‘We need to sit down and talk about this’ usually happens at a table (it’s somewhere to put your elbows when things get awkward, at least). Same for ‘dinner’s ready’, ‘do your homework’ and ‘come for coffee, we’ll fix it, don’t worry’. The household table is an unsung hero, the workhorse that carries family burdens and is witness to all the drama that comes with living. It’s a thankless, often lifelong job, needing a tough constitution, discretion and a versatile demeanour.
Yet the humble table often falls well down the hierarchy of priorities when it comes to its place in the home. It is replaced less often than a bed or sofa and as long it’s got four legs and a top, not always considered for its aesthetic qualities. The table is cleaned as an afterthought, only when the dishes are done, wine glasses cleared and napkins folded. How many people outside the royal household feed and wax the wood of a vintage oak extendable, or refresh the low sheen surface of a colour washed table bought to match the heritage painted kitchen? If lucky, these guys get a wipe over with a soapy dishcloth, sometime after ten.
But if tables could talk, they’d tell you they are just as individual as the homes they live in and a product of their environment. Taking the time to think about the compatibility of the design for your home as well as the functionality of its daily service makes for a happy long- term partnership. Before you jump in to your next relationship with a dining table, think about how you’d word the ad; tall or short, slim or broad, a simple companion or a friend with work from home benefits. Round or square, classic or modern in style and whether or not suitable for days out(side). And of course, must have a good sense of humour.
