FURNITURE ARRANGEMENT 235

DINING AREAS

Dining-room arrangements of furniture are likely to be rather
obvious since it is usually most convenient to place the table in
the middle of the room. If space allows, however, other positions
may prove more entertaining. See page 62. In some rooms the
table can be placed against the windows with the diners facing the
garden, which can be lighted to make it attractive at night.

Although plenty of wall space is more important than wall
furniture in a small dining room, it is sometimes well to put one
tall, interesting piece of furniture across the room from the win-
dows for balance and also to create a center of interest.

A serving table near the door into the kitchen is a convenience;
if drawer space is needed, a chest of drawers may be substituted.
Two identical serving tables designed for use also as extension
sections of the dining table are practical.

Where the dining room serves two or three purposes, being also
a study, sitting room, music room, or sewing room, it should be
furnished as an extension of the living room. Comfortable furni-
ture should be arranged in groups. A center of interest could be
established with a secretary, not a buffet or sideboard. If the
living room adjoins the dining room the floors of both rooms
should be treated exactly alike to unify the rooms.

A dining alcove or area in the living room is sometimes located
behind a low shelf partition or in a bay window; between meals
there need be no evidence that the place is used for dining. See
page 120. A drop-leaf table standing against a wall can be
pulled out for meals. Instead of having the usual single dining
table, a pair of identical rather long narrow tables could be used,
one in the dining area and one in the living area. For a buffet
supper, they could be placed end to end.

Breakfast rooms are usually very convenient for eating as well
as for several other purposes. A mother of small children finds
that this sunny room is the ideal place for baby's play pen while
she is doing her kitchen work.

A small family need not be confined to any particular spot for
meals but can eat before the fireplace, beside a sunny window, on
the porch, or wherever it is most interesting or convenient.