Now that the global economy means that we can’t afford to go out for dinner as much, the humble supper party has made a serious return. After all there’s nothing like sitting round a table with a group of like-minded friends bemoaning the state of the world, the education system and the size of one’s interest-only mortgage over a bowl of pasta and a bottle of plonk.
So in the spirit of saving restaurant bills, we take a look at dining chairs that will make you feel like staying in and saving money. After all, it was only last year that one survey found buyers would rather have a dining room than a conservatory.
Be warned though – chairs can be earbleedingly expensive and most of us want at least six. This is perhaps where the idea of not having to have a matching set any more can come in handy. That way you can buy one old wooden one from the junk shop and paint it, add it to another one from your Granny’s house and then mix and match the rest. Just make sure there is a common theme – shades of grey or primary colours or similar materials and you’ll be fine. The other way is to buy two armchairs for the ends of the table and a set of four that do match.
LA MARIE BY KARTELL
www.findthatchair.com
£604 for four
MR SMITH STUDIO: BASIL FOR CALLIGARIS
£137
KARTELL MASTERS CHAIR BY PHILIPPE STARCK
www.heals.co.uk
£136
DIABOLO DINING CHAIR
£190
SIMPLE INDUSTRIAL METAL CHAIR
£120
PROVENCE DISTRESSED WOODEN CHAIR
£40 (yes that’s right!)
FOLDING VINTAGE METAL CHAIR
www.atelier-home.co.uk
£49.95