Thursday, February 18, 2010

How to Keep Your Guests at the Table

I LOVE to throw dinner parties...even in the tiny condo. Whether I serve a several course meal or something that I've faked (yo, I aint to proud to admit that I've served Shake N Bake), I always enjoy having friends gather around my table.

I have conversation cards that usually come out after the main course is served, while my guests and I are enjoying a bottle of wine and waiting for dessert. They are the MOST fun and I highly recommend them! But I digress.

Sometimes, my guests adjourn to the living room to sit on the couches or the floor and while that doesn't bother me, I THINK I know why now...

MY CHAIRS WERE TOO HARD.

Enter my latest home investment...my NEW DINING ROOM FURNITURE. You can't tell that I'm excited at all, can you?!?!

A few weeks back, I found the perfect chairs for my dining room, then last week I found my table. I didn't go with the most expensive table, but I did find one that I like A LOT and know that if I want to paint and distress it down the road, it won't be the end of the world. (Sounds like the inner workings of a sicko DIYer's brain, no?!)

I've spent some time this week just sitting in my chairs. They are cozy...and now I know that my guests will want to stay at the table with me, enjoying not only good food, but good conversation and friendship, too.

If you have a similar problem and can't necessarily afford new chairs now, I encourage you to look at seat cushions or even to make some. There are some great DIY options out there, so don't let anything keep you from creating a comfortable dining experience for you and your friends!

I'm inspired by my new dining room and can't wait to have guests over!!! I'm sharing this post with The Inspired Room this week. Please be sure to head over there and see what others are inspired by this week, too!


23 comments:

Unknown said...

Love, love, love your new dining room furniture! I don't think I would want to get up from the table!

KJ

Michelle @ Sweet Something Design said...

Ok Maverick, I'm a love, love, lover of yo chairs!! Not to mention that chandy! Everything looks fantstic!

extreme personal measures said...

Love it!
I absolutely LOVE this dining room.
The table and chairs are AWESOME!
Stopping by from SITS to say Hi!
I am adding you so I can come back & read more!
Please stop by!
http://extremepersonalmeasures.blogspot.com/

Nate @ Laurelstreetblog.com said...

I love this room. The table & chairs are great - and the mirror wall and light fixture are pitch perfect. It looks fabulous JJ!

Marianne said...

I am sure they will never want to get up again. You will have to chase them out of your house.
Great choice, love the chairs.

CarleeKajsa said...

they are gorgeous JJ! and love the table - its perfectly elegant - just like you!

Yankee Girl said...

Do it yourself cushions would be so much fun! Imagine the possibilities! Too bad I don't know how to thread a needle...

I love having dinner parties too!

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

I LOVE THEM! Those are the kind of chairs that invite people to stay awhile!

Sheyb said...

Oooh! Fantastic!!!

MarshaMarshaMarsha said...

very well done!

those chairs do look comfy. i am a mean hostess and will plop myself down on our hard chairs, thereby forcing my guests to follow suit. don't they know that if you sit at the table, i will give you MORE coffee and MORE dessert? besides, i like the proximity to the kitchen and having a place to put my elbows.

i am so uncouth. (is that how you spell it?)

René said...

Your dining room is gorgeous! You were wise to go with comfy chairs for lingering. The mirrored wall really adds to the feel of space and the pendant is nice.

Now, I must write shake and bake on my grocery list, lol.

Emily@remodelingthislife said...

love love love

Ashley Perez said...

Yay!!! I need to see this fabulous new dining room furniture in person very soon...so glad you found something you love! It looks amazing!

Kelly @ turned UP to ELEVEN! said...

This looks amazing I love the table you chose!!! It works perfectly with the chairs.

Sharon said...

AWESOME! That looks great!

And I bet they are comfy. Between the shake n bake and the wine... I'd be right at home!!

Unknown said...

Gorgeous. When am I coming to dinner? I loooove Shake n Bake. :)

Salt said...

Wow they look fantastic!
Our dining room chairs are the worst. Once we buy a house, I'm hoping to upgrade to something nice like you have. :)

Nancy said...

So enjoyed chatting with you last night. What fun.. Can't wait for our next get together. Nancy

elsie said...

Sweet sweet dining room chairs there sista!! So fun meeting you at Rachel's last night - I hope our baths cross again!
namaste
elsie

heather@actingbalanced.com said...

looks fab!!! love the chairs!
stopping by from SITS

MrsBlogAlot said...

Love it!!! So beautiful!!!!

Hopped over from SITS and so glad I did!!!

Four Flights said...

gorgeous chairs! love the new space you've created for your guests. And it was so nice to meet you on Saturday as well :)

NotJustAnotherJen said...

Love the chairs, JJ, but don't let your niece and nephew at the table when serving spaghetti! Yes, I'm jealous much. :)