Beginner's Guide to Dining Room

What is a Buffet?

2006-02-22T20:47:11Z

A buffet is a piece of furniture that can be constructed from a variety of different materials and is normally found in a dining room. They consist of a large sideboard and may contain shelves, drawers, or both. They are usually long like a table however; unlike a coffee table, buffets are tall and stand about waist high for the average person. This is basically an estimated height and there are many different sizes and designs available from which you are able to select one that fits your particular style. The exact size and shape of a buffet will vary from piece to piece. Buffets are excellent for serving guests, additional storage, or simply as an ornamental piece. Buffets offer beauty as well as function and can add style and character to any room in which they are placed. As mentioned above, buffets are normally placed in the dining room, but they are also found in kitchens, living rooms, and even children’s room. Whether you are searching for an age old antique to coordinate with your existing furniture or you are simply in need of additional storage in your dining room, a buffet might be the perfect piece to consider.

What is Your Style?

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One of the first things you should consider when looking for a buffet, is the style. What style buffet are you interested in? Are you furnishing an entire room or adding to a room currently filled with furniture? If you are adding to existing furniture, you might be more limited in color and style. Most likely, you will want to match the new buffet with the existing furniture in the room. Does this buffet fit my current decorations? What color would best blend with furniture that I already have in the room? Do you like extremely detailed and ornate furniture or a more simple and classic style? Are you an avid antique collector or would you enjoy a more modern piece? These are questions you might want to ask yourself as you begin to shop. If you are placing a buffet in a room that does not already contain furniture, then you are less limited and your options are endless. When searching for the perfect buffet for your home, it is helpful to first determine your individual style.

Buffets can be constructed from a variety of different materials that allow for completely different looks. They might be made of solid woods such as; mahogany, oak, cherry, or walnut or be constructed with a veneer or laminate finish. They can also be painted different colors and contain decorative scalloped borders. Each piece has unique features that separate it from another. There are buffets to fit every personality and with a little effort you can find one that will fit your specific needs.

What to Look for in a Buffet

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· Size

Buffets are available in many different sizes and there is certainly one that will be the ideal fit in your home. The first thing you should do when shopping for a buffet is measure the space you have available. Be sure to measure width, height, and depth. This will assist you in determining the best size for your home. It is also helpful to observe the particular room in which you are intending on placing your new buffet. Being familiar with the other furniture, doorways, and available wall space will be beneficial during your shopping experience. There are several different sizes of buffets and measuring will help to narrow your choices. When shopping for a buffet for your home, it is also important to know if the piece requires assembly. Some are completely ready to go when they are purchased and others involve a bit more work when you get them home. Also, a larger piece might be more difficult to move through doors and hallways and it might be comforting to know that you are able to set it up once it has been moved into its intended room.

· Price

The price of a buffet will significantly vary from brand to brand and manufacturer to manufacturer. The price will fluctuate depending on material, quality, age, and style. For instance, a buffet that is in excellent condition and is an antique will most likely be more expensive than a new piece of furniture. Also, a piece that is solid wood will typically be higher in price than one constructed with a laminate finish. It is a good idea to calculate a price range that is feasible for you to spend. Because the price of buffets vary considerably, it is beneficial to stick to the range you determined you are willing and able to afford. Remember, you are the one that needs to be happy with your new buffet, so you choose what is best for your individual situation.

· Storage

Buffets are an excellent piece of furniture for additional storage. Are in need of a place to keep your linens, silver ware, or china? Do you need drawer space, a see through door to display china or glasses? How much additional storage do you need? Depending on the style you select, a buffet might just be the answer. Many are constructed with drawers and shelves that offer that much needed storage space while continuing to portray beauty and style. Some pieces contain movable shelving. Depending on your needs, you can remove and move the shelves to place them in a position that works best for you.

· Collections

Many manufacturers have made it possible to purchase a buffet that is part of a collection. The set might include the buffet as well as a dining room table, chairs, a china hutch, or other pieces of coordinating furniture. This is an excellent way to purchase the entire set of matching furniture at one time. Collections may also be something to think about for future purchases. If you are not able to purchase the full set at one time, you might be happy to know there are other matching pieces that you may add at any time.

What are the Different Types of Buffets?

2006-02-22T20:50:12Z

You may think, as many others do, that one buffet is the same as another. There are actually many different styles available. Depending on your specific needs and desires, there might be one that is better suited for your situation than another. Do you need drawer space, a see through door to display china or glasses? What size drawers and cabinets do you need? It is beneficial to be familiar with the different types of buffets available. This will make you aware of all of your options and allow you to find exactly what is best for your particular situation. Listed below are some buffets that you might find. These are only examples of features that a buffet may contain and, depending on the style, they may be constructed of any combination of these particular features.

· Buffet and Hutch Combination

A buffet and hutch combination is exactly what the name suggests. It is a long buffet style piece with a hutch that sits on top of it. The hutch makes the piece of furniture much taller and can sometimes cover an entire wall. The hutch adds height and allows for more shelving, cabinets, or even glass doors that allow you to view what is inside of the hutch.

· Open Buffet

This buffet offers storage space with a few drawers and also has open shelves that are easily accessible. This buffet is used less for storage and more for displaying items on the open shelves.

· Wine Rack Buffet

This buffet is an excellent choice for the avid wine collector or simply for decoration. The buffet will most likely contain drawers and a few cabinets, but it also has a built in wine rack. This is a great way to display your special bottles of wine.

China Cabinets Overview

2006-04-11T14:54:19Z

Many people look forward to the day they can remove their china from a box in the basement to be fittingly displayed in a china cabinet. China cabinets can become an heirloom by themselves, passed on from generation to generation. They also are a beautiful backdrop to display and protect cherished keepsakes.

China cabinets typically consist of a lower portion with solid doors that open to reveal shelves for storage. The top portion usually has glass doors to display special items. Some, however, are entirely glass, top and bottom. They also may include drawers for storage of other dining accessories such as flatware and table linens.

Types of china cabinets

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China cabinets come in various styles. Commonly, they are designed to be placed on a flat wall. These types can be quite large – anywhere from three feet to six feet long. They typically extend about 18 inches out from the wall. Styles can range from ornate with beveled glass doors, elaborate carvings in the wood and lighting to more simple styles. Expect to pay at least $1,000 and possibly as much as $3,000 for a china cabinet of this style.

Corner china cabinets fit in the corner of a dining room because of their v-shaped design.

Typically, they have flat doors, but sometimes corner china cabinets feature curved glass or a bay-shaped front (like a bay window). They can offer ample storage in smaller space if you have a corner well suited for this.

China cabinets are not the only kind of dining room furniture designed for displaying and storing china and other items. Consider these types as well:

· Buffet: Cabinet for holding dishes and other items, which also can be used for serving food. Typically does not include glass doors.

· Hutch: Chest with open shelves (rather than enclosed) above used for storage and display.

· Curio cabinet: Used to display collectibles, typically with all glass enclosures.

Uses for china cabinets

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As the name implies, china cabinets are designed to display china. But they also can be useful for displaying special keepsakes, collectibles and stemware. Drawers can be excellent for storing flatware and table linens. And lower storage cabinets can be used for extra storage in your dining room of dishes, seasonal centerpieces or cookbooks. Whatever you decide to store in your china cabinet, it will be a lovely – and useful – addition to your dining room.

Purchasing tips for china cabinets

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Décor: The first most important factor to consider when purchasing a china cabinet is what existing dining room furniture you have in the room. If you already have a dining room table and chairs, your china cabinet does not have to match exactly, but it should blend in décor style. For instance, if your table is formal, you will want an elegant china cabinet. If you are starting from scratch with your dining room furniture, you might want to consider purchasing a dining set that includes the dining room table, chairs and china cabinet, although this is certainly not necessary. Decorating styles today allow for, and even encourage, mixing and matching pieces.
Budget: China cabinets can cost thousands of dollars, so consider your budget when making choices. If you would like to invest in a family heirloom that will be passed down from generation to generation, then you might want to invest in a expensive and high quality piece. However, if your goal is simply storage, then less expensive options might meet your needs. If you have time to invest, china cabinets are offered as unfinished furniture, which you then stain or paint to your liking.
Size: China cabinets are large pieces of furniture, and they likely will look even larger in your home than they do in the furniture showroom. Measure, measure, and measure again. Also remember to measure your ceiling height, as china cabinets can be quite tall. Allow for a minimum of 18 inches for the traffic lane around the table when people are seated. It is also a good idea to measure any doorways that the china cabinet will need to be transported through. Some cabinets come in two pieces, but others are one large piece.
Purpose: Consider what you will be using the china cabinet for and purchase accordingly. If you have many pieces of beautiful china that you want to all be displayed, then consider a cabinet with a lot of glass exposure. If, however, you would like some storage space that people cannot see, look for a cabinet with a combination of glass doors and enclosed spaces. If you would like to store flatware, you might prefer a cabinet with drawers.
Special features: Some china cabinets come with special features such as under-cabinet lighting to more prominently display your items. Others have sliding doors, adjustable shelves, glass shelves, mirrored backs, ornate carvings, and hand painting. Others have built-in storage compartments for plates, stemware or flatware.
Source: You can purchase china cabinets in any furniture store, but be creative by looking in others sources and you might be surprised what you find. Antique stores typically have a nice selection of china cabinets which offer character and superb craftsmanship. You might also have luck with estate sales, where families can be selling valuable pieces after the death of a family member. (You might also want to put a bug in the ear of your own family members if they have a china cabinet that would be meaningful to you someday.) Finally, if you are considering purchasing a china cabinet from the Internet, carefully consider the shipping costs. These are large and bulky items which can easily be damaged during shipping, and could be costly to ship. When purchasing from a store, inquire about delivery price.

Arranging your china cabinet

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Finding the perfect spot in your china cabinet for all your collectibles can be a fun, or frustrating, experience. Start by laying out all the items you would like to put in the cabinet and washing them. (It could be a long time before you do this again, so you might as well take the opportunity now. This way, your china will be ready to use for your next dinner party.)

Next, consider whether you want to get rid of any pieces or pass them on to your children or loved ones. Now is the time to purge items so you do not make space for something that is not meaningful, or would perhaps mean more to someone else.

Consider what item you would like to draw the most attention to, and make that a focal point and build around it. Also consider what items you use the most and try to arrange those for easy access.

When stacking china plates, it is advised to put something between them such as a paper towel or tissue paper to protect them. Also, when storing stemware, alternate them with one facing up and one turned upside down to save space and prevent them from clanging together and chipping.

If you live in an earthquake-prone area, follow these tips:

Attach your china cabinet to wall studs with L-shaped braces.
Install latches on cabinet doors. Plastic latches used for child-proofing work great, and are a good idea regardless of whether you live where there are earthquakes.
Use small pieces of tacky adhesive or putty to secure collectibles.

Be sure the china cabinet is secure and level before arranging items within it. In older home with uneven floors, you might need to adjust the cabinet so it is stable. If you have children or pets, secure the doors with child-proofing latches. Children can do damage not only to your fine items, but also to themselves with breaking glass.

Styles of Dining Chairs

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Whatever the look you are creating in your dining room, there is a dining room chair that will complement that décor. From traditional shaker style, to ornate Queen Anne Style or contemporary slip covers, your dining room chairs can make a statement of their own.

Dining chairs are made of various materials, including:

Wooden: Some dining room chairs are made entirely of wood, including the seat.
Upholstered: Dining room chairs often include upholstery, typically on the seat or the back of the chair. Contemporary styles such as parson’s chairs are covered entirely in upholstery.
Wrought iron: Welded wrought iron or other metal chairs create a contemporary, bold look.
Benches: Benches are increasingly being used for flexible, economical dining table seating.

Once you have decided what material you would like your dining chairs to be constructed of, it’s time to start consider the hundreds of styles available. It’s impossible to list them all, but here is a sampling of the styles available:

Spindle back: A traditional, simple look with vertical spindles along the back of the chair.
Ladder back: Also a traditional style, with horizontal wide wooden strips across the back of the chair, resembling the steps of a ladder. The backs of these chairs are also typically quite high.
Queen Anne: These chairs are characterized by a curved rail on the back, an urn-shaped center back piece, and curved legs called cabriole legs.
Chippendale: From the French in the mid 18^th century, Chippendale chairs typically feature curved legs (sometimes with a claw and ball foot) and elaborate back supports.
Windsor: A type of spindle back chair. They come in sack-back, comb-back, fan-back, birdcage, and other styles.
Fence back: Similar to a spindle back chair, except the vertical strips are flat rather than round.
X-back: Just as the name indicates, the backs of these chairs are formed by an x, which sometimes resembles two intersecting half circles.
Parson: A chair with upholstery covering everything, usually including the legs. Sometimes parson’s chairs have folds of fabric that fall from the seat to the floor on all four sides of the chair.

Decorating and purchasing tips for dining room chairs

2006-04-11T15:02:19Z

If you plan to buy a full set of dining room chairs, the set typically includes two arm chairs for the ends of the table and regular chairs for the sides. Arm chairs are not required, of course, but they add a formal and complete look to your set of chairs. Arm chairs can also be used as accent pieces for seating in the living room when they are not being used at the dining room table.
To allow enough room for everyone seated around the table, plan on 22 to 30 inches in width per person. With a round table, for instance, a 40-inch diameter table seats 4, while a 56-inch diameter table seats 8. For a rectangular or oval-shaped table, a 36 by 60-inch table seats 6, while a 36 by 72 or 84-inch table seats 8.
If you are using an area rug over hardwood floors in your dining room, it is important to ensure that the dining room table and chairs fit on the rug when not in use, as well as when your guests are seated. To allow enough space for people to move their chairs away from the table, allow the rug to extend about two feet beyond the table. If you have a table with four chairs, you would likely need a 6 x 9-foot rug; a table with six chairs would require an 8 x 10-foot rug; and a table with eight chairs would require a 9 x 12-foot rug.
For a more contemporary, or “shabby chic” décor, some designers advocate using dining room chairs that are not all of the same, exact style. You want the chairs to blend and look nice together, but be creative to create an eclectic look.
One of the most important factors in determining how to decorate your dining room is how formal you would like the room to be. If you have fancy dinner parties on a regular basis, then perhaps formal is the way to go. But if you would like to use your dining room for more casual meals as well, or other family-oriented activities, then a more casual décor might suit you better.
When purchasing dining room chairs, consider comfort as well as style. Chairs, after all, are designed to be seated in. Consider the amount of low-back support the chair offers if you plan t have guests seated in the chairs for long periods of time. Upholstered seats also can be more comfortable than wooden seats.

Slip covers for dining room chairs

2006-04-11T15:03:21Z

If you have old dining room chairs that you would like to replace, but do not have the budget to afford it, consider making it new again with slip covers. Even if you like your dining room chairs, slip covers are taking over the decorating world as a contemporary way to update and soften your dining room. They also are easy to remove and wash, so they can be used to protect upholstered chairs during the years when you have young children or pets in the house. Slip covers offer versatility so you can decorate based on season, as well. Add festive slip covers for the winter holiday season and then remove them for the rest of the year, for instance.

Slip covers are available in various styles. Some extend all the way to the floor, while others have a skirt that ends several inches below the seat, allowing the legs of the chair to be exposed. Most styles tie in the back, offering visual appeal, but also allowing you to fit the slip cover best to your size of chair. Slip covers are made in everything from casual denim twill to formal velvet.

Slip covers are designed to fit most dining room chairs that are at least 42 inches high. If your chair is less than that height, consider the “short” styles that expose some of the chair legs.

You also may consider making slip covers, which can be simple for those with some sewing experience. Patterns are available, although you may have to make some adjustments for the size of your chair.

Maintaining your dining room chairs

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Regardless of the type of dining room chair you choose, you are bound to end up with a wobbly chair or with upholstery that needs to be redone at some point.

If you have a wobbly wooden chair that needs to be fixed, it is best to use a high quality wood glue. If possible, remove all old glue (with sandpaper) and dirt from the joint that needs to be repaired. You then have a clean surface for the new glue to adhere to. Spread the glue on both sides of the pieces to be joined. It is best if you then can use a wood clamp to press the pieces together while they dry for 24 hours. If not, apply pressure for about 30 minutes.

You also may need to replace upholstery on the seat of your dining room chairs. While professional upholstery people are available for this project, you also may want to tackle it yourself. If you do it yourself, remember these tips:

Add six to eight inches of fabric to the seat measurement, to allow extra fabric to work with on the sides.
Choose a durable fabric.
After removing the old fabric from the chair, you might be able to use them as a pattern in cutting the new seat cover.
Get someone to help you during the covering stage so you can ensure the fabric is taut before stapling.