Dining In: functional comfort

Bolia’s Alp is an exclusive collection of dining tables and benches designed by Spanish design duo Ramos Bassols and crafted from FSC-certified wood. The designers wanted to focus on combining clean lines with a delicate touch to provide an overall look that is subtle and understated. Your Home Styling, situated on the Mijas Road, is an official retailer of Bolia (www.yourhomestyling.com).

DINING AT HOME THIS WINTER

As the nights draw in earlier over the winter months, there is more of a tendency to dine at home than venture out as often as we might do at other times of the year. The dining area not only needs to be functional, but it should also be an area where people feel comfortable and relaxed. Needless to say, there is quite a lot to consider when embarking on purchasing a new dining set. The size of the table should allow the usual number of diners to sit comfortably, with plenty of elbow space between each person. If the room is restricted in space, a rectangular table would perhaps not be as suitable as a circular one, with the latter creating more space for people to walk around the table. In terms of materials, durability is key as dining tables can take quite a few knocks and stress from hot earthenware, which is why wooden tables have always been such a popular choice. Ensure that your dining chairs are the correct height for the table, leaving around a 30-centimetre gap between the table and the seat for diners to place themselves comfortably. Take a look at these ideas…

Emanuele Zenere designed the first model of the Valentino table in 1991 and then the collection expanded. Its eye-catching sculptural base makes the Valentino unique in its design, dominating the glass tabletop that hovers above. Cattelan Italia is available from Alison Bethell-Collins Interior Design in Avenida del Mediterráneo, San Pedro de Alcántara (www.alisonbethellcollins.com), and through GC Studio in CC Camoján Corner in Marbella (www.gc-studio.es).

The bold Atelier dining table in charcoal grey oak veneer from Eichholtz combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary production techniques. It is perfectly complemented with the stunning bouclé cream Bravo dining chairs with brushed brass legs. Available directly from the Eichholtz Monobrand showroom, situated in CC Azalea in Nueva Andalucía (www.idhouseonline.com), and also through The Art in the Marbella Club (www.theart-interiordesign.com).

The Suar wood dining table has unique veins running through the wood that highlight its alluring character and show nature at its finest. It is shown here accompanied by robust wooden dining chairs with a sophisticated leather upholstery featured on the seat and backrest. Available from Sybartum on the Mijas Road or buy online at www.sybartum.com.

The Silu stackable chairs and table set by Ondaretta fuse traditional wood-bending techniques with sleek contemporary design (www.ondaretta.com).

The Bok dining table and bench set from Ethnicraft has been crafted out of oak, offering timeless elegance and durability. Ethnicraft is available through Siesta Interior Design in Centro Plaza in Nueva Andalucía (www.siestainteriordesign.com) and Metamorfoza in Polígono Industrial Nueva Campana 53 in Nueva Andalucía (www.metamorfoza.be).

Designed by Noé Prades, the limited-edition Shio chair is handmade using walnut wood and oozes great personality. Its sculptural shape is a work of art, while its construction offers long-lasting durability. Shio can be bought physically and digitally as an NFT with a 100 per cent authenticity verification secured with a legal contract, and also via blockchain technology certification (www.noeprades.com).

New Life Home’s round dining table has a recycled base with a resin tabletop complemented beautifully by their Sungkay wooden chairs, teak high stools around the kitchen bar area and rattan ceiling lamps. The look achieved is organic, sophisticated and contemporary. New Life Home is situated in Avda. de Velázquez in Málaga, or you can buy these products online at www.newlifehome.es.

The Taste Maker is a contemporary dining chair by Omeo Design that features a curved back and sleek black powder-coated legs. It comprises premium high-density cushioning so that it moulds to fit your body. Also available as a bar and counter version, it is upholstered in a range of custommade fabrics by Dedar. Omeo Design is situated in Avenida Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer 97 in Nueva Andalucía (www.omeodesign.com).

The iconic Platner dining table from Knoll is the perfect match for their Saarinen executive chairs, offering a sophisticated look that would fit into either a classic or a contemporary home design (www.knoll.com).