Dining table: This season’s best-dressed dining tables

Sitting around a beautifully laid dining table enjoying good home-cooked food and fantastic company is the best antidote to the cold Autumnal weather.Elegant kitchen sets are a great focal point for any dining area.Whether you are hosting an elaborate festive dinner party or cooking for family and friends you want to make sure your dining room, and particularly your dining table is as delectable as the culinary delights you are serving.

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Dining table basics – plenty of room to party.

The basis for a divine dinner party is a dining table which comfortably seats all your guests – there’s nothing worse than being forced to sit too close to someone you barely know because there just isn’t enough space for both your meals.

The Marseille monastery dining table (pictured) is a beautiful, French inspired solid oak dining table with a rustic farmhouse style which oozes mid-century charm. Available in three lengths, with cross legs and bar, it’s a stunning and practical piece of furniture which will age naturally over the years.

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Alternatively, you don’t have to be King Arthur to enjoy a round table. The gorgeous mahogany Charentes round dining table with curved legs and lacquered finish is impeccably complimented by the beautiful balloon back chairs, perfect for smaller gatherings.

Decorating your dining table – the devil’s in the details..

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Make your dining table a feast for the eyes with simple but stylish touches such as personalised place settings and favours which instantly make your guests feel special.

Low level lighting over a dining table creates an intimate and warm feel which will help guests to relax and is safer than having lots of lit candles on the table.The Celeste dinner plates feature a dazzling platinum or gold band design to give a sense of occasion to any meal and matching tumblers and wine glasses will give your table a co-ordinated and polished appearance.

Napkins made into swans or roses may impress your guests, but if you have neither the time nor the inclination to learn such techniques, keep it simple and elegant with a traditional napkin ring or tie a bow with a pretty ribbon in a contrasting colour.

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Minimalist Dining Tables.

But if all this decoration leaves you cold, you can achieve a minimalist dining table without feeling the chill. A table runner in a rich red wine tone is simple but effective and will give you a pop of colour without any fuss. And when Christmas is over, deep purple or midnight blue will always look stunning.

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Creating the dining experience.

Dressing your dining table is a chance to show off your creativity and experiment without permanent results. If something works well you can always recreate it and any ill-advised colour combinations or table decorations can be quickly consigned to history.Above all it shows you have made an effort for your guests and gone to the trouble of creating a truly warm dining experience.