In the words of famous fashion designer, Coco Chanel, “simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance”. This holds true for everything from clothing to jewelry to furniture; dining room tables being no exception. If you do the simple things, everything else will fall into place. This is a rule of thumb that works for most objects but usually not for people. But I digress, for dining room tables are not, after all, people.
When in the market for a new table for your dining room, make sure you measure to see that there is enough room between the apron of the table and the chair seat for guests to cross their legs. Usually, ten to fourteen inches will suffice. Aprons should also be smooth to avoid splintering knees and snagging stockings. To determine how big a table the room can take, allow at least thirty inches from the edge of the table to the wall, sideboard or cabinet for chair clearance.
Remember your geometric shapes, even if they don’t remember you. Rectangular, square and round make the most sense, but not all three at once. Avoid ovals, hexagons and octagons, for they do not like people, and place-setting space is lost by the very nature of their shapes. If a round table is your thing and it very well may be, get one that comes with curved leaves that plug into the edges of the table. This preserves the circle, which will very much appreciate your efforts. The problem with most extensions on round tables is that their use transforms them into less practical oval ones, which if you were listening, you want to avoid.
Sometimes, two tables are better than one. Two identical rectangular tables, when placed apart, are good for drinks on one and food on the other. They become a large square when pushed together, which will work for a sit-down dinner. For more formal affairs, they can be butted end to end to form a long board. When the party is over (and it will end), use one for a desk and the other for dining.
Improvise. The table you save may be your own.
Any dining room table ideas? Please share.
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