The centerpiece topic

[Fat Guy]

I have a new (to me) dining-room table, handed down to us by a friend. It's a great table, but it has a serious abrasion right in the center. So I'm thinking the best move is to keep that area covered up with a centerpiece of some sort.

This got me thinking about centerpieces in general and therefore about all of you.

My major requirements are that I don't want anything alive that requires maintenance, and that I don't want anything tall that makes it hard for a person to see across the table. I'm looking for thoughts and suggestions, and discussion of centerpieces in general.

[Mjx]

I use a large bowl filled with nuts for a similar purpose to the one you describe. The bowl is a broad, relatively shallow one by Pillivuyt (the classic footed one, 13"), and the nuts are about as low-maintenance as you can get.

[Fat Guy]

Are the nuts ready to eat, or are you talking about nuts in the shell?

[LindaK]

I'm not big on centerpieces that aren't functional, mostly because they take up valuable surface space. Unless a table is really wide, centerpieces always seem to be in the way and end up getting removed to make room for food, water, wine, etc. If you're trying to cover up a center spot, a table runner or table cloth is a good solution.

If you opt for a centerpiece and also use candles, make sure your centerpiece isn't flameable. On a couple of occasions I've seen them catch fire. Once was at my house. We were really lucky it didn't get out of hand.

[Darienne]

If you're trying to cover up a center spot, a table runner or table cloth is a good solution.

Tablecloth if you want the wood to show. Special runner if you are not fussy about how much table shows.

In our house, I would use something with a "southwest" theme. Then change the runner depending upon the season, celebration, etc.

[Mjx]

Are the nuts ready to eat, or are you talking about nuts in the shell?

In the shell; the things keep forever. The bowl is not that tall, by the way, maybe 7 or 8 inches.

We also sometimes use a large dish with a bunch of votive candles in small glass holders (they're easy to dust, and you can fire them up for a dinner party). Again, nice low profile, pleasant to look at, not too intrusive.

[Katie Meadow]

I like to use a full tablecloth to protect my table when having a dinner party. I find I worry less. I don't use expensive linen and I don't use white; something with a busyish pattern hides most minor mishaps that don't wash out. A couple of hems in a cotton tablecloth is about all the sewing I'm up to, anyway. Much cheaper than buying a ready-made one.

For special occasions I like to use a centerpiece, but fun ones that kids can enjoy are the best. I have a large low glass bowl, and I would give my daughter the job of decorator. She would put colored glass stones in the bottom, fill with water, plastic fish, floating glass donuts to hold flowers and floating candles--whatever was available. In the low light of a dinner party it always looks better than you imagine. Duck candles always seem to be a hit as they melt in bizarre ways.

[Paul Bacino]

I just don't use to many center pc's unless its fresh for dinners or special occasions.. Otherwise its a pain for me!!

Easter Centerpc:

Course you could always use this and it would never be in the way!!

Other wise we use little glass colored flat pcs or stones.. in smaller containers

Edited April 23, 2011 by Paul Bacino (log)

[SilverSage]

I keep an attractive teak lazy susan in in the center of the table. I can use it as a platform for flowers, candlesticks, a fruit bowl, condiments, or serving dishes, as appropriate for the meal. If I had a "serious abrasion" in the center, it would certainly hide it, without appearing to be planted there for that purpose.

The nice thing is....it's functional.

(What a weird first post after a year and a half!)

Edited April 24, 2011 by SilverSage (log)

[ChrisTaylor]

I'm no DIY guy or anything, but depending on the nature of the 'serious abrasion' I'd be asking someone in the know if they could help me restain the table or clean it up some other way. If there are just a few scratches you should be able to do a reasonable job of making the table presentable again.

[Fat Guy]

A melon was left on the table and its underside rotted, unbeknownst to the previous owner. A few days later when she lifted the fruit it had eaten away at the table. I don't have a complete understanding of the depth of the damage. I'll have to see if refinishing is an option. I'm not sure if it is.

[Mjx]

A melon was left on the table and its underside rotted, unbeknownst to the previous owner. A few days later when she lifted the fruit it had eaten away at the table. I don't have a complete understanding of the depth of the damage. I'll have to see if refinishing is an option. I'm not sure if it is.

If there's been a change to the actual texture of the wood itself, that's tricky to fix, unless the top is made of smallish pieces, which can be taken out and replaced entirely; getting this done properly would probably cost a bundle, unless you have a friend or family member who does this sort of thing.

You might want to consider eventually inlaying some tiles in the scarred area, which would also have the advantage of being usable for setting pots and pans on the table, on occasions when you don't plate.

[David A. Goldfarb]

Short of a tablecloth another option would be a runner to cover the spot without getting in the way.

[Fat Guy]

When I get home at the end of the week I'll try to post a photo of the affected area for all of your consideration.

[Darienne]

You might want to consider eventually inlaying some tiles in the scarred area, which would also have the advantage of being usable for setting pots and pans on the table, on occasions when you don't plate.

This is a great idea!

[Fat Guy]

I think the tile inlay trick is mostly effective with farmhouse-style tables. This is more of a dark, shiny finish on a more formal table. I think tile would just look weird. I may have a photo of the table I can post from the road, but I'm sure I don't have a closeup of the damage. I'll look at my cell-phone photo inventory now.

[Fat Guy]

Unfortunately, all I have access to at the moment is this out-of-focus cell-phone photo of the table. The area of damage/rot is at the absolute dead center of the table. I'll follow up with a closeup and a better photo in about a week.

Speaking of lazy Susans, I was just at a crafts fair and there was a couple there selling handmade lazy Susans that were very nice. I just couldn't see one going well with this table, though. I think so far the bowl of nuts idea is best. I have a beautiful handmade wooden bowl that doesn't get displayed enough, and filled with walnuts in the shell it would probably look really nice.

I'm not a big fan of tablecloths and runners. Maybe for special occasions but not as permanent fixtures. For everyday dining we're a placemat family.

[natasha1270]

If it is only the finish that has been destroyed, try Howard's Restor-a-Finish. I have not used it before but alot of vintage furniture lovers swear by the stuff.

http://howardproducts.com/restora.htm

[Mjx]

I think the tile inlay trick is mostly effective with farmhouse-style tables. This is more of a dark, shiny finish on a more formal table. I think tile would just look weird. . . .

Going by the image you you posted, I have to agree with you, and the rounded corners also work against tile inlay being a good solution (unless you really enjoy solving this sort of challenge).

[baroness]

Speaking of lazy Susans, I was just at a crafts fair and there was a couple there selling handmade lazy Susans that were very nice. I just couldn't see one going well with this table, though. I think so far the bowl of nuts idea is best. I have a beautiful handmade wooden bowl that doesn't get displayed enough, and filled with walnuts in the shell it would probably look really nice.

I'm not a big fan of tablecloths and runners. Maybe for special occasions but not as permanent fixtures. For everyday dining we're a placemat family.

I use a large, shallow bowl or platter of fruit that needs ripening (pears, for example), or items that are best stored at room temperature (tomatoes) or can tolerate it (lemons).

[lstrelau]

FG,

I had a nice piece of mirror (thick for strength) custom cut to sit in the middle of my table. You could have it made any size/shape that you wish. Put little silicone feet on the bottom so it won't move and won't further mar the table top. Then if you use candlesticks or flowers or other centrepiece, the can sit on the mirror (nice reflections and even a slight increase in illumination.

You can get fancy and have (or maybe find already made) a beveled mirror that is more attractive on the table.

Or you might be able to find a nice antique plateau - silver/silver plate galleried mirrored tray with feet that looks nice on the table. You can use it same way, put decorative things (seasonal deco?) when you want to. A bunch of tea lights look nice on the mirror.

[maggiethecat]

I like the idea of two runners, one lengthwise and one widthwise. They would hide the flaw and provide personal "place mats" for four people. (If interested, PM me -- I'll make 'em fer free. For you, Great Leader.

[Tim6]

Ever been to Le Gavroche in London? They have table centerpieces made of cutlery, some of it's pretty cool.

[slkinsey]

Depending on how "nice looking" you want it to be, you might consider having the table re-veneered. One great advantage is that, when you have the table re-veneered you can have the refinishers layer on a strong modern polyurethane-based varnish that will be waterproof, and resist scratching/chemical degradation, etc.

[Chris Hennes]

I agree with Sam, your best option is to have the top veneered: it shouldn't be that expensive, and the result will be a basically brand-new-looking table top. If you are dead-set on having a centerpiece, though, modern high-end silk flowers are damned near dead ringers for the real thing. They are a bit on the pricey side, however.