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5 Different Ways to use your Dining Set
The dining set is a staple piece of furniture in the home, but how can you really make the most of it? The pairing of a dining table and chairs is often seen as the place where you and your family sit down to eat at the end of the day, but there are so many more uses for this multipurpose combination. Here we will look at 5 different ways you can use your Dining Set and make the most of this functional set up in everyday life. 1) Brilliant Breakfasts We’ll kick off our list where you kick off your day – at the breakfast table. Often called the most important meal of the day, gathering around the dining table for breakfast can set you and your family off on the right foot for the day ahead. A breakfast table, sometimes referred to as a nook, can serve a multitude of purposes in the morning hours. From sitting with a coffee and the morning newspaper to feeding the kids while they finish their homework before school, or even tucking into a fry up on the weekend, the breakfast table will be there waiting for you to start your day. While traditional tea and coffee pots are a great pairing with the traditional full English, pitchers of fresh juice and bowls of fruit really add to a buffet-style breakfast spread, and a large vase of fresh flowers can be the perfect accompaniment to a continental theme. Whether you’re an early riser who enjoys embracing the start of the day with a cup of coffee, or someone who appreciates the luxury of a lie in and a leisurely morning, the breakfast dining set is where it all begins. 2) Working From Home Remote working has become more common over the last few years, and practical dining sets which can double as occasional workspaces have never been more popular. We often hear from prospective customers for whom research from home, work calls and university coursework are important considerations when sourcing new dining chairs and tables. A standard dining table generally isn’t dissimilar to a standard work desk in terms of height, which can be invaluable when you need a dining room to function as a makeshift home office. Letting a roomy tabletop become chaotic with paperwork before clearing everything away to serve an evening meal is a work-from-home staple. You might also choose to set up a laptop in front of you and take a notebook in hand for online meetings, maintaining a sense of professionalism without sacrificing all of the benefits of home comfort. Just remember to take occasional breaks. 3) Coffee Catch Ups For social butterflies who often have friends and family around for drinks, table sets provide the opportunity to impress. A circular table may prevent excessive distance between conversation partners, keeping everyone involved. Designing a chic decorative centrepiece can be simple but rewarding. Coffee and bright floral arrangements go together famously, though a small ornamental display could help to give a more personal touch. A tea tray or cake stand loaded with treats is also a welcome but none-too-subtle way of making guests feel at home. Its even possible to mimic the casual quality of a modern coffee table with a small selection of magazines, providing fuel for icebreakers and discussion. 4) Delightful Date Nights The intimacy of a suave modern dining set also makes them perfect for dates. Spacing is likely to be key as being too close together or too far apart can make your date experience uncomfortable, though a more compact dining set is still likely to be preferable for creating atmosphere. It’s usually advisable to choose a minimalist tablecloth that won’t be a distraction, though a subtle pattern may show that you have an eye for style. In terms of romantic lighting, dinner by candlelight is a classic and the mood created is likely to be different depending on whether you’ve opted for one tasteful candlestick centrepiece or a selection of charming tealights. With ambience established, cutlery laid out and a bottle of wine for the table, all that’s left to do is make yourself as presentable as the room. 5) Decadent Dinner Parties The colour of an object is not the only factor affecting the amount of light that it reflects. Texture is just as important in determining the level of reflection. Above all else, a dining set is great for hosting. The ideal in any dining room is of course a substantial table, around which several guests can be placed at once and upon which numerous dishes can be served. A traditional three-course meal is likely to call for neat and sophisticated place settings, sometimes with a handsome carafe or a water jug to provide easy refreshment. One alternative is a more free-for-all buffet style party that may involve platters of canapes or stylish serving bowls. With bellies full, it’s worth thinking about the transition from a sit-down meal into fun after dinner activities. Table and chair sets give the opportunity to sit back after dessert, whether it’s to relax with idle chatter or engage in a high stakes game of cards. Given a wide enough tabletop, you may even decide to break out the board games. Conclusion These are just a few of the many interesting ways in which dining sets can be used. Why not take a look at our Dining Set Buying Guide or explore our selection of chair and table arrangements today, so that you too can find a way of implementing one or more in your room.
Winter Kitchen & Dining Room Inspiration
You’ve survived the first frost, now it’s time to bed in for a long, cold winter. When the nights are dark and icy, there’s nothing better than staying in by a warm fire with a home-cooked casserole in the oven and glass of red wine by your side. We spend more time in our homes during the winter than we do in any other season, so it makes sense that we make an extra effort to ensure our kitchen and dining rooms are both hibernation friendly and guest ready. Follow our five top tips to make your home even more inviting this winter... 1) Signature scent One of the first things visitors notice when they walk through the front door is the smell. In colder months some houses can give off a subtly damp or dusty smell, which is not the welcome you want to give guests. But by using these simple tricks, you can make your home smell warm, cosy and undeniably inviting: - Throw a few sticks of cinnamon, dried orange peel and some cloves onto the fire for a subtle and long-lasting festive fragrance. - Light your favourite scented candle for an hour in the evening – the scent will continue to waft around the house even after the flame has gone out. - Indulge your inner baker and pop an apple pie or some tasty gingerbread into the oven to get that home-baked aroma, which will last for hours after the last crumb has been devoured. 2) Update your furniture This is the perfect time to upgrade your kitchen and dining room furniture. Winter is all about entertaining and receiving visitors after all, so you may as well use it as an opportunity to show off your style. Not only do well made, matching dining sets look great in any house, but they tell people you’re serious about hospitality and socialising. To really make an impression, keep your dining table clean and tidy, and try your hand at creating a bespoke centrepiece which ties together the key colours and shades in the room – it’s sure to form a talking point among your guests. 3) Add some colour Stitch Bar Stools It may be dark outside, but that’s no excuse for a dark and gloomy interior. If you’re going to be spending a lot more time in your kitchen and dining room this winter, you better make sure it’s a place you actually want to be. Why not redecorate the rooms in bright, happy colours, and fill them with furniture and accessories that you love. Experiment with colour by adding a few bold touches; this could be a statement wall covered in a uniquely printed wallpaper, an eye-catching display of books, or some fabulous funky chairs. Warm colours such as reds, pinks, oranges and yellows look particularly cosy during the winter months, and will brighten up any home... no matter how dark it is outside! 4) Bring the outside in Winter is a beautiful season with its glittering frost, dramatic dark branches and tranquil snowy scenes. So why not bring a bit of the outdoor beauty inside? Instead of fresh flowers, make a centrepiece out of lush evergreen branches, mistletoe and holly berries. Or simply collect a few fallen sprigs and branches to create a striking display in a glass vase. For an extra festive touch, get creative and spray-paint a few pinecones or branches in glitzy metallic shades of gold and silver. Even better, some fake snow and a dusting of glitter will add a stylish sparkle. 5) Go green Green is one of the most festive colours out there, so if you’re planning to update your interiors this winter, consider a fresh pop of green. In neutral kitchens it’s easy to update the whole room by adding an accent colour. Simply switch out a few particularly visible appliances, re-paint wooden cabinets, or introduce some trendy green bar stools in a bold hue. When working with green, take inspiration from nature and layer up the different shades. Start with a bright neon statement piece, then accessorise with pine green accessories, mossy undertones, and of course, the real life greenery of a few winter-friendly houseplants. Shop All Bar Stools
Setting a Beautiful Table for Christmas Dinner
Christmas is here once more, and if you haven’t already started planning your Christmas dinner – well, what’s keeping you? By now you should know whether you’re serving turkey, goose, or something less traditional; if you’re going to bother with the Brussel sprouts; how many different desserts you need to ensure everyone’s happy; and who’s the lucky soul on washing up duty.Once the food is sorted, all that’s left to do is to decorate the table. To make things easier, we’ve put together a couple of ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ to help you prepare for the most important meal of the year… 1) DO… set the table properly Some traditions are worth keeping, at least at Christmas time. The classic table setting exudes instant elegance, although in this day and age you can probably go ahead and lose items like the fish knife or fruit fork.Symmetry will always make for a beautifully set table, so make sure everyone has at least two knives and forks, as well as a dinner plate, side place, water glass and wine glass.Investing in a good dining set with matching placemats will lend your table a harmonious and co-ordinated aesthetic that’s guaranteed to impress your guests. 2) DON’T… forget the finishing touches A great Christmas dinner table is a joy to behold - piled high with food and sparkling with glassware. But by adding just a few festive finishing touches, you can elevate your Christmas dinner to Instagram-inspiring heights. Why not try one of the following...- Decorate napkins with a pine cutting fresh from your Christmas tree. Secure stiff branches in place with a piece of contrasting red ribbon.- Tie two candy canes together to make a festive (and delicious!) place name holder.- Decorate your wine glasses by adding some ribbon to the stem. So nobody gets confused, choose sparkly gold bows for the white wine glasses and vibrant red bows for the red wine glasses.- Layer a festive runner over your usual tablecloth to add extra colour, whilst protecting the table underneath from the inevitable spillages. Check out our Feeling Festive pinterest board for more ideas and inspiration. 3) DO… use fresh greenery as a centrepiece Centrepieces come in a myriad of different shapes and sizes. Whether you’re a fan of fancy silver candlesticks or have a favourite decoration from your childhood, there’s no right or wrong way to do it.Fresh, seasonal greenery is a great alternative that looks good, smells beautiful and feels instantly festive.Take some cuttings from evergreen trees and display them in a clear glass vase or bowl, or simply wrap pine branches and holly leaves around a few chunky candles. A seasonal flower arrangement using vibrant poinsettias and lush greenery from the garden is another great choice. 4) DON’T… leave the kitchen in a mess It’s often said that a good chef cleans as they work, and there are a few good reasons for this: hygiene (particularly the risk of cross-contamination when working with raw meat and poultry); access (no one wants to watch their gravy go lumpy while they search frantically for the whisk in the mound of dirty pans in the sink); and most importantly, peace of mind.This last point is key to enjoying your Christmas dinner, even if you’ve been up since 5am prepping the turkey. If you know the kitchen is a mess, you won’t be able to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labour. What’s more, if your dining area is within eyesight of the kitchen, your guests will be stuck looking at piles of dirty dishes and crusty pots while they try to enjoy the delicious feast you’ve prepared.It’s always easier to clean things as you go along, so designate a helper (or two!) to help keep the kitchen spick and span while you take care of the food. 5) DO… keep a few extra chairs handy Things rarely go to plan at Christmas. Between the weather, traffic, excitable kids and the inevitable festive argument, you’d be lucky to finish your meal with the same number of people who sat down to begin with.Guests may drop out at the last minute or you could end up feeding a few more than expected, so it’s best to be prepared for every eventuality. Keep a few extra dining chairs on standby in case your Aunt brings her latest boyfriend along, or you discover that the old lady next door has no one to spend the day with.Christmas is about bringing people together, and nothing is more welcoming than being able to offer a chair to everyone at your table. Stackable dining chairs like the Arlo are ideal for such occasions, as they can be whipped out at a moment’s notice then stacked away when not in use. Shop All Dining Sets
How to Make Cream Dining Sets Work for Your Kitchen
The kitchen is probably the most used room in your house. No matter how fancy your dining room is, it’s inevitable that friends and family will end up congregating in the kitchen, attracted by the enticing smells, inviting atmosphere and friendly chatter. Cool and casual, it’s the natural setting for catch-up conversations at parties, while on busy weekdays the kitchen table is where many of us eat most of our meals. It’s therefore important to make the right decision when planning your kitchen dining area. Ideally, it should be functional, unobtrusive and easy to style, making cream tables and chairs a reliable choice. While that might initially sound like a simple option, clean and well-accessorised cream dining sets offer plenty of creative potential. Popular Cream Dining Sets Clyde & Lara Dining Set Eden & Gigi Dining Set Thames & Maya Dining Set We’ve listed five of our top tips for making a cream dining set work in your kitchen, whatever your interior style. 1) Keep It Simple With A Glass Table Deco Dining Table & Genesis Chairs Cream dining sets are a classic choice for any kitchen. Nicely neutral, they work with almost any colour scheme and won’t draw attention away from bold accents such as a colourful fridge or feature wall. While some customers prefer a ready-made set like the Ankara, others prefer to create their own arrangement. For a simple yet stylish look, pair cream dining chairs with a clear glass table. The transparent surface keeps the design feeling light and allows the rest of your kitchen to take centre stage. You can also coordinate surrounding appliances and furniture with your cream chairs. This creates an even tone throughout the kitchen and helps your dining set blend naturally into the space. 2) Go Art Deco Style Deco Dining Table & Mollie Chairs Cream, black and silver are staples of the Art Deco look. First popularised during the early 20th century, the style remains popular thanks to its clean, symmetrical lines, versatile colour palette and glamorous connection to the Roaring Twenties. To bring a little Art Deco character to your kitchen, look for high-backed chairs in black or cream. Complete the theme with carefully chosen details such as mirrored panels, metallic accents or stained glass. Keep your furniture in good condition to preserve the polished look. Genuine leather seat pads should be conditioned periodically according to their care instructions, while mirrored chrome surfaces can be cleaned regularly to remove fingerprints and marks. 3) Embrace Al Fresco Dining When arranging an al fresco dinner party, an everyday patio set may not provide the look you have in mind. Although practical, outdoor furniture can sometimes feel less refined than an indoor dining set. On a dry, sunny day, a cream dining set can be temporarily placed in a suitable covered patio area to create a more elegant setting. Always check that the furniture can be moved safely and return indoor-only pieces to the house immediately after use, before nightfall or at any sign of rain or bad weather. 4) Experiment With A Pop Of Colour Many people choose a cream dining set because it is neutral and easy to coordinate. However, too much cream can leave a room feeling flat, while pale finishes may require a little extra care in homes with young children or pets. If you’re living in a rented property, you may not be able to paint the walls or replace the kitchen cabinets. Instead, add colour through accessories, using your cream kitchen as a gallery-style backdrop. Hang a bold piece of art, introduce an oversized clock or display a colourful retro sign. A cream background gives you the freedom to experiment with your décor. Try decorating the table with vibrant candlesticks, coloured glass tumblers or mismatched vintage china for a more individual look. 5) Add Natural Greenery Fresh greenery looks particularly effective against cream and other pale colours, helping to create a relaxed farmhouse-inspired look. Choose plants suited to the light and conditions in your kitchen to introduce a natural finishing touch. Nothing finishes a home-cooked meal quite like a scattering of fresh herbs, so why not grow your own small herb garden? Parsley, basil and mint can be kept in attractive ceramic pots and displayed around the room. You could even group them together to create a simple centrepiece for your dining table.
The Best Advice for Creating a Formal Dining Room
There's something brilliantly old-fashioned about a formal dining room, conjuring up nostalgic images of Downton-esque soirées and family feasts. Yet it can also be quite intimidating; if you’re going to the trouble of inviting guests over for a formal dinner, the pressure is on to create a dining room that is fit for the occasion. In any formal dining room, less is more. Stick to the basics: a good dining set, some tasteful art, and essential ingredients such as cutlery, glassware and crockery. With minimal fuss, you’ll have a dining room that is ready for any sort of gathering. Just follow our simple tips… 1) Create the illusion of space with an extendable dining table We don’t all have space for an extra-large table, so cheat by investing in an extendable design. When your dining room is out of action or you're enjoying a romantic meal for two, keep it neat, small and compact to make the most of the extra space in the room. Then, when you have guests, simply extend it to accommodate a few extra seats, allowing everyone to enjoy the cosy atmosphere. Canterbury Stirling Newbury 2) Invest in statement seating Whilst the table is the focal point of your dining room, chairs play an equally important role and should not be overlooked. Once covered by tablecloths, loaded with platters of food and surrounded by chatter, tables can blend in somewhat. Chairs, on the other hand, are constantly under scrutiny, especially when sat upon for multiple courses and extended lengths of time. Of course, they need to be comfortable and suited to the room’s décor, but why not turn them into a design feature in their own right? Add a retro vibe to your dining room with funky Z-shaped chairs or rounded seats. Alternatively, bring colour to a set of plain wooden chairs with bright cushions or by painting them the same shade as your dining room walls. Opt for high-backed designs for an instant touch of vintage glamour, or mix and match a few different styles for a chic, eclectic look. 3) Keep a few extra chairs on standby You never know when a small gathering is going to turn into a full-blown dinner party, so it’s worth keeping a couple of extra dining chairs on standby. Arrange them against the wall when not in use and keep them clear of clutter, ensuring they add to the formal look of the room. Alternatively, invest in a stackable design like the Arlo, which is a practical option for compact storage. 4) Experiment with art Art doesn’t have to be expensive, nor does it have to be conventional. Instead of a statement painting, why not hang an elegant framed mirror on the wall? An antiqued or distressed mirror can introduce vintage character while helping the room feel lighter and more spacious. If your artwork is on the small side, turn it into a feature by framing three or four small paintings or prints and hanging them together. 5) Make your lighting matter The lighting in your dining room should be soft and ambient. You want to create an atmosphere that feels relaxed and inviting while showing off your dining room at its best. There’s a huge range of lighting available, so it’s worth shopping around until you find the right piece. Uplighting against the walls creates a romantic ambience, while carefully positioned floor lamps allow you to control the brightness of the room. Low-hanging pendant lights can also make a striking feature above the table, bringing a dramatic and contemporary touch to the setting. 6) Don’t forget the finishing touches In a formal dining room, you can get away with stylishly mismatched furniture or an eclectic mix of art and mirrors. When it comes to the finishing touches, however, it pays to give the details a little extra thought. Invest in a good set of matching cutlery and keep it separate from your everyday collection. The same goes for your glassware. Whether you choose simple designs, cut glass or coloured stems, a coordinated collection will help the table feel considered. When you’re not entertaining, attractive glassware can also be displayed in a glazed cabinet or on open shelving. Finally, add a centrepiece to the middle of the table for an extra flourish. Flowers, fruit or something handmade can tie the setting together and bring a clear sense of occasion to any dinner party. Check out our Table Décor Pinterest board for more elegant ideas and inspiration. Shop All Dining Sets