Updating the Dining Area

Like many urban homekeepers, we don't have a formal dining room. But we have a sizable kitchen, which in New York City is a rarity, and it has more than enough room for a dining area. Recently, as one of the projects in the ongoing process that is making a home, we updated the dining area. Our goal was to create a dining area that was distinct from the kitchen area but still harmonized, by flow and style and of necessity, with the cooking area of this long, rectangular room.

The original table was one of the first pieces of furniture we purchased together: it came from Conran's on Astor Place (New Yorkers who remember Astor Place In The Day raise your hands). It has been with us for eighteen years in four apartments. Perhaps dining tables like to work but they also speak of respite: what is more comforting than slowing down to share a meal together? This table is a wonder of design: it folds into thirds and can be stored in a space no more than six inches wide -- necessary in a first apartment where the cooking, eating and living areas combined were smaller than most hallways. Neither of us could bear to part with the table, and who knows what ways we may find to press it into service in the future! But for now it is allowed to rest, out of the way but within access.

The dominant feature in the room is wall cabinets in stained oak, so we took that tone into account when deciding upon new furniture. The pieces we eventually decided upon were available in three finishes: unstained birch, honey and espresso. The honey finish we decided upon showcases the warmth of the wood, while the modern design keeps the pieces from looking precious. The finish harmonizes with the kitchen cabinets that are an arm's length away, as well as the occasional shelves and a storage table that were already in the dining area, which we knew we were going to continue using.

The table seats four; with the extensions, eight. We decided not to buy the matching chairs because we both like the black vinyl diner chairs we already had, and in color and style they anchor the area. Black provides visual relief from the wood tones while carrying through to the color scheme in the kitchen area. Black, honey and orange are the colors for both areas; a subtle line of demarcation between the two is achieved by the introduction of cream and autumn gold in the kitchen area.

Though it is sizable enough to navigate comfortably, the dining area is compact, so displays have to be judiciously edited. We chose a china hutch with frosted glass doors, so that the items inside would only be part of the visual dialogue when in service. The generously-sized upper shelves house water- and wine glasses, carafes, and coffee and tea service. Eight formal china settings are separated by felt rounds and stacked on helper shelves; there is still room to store holiday dinnerware and a set of dessert plates.

In the silver drawer, tarnishable pieces are kept in specially treated felt pouches, while wooden pieces are allowed to breathe. There is room enough for cheese knives and the other specialty pieces that accumulate over years of homekeeping: vintage fondue forks for Swanky Sixties parties; chopsticks for Asian food. Don't forget to treat your wooden serveware to a bi-annual bath of food-safe wood oil -- that includes cutting- and serving boards.

On the lower shelves are a collection of Russell Wright serveware in my favorite glazes of nutmeg and black chutney, as well as additional serving pieces. I love to collect these pieces during weekend scrounges at tag sales, church sales, flea markets and internet auctions. The bottom shelf is the right size to house two wine racks: one for red and one for white.  As it frequently is in city home bars, liquor is organized on butler trays -- straight liquor on one, cordials and liqueurs on the other.

The stained-glass shade of the mission-style lamp casts a lovely light for dining, while the orange inserts pick up the orange-and-black of the vintage cocktail shakers and glasses and the lacquer trays they sit on. On the shelves, the spines of the cookbooks provide visual interest while reminding diners that this is a room where food is made as well as eaten. A sturdy wall shelf displays a collection of sake sets. Vintage kitchen ads from the 1940's, 50's and 60's hang on the walls, including a collection of candy ads that harmonize with the room's honeyed oak, orange and black color scheme. The visuals of the ads lend a note of retro chic that keeps the area from appearing stiff or cold, and invites everyone to sit down for good food, good drink and good company.