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Etiquette and Dining Furniture

August 24th, 2009 No comments

One of the remarkable occasions when we can relax and let loose in this madly active world is a simple dinner shared with family and friends. With great food, lovely conversations, cautiously selected pieces of traditional or modern furniture and treasured company, evenings just couldn’t get better. In fact, sharing these precious moments with people we value is a good way to de-stress and appreciate the fact that we can still let our guards down even though we think we couldn’t afford it anymore. Yes, chomping our favorite menu, gulping down a can of beer and letting off a big belch in front of people who think we’re cute could be some of the best dinners of our lives.

The question is, how about formal dinners? What’s the whole point of perplexing things at the feeding trough? Why all those spoons and forks on both sides of the plate when we could all survive with just one decent pair? Formal dinners may sound restraining, but they’re really so much fun. Just keep a few things in mind and you’ll be fine.

There might be no menu and you may be stuck with very few options. Most probably, a multi-course menu has been laid out and what you have to do is merely wait for it to happen. Usually, it happens during weddings, anniversaries, class reunions, and even business meetings. If you’re still wondering about that parade of spoons and forks next to your plate, just remember that each pair is good for each course, unless there will be a new pair provided for every new course served.

A little courtesy will go a long way in formal dinners where etiquette is highly required. In other words, turn off your cellphone, pager, or anything that could interrupt the meal. That table napkin should land on your right knee, not tucked under your chin. Those glasses to the top right of your plate are yours and will be good for a number of drinks from an aperitif to a cordial.

If you think you’re ready for that first bite, wait before everybody else is. It is simply a basic practice of politeness to wait for everyone before partaking of a meal. Particularly, the host or hostess gets things started and only then should you oblige to your first spoonful.

And then mingle. Socializing is always the first and last purpose for events of this type. Meet people and interact with them. Begin or engage in polite conversations and simply enjoy each others company. After all, these dinners are more for socializing rather than for sampling gourmet food or anything else secondary.

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Dining Table Trends

August 15th, 2009 No comments

Think of your dining room and what holds it together. Yes, your dining table. That’s because no matter what else you put in that room, that table will be the focal point or center of that tiny universe right within your home. It may not have dawned on you yet but your dining table does make a difference in your daily live. Imagine if you didn’t have it. Imagine what you’d miss – nice family dinners, parties, food! Fortunately, you can get a dining table just about everywhere these days. Virtual or traditional, every furniture shop will have a nice array of dining tables for every homemaker to choose from.

Dining tables also come in various shapes, sizes, finishes, materials and unique features. While this is an advantage for the shopper who gets to have as many options as he wants, picking something out in that sea of choices can be confusing. Nevertheless, with a quick guide to choosing dining tables, one shouldn’t go wrong.

There are several types to think about so the first thing to do before making a buy is to determine which one you’re looking for.

The Breakfast Bar is a dining table that’s smaller than the standard dining table but with some nice and unique features. If you ever saw a table with locking casters, that’s a dining table. Numerous also have racks to provide storage space.

A table which you don’t normally see in a dining room is believably a Cocktail or Coffee Table. This is where you place our drinks while in the living room entertaining a guest. When you’re spending your weekend watching tv, a cocktail table is probably where you place your drinks and instant meals. It’s also smaller than the usual dining table and it comes with rollers so you get to bring it wherever you want. And yes, most people think this is the best type of table there is.

Contrary to those smaller-than- typical dining tables already mentioned, a Refectory Table is all length and space. Imagine it long and rectangular and seating a large number of people. If there’s any particular need for you to have this type of table, just make sure you have lots of space for it.

Lastly, when you talk about dining rooms and silverware and chandeliers, the Accent Table fits in perfectly. This is a standard dining table but with just a little bit more of those ornate details to provide a touch of romance. If you’re thinking of a grand, traditional dining room, this is probably the table that fits into the picture.

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