Friday, October 28, 2005

Casual Dining Hits the Heights

INFURNITURE has an article in the October 3, 2005 issue Casual Dining Hits the Heights by Jo Fleischer.
There are countless theories circulating to explain the current boom in counter-height and pub-height tables. Some blame the aching backs of busy moms who constantly shuttle between the stove and a low dining table where the kids are doing homework. Others speculate that pub-height tables remind us all of a pleasant evening out at Applebee's or Chili's and we're trying to recapture that feeling at home. Other theories hold that higher tables put kids, in particular, at eye-level with whomever is doing the cooking, and at the same time enable everyone at the table to keep an eye on a television in an adjoining room or attached great room.

Lifestyle expert Cheryl O'Brien of C. O'Brien Architects, Bala Cynwyd, PA, says that a trend toward darker woods in kitchens, especially in cabinets and center islands, also is leading table makers to move to darker hues, as well. The trend is most pronounced in newer homes where kitchens are attached to large great rooms. In many cases, the casual dining table straddles the line between kitchen and family room, and kitchen-white tables are rarely at home in those transition areas.

The result of these strong trends is the continuing growth of casual dining sets from counter heights of 36 inches up to pub heights of 42 inches or more. At the same time, darker finishes-including the widespread use of black-are achieving dominance in many retail showrooms. With the darker colors, designers are also moving away from what's long been traditional for dining by incorporating everything from leather chair seats to stone and metal table surfaces.

Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery has the darker colors in casual dining tables and pub sets to meet your design needs.

Bev & Mike

No comments: