DESIGN TIPS AND TRICKS AND IMPORTANT NUMBERS FOR YOUR DINING SPACE

DESIGNING YOUR DINING ROOM

The  table size should be determined by the size of the room and other furniture in it. The minimum space between the edge of the table and the wall or a piece of furniture is 30 - 36".Ideally 48 - 60".  This allows for clearance walking behind seated diners.

Seating allowances each diner should have 24 - 30" wide by 16 - 18" in depth and 5 - 9" between diners.

Area rugs in dining rooms must go beneath the table and all 4 chair legs. Dining chairs need at least 2' pushback space.  It is important that when the chairs are pushed away, they are still on the rug and do not go beyond and become caught.  An underpad is a good investment as it will protect the rug fibres rubbing against the wood floors whenever chairs are pushed back and forth.

Chandeliers in a room with an 8' ceiling should be hung between 28 - 34" from the table top and the bottom of the chandelier.  For each foot higher than that add 3".  To determine an appropriate size of chandelier measure the width of the room in feet, double the number and change it to inches.  The width should never be longer than the table.  Ideally it would be 1/2 to 2/3 of your table. Dimmer switches are very important in a dining room as they add ambience.  Wall sconces can also add ambience and should be placed 60" from the floor.

         

Centrepieces & candles should never block the view of the diner.Average eye level for men is 27" from table top and for women it is 19".  It is also of note that candles should not be scented where food is being served.

Drapery brings an elegant mood to a dining room.  This is an area of much discussion.  The correct length has the fabric just touching the floor. The placement of the curtain rod should be half way between the top of the window moulding and the ceiling in most cases.  There are always different options depending the height of the room, window etc.

Dishware looks more cohesive when the style works with the style of your room.  A victorian china pattern would not work as well in an ultra modern space as something clean lined and plain.  Coordinating wallcoverings, drapery, rug, table linens and china does not mean match matchy.  I just means having it flow well and coordinated.

A beautiful Dining room

MORE BROWSING FOR HOME DECOR

As a continuation of my trips to retail stores that specialize in furniture and home decor I dropped into Structube for a little look and found many great items.  It will not disappoint. Below are a few looks you might like.  Gray is still popular but there is a lot of cognac hues throughout.

                                              Benches are very popular for a casual look

CDECA GTA West Display Window at SoFA....

Every 2 - 3 months a group of CDECA decorators get together and create a 'themed' window display at SoFA, www.visitsofa.com.  So far we have done many great 'displays' primarily using the products available at the showrooms located at SoFA along with a few purchased items.  One might think how can several creative people agree on a theme and way to display it, but it works and we have a great deal of fun.  It is a bit of work collecting and then placing the different items, but it is also like playing so to speak.  We receive a great deal of positive feedback from people who work at SoFA and those who come there to do business.  Our most recent display was completed last week and it is...

Setting your table for the Holiday Party Season: 3 different looks- Modern Glitz, Traditional Favourites, and Rustic Charm

Modern Glitz

Traditional Elegance

Refiined Rustic

Winter Wine Tasting Event along with Tips for taking great photos of your spaces

It's That time of the Year - Parties, more parties and of course you should have some Wine!  

The GTA West Chapter of CDECA welcomed back Allan Wisby a Certified WSET Consultant, and owner of Oakville Wine Cellars www.oakvillewinecellars.ca for a second Wine Event.  Our first wine event was so successful we just had to do it again.  We were treated to wonderful wines in all price points along with some fabulous and tasty snacks paired correctly with each wine.  As with the past Wine Event, much information was shared on the topic of wine as well as a lovely selection of wines to serve at the coming holiday parties. 
Everyone went home with a 'goody bag' containing several wine magazines, detailed and informative packages on all aspects of wine, including some of his own recipes. (he cooks too!) To end off the evening there were several draws for wine items - we all love the chance to win something.

We were also given the opportunity to combine some education with this event - Megan Wisby www.innervisionphotography.ca, a professional Interior and Real Estate Photographer gave a presentation on the 'do's' and 'dont's' of taking photos of interior spaces for our portfolios, sharing examples and many tips as well as discussing types of cameras and what they each can and cannot do.

A great evening was had by all in attendance. Thanks Allan & Megan .....

Here are some great pictures of wine cellars.....