It’s Springtime. This week we welcome Daylight Savings. Longer evenings, the chill off the air. It’s time to entertain, to create that ultimate dining experience – the Dinner Party. And the first prerequisite is a comfortable, attractive Dining Setting. A dining setting that comfortably seats your family and friends, that allows you the freedom of creating a visual delight – food, wine, crystal glasses, elegant porcelain. A comfortable setting that is part of creating those memorable, joyous moments.
At Sulfaro we offer a wide range of dining settings, both traditional and contemporary. Choose from our dining table and chair selections. Sharing a meal with loved ones is a wonderful experience – the warmth, the comfort, the flavours, the sheer enjoyment. And it all starts with your dining setting.
A few tips in selecting your dining setting – but first always remember – touch the surface – wood, glass, stone, ceramic – do you like it? Is it to your taste? Secondly take a seat at the table – are you comfortable? Do you like the fabric of the chair, its shape, its feel? Do you feel part of the table, moving comfortably?
A dining table is one of the most important purchases you will make for your home! It must be many things; yes, it’s a place for dinners, family lunches and lazy breakfasts, but it is also a place to do homework, jigsaw puzzles, newspaper sprawling and amongst all this, it is a vital centrepiece for your home and key anchor for your interior style.
If your table is well crafted and strong, it should outlive you by a long while and can even be a half decent investment piece, so it should never be something you purchase on a whim. We give you the need to know pointers to help you find the perfect piece to sit at the heart of your dining space.
Shape
The shape of your dining table will be greatly dictated by the room it is going to be placed in. Most spaces will suit a rectangular dining table as most dining spaces tend to be rectangular in shape and this combination provides soothing visual symmetry. You are also more likely to have greater choice when it comes to choosing styles because rectangular dining tables are the most popular on the market and are favoured for their classic and highly functional aesthetic. They are also a great choice if entertaining is your thing as they can easily have a chair or two added to them to accommodate that once a year celebration and its large guest list! Round or oval tables are often favourable because there is no “head” of the table and they offer a more informal and intimate approach to dining. These styles are also wonderful as they help provide a smooth flow of traffic through the space. Visually, round or oval tables tend to provide softer lines and come into their own in smaller rooms, especially those with a pedestal base as they take up less space and don’t break up the visual flow. Square tables should generally be reserved for use in large open spaces as they tend to take up vast amounts of space. If you do consider a smaller square option, keep in mind you will never be able to push all chairs in at once and therefore you will need to allow extra room for them to sit slightly out from the table.
Size
The table’s size has to be based on the size of the room it is going to call home. You will need to consider and allow for the pushing back of chairs and room for people to circulate within the dining space. As a general rule of thumb, 90 cm from the wall or any other larger furniture items in the room is the minimum space to allow. Don’t forget the height of a dining table can vary, too. Most modern tables sit around 76 cm but many antiques or mid-century styles can vary from this measurement so make sure you consider this before you go choosing things such as on trend over the dining table pendant lighting and dining room chairs! In regard to choosing chairs you should always aim to leave about 20-30cm between the seat to the dining table and if you already have chairs you love…make sure to take their measurements with you when you head out shopping. If you are unsure of the size you need it is a fabulous idea to mock up a paper template to use in your room to ascertain what size will work best for your home, you can always take it on the table hunt with you too!
Material
This is perhaps one of the most key points in choosing you’re dining table! A tables materials speak volumes as they act as an anchor in terms of the interior style of the home but also need to provide ample functionality. If you’re looking for something that will stand the test of time, then hardwood is the best option. Consider blackbutt, mahogany, walnut, oak and gum for both looks and durability. Salvaged or rustic wooden tables are also great as they provide character and can take most things you choose to throw at it with ever added aged worn chicness. Do make sure if you choose a timber table, salvaged or hardwood, that it is completely sealed, even on the base so as to avoid moisture sneaking in and bowing or cracking your tabletop. Glass topped tables are great options for smaller more modern spaces and those lacking in light because they allow light to filter through and visually they are not too overpowering or heavy. However, they do tend to scratch and are often hard work to keep clean. A more recent addition to the dining table market is concrete which is a fantastic option as it is beautiful, modern and super durable. It is also a material that transcends a myriad of interior styles. Surfaces such stone and marble are lovely and offer a great hard wearing surface but be cautious that they don’t appear cold and unwelcoming in your space and also pay close attention to the sealant used on these surfaces to avoid nasty stains.
All good advice, but the real test is to view and be seated at the table of your choice. Schedule a visit now to visit our showrooms at 650-652 Whitehorse Rd Mitcham, corner of Cochrane St, just 1km west of the EastLink exit.
Call now on 9872 4608 and arrange for our Sales and Design team to guide you in your selection.
For elegant European styling choose Sulfaro. Made here in Melbourne – Hand built by skilled artisans – it’s simply the best.
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