When was the last time you really thought about your dining table?
By Anne Marie Hillan
…Not how it looks but how hard it actually works. From family dinners and birthday celebrations to home working and the inevitable pile of ‘I’ll deal with that later’, it’s often one of the hardest working pieces of furniture in the house.
I decided to check in with local interior designer John Amabile as to what we should be looking for dining table-wise, before heading off to two fantastic West End furniture stores, Time and Tide and Basus, to see how his advice translates into real homes.
Consider Your Living Space
What wisdom would John pass to his interior design clients when picking a dining table? And he really made me think. John reminded me that our dining tables spend far more time not being used for dining than they do with plates on them. So, you must think of the whole room and the whole family every day, not just occasion dining.
When it comes to choosing the table itself, John says there isn’t one perfect answer. It depends entirely on how you live.
For example, a round pedestal table encourages conversation and means no-one straddling an awkward table leg, while a refectory table with benches creates a much more relaxed, informal feel that’s perfect for open-plan living and busy family homes.
The same goes for materials. Glass creates a sleek contemporary look, timber brings warmth and character, while marble or stone can be wonderfully practical. His advice is refreshingly simple – don’t choose a dining table because it’s fashionable, choose one because it suits your home, your family and the way you actually live.
And very importantly – and this he stressed – at no time leave your dining table sitting empty and looking forgotten. A vase of fresh flowers, a few candles, your favourite bowl, treasured ceramics or glassware. Even a small collection of favourite objects instantly makes the table feel like part of the room rather than somewhere that’s simply waiting for the next meal.
With John’s advice fresh in mind, I set off to two quite different West End stores to see what inspiration could be found.
Time and Tide
First stop is Time and Tide. Now most West End shoppers know the beautiful store at the Great Western Road end of Byres Road, but I wonder how many remember there’s also a second, much larger showroom, at St George’s Cross? If you’re looking for larger pieces of furniture it is well worth a visit. Alongside sofas, sideboards and rugs you’ll also find an impressive collection of dining tables, together with carefully curated lighting, artwork, cushions, plus the home accessories that Time and Tide has become so well known for.
They have a fabulous range, but the round dining table featured above immediately caught my eye. It actually ticks several of John’s boxes without even trying. The pedestal base keeps everything feeling open and sociable, while the rich finish and beautifully upholstered chairs give it a warmth that feels both contemporary and inviting. Styled simply with a statement vase beneath striking lighting, it’s a lovely reminder that you don’t need to overdo things.
Basus
My next stop was Basus on Hyndland Road and, although the style is quite different, it is every bit as inspiring.
Basus is well known for its distinctive mid-century modern and Scandinavian aesthetic. And if you haven’t ventured upstairs before, you’re honestly missing a treat. The bright and airy upstairs showroom brings together dining tables, sofas, sofa beds, statement lighting and carefully chosen home accessories in relaxed room settings that feel stylish without ever feeling intimidating.
The Midro Walnut dining table and chairs (to the right) perfectly captures that relaxed Scandinavian feel. Basus Home has a range of elegant dining tables and chairs available that you can mix and match in different fabrics.
Basus also has beautiful dining benches for family dining spaces. Add sculptural lighting and soft neutral textures and your dining room starts to come together. It’s easy to imagine family meals, friends gathering over coffee or even opening up the laptop and working here for the afternoon. Creating a beautiful dining space isn’t just about choosing a table. It’s about bringing together lighting, seating and accessories to create somewhere you’ll genuinely enjoy spending time.
Dining Done Right
So, what have I learned from my West End shopping expedition. Well one thing is for sure – I’ll never look at an unstyled dining table in quite the same way again. John has made me think about all the different ways we now use our dining space. Whether your style leans towards the rich warmth of Time and Tide or the clean Scandinavian lines of Basus, both offer plenty of inspiration and show that there is no single perfect dining table.
The best dining table isn’t necessarily the trendiest or most expensive. It’s the one that suits the way you live, looks beautiful whether it’s dressed for dinner or an ordinary Tuesday afternoon, and becomes a piece of furniture you’ll enjoy every day of the year.
Both Basus and Time and Tide are full of friendly and experienced staff who can advise you on all your furniture needs. And if all the choices feel a little overwhelming, then an interior designer like John Amabile will happily help you transform your whole dining area.
The one thing we are not short of in the West End is independent businesses who can both inspire and help you. So, if you are thinking of restyling your home and dining room – don’t go online. Shop local. Enjoy your West End shopping excursion as there are always lovely places to stop for a coffee or refreshment nearby too.
