With frantic schedules and harried households, the stand-alone “formal” dining room runs the risk of becoming completely obsolete in many homes, often replaced by grab ’n’ go meals and quick dinners at the kitchen table or in the family room. But I’m a firm believer in the benefits of a proper place to dine. When you gather around a table and share a meal unplugged from work and technology, you have the opportunity to connect with family and friends, engage in dialogue, and celebrate milestones big and small. I am drawn to dining rooms that delight and surprise and encourage everyone to have to good time. So, before you deem the dining room obsolete, I suggest you round up a group, chef up a feast, uncork a bottle (or two), and let the good times roll.