Dining room
The Otises used this room as a parlor or dining room, arranging furniture to meet their changing needs. The term “dining room” was not commonly used in the Federal era, but if the Otises were to serve a grand meal to many people, this room was the most convenient because it led to the pantry, the kitchen, and the wine cellar. The room was too formal to be used for simple family meals and it too much trouble to set up the large table and heat the room for only a few people. When restoring this room, Historic New England looked very closely at a painting entitled “The Dinner Party” by Boston artist Henry Sargent. It depicts an elegant meal in 1824 and provides a great deal of information regarding the arrangement of Federal era dinner parties. The use of red curtains, wall-to-wall carpet, “crumb cloth” under the table, and classical busts over the doors came from “The Dinner Party.” The crumb cloth was considered necessary to protect the expensive carpets from spills, and was used even during the fanciest dinner parties. The Federal style continues from the façade of the house into the design of this room. Notice that each window has a corresponding door on the opposite wall. This symmetry is preserved by one false door. In contrast to the stark balance of the architecture, the décor is much more vibrant. Neoclassical design with its characteristic swags, urns, and Greek and Roman figures, was increasingly popular in the young democratic country.
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