FURNITURE BUYER'S GUIDE

SHUFFLE ALONG FOR HOME ENTERTAINING WITH PULL-UP-AND-PLONK-DOWN SEATING THAT TRANSFORMS THE TABLE INTO A SOCIAL HUB

Dining chairs and benches

RUSTIC SUPPORT

Handmade from solid birch and featuring a tactile cord seat, this quality chair comes in a range of heritage colours to mix and match chattily around the table – colour me happy!

Hobnob kitchen chair, H97xw48x D52cm, £380 a pair, Loaf

❝ TRY A VERSATILE COMBINATION OF CHAIRS AND A BENCH TO PROVIDE INTEREST WITHOUT THE FORMALITY AND ‘CLUTTER’ OF AN ALL-CHAIR COLONY❞

SOCIAL COSY-UP

Spread the seat-sharing love with this generous smoothie. Featuring stylish oak wood legs and studded detailing, it has a wide seat with room for four people. Plus, it’s comfy enough to use as extra seating in the living room. Stafford leather dining bench in Smoke Blue, H92xw200x D59cm, £1,995, Oka

SUPPER SERENITY

Determined angles bridge the boundaries between design and function on this striking, handcrafted piece. The warmth of the French oak is contrasted by cool steel bars at the base. Chiswick Zen six-seater dining bench, H45xl110x W28cm, £840, Makers Bespoke Furniture

FRESH COASTAL

Entertain in sea breeze calm with this refined silhouette, finished in a gentle white wash to seamlessly blend into any scheme. Drape over a faux fur rug for added bottoms-up comfort. Abelline dining bench, H45xw180xd35cm, £395, Graham & Green

TRADITIONAL CHARM

Made from solid oak, this built-to-last character oozes homely warmth and honest tactility. Turned wood details marry with flowing lines resulting in a honey-hued beauty, perfect for family gatherings and relaxed entertaining. Rustic farmhouse dining chair, H89x W42xd42cm, £175, Lesser Spotted

PATTERN HIT

Elevate dining experiences to magic carpet realms with a hit of colourful pattern. Taking inspiration from the intricate motifs of traditional Berber carpets, this vibrant design will captivate and entice all to gather and feast. Zadie rug-printed dining chair in Purple Motif, H94xw46x D61cm, £398, Anthropologie

MODERN RIPPLES

An up-to-date twist on an original 19th-century design, this stunner is handmade by a team of passionate master carvers and craftsmen – a unique addition to your home to love for years to come. Wave ladderback chair, H101.5xw46.5xd47cm,

£690, Sascal Studio x The

Odd Chair Company