Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Stretching the Dining Room

When I first toured my new house I fell in love. 

Instantly and completely. 

But I had a problem. And I almost didn't buy the house because of it. 


Despite the fact that I was in love. 

What was my problem?


The dining room would not seat my whole clan for Christmas dinner. 

I told you about it here - I didn't sleep for a few nights, tossing and turning and worrying about this. 

Yes, I know. I'm nuts.
Finally I just gave myself a good hard kick in the butt and said, "Who cares? It's one day a year!"

And I made an offer. 

And the rest was history. 

But now it's nearly time for Christmas dinner. 

And I'm starting to fret again. 

So what's a girl to do? 

Get creative, that's what!  

And I did. 

With help from my sweetie. 


I had this idea to take a piece of plywood, saw it in half, hinge it (for ease of storage), and place it over the table top. 

For once, Sweetie didn't tell me I was out of my mind. 

He saw the possibilities....and made it happen. 

Sanded and smooth, corners rounded, piano hinge down the middle. 

With the table stretched open as far as it can go - and a gap in the  middle to accommodate the hinge - we're giving it a test run tonight. 

With a dinner party for 12  nope, now we're at 13. 


Sweetie helped me carry the makeshift tabletop in last night and get it in place. 

It was a little warped, as plywood tends to be. So he clamped it and I weighed it down with all the fall squashes I have yet to cook. 

And I went on a hunt for the giant ivory colored tablecloth I have had for eons. 

And I hunted. And hunted. And turned every linen storage area in my house upside down. 


And no giant ivory colored tablecloth can be found anywhere. 

It walked away. As things do. 

So I improvised. 


With two brown tablecloths I've had for centuries and that lovely red velvet jingle bell runner I told you about here

And I worried the colors would clash. 

But you know what? I'm not hating it!!


My plates have a brown band as well as blue and dark red, so they work to pull the colors together. 

Add red napkins and crystal glasses and there's not a thing wrong with it!

The dishes help to weigh down the table so it's not quite as warped. It's still a little wobbly but hopefully will be alright, once the bowls of heavy food are put in the center. 


I'm really quite pleased with the end result. I set the table for 12 this morning.....I'll have to find room for one more when I get home from work - we'll squeeze. No worries. 


When the lights are dimmed and the candles lit and the music is playing and the wine is flowing nobody will worry one bit about being a little tight around the table. 

And we'll do it again next Friday. 

Happy Holidays, Friends!!


~~~~~~~~~~


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34 comments:

  1. You never cease to amaze me. How on earth do you get so much done? Your table looks beautiful. Enjoy!!!!!!

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    1. Thanks, Phylis!! I'm such a slacker compared to so many other bloggers out there!! Of course, my sweetie did the hard work on this one - I was just the creative mind behind the table top.

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  2. I think this works great and looks absolutely beautiful! So creative AND functional..perfect! Hugs!

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    1. It worked!! It might be a tiny bit wobbly but nothing to worry about!

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  3. Beautiful!!! Glad you found a solution.

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    1. Thanks, Tammy - the trial run went great last night so I'm excited to do the same for Christmas dinner!

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  4. I say sit them wherever there's a flat empty surface. But I know you must fret over these things...
    Brenda

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  5. What a fantastic idea! You wouldn't like my house...I don't even having a dining room! Just an eat-in kitchen, only big enough for a small table with four chairs around it! We don't entertain much but when we do, we squeeze people around the table and then the others eat in the living room. When we have the boy's family birthday parties, we'd have the party down in the basement family room. We've also had BBQs in the summer, so at least people could sit and eat outside.

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    1. Are you kidding? I love your Comfy House!! Hey, if you don't have a dining room you do what you have to do, right? I used to entertain in my small NYC apartment regularly so I'm no stranger to making do. However, given the choice I certainly love having a dedicated dining room!

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  6. This was a great idea / glad he could make it happen, and it looks lovely all set for dinner.

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    1. Thanks, Deb! Now I need to find that missing tablecloth....

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  7. This was a great idea / glad he could make it happen, and it looks lovely all set for dinner.

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  8. Great idea! You are super crafty!! We have always lived in small cottages and I have always hosted either Christmas or Christmas Eve. We are 20 before everyone got married and had babies of their own...now we are closer to 30 and growing. I set several tables and we squeeze some years, other years, we do a buffet and it's sit where you please. I just love a full house no matter where everyone is seated! :) Merry Christmas!!

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    1. Wow, 30 for dinner...that's a LOT of people to cook for!! I made my deconstructed lasagna last night....I know you said you were cooking that for the holidays this year. It was a HUGE hit as always!! Merry Christmas to you, my friend!

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  9. I really like it! And why fret.... family will understand because they love you! xox

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    1. It goes back to the whole 'anal' thing apparently....ha ha, oh well - yes, they love me regardless!

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  10. Genius on the table. That is great and your guest will love being all together at one place. The table setting looks so pretty. Have fun with your guests and festive holiday party.
    Kris

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    1. Thanks, Kris! It was great gathering everyone around the table at one time - the chatter, laughter, and happy sounds made me smile from ear to ear.

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    1. Thanks, Carol! Now if only the dining room were a tiny bit bigger.....:)

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  12. Great job. I happen to love brown and red colors together. It's kind of fall like but works for Christmas too. Blessings for a fabulous get together. xoxo,Susie

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    1. I can't believe how well the colors work together - the table came out lovely! Thanks for your sweet comment, Susie!

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  13. I really like your idea of the hinged extended table made out of plywood! I've been known to use plywood myself to make an impromptu table, covered with a tablecloth! They sure come in handy! And your missing tablecloth will likely turn up a day late, lol... or at least that is my kind of luck :) Enjoyed my visit here today, and your place setting looks amazing for the big day coming up! :)

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    1. Ahhhhhhhh great minds think alike for sure!! Still no sign of the missing tablecloth - it truly is a mystery!

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  14. Your table setting looks beautiful! You are definitely a creative person and you have a good helper. It's amazing what can be done with plywood.

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    1. Thanks, Donna - I'm very lucky to have such a good helper! We balance each other well!!

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  15. Great idea! Everything looks beautiful!!

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    1. Thanks, KariAnne - and Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family!

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