Everyone is getting ready for holiday entertaining and what’s one of the most important parts? The dining room table of course…it’s the place you gather with family and friends to celebrate. Growing up in my house, meals were definitely the center of every celebration–lots of planning, lots of eating and lots of lively conversation at the table. My parents have had the same big round table made of beautiful rosewood for the last 25 years. They got it when we lived in Papua New Guinea in the 80s and shipped it across the world; it’s still as beautiful today as it was when they bought it.
Anyway, dining tables are obviously important and I have strong opinions on what they should be like! Here’s my personal check list for dining tables:
1. Sturdy. No flimsy tables need apply–there’s nothing worse than leaning against a table and the other side comes popping up off the floor!
2. Leg friendly. In order to support a good dinner party, everyone must be able to stretch their legs out so even though a table might be pretty, it shouldn’t have weird, obtrusive legs.
3. Flexible. I prefer a table that can grow with the party…a leaf or two for expansion is your best bet.
4. Dinner friendly. By this I mean, if my kids spill milk on the table, I won’t cry! Or, if a platter gets dragged along it at a party, that it won’t leave a long scratch. (So, this item might not be relevant to all of you, but I did say this is my personal check list!)
Unfortunately not every table is going to meet every criteria so you might need to prioritize. So, those having been outlined, here are some choices I’m liking these days.
Like modern? Check out Design Within Reach for the Cross Extension Table
Going for a rustic look? Check out this choice from Anthropologie–the top is gorgeous. The bar in the center is high enough that your feet would fit under.
Like a more traditional French Country look? Check out this option from Wisteria–goes from a four person table to big enough to fit 12 thanks to FIVE leaves!
This is a very simple choice from Cost Plus World Market. I like it because it would go with any decor and you could do some really fun chairs–anything from a metal or ghost chair to a patterned upholstered chair would look great depending on the look you’re going for. And at $500 it is super affordable and therefore “dinner friendly”. This one does not come with a leaf though.
Equally simple, but expandable, is this table from West Elm
Prefer a round table? It’s definitely harder to find a round table that is expandable, but here’s an option from Plantation Design in Los Angeles–this Spyder table is available in round, oval and rectangle and with customizable leaves. My only caution would be to make sure it doesn’t scratch easily–often this shiny wood surface looks scratched up in no time!
Also available with optional leaves is this contemporary round table from Plantation
Happy eating! And, if you’re in the US, get out and vote!! It’s your right, your privilege and your duty!
