How To Entertain In Style With Magnificent Dining Tables

Perhaps you are cooking a Jamie Oliver recipe, or Delia Smith concoction. Add some lovely music and some gorgeous friends, and you have yourself a lovely dinner party, Sunday lunch, birthday dinner or simple gathering. Sitting around the oak dining table feels great, and the oak furniture range adds to the festive warmth and glow of the celebrations. This is not a dream though, this can be a reality, if you want it. Imagine Christmas lunch with all the trimmings, based around a solid oak dining table.
Enjoying dinner or lunch with either friends, family or both is a great British tradition and sitting around a glorious oak dining table always feels elegant and grown up. There is a long history of people liking to share meals and obviously a table of some kind has always been crucial.
Tabula, a Latin word meaning plank or flat piece, is where we get the word table, and over the years the traditional look of dining tables has changed dramatically. In ancient times, a variety of materials were used and designs ranged from marble to wood or stone. Communities came together to eat out of very basic tools and equipment, but the central place was around the plank, table or whatever it was called at the time. The way that we eat, socialise and entertain has changed over the years, but one thing remains the same. That one thing is that we all need somewhere to sit, and somewhere central to come together.
Fast forward to current times and we know that one of the best and most fun ways to catch up with friends is to share a meal, to host a dinner party or lunch gathering, and share our home with our loved ones. The scene is set with a multitude of factors at play. Not just the food and the people, but the music, the time of year, the seating arrangements and the time of day.
So, you might have a very large, round or oblong oak dining table, and set a dinner party theme for example, with gorgeous food, fine wine and classical music. Invite your family or close friends and all dress up. Enjoy special foods that you might not eat regularly, like prawns, mussels or steak. Drink the nicest wines and really glam it up for a special night.
Or you might be planning a simple gathering, grabbing the kids, sitting around a smaller square table and simply having Sunday lunch, or a weeknight meal. This is usually a quick event, and practical needs take over, rather than anything fancy. The dining table becomes something practical too, and durable, easy to wipe down afterwards. This is where oak furniture really can work as it is so sturdy but can be made to look good in a flash.
Sometimes, during the hazy summer days, you might be hosting a cold lunch or a BBQ. While you might be outside, the dining table might be used to lay out all the salads, bread rolls and drinks and so on. People still use the dining table all year round so investing in a good table is a great idea.
Of course, you should not forget Christmas Dinner. Think about the cold, dark days, warm food, red wine and a solid oak dining table with candles, Christmas decorations and maybe even the fireplace going. The oak dining table will be a gorgeous central feature piece that will stand the test of time year, after year, after year. The Christmas songs are playing and the kids are driving you crazy, but the dining room looks great and the scene is set.
Now, imagine sitting down in your own home, with a magnificent oak dining table, some close friends or family next to you, and think about how warm and inviting real oak makes the room look. It is a design tip which has stood the test of time to become a true classic. The way that you entertain, the central dining tables, and the food that we serve all make for a great time. And the oak furniture range that is available to you is as diverse as your home and your personal style. The key is to start looking online, and visit showrooms to get a real feel for the styles that you like. Whether you like the light coloured woods, or deep dark colours, there is something for you.