How do I seat guests around an oval dining table?

Oval dining tables lack sharp corners, which allows more flexibility when fitting chairs along the curved perimeter. Many extending versions accommodate extra leaves supported by central pillars, making them practical for larger dinner parties.

Where should I place an occasional oval table?

These smaller pieces work well beside armchairs or sofas where their curved edges soften the straight lines of a room. Lamp tables and etageres also fit into corners or hallways without obstructing walkways.

How can I tell Edwardian pieces from Victorian ones?

Victorian tables often feature heavier proportions, darker finishes, and dense carving reflecting nineteenth-century revivals. Edwardian and later pieces frequently employ lighter satinwood, painted floral decorations, and more delicate Sheraton revival influences.

What is the difference between a side table and a coffee table?

Side tables stand at a standard height for lamps and decorative items against a wall or beside seating. Coffee tables sit lower to the ground, designed specifically to sit centrally in front of a sofa or main seating group.