great host needs an equally great dining room table. When it comes to entertaining, these massive tables from the AD archives are perfectly suited for accommodating a large number of guests. Festive tablescapes featuring colorful stoneware, an abundance of diverse cuisine, and elegant embellishments can easily be showcased on these colossal feats in dining room furnishings. A 14-foot table in architect Nunzio DeSantis’s Texas home, a contemporary-style dining focal point in a Brooklyn brownstone, and a London dining room antique displayed in a Southampton residence, are just a few interior design examples utilizing these substantial surfaces. Whether you’re seeking dining accommodations for your large family, a solution for your busy entertaining schedule, or simply want to gaze upon the elegant spaces, this roundup is sure to bring major inspiration to the table.
In the dining side of architect Nunzio DeSantis’s Texas Hill Country great room, a custom 14-foot table overlooks the lake. “The attitude of this space is comfortable yet sophisticated,” says DeSantis. “The materials are big and bold.” “The dining room was so large, it was difficult to make it feel intimate,” says designer Paul Vincent Wiseman of his Northern California home. “The first find was the table, which established the scale of the room.” An 1880 French chandelier hangs above the massive oak table and suite of chairs in the dining room of interior designer Penny Drue Baird’s Paris apartment. Baird, who is a flea market aficionado, discovered the ornate armchairs—and numerous other pieces throughout the apartment—at a Paris flea market. Architect Frederick Stelle united the dining room and the landscape of this Long Island beach house through floor-to-ceiling glass. A collection of 30 fish plates by La Gardo Tackett hangs on a wall. Accompanying the Hayes-designed table is a set of jacaranda chairs by Joaquim Tenreiro.