By Gretchen A. Peck

In less than three weeks, Americans will gather around dining tables all across the country, in celebration of Thanksgiving traditions. Though formal dining rooms in today’s homes may not get the use of generations past, during the holidays, they can prove invaluable. After all, a formal dining room isn’t just about an accommodating space for sit-down affairs; it’s about setting the mood—setting the stage—for a memorable special occasion.

In anticipation of the holiday season, this week Welcome Home takes you to three remarkable properties currently listed for sale, each with formal dining rooms poised to make memories.

“A dining room well-suited for occasions like Thanksgiving typically features several key elements: ample space for large gatherings and easy movement around the table,” Susan Turner Ehrlich suggested. She’s a Realtor with Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International Realty in Watch Hill, Rhode Island.

“Comfortable seating encourages guests to linger and enjoy their meal. Warm, soft lighting creates a cozy atmosphere, enhancing the festive mood. Seasonal decorations, such as table centerpieces, themed tableware and warm color palettes add to the holiday spirit,” she suggested. “Easy access to the kitchen and serving areas facilitate the flow of food and drinks. A large or extendable table accommodates various guest numbers, making it adaptable for different occasions.”

Over the course of her work as a Realtor, Ehrlich has seen and transacted in an untold number of homes and has a keen perspective on what makes a dining room particularly accommodating for large sit-down occasions, such as a Thanksgiving feast. In fact, she’s the listing agent for a property currently on the market that has a fine example. It’s affectionately called “Merry Meeting Farm,” located at 264 Taugwonk Road, Stonington—an eight-bedroom 1747-period Georgian Colonial with a pool, carriage house, two barns and a three-car garage. The 4,456-square-foot house also has a state-of-the-art kitchen and a butler’s pantry, which proves invaluable when entertaining on a grand scale.

“The dining room at Merry Meeting Farm is the perfect place for gathering and connecting with loved ones, a place to create those lasting holiday memories we all cherish,” the listing agent remarked. “It comfortably seats eight guests as configured currently, but can graciously accommodate a larger event. The home’s original wood-burning fireplace, stunning wood floors and table-top décor add to the warm and inviting ambiance. An antique china cabinet and serving buffet flank either side of the room, adding elegance and functionality. The ample natural lighting is enhanced by views of the surrounding fields, stunning pool, stone fences and grape arbor. An exterior door can be opened to a bluestone patio in order to directly access those features.”

At 15-by-14-feet, the formal dining room at 155A Joshuatown Road, Lyme, can accommodate up to 10 guests around a long table. And the property itself, a 23.25-acre country compound, has special sleeping quarters for every member of the family. In addition to the three-bedroom main house, which debuted in 1787—there’s a fully restored barn with two bedrooms and two additional guesthouses, as well.

“This compound is the perfect blend of historic charm and modern amenities, making it a truly special place,” Colette Harron, a Realtor with William Pitt Sotheby’s Essex brokerage and the listing agent for the seller.

“The dining room is the center of the house, just off the living room,” she explained to Welcome home. “The painted wood paneling and sconces are unique to this space, as are the original chestnut wide-board floors and the bluestone fireplace.”

The dining room at 11 Hancox Street in Stonington Borough has a captivating perspective. It shares an open plan with the family room, just off the kitchen, with views of the Sound, a short stroll away.

“The beauty of the water is framed with windows, capturing natural light throughout. The room has an open concept, which accommodates the entire family. Family and friends can enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner in a beautiful setting—a respite from our busy lives. Looking outside elicits tranquility,” according to Broker Lori Joyal with Lila Delman Compass’ brokerage in Watch Hill, Rhode Island. The five-bedroom 1920-built colonial is also offered to the market right now. It has generously proportioned rooms, including two family rooms.

Joyal estimates the formal dining room here can seat up to 14 guests. But it’s the location that makes entertaining for the holidays so remarkable. It’s a waterfront 0.34-acre lot, with a deep-water dock and “loads of parking,” she noted—a rarity for Borough homes.

“The Borough of Stonington is known for its rich history and epitomizes local pride in maintaining the quaintness,” Joyal said. “There are art galleries, small restaurants, boutiques, the lighthouse and so much more.”