Smoke & Mirrors
Dear Joe,
My new condo has a dining area that is 10' x 11'. What size table should I buy and would I be better off with a round table or a rectangular one?
— Dining In
Dear Dining In,
There are many factors that influence the selection of a dining table. The first is the size of the space for the table and chairs. You mention that your space is 10' x 11'. Does this include a traffic area (for example, a path from the kitchen to the livingroom)? If this is the case, the actual space for a table and chairs would be reduced by at least two feet on that side. Another important factor to consider is how you entertain. Are you more likely to have three other people in for dinner, or do you like to have larger gatherings with a buffet? Considering these two factors alone will help narrow the choices. When choosing a dining table and chairs for a client, I like to have at least two feet behind each chair to make it easy to sit down and get up from the table. This also leaves space for someone to walk behind the people who are seated. Each diner should have about two feet of table space (2' 4' if arm chairs are used). The largest rectangular table that would fit in your space (assuming that it is a true 10' x 11') is 72' long. This would seat six comfortably. You could also buy a table with leaves and expand as needed if the dining space is open enough at one end to allow for it. If you decide to buy a round table, you would need one with a diameter of at least 50' to seat six. I am assuming that there will not be any other furniture in the dining area. If you need a side table (for serving) or have other pieces of furniture to fit in the space, be sure to plan in advance. This could limit the size of the dining table. Without seeing your condo, my first impulse is that a rectangular table would be better. It will look smaller in the room while accommodating the same number of people. It could also leave enough room for a serving surface, such as a table or cabinet.
Dear Joe,
I live in a condo has a very small open diningroom. I was thinking of covering the back wall in mirror to expand the space, but I don't want it to look tacky or dated. What is your opinion?
—Reflecting
Dear Reflecting,
I think that mirrors are a great idea! They never go out of style, and it's amazing how much they can open up a space. Readers may remember my postage-size bathroom from a previous column. I wanted to visually expand the tiny space and mirrors did the trick. First I painted the walls white. My next step was to install a 54' plate mirror on the entire wall behind the sink (yes, the wall is actually only 54'!). Then I had a large framed mirror built (with a shelf for storage) using antique mirror panels. I hung this on the wall opposite the sink wall. The endless reflections in the two mirrors is quite effective in 'opening up' the small space.
Since you own the condo, you will be able to use permanently mounted mirror. The best way is to hang large panels of plate mirror from floor to ceiling. There are some cases where smaller mirror squares can work with special detailed installation, but these usually come off as amateurish and tacky. The best option is to have full-length mirrors professionally installed. It can be costly, but the final effect can expand the space and beauty of the room for many years to come.
Dear Joe,
I recently moved into an apartment. There are some very nice drapery panels that were left in the livingroom. The problem is that the former tenant was a smoker and the draperies reek of cigarette smoke. I can't live with that smell! They are white and I don't think that they are washable. I was going to have them professionally cleaned, but a friend said that it won't help. What do you think?
—Second Hand Smoke
Dear Second Hand,
A professional service may be able to get out some of the odor, but there are other problems. Dry cleaning fluids usually discolor fabrics. They can cause white fabrics to yellow (although these draperies are probably already yellowed form the cigarette smoke). Another problem is that dry cleaning will generally cause shrinkage. The drapery panels may come back a bit shorter. This gives me a chance to give a drapery maintenance tip. I usually tell my clients that the best way to care for their new draperies is just an occasional dusting with the vacuum cleaner (use the brush attachment!). This will keep them looking good for a long time and is generally a better option than dry cleaning.
Please email your questions to jos.riceinteriors@att.net . In the subject box, fill in 'WCT Design.'
Joseph Rice is an interior designer who offers full decorating services. With 21 years of experience, he specializes in designing drapery treatments for 'hard to treat' windows. You can reach him at Joseph Rice Interiors, Inc. (773) 271-2361; or jos.riceinteriors@att.net
