SET FOR LIFE

CAREFUL SELECTION AND ARTFUL CURATION WILL ENSURE YOUR DINING TABLE AND CHAIRS PROVIDE YOU WITH ENDURING ENJOYMENT AND TIMELESS STYLE

- LAURA BARRY

No home is complete without an inviting dining zone. Whether you’re an entertaining enthusiast or simply enjoy having a designated space where your whole family can gather, a meals area is defined by its table and chairs. We’ve spoken to the style and design authorities and identified exactly what qualities your arrangement needs to go the distance.

Material marvels

Nick Loveday, head product buyer at Oz Design Furniture, says that dining tables made from solid timber are the most robust. “They will last for decades – if not centuries – and become tomorrow’s antiques,” says Nick. “Solid timber pieces can be sanded back and resurfaced to look brand new again and again, which cannot be achieved with veneers. Look for solid steel legs as they are strong and durable.” Melissa Penfold, design writer and author of Living Well By Design, adds: “If you have light floors, go with a dark dining table, and vice versa. Or, go with marble or metal instead.” When it comes to dining chairs, linen and cotton upholstery might be lovely, but they may not last. “Leathers are a good choice as they age well and don’t deteriorate as easily as polyurethane lookalikes. For fabric dining chairs, we prefer polyesters as they’re more durable and have higher rub test results,” says Nick.

Aged to perfection