Five Dining Rooms Designed for Entertaining

The dining room is making a comeback.

Relegated over the past couple decades in favor of open concept plans, experts say homeowners are rediscovering the dining room, seeking the coziness of a space to dine and entertain, separate from the rest of the home.

There’s no better showcase for the dining room than the holidays, when the space takes center stage as a hub for entertaining, hosting parties and enjoying meals with friends and family. Whether cozy or grand, formal or casual, the dining room is made for creating holiday memories. Below, we present five standout dining rooms currently on the market, each with their own unique style.

W3120 S. Lakeshore Drive, Lake Geneva, WI

A 20,000-square-foot estate on the shores of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, the Aloha Lodge is a beautiful throwback to the time of paddlewheel boats and steam trains. More than 120 years of history are wrapped up in this grand estate, built by the founder of Chicago’s noted Drake Hotel in 1900 and carefully and meticulously restored in 2011. The dining room is a star of the home, with sweeping views of the spring-fed lake from just about any seat. Featuring traditional architecture, including transom windows and intricate millwork, one can almost picture the Drake family enjoying a holiday feast by candlelight.

159 E. Walton Place, #28A, Chicago, IL

This stunning 5,400-square-foot residence in Chicago’s Gold Coast was built to entertain. Spanning the entire 28^th floor of Chicago’s Palmolive Building, the home offers panoramic views of the city’s most iconic locations including Navy Pier and North Michigan Avenue. The spacious formal dining room is highlighted by Venetian plaster ceilings and a vintage chandelier sourced by French art deco specialist Anne Hauck, in addition to a large window for a beautiful look at Lake Michigan and the high-rises of Lake Shore Drive. Built in the late 1920s as the original headquarters for the Colgate-Palmolive-Peet Company, the Palmolive Building is one of Chicago’s most notable art deco gems.

275 Sussex Lane, Lake Forest, IL

Set on two acres in north suburban Lake Forest, this estate dubbed “The Adler” boasts a distinguished dining room fit for an 11,000-square-foot mansion. Built in 1914 by renowned architect David Adler, this stunning home includes a grand foyer, parlor, library, media room, elegant kitchen with a service kitchen – and of course, a spacious dining room, with floor-to-ceiling windows that offer views of the serene formal gardens surrounding the property. For ease of entertaining, the dining room flows seamlessly into the home’s state-of-the-art kitchen. The third floor of this home offers a speakeasy-style full bar and dance room, perfect for after-dinner entertainment.

16624 Westway Drive, New Buffalo, MI

If you’re heading over the river (or across the lake) and through the woods to spend the holidays in the country, then you’ll enjoy dinner by the fire in this spacious New Buffalo home on the shore of Lake Michigan. With 8,800 square feet of space, guests have plenty of room to congregate. Enjoy a meal while overlooking the magnificent views of the lakefront and warm up with a fire in the three-story stone fireplace. At this home, it’s easy to invite the entire family to your holiday celebration, with a dining room that comfortably seats 30 – not including the kids’ table.

30 W. Oak Street, #9B, Chicago, IL

This modern residence at 30 Oak in Chicago’s Gold Coast offers panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows for the ultimate in dining with a view. Guests will be captivated by breathtaking views of the city, complemented by 10-foot ceilings that bathe the space in natural light. Ideal for those who love to cook, this home also features an exquisite Poggenpohl kitchen adorned with Carrara marble countertops and a full backsplash, along with two Subzero refrigerators, four freezer drawers, two Miele dishwashers, and two Miele ovens with a stylish hood. The adjacent butler’s pantry, complete with a wine refrigerator, makes for easy entertaining.

Image Source: AtProperties