Monday, March 28, 2011

Vintage Swim: ABC Carpet & Home

The Dining Room Dilemma

This past December, we hosted a dinner party for ten at our Brooklyn apartment. It  wasn't until then that I began re-thinking my round dining room table  purchase. Yes, its white cutout criss-cross legs look great against the unfinished oak bookshelf, but really, I can't say it's the best for parties.  On a recent trip to ABC Carpet & Home, I found inspiration and everything but the table...


photography by so does estella

Because we don't entertain here that often, purchasing a permanent large table might not be the best solution either. I must confess that I often steal my favorite tablecloths from Pip & Estella inventory, but still, I envision a well-designed folding table coming to my rescue because there will be occasions where I want the surface to show.

It must be light enough to carry up stairs and narrow enough (when folded) to be stored in the downstairs foyer.

Is your dining area small? Large? How do you accommodate guests for entertaining?

8 comments:

And Kathleen said...

Right now we have a vintage Heywood-Wakefield dining room table that seats 6. We often pull up chairs for extras. But lately I've been dreaming of a low reclaimed wood table with floor seating...

Maddy said...

On the rare occassion that we do have folks over, we just grabbed the extra chairs from the kitchen table set and bring them to our dining room table. Yea, we're a bit squished, but it's also nice to have everyone around the table eating, chatting and drinking. So our guests have never complained :)

BTW - I live in NJ, so I'm not too far from the city :)

Bruce Barone said...

Our dining room is very small; it was our office. It seats 6.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mylastsigh/4055618271/
There are window treatments up now, 2 mirrors, and art.

Jack said...

I love the idea of a long, rustic wood table that is good for dinner parties and everything else, but we'll have to wait for a bigger apartment in NYC or a move to California.

Sana said...

@andkathleen low reclaimed wood table with floor seating? you are a woman after my own heart.

@maddy that's a great point! maybe our guests didn't mind being squished in! and NJ...close enough :)

@bruce your dining room is gorgeous! i had been afraid of dark wall color but this looks great. i know what you mean about a small dining room and you just gave me an idea...kick the mr. out of the office/bedroom #2 and use it as a dining room. :)

@jack you have a point. NY apartments (especially brownstones and row houses) are usually narrow and long. a california casita sounds nice!

Brandi said...

Right now, I'm living with a small dining table that fits six, but my plan is to have a large table someday that handles at least 10 or 12. That's a proper dinner party size, if you ask me. I'm just waiting to move and find the right space.

Vintage is for Lovers said...

You are so lucky to be able to visit ABC when ever you want! I am in love with that wonderland! I love to entertain too so when I saw a very long, turquoise, farm table at the flea market a couple years back, she had to be mine, or should I say ours! ;) xo Samantha
ps. Thanks for your sweet comment!

Sana said...

@brandi seating a dozen makes a grand party!
@samantha wonderland is the perfect word to describe it! and it's good for me, bad for the pocketbook. :) ps. you're welcome