Summer Heritage Series: The Dining Room

By August 08, 2024

The Dining Room

The dining room in Maine was originally a screened-in porch, which Sister enclosed with the sixties sliding doors- not the best look, but to be fair, they were done in the sixties. The fantastic round table, painted by a Parish Hadley decorative painter, can seat 12 in a pinch, and that and a large Aiken sofa dominate the room. The small bar where cocktails are concocted has a large shelf over it burdened with ancient wicker baskets. The room opens onto a sitting room, so the flow is constant, and the traffic in and out is akin to rush hour at Grand Central.

That said, at night, the room has set the stage for many an enchanting summer meal and is a central part of the house. Two colors have dominated the room since Sisters’ day—yellow and white. The floor, newly painted a high-gloss off-white, and the mustard-colored Sister Parish Mahalo fabric create instant sunshine, and the wall-to-wall windows look down to the small cove, bringing the smell of the ocean in.

A distinguishing characteristic of the dining room is the ever-changing but historical table settings meticulously stored in the pantry leading from the kitchen into the room. The array of dishes, tureens, salt and pepper shakers, ceramic vegetables and fruit, dessert ramekins, candle sticks, water and wine glasses is staggering. If you are looking for a coffee service for twenty after dinner, have no fear! Setting the table in this room is a delight and the evenings reflect the charm and magic the table settings bring.

"Guests were expected to participate in dinner conversation - no slackers allowed. Some peoples taboo topics - politics, sex and religion welcomed!
Spicy island gossip a must."