A Room That Grows With You

There is something especially wonderful about a dining room that tells a story. 

Not a room where everything was purchased at once, perfectly coordinated, or carefully selected from a furniture showroom, but one that has come together over time, piece by piece, with a little imagination, a love for old things, and a desire to make everyone feel at home.

That is certainly the story of our dining room here at Henington House.

Recently, we were able to expand our dining table and find a few more thrifted chairs to gather around it. What a welcome addition this has been! With activities at Henington House increasing and our family continuing to grow, we are finding that a few more places at the table are not only useful but something to celebrate.

And isn't that a lovely reason to need more chairs?

A Little More Room for Everyone

Our dining room has never been about having everything match. In fact, I believe much of its charm comes from the fact that it doesn't.

Around our table, you'll find chairs of different styles, finishes, and personalities. Some have beautiful carved wooden backs, others are upholstered, and several have those wonderful deep red seats that bring such warmth to the room.

They weren't all meant to be together originally, but somehow, here at Henington House, they belong.

I have always enjoyed the challenge of using what we already own, rearranging things, and discovering how a thrifted find can become just the right addition. There is such satisfaction in giving something another opportunity to be useful and beautiful.

Our newly expanded table is a perfect example. We didn't need an entirely new dining room. We simply needed to make room for more people.

Collected Over Time, Loved for Years

Looking around this room, I see so many things that contribute to its warmth.

The new thrifted cabinets, filled with china, glassware, and treasured serving pieces, bring a sense of history and usefulness. The beautiful glass-fronted cabinet along one wall displays sparkling crystal and dishes, reminding us that lovely things don't have to be tucked away and forgotten. They can be enjoyed, and brought out for special occasions—or an ordinary family supper.

The paintings and framed artwork that fill the walls are another part of the room's personality. Landscapes, small pictures, and decorative pieces hang together in a way that feels collected rather than decorated. Nothing needs to be exactly alike to be beautiful together.

Our chandelier hangs above the table, giving the room a wonderful sense of occasion. The soft glow from the lamps, including those perched above the cabinets, adds another layer of warmth. Lamp light has a way of making even a large room feel intimate and inviting.

At the far end, the fireplace mantel, mirror, greenery, and small decorative treasures create another welcoming focal point. These are the little details that make a room feel lived in and loved.

And beneath it all, the richly patterned rugs bring color and comfort against the dark wooden floors.

There is an eclectic mixture of wood, glass, fabric, artwork, old furniture, and pieces gathered through the years. It isn't one particular style, and I wouldn't want it to be.

It is Simply a Home well Lived In and Shared.

Catherine Strange

Henington House & Gardens

Historic Neighborhood

Hattiesburg, Mississippi