just curious...do you keep your DR table set when you are not using it? i was wondering about dust. if so, could i see pictures please. thanks........debbie
Posts: 496 | Location: binghamton ny | Registered: Feb 14, 2006
I would never leave a table set just for looks. It has always seemed a little odd to me. Like getting ready for something that isn't going to happen. It reminds me of what you would do in a doll house, which would be trying to create the impression of people living in the house - only they don't. I only set the table if I am getting ready to serve a meal.
yeah that would kind of be a little creepy... like some kind of perpetual dinner that has never started and will never end.. but you can do it if you want, just my opinion. i leave mine off.
Posts: 54 | Location: New York & Jersey | Registered: Jun 04, 2008
We don't keep our table set either -- to me, it would be sort of like a dinner party that will never happen!
However, the two times we were on our town's holiday homes tour, we did set the table as if we were having a dinner party (second time) and Christmas dinner (first time) -- but it was set for the weekend of the tour and then we put everything away.
Usually, I don't even have flowers n the center of the dining room table prefering an empty oriental bowl.
We use our dining room every night for dinner but if we didn't I wouldn't keep it set. To me that's like living in a staged house all the time. It looks strange.
I usually have a vase of flowers on the table because you have to walk through our dining room to get to the kitchen from the main part of the house.
~Jean~
Posts: 2000 | Location: Where my heart is | Registered: Oct 28, 2004
I can't even find mine. This is where our kids do all their stuff. I have to clear the dining room table off daily of art supplies, laptops, homework, magnetix. We're lucky to be able to actually set the table to eat dinner! I couldn't imagine having it set all the time with our lifestyle now.
You know, I never thought it sounded creepy though, until reading all these posts!
This message has been edited. Last edited by: NavyWife1993,
My rules to live by: If life gets hectic and chaotic, clean out closets. Purge often. Keep everything neutral, because we never know what our next house will be like.
Posts: 406 | Location: Where the Navy sends us... Currently CA | Registered: Apr 01, 2008
Wow another poster from my childhood neck of the woods! Actually, this topic has cropped up here from time to time and there WERE a handful of posters who do keep theirs set.
Personally, I don't think it's practical due to the dust, but do keep a tablescape and tablecloth on my formal dining table at all times. Since it's quite large, fairly visible from the front foyer and would be otherwise too bare, it seems to make sense to accessorize it. I have visual merchandising in my background (and blood) so it's a perfect area to showcase my passion.
Posts: 7508 | Location: Right here, duh! ;) | Registered: Nov 03, 2005
BTW, I believe one comment made previously in re. to having a perpetually set dining table was that they felt guests who we not invited to dinner may feel uncomfortable when eyeing the set table. They might think they should cut their visit short due to the possible arrival of dinner guests.
Thought I'd throw that observation out in case you happen to agree it's a valid consideration.
Posts: 7508 | Location: Right here, duh! ;) | Registered: Nov 03, 2005
My dining room table always seems to be the site for projects (even though DH never does them here and he is the only other person in house!) I do have the makings of a decorated table i.e., candlesticks, hurricane globes, centerpieces etc. but they are thrown in the mix of whatever I am working on at moment. DD's table (which is the most beautiful d.r. table I have ever seen!) is just like Navy wifes. When we visit we must eat there a/c space limitations at kitchen table and it takes a while to clear everything off! For company I may set the table well ahead of time (previous day) to enjoy it and have one major task done. Also I would always have it decorated (like FRoo froo have it in my blood) but never set.
Posts: 2868 | Location: Maine, not far from the ocean | Registered: Jun 27, 2004
I don't keep mine set but I think some do during certain holidays just for the decoration. I think it looks pretty then but I think it would not be very practical otherwise.
~ Joy ~
"None are more unjust in their judgments of others than those who have a high opinion of themselves." Charles Spurgeon
Posts: 1743 | Location: Newnan, GA | Registered: Dec 30, 2006
I could see it as holidays approach.. more festive.... but there is something Bette Davis... Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte about it...
That being said.. I love to see a pretty table set.. I just don't want to maintain it... I'm lucky if I can remember that the cute little Bunny mugs don't need to still be out July 4th!!!
Here we have what it should look like
Posts: 3438 | Location: Texas | Registered: Mar 29, 2007
Originally posted by dminguit: yeah that would kind of be a little creepy... like some kind of perpetual dinner that has never started and will never end.. but you can do it if you want, just my opinion. i leave mine off.
LOL. I agree. I don't mind if someone else does it, but I wouldn't. I'm not dusting my dishes!
This issue had come up quite a while ago and Froo has done an excellent job of echoing my sentiment. I did WTs for a bacheleor a couple years ago and his house was always "staged" like a model home- set dining room, breakfast tray with dishes on the guest bed- the whole shebang. It kind freaked me out because I always wondered if it was really his house or if he was just a squatter with a desire to change the draperies.
We never use our formal dining room except on holidays and very special occasion. But I have to say that I have set the table the week of Turkey Day and the week of Christmas a couple times. I Kinda liked the look of all the fine china, festive napkins out for a few days vs just one day. It looked nice with the rest of the holiday decor.
I keep my formal dining room table set all the time. I change things out depending on the season. I do this because otherwise the china, crystal, etc. are just stored away and not enjoyed except a couple of times a year. I am of the opinion that everyday should be a special occasion - so set the table like it is.
My DH and I were just talking about this during the weekend when I came across the Napa Valley dinnerware and accessories in a "Touch Sone" magazine. It was so beautiful and I told him I wanted it for my birthday. He took the magazine out of my hands and this is what he said....
Charger $30 each Dinner Plates set of 4 $45 Dessert Plates set of 4 $35 Soup Bowls $40 Place mats and mapkins $65 etc...etc...etc... (you get the picture)
"Honey, if I'm gonna pay that much for a bunch of dishes...you better have them out year round!"
Looks like I'm going to be using my little swiffer on more than my furniture!! Ha! Ha!
Becky 42 I love the reference to Bette Davis* as that is my houses one claim to fame that she was a guest in it! PO's guest that is! Also Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte is a standing joke with me and DSIL, can't really remember why now but he often hums that song to me! *BD lived in our town when she was married to Gary Merrill
Posts: 2868 | Location: Maine, not far from the ocean | Registered: Jun 27, 2004
Hmmm - dining room table set for everyday - yep - that'd be mine - it is "set" with a pile of campaign t-shirts, a pile of clean clothes waiting to be folded; it is set with a box of campaign buttons; it is set with a pile of papers I've got to file one of these days; oh, and I have a lovely lace table cloth and lennox candlesticks and compote in the middle so we're as "set" as we're going to be until Aug 5th!
DR table in our house is dumping ground central - and that's ok - it is a way to use a room that doesn't otherwise get used but for holidays. It has been homework project table, sewing table (my sewing machine is so lonely these days); it has been paperwork table; folding clothes table; odds and ends table - it gets used - just not as dignified as it always should be - that's ok - we live here. BH&G ever calls - I'll shovel it off for them!
Posts: 2577 | Location: MI | Registered: Apr 03, 2007
I guess I'm the weird one on here. I do keep my dining room table set with casual dishes that happened to be my inspiration for the room. I just enjoy it and I love my paisley dishes and the colors. We are almost done with this room with the exception of hanging pictures. All of my family, friends, and neighbors love the set table. I also do the table at Thanksgiving dishes and for Cmas I use my chargers and pretty dishes. During the year my table is set up for 4 but when the holidays come I set for 8. When the dishes get dusty I just wipe them down as these aren't dishes we eat off of.
