Log In


Reset Password
  • MENU
    Real Estate
    Thursday, December 05, 2024

    Making Holiday Memories

    Formal dining rooms may not see much action throughout the year, but during the holidays, they’re the places to be

    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.”

    The formal dining room at 264 Taugwonk Road, Stonington, encapsulates the character and craftsmanship of the antique Georgian-style Colonial home, with wide-plank floorboards and a wood-burning fireplace. Known as Merry Meeting Farm, this eight-bedroom home debuted in 1747 and today is situated on 12.05 acres, with a heated saltwater pool, a three-car garage, two barns and a playhouse among the grounds. The asking price for the property is $3.9 million. Realtor Susan Turner Ehrlich, with Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International Realty, is the seller’s agent.

    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 elegant formal dining room at 155A Joshuatown Road in Lyme, Connecticut, has period character and cozy wood-burning fireplace. The antique house, built in 1787, is part of a four-home compound that comprises the main house, a two-bedroom restored barn and two guesthouses. The restored post-and-beam barn also has a remarkable great room-style living and dining area, which can accommodate large groups of guests for holidays or dinner parties. The 23.25-acre property is listed by Colette Harron, a Realtor with William Pitt Sotheby’s in Essex. The asking price is $4.495 million.

    “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.

    The formal dining area at 11 Hancox Street in Stonington Borough has a seamless transition to the family room and spectacular water views. The waterfront home, complete with a deep-water dock, reflects the coastal charm of the borough. And there’s plenty of parking for guests for the holidays or other special occasions. The asking price is $3.6 million. Lori Joyal, the managing broker at Lila Delman Compass, is the listing agent.

    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.”

    Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.