IT WOULDN’T BE THE SOUTH WITHOUT THE DELICATE ART OF HOSTING – AND AT HATFIELD WE KNOW ALL ABOUT IT. WHEN CLIENTS CALL ON US TO REMODEL THEIR DALLAS HOMES, A GUEST-FRIENDLY KITCHEN, BATHROOM, AND ENTERTAINING AREA ARE ALMOST ALWAYS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST.

With spring approaching, there are so many excuses to invite family or friends over for lunch, dinner, and beyond. Bridal and baby showers, Easter brunch, and soon Mother’s Day and graduation parties will be next in line. Maximize the use of your new space this season by incorporating design elements that lend easily to hosting.

Room to move around is so important when it comes to entertaining. We want our clients to enjoy a lived-in feel when it comes to their kitchen and entertaining spaces. Plan to be able to dance over the recipe book in the kitchen. Baking cookies, roasting a chicken, or even just assembling a cheese and cracker plate is so much more fun when a guest or spouse can stand nearby as you work. At Hatfield we also love an open-concept kitchen that flows into the dining and/or living rooms. Guests feel at ease and the conversation can flow easily throughout the house. When the host or hostess is in earshot of the dinner table or gathering area, even while bringing out a second course or clearing the dishes for dessert, it’s more enjoyable for everyone.

Speaking of agreeable environments, lighting does so much more for a space than we tend to give it credit for. Creating an ambiance, separating one room from another without the need for walls, and adding illumination to art, books, or other design elements are just some of the things you can do with lighting. Also, entertainment and gathering nooks are enhanced by the right lamp, pendant, chandelier, and so on. Play around with different bulbs, shades, and placement to create a mood that changes from one room to the next. Or consider a dimmer switch to allow flexibility with the mood.

Functional storage is a top request from most clients, and it’s no wonder why. Not only is it important for your family to have places to keep their items, but guests feel taken care of and at ease when there are closets and shelves made available. Consider a strategically placed closet that allows guests to help themselves to towels and linens as needed. Also, reserve an area of a main-floor closet for hanging up the coats of those who come over for dinner. We love the idea of built-in shoe storage, too, which provides a place for your family and guests to comfortably stash their footwear without an unsightly pile accumulating by the front door.

Whatever your home layout, the Hatfield team is here to assist in creating the perfect design to fit your hosting needs!