Dining In: stylish entertaining

Cover Photo Designed by the Italian design studio e-ggs, Bolia’s sophisticated Peyote dining table, with its leaf-shaped base, is made from moulded veneer, MDF and plywood for stability and strength. Shown here with their minimalist Tune stackable dining chairs. Bolia is available from Your Home Styling on the Mijas Road (www.yourhomestyling.com) and through Siesta Interior Design in CC Plaza in Nueva Andalucía (www.siestainteriordesign.com).

DIVINE DINING THIS WINTER

Gathering loved ones together around a table and enjoying good homemade food is one of life’s simple pleasures, and it has been for centuries. The importance of sharing mealtimes with friends and family is heightened over the festive period, which means the dining area might need to step-up to the mark so it can take full advantage of the increased attention it receives, and create beautiful new memories. Whether you prefer your dining area to be casual and rustic or aim to create a more formal setting, ensuring that the dining table can withstand the wear and tear of heavy earthenware, hot dishes and the odd wine spill are key considerations when investing in this area. Making sure that your dining chairs are not only comfortable but are also the correct height, with adequate legroom beneath, is another important factor, and the chairs should be well-spaced around the table to allow enough elbow room for diners to eat without banging into each other. The popular trend for natural wood continues apace, and for good reason. Wood is durable and weathers well under testing conditions. Even a few knocks to the surface adds character and doesn’t diminish the natural beauty of its origins. Dine at home in style this winter and become inspired with these ideas…

The quirky Illo table by Miniforms has a fun and contemporary design and comes in a wide range of tabletop finishes. Miniforms is available through Mandragora Decoración in Urb. La Cancela de la Quinta on the Ctra. de Ronda (www.mandragoradecoracion.com).

This teak dining set by Sybartum offers an organic look, ideal for a Mediterranean-style home. Casual boho-chic is timeless and natural wood ages beautifully, adding character over the years. The Sybartum showroom is situated on the Mijas Road or you can buy their products online at www.sybartum.com.

This dining area set, available from New Life Home, combines natural and industrial materials to offer a striking contrast that fits into most room styles. The table, made from teak wood with a black metallic base, dining chairs featuring black string-woven backrests and a teak base and the console and bench all come together to provide an overall well-coordinated look. New Life Home is situated in Avenida de Velázquez in Málaga, or you can buy these products online at www.newlifehome.es.

The Bolzano circular dining table with a marble-look tabletop and brass cylindrical base by House Nordic offers a touch of glamour and looks stunning with these elegant dining chairs and their slender brass legs. House Nordic is available from Your Home Styling situated on the Mijas Road (www.yourhomestyling.com), and Acoola in Pol. Ind. San Pedro de Alcántara (www.acoola.eu).

The iconic Skorpio table by Cattelan Italia keeps evolving and now has as many as eight different models in its portfolio, ranging in shape and materials. Inspired by geometry and origami, the design is a real eye-catcher and pairs beautifully with their timeless and refined Tosca dining chair, which combines ergonomics with comfort. Cattelan Italia is available through Alison Bethell-Collins Interior Design in Avda. del Mediterráneo, San Pedro de Alcántara (www.alisonbethellcollins.com), Acoola in Pol. Ind. San Pedro de Alcántara (www.acoola.eu) and GC Studio in CC Camoján Corner in Marbella (www.gc-studio.es).