{"id":3593,"date":"2022-11-09T22:52:38","date_gmt":"2022-11-09T22:52:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goldenkeyteam.com\/?p=3593"},"modified":"2022-11-09T22:56:11","modified_gmt":"2022-11-09T22:56:11","slug":"youve-planned-the-holiday-menu-now-where-will-you-put-all-the-guests-nyt-11-08-22","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goldenkeyteam.com\/index.php\/2022\/11\/09\/youve-planned-the-holiday-menu-now-where-will-you-put-all-the-guests-nyt-11-08-22\/","title":{"rendered":"You&#8217;ve Planned the Holiday Menu. Now Where Will You Put All the Guests?  (NYT, 11\/08\/22)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"css-1vkm6nb ehdk2mb0\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"article-summary\" class=\"css-1n0orw4 e1wiw3jv0\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">If you\u2019re expecting a big crowd for Thanksgiving, you\u2019ll need a flexible space that can accommodate everyone. Here\u2019s how to design it.\u00a0<span class=\"byline-prefix\">By <\/span><span class=\"css-1baulvz last-byline\"><a class=\"css-n8ff4n e1jsehar0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/by\/tim-mckeough\">Tim McKeough<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<section class=\"meteredContent css-1r7ky0e\">\n<div class=\"css-s99gbd StoryBodyCompanionColumn\">\n<div class=\"css-53u6y8\">\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">With the holidays approaching, have you thought about how you\u2019ll accommodate all of your guests when they come for dinner?\u00a0If you\u2019re expecting a big crowd, a small table with four chairs won\u2019t cut it \u2014 unless you\u2019re OK with asking people to stand while they eat. But, if you have enough space for a monstrous table capable of seating more than a dozen people, it can feel disconcertingly large and lonely the rest of the year.\u00a0The best solution for a dining space that works for dinners big and small? Design it with flexibility in mind, by considering how the seating options can expand and contract.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">\u201cSo many times, my clients say, \u2018Oh, you have to do the dining room so it can sit 16 people,\u2019\u201d said <a class=\"css-yywogo\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/vicentewolf.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vicente Wolf<\/a>, an interior designer in New York. \u201cMy first question is always, \u2018How often do you need that?\u2019 Why spend the money, take up the space and create this environment where you look in and it\u2019s never inviting for dinner on a daily basis?\u201d Instead, Mr. Wolf uses tables that can grow or be repositioned, and helps his clients plan creative seating options when friends and families come over. The goal is to make a dining space that can comfortably hold a big group but is inviting enough to use every day. He and other interior and event designers shared advice on how to do that.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div id=\"story-ad-1-wrapper\" class=\"css-avcq7v\">\n<div id=\"story-ad-1-slug\" class=\"css-l9onyx\">\n<h2 id=\"link-520ebf63\" class=\"css-1bxm55 eoo0vm40\">Plan the Table(s)<\/h2>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">Unless you live in a castle, a boardroom-size dining table probably doesn\u2019t make a lot of sense. One time-tested solution to the challenge of entertaining groups of various sizes is to use an expandable table with multiple leaves that allow the length to be changed as needed. But that isn\u2019t the only option.\u00a0Mr. Wolf sometimes furnishes dining rooms with a pair of identical square tables on casters. Most of the time, they are pushed together to form a reasonably sized rectangular dining surface. But when many guests are coming, the tables can be pulled apart to provide additional space for more chairs.\u00a0\u201cAll of a sudden, it sits 16,\u201d he said, \u201cbecause you can have two people on every side.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">For a Manhattan loft, he used a different approach, placing a drop-leaf table in a television nook near the dining area. When the leaves are down, the table serves as a place to have casual meals or drinks in the front of the TV; when multiple guests are expected, it can be carried out to the dining area and opened up as a second dining table.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"css-79elbk\" data-testid=\"photoviewer-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"css-1a48zt4 e11si9ry5\" data-testid=\"photoviewer-children\">\n<figure class=\"img-sz-medium css-tu3bxj e1g7ppur0\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"media\">\n<div class=\"css-1xdhyk6 erfvjey0\">\n<div class=\"css-1pq3dr9\" data-testid=\"lazy-image\">\n<div data-testid=\"lazyimage-container\"><picture class=\"css-1j5kxti\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"css-1m50asq alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2022\/11\/07\/realestate\/08fix03\/08fix03-articleLarge.jpg?resize=390%2C496&#038;ssl=1\" sizes=\"auto, ((min-width: 600px) and (max-width: 1004px)) 84vw, (min-width: 1005px) 60vw, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2022\/11\/07\/realestate\/08fix03\/08fix03-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&amp;auto=webp 600w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2022\/11\/07\/realestate\/08fix03\/08fix03-jumbo.jpg?quality=75&amp;auto=webp 807w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2022\/11\/07\/realestate\/08fix03\/08fix03-superJumbo.jpg?quality=75&amp;auto=webp 1262w\" alt=\"A white room with bookcases and a dark wood Chinese armchair on the left side. At the back of the room is a dark green settee with lighter cushions on top, facing a white drop-leaf table. On top of the table are several ceramic pitchers, a bowl and a glass vase filled with tall yellow flowers. In the foreground is a Howard armchair upholstered in a light-colored fabric, with a low stool piled with books beside it.\" width=\"390\" height=\"496\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"css-xaa95i ewdxa0s0\"><span class=\"css-jevhma e13ogyst0\" aria-hidden=\"false\"><span class=\"css-jevhma e13ogyst0\" aria-hidden=\"false\"><span class=\"css-jevhma e13ogyst0\" aria-hidden=\"false\">\u201cDrop-leaf tables are perfect for those sorts of situations,\u201d Mr. Wolf said (photo at left, credit Vicente Wolf). \u201cIt\u2019s almost like a coffee table, but then it just flips up and you\u2019re able to sit extra people.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">A temporary, inexpensive folding table can do the same thing \u2014 and if you cover it with an attractive tablecloth, it can look just as good as a conventional dining table. It can be used separately or butted up against other folding tables to make one large expanse.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\"><a class=\"css-yywogo\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/alexandrakaehler.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alexandra Kaehler<\/a>, an interior designer in Chicago, once used two folding tables alongside her regular dining table to seat 22 people for Thanksgiving. \u201cI created an \u2018I\u2019 shape, with my dining table down the center and then the folding tables perpendicular at each end,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd I made it look cohesive by using the same linens, flower arrangements and china on all three.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">In smaller spaces, it\u2019s important to think about the width of the table, said <a class=\"css-yywogo\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/catherinebrophy.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Catherine Brophy<\/a>, an interior designer in Brooklyn. Especially in compact urban spaces, installing a long, skinny table can be the best way to maximize seating capacity.\u00a0\u201cA standard dining table might be 42 to 48 inches wide,\u201d Ms. Brophy said, but in small apartments she has used tables that are only 32 to 36 inches wide. \u201cDay to day, you don\u2019t want to feel like you have to walk around this gigantic table.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"link-369e587d\" class=\"css-1bxm55 eoo0vm40\">Look Beyond the Traditional Dining Space<\/h2>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">If your dining space isn\u2019t large enough for an expanded table or multiple tables, it may still be possible to make everyone feel like they\u2019re eating together.\u00a0In a home with an open floor plan, it\u2019s perfectly acceptable to seat some guests at surfaces that are higher or lower than a typical dining table, said <a class=\"css-yywogo\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/jenniferhunterdesign.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jennifer Hunter<\/a>, an interior designer in New York. If the dining area is open to the kitchen, for example, put some people at the island.\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s almost like they\u2019re seated at a bar,\u201d she said. \u201cThen, even in the family area, we\u2019ll have floor pillows and poufs, so you can throw a beautiful tablecloth over the coffee table and make a moment there.\u201d<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"css-79elbk\" data-testid=\"photoviewer-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"css-1a48zt4 e11si9ry5\" data-testid=\"photoviewer-children\">\n<figure class=\"img-sz-large css-16js7fu e1g7ppur0\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"media\">\n<div class=\"css-1xdhyk6 erfvjey0\">\n<div class=\"css-1pq3dr9\" data-testid=\"lazy-image\">\n<div data-testid=\"lazyimage-container\"><picture class=\"css-1j5kxti\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"css-1m50asq alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2022\/11\/07\/realestate\/08fix05\/oakImage-1667838798497-articleLarge.jpg?resize=448%2C672&#038;ssl=1\" sizes=\"auto, ((min-width: 600px) and (max-width: 1004px)) 84vw, (min-width: 1005px) 80vw, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2022\/11\/07\/realestate\/08fix05\/oakImage-1667838798497-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&amp;auto=webp 600w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2022\/11\/07\/realestate\/08fix05\/oakImage-1667838798497-jumbo.jpg?quality=75&amp;auto=webp 683w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2022\/11\/07\/realestate\/08fix05\/oakImage-1667838798497-superJumbo.jpg?quality=75&amp;auto=webp 1366w\" alt=\"A banquette upholstered in a fuchsia-colored fabric sits along a white wall with two large framed prints above, in shades of hot pink and purple. In front of the banquette is a narrow oval table in a light-colored material that looks like stone, and facing the table are two side chairs upholstered in a graphic black-and-white fabric. A midcentury-style light fixture with black arms and seven white glass globes hugs the ceiling overhead.\" width=\"448\" height=\"672\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"css-vwjwk3 ewdxa0s0\"><span class=\"css-jevhma e13ogyst0\" aria-hidden=\"false\">In compact rooms (photo right), a skinny dining table can maximize the number of seats without limiting your ability to move around the space, Ms. Brophy said.<\/span><span class=\"css-1u46b97 e1z0qqy90\"><span class=\"css-1ly73wi e1tej78p0\">Credit&#8230;<\/span><span aria-hidden=\"false\">Hulya Kolabas<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-s99gbd StoryBodyCompanionColumn\">\n<div class=\"css-53u6y8\">\n<h2 id=\"link-bfbccc3\" class=\"css-1bxm55 eoo0vm40\">Add Seating<\/h2>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">However you expand your dining area, you\u2019ll need to increase the amount of seating.\u00a0First, calculate how many seats can fit. <a class=\"css-yywogo\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sofiacrokos.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sofia Crokos<\/a>, an event designer in New York, recommends leaving a minimum of two feet of table surface for each guest.\u00a0\u201cI love cozy, and people to be elbow to elbow,\u201d she said \u2014 but your guests need enough room to use their cutlery without injuring those sitting next to them. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of hand and arm motions going on.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">Some types of seating offer built-in flexibility. A <a class=\"css-yywogo\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2022\/10\/11\/realestate\/banquette-kitchen-living-dining-design-furniture.html\">banquette<\/a>, sofa, bench or settee along one side of a dining table is comfortable for one or two people to use on a daily basis, but can hold many more in a pinch. \u201cYou can squeeze a lot of people onto it,\u201d Ms. Kaehler said. \u201cYou\u2019re not limited by needing to have space where you can pull out chairs.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Ms. Brophy likes long upholstered pieces for the same reason, but also favors seating elements that can be used elsewhere when they\u2019re not needed for dining. For a home in Brooklyn Heights, she used portable stools with suede tops that could be tucked under the dining table or carried to another room. In a house on Shelter Island, she introduced additional dining chairs at a small kitchen table for casual meals when guests aren\u2019t present.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">It\u2019s also common practice to park a couple of extra dining chairs against the walls of a dining room, where they serve as side chairs. And keep in mind: The chairs don\u2019t need to match. Many designers prefer to have several different types of chairs around a dining table, to create visual interest.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">Mr. Wolf often advises his clients to buy folding chairs that can be mixed with permanent ones for an event, and then tucked into a closet. \u201cThere are so many really wonderful folding chairs now,\u201d he said, unlike the wobbly plastic ones many guests would rather avoid. One of his favorites is the oak <a class=\"css-yywogo\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dwr.com\/living-side-chairs\/narin-folding-chair\/2196734.html?lang=en_US\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Narin folding chair<\/a> from Design Within Reach ($345).<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">If you have more storage space, he added, another option is to buy small-scale ballroom chairs like the ones used by rental companies. They don\u2019t fold, but they\u2019re lightweight and take up minimal space.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"link-389aca07\" class=\"css-1bxm55 eoo0vm40\">Create Serving Areas<\/h2>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">When you squeeze a lot of place settings around a dining table, there\u2019s less room for the things that typically occupy the center of the table: serving dishes, water carafes, flowers, decorative objects. That makes supporting pieces like buffets and bar carts important.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">Such furniture doesn\u2019t just take pressure off the dining table, it gives your guests an excuse to circulate. \u201cPeople actually like getting up,\u201d Ms. Hunter said. \u201cThey want to move around during a dinner party.\u201d So, standing up to fetch a drink or serve themselves at the buffet shouldn\u2019t be seen as an inconvenience.\u00a0If you don\u2019t have space in the dining area, another place nearby could serve the same function. \u201cYou can use a kitchen island,\u201d Ms. Hunter said. \u201cAnd a bar cart is wonderful, because it\u2019s on wheels.\u201d<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"css-79elbk\" data-testid=\"photoviewer-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"css-1a48zt4 e11si9ry5\" data-testid=\"photoviewer-children\">\n<figure class=\"img-sz-large css-16js7fu e1g7ppur0\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"media\">\n<div class=\"css-1xdhyk6 erfvjey0\">\n<div class=\"css-1pq3dr9\" data-testid=\"lazy-image\">\n<div data-testid=\"lazyimage-container\"><picture class=\"css-1j5kxti\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"css-1m50asq alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2022\/11\/07\/realestate\/08fix08\/oakImage-1667839370642-articleLarge.jpg?resize=227%2C303&#038;ssl=1\" sizes=\"auto, ((min-width: 600px) and (max-width: 1004px)) 84vw, (min-width: 1005px) 80vw, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2022\/11\/07\/realestate\/08fix08\/oakImage-1667839370642-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&amp;auto=webp 600w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2022\/11\/07\/realestate\/08fix08\/oakImage-1667839370642-jumbo.jpg?quality=75&amp;auto=webp 768w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2022\/11\/07\/realestate\/08fix08\/oakImage-1667839370642-superJumbo.jpg?quality=75&amp;auto=webp 1500w\" alt=\"Looking down on a tabletop set for a party. Running down the middle of the table is a long centerpiece filled with greenery, flowers, votive candles and tall taper candles sitting in hurricane lamps. On either side of the centerpiece are place settings with black plates, multiple pieces of cutlery and long-stemmed glasses.\" width=\"227\" height=\"303\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-syc37u e11si9ry2\" data-testid=\"placeholder\">\n<div class=\"css-tux0zj e11si9ry3\" data-testid=\"photoviewer-overlay\">\n<div class=\"css-m649ea e11si9ry4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-s99gbd StoryBodyCompanionColumn\">\n<div class=\"css-53u6y8\">\n<h2 id=\"link-46ab95b7\" class=\"css-1bxm55 eoo0vm40\">Distribute the Decorations<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">Whether you extend your dining table, add a temporary second table, or seat some guests away from the main dining space, no one should feel like they\u2019re in the cheap seats. To make all your guests feel appreciated, spread out the table decorations so they can be enjoyed by everyone (photo at left, credit Andreas &amp; Nico Photography).<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">When Ms. Crokos decorates for dinners, \u201cthere will never be just one arrangement\u201d in the center of the table, she said. Instead, she favors long, linear arrangements of flowers and greenery in vases. \u201cI might do two medium-size pieces with a lot of beautiful little satellite arrangements\u201d spread across the tables, she said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">She suggested following a similar approach to lighting, which should create a warm glow. \u201cCandles are super important,\u201d Ms. Crokos said. You can use taper candles or votives \u2014 or a mix of both, as she often does.\u00a0But spread the lighting out, so everyone can enjoy the atmosphere and there\u2019s enough illumination to see what\u2019s on the plates. No guest likes being left in the dark.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re expecting a big crowd for Thanksgiving, you\u2019ll need a flexible space that can accommodate everyone. Here\u2019s how to design it.\u00a0By Tim McKeough With the holidays approaching, have you thought about how you\u2019ll accommodate all of your guests when they come for dinner?\u00a0If you\u2019re expecting a big crowd, a small table with four chairs<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3593","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/goldenkeyteam.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3593","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/goldenkeyteam.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/goldenkeyteam.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goldenkeyteam.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goldenkeyteam.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3593"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/goldenkeyteam.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3593\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3595,"href":"https:\/\/goldenkeyteam.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3593\/revisions\/3595"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/goldenkeyteam.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3593"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goldenkeyteam.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3593"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goldenkeyteam.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3593"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}