Eat, drink & be merry
It is no secret that eating together as a family has many benefi ts. Last year, a survey carried out by Columbia University found that children who eat at least five times a week with their parents are not only at lower risk of developing poor eating habits, but are also proven to perform better academically. On a more personal level, a family dinner provides opportunity for catching up and bonding after a long day at school or work.
2 Wedgwood Ashlar octagonal plate, £18, by House of Fraser; 3Anmut My Colour tableware, from £12.95 per piece, by Villeroy & Boch at Selfridges; 4 Spheres pepper mill, £35, by Nick Munro; 5 Harrogate table, £795; Long Island linen chairs, £195 each, all by Neptune
An attractive dining room can work wonders when it comes to reigniting enthusiasm for this ritual. After years in the design doldrums, focus and fl air are now being reapplied to this room – for many, it has become the pivotal point of the home.
The dining-room table is of course key. Lombok’s Koppen dining table combines English and oriental styling, and is made from solid oak for a stately look. Alternatively, An Angel At My Table’s farmhouse table comes in various sizes and is painted to preference, so you can ensure it’s perfectly suited to your space. Sweetpea & Willow’s Manon dining table – sturdy yet sophisticated – is worth considering too.
6 Balance table, from £3,380; dining chairs, £495 each, all by Heal’s; 7 Farmhouse table and chairs, from £945, by An Angel At My Table; 8 Mango cutlery set (16 pieces), £139, by iitatala at Nord; 9 Salt and pepper set, £49.95, by Nordic House
When it comes to crockery, quintessentially British Wedgwood remains a popular choice. The new Ashlar range is a contemporary take on the classic white plate; lay your table with this collection and you instantly create a striking geometric pattern. David Mellor cutlery features sleek, clean lines, while Riedel glassware, with its fine stems, is timelessly elegant. What’s more, all these pieces are dishwasher safe – essential for any busy modern family.
11 Retro-inspired extending dining table, £650; dining chairs, £299 for two, all by Next; 12 Bordeaux Grand Cru Black Series collector’s edition, £150, by Riedel; 13 Koppen dining table, £1,195, by Lombok; 14 Shaker oak table, £396, by An Angel At My Table
Simply add a good meal and a little conversation, and your dining room will become a space your family never wants to leave… especially when there’s the washing up to do.
David Mellor 01433-650220, www.davidmellordesign.com
Heal’s 08700- 240780, www.heals.co.uk
House of Fraser 0845-602 1073, www.houseoffraser.co.uk
Lombok 020-7736 5171, www.lombok.co.uk
Neptune 01793- 427427, www.neptune.com
Next 0844-844 8000, www.next.co.uk
Nick Munro 01244- 401736, www.nickmunro.com
Nord 01223-321884, www.nordesign.co.uk
Nordic House 0845-475 1610, www.nordichouse.co.uk
Riedel 0844-800 1143, www.riedel.co.uk
Selfridges 0800- 123400, www.selfridges.com
Sweetpea & Willow 0845-257 2627, www.sweetpeaandwillow.com
2 Wedgwood Ashlar octagonal plate, £18, by House of Fraser; 3Anmut My Colour tableware, from £12.95 per piece, by Villeroy & Boch at Selfridges; 4 Spheres pepper mill, £35, by Nick Munro; 5 Harrogate table, £795; Long Island linen chairs, £195 each, all by Neptune An attractive dining room can work wonders when it comes to reigniting enthusiasm for this ritual. After years in the design doldrums, focus and fl air are now being reapplied to this room – for many, it has become the pivotal point of the home.
The dining-room table is of course key. Lombok’s Koppen dining table combines English and oriental styling, and is made from solid oak for a stately look. Alternatively, An Angel At My Table’s farmhouse table comes in various sizes and is painted to preference, so you can ensure it’s perfectly suited to your space. Sweetpea & Willow’s Manon dining table – sturdy yet sophisticated – is worth considering too.
6 Balance table, from £3,380; dining chairs, £495 each, all by Heal’s; 7 Farmhouse table and chairs, from £945, by An Angel At My Table; 8 Mango cutlery set (16 pieces), £139, by iitatala at Nord; 9 Salt and pepper set, £49.95, by Nordic House When it comes to crockery, quintessentially British Wedgwood remains a popular choice. The new Ashlar range is a contemporary take on the classic white plate; lay your table with this collection and you instantly create a striking geometric pattern. David Mellor cutlery features sleek, clean lines, while Riedel glassware, with its fine stems, is timelessly elegant. What’s more, all these pieces are dishwasher safe – essential for any busy modern family.
11 Retro-inspired extending dining table, £650; dining chairs, £299 for two, all by Next; 12 Bordeaux Grand Cru Black Series collector’s edition, £150, by Riedel; 13 Koppen dining table, £1,195, by Lombok; 14 Shaker oak table, £396, by An Angel At My Table Simply add a good meal and a little conversation, and your dining room will become a space your family never wants to leave… especially when there’s the washing up to do.
Address book
An Angel At My Table 0845-200 0723, www.anangelatmytable.comDavid Mellor 01433-650220, www.davidmellordesign.com
Heal’s 08700- 240780, www.heals.co.uk
House of Fraser 0845-602 1073, www.houseoffraser.co.uk
Lombok 020-7736 5171, www.lombok.co.uk
Neptune 01793- 427427, www.neptune.com
Next 0844-844 8000, www.next.co.uk
Nick Munro 01244- 401736, www.nickmunro.com
Nord 01223-321884, www.nordesign.co.uk
Nordic House 0845-475 1610, www.nordichouse.co.uk
Riedel 0844-800 1143, www.riedel.co.uk
Selfridges 0800- 123400, www.selfridges.com
Sweetpea & Willow 0845-257 2627, www.sweetpeaandwillow.com