The dearth of dedicated dining rooms and the move towards home entertaining is seeing the table take centre stage in open-plan areas.

Tables must now accommodate a range of activities from everyday meals to special occasion gatherings, study and working from home.

Top tables

Some tables sport wheels; a few incorporate shelving and hotplates; a number of dinky designs fold away; and others are simply sculptural. Circular height adjustable tables are a stylish solution for space-starved homes. Glass tops are another clear winner for narrow, small areas.

Many of us are now taking a shine to opulent lacquered table tops. While black is making a dramatic statement, glossy whites are ontrend, according to Bruno Allard, managing director of Ligne Roset, UK.

In line with the longing for luxe, marble table tops are also cool and perfect for pastry making. The warmth of wood continues to have huge appeal with walnut a winning wood this season.

Other modern materials include sleek veneered aluminium, practical polymide and durable concrete which like marble, can be used to complement worktops.

One of Ligne

Roset's top sellers this year has been the Eaton, a contemporary solid wood table, treated with oil and finished with a matt varnish finish. It's available in walnut, oak or cherry, in a range of widths and depths.

From next year it will be on offer in an extendable version.

Ligne Roset's 2007/'08 collection includes the minimalist '8 a 12' which, as its name suggests, accommodates between eight and 12 diners. At closed position, the top is in one piece. By moving the base, you can add one or two extensions, increasing the length from 180cm to 235cm, with one extension or 290cm with two extensions.

The top is available in anthracite glass with the base in gloss anthracite.

Extendable tables are expanding their reach at Habitat too. The Jerrico seats four or six but can also extend to 10 or 12 for parties.

As kitchens, living rooms and dining areas morph, solid wood tables like the oak Parker or Radius, are selling strongly at Habitat. Its madeto-order Metre table is also going the distance.

At the other end of the spectrum, Habitat caters for apartment living with bijou designs such as the Umi, Inca and Stow. Colour trends for autumn, according to Tara Kilkenny of Habitat are for either dark stained oak as in the Parker, Zuma and Jerrico or very streamlined white and glass tables like the Jerez, Monza and Umi.

Go retro Many homeowners are serving up something different by taking the retro route.

"Along with leather couches, vintage dining tables and sets are probably our biggest selling items, " says Will Walsh of Wild Child Originals.

The appeal of a vintage table generally lies in individuality, he believes.

"Although we've had similar tables in stock, we've never had the same table. People like to know that they're not going to walk into someone else's home and see the same piece."

One of a kind Scouring salvage yards for a characterful table can sometimes yield success. Those with a strong desire for something unique and a healthy budget can also commission a table.

Cork designer Joseph Walsh recently worked on a number of pieces for Inchydoney Lodge and Spa, including a cantilver table 'Wave' in native olive ash, elm and Carlow granite.

A number of eyecatching dining tables are included in his Selected Works range of limited-edition furnishings.

Walsh's 'Prism' collection is based on a geometric construction inspired by a sketch of the human form. Expect to pay from 13,000.

As well as his limited edition line, Walsh offers a complete bespoke service for a spend of around 25,000 and upwards.

"One-of-a-kind pieces represent the ultimate expression of individuality for the client who wishes to make an individual statement, " he says.

It generally takes between 12 and 18 months from the time a piece is commissioned until it's complete.

Walsh will exhibit, with the National Craft Gallery of Ireland, at the annual exposition of Sculptural Objects and Functional Art (SOFA) in Chicago in November.

At the show, Walsh will present 'In Aer', a table suspended in space, made from oak and glass, controlling its own mass through the use of high tension steel rods and cables which cantilever and balance each segment.

Who says you have to hang your art on your walls? It's now all about fine dining.

USEFUL CONTACTS
>> Joseph Walsh Studio Fartha, Riverstick, Co Cork, 021-477 1759
>> Haus 3-4 Crow St, Dublin 2, 01-679 5155 and Exchange Street Upper, Temple Bar West, Dublin 8, 01-670 6677; info@haus. ie
>> Roche-Bobois Beacon South Quarter, Sandyford, Dublin 18, 01-653 1650
>> Habitat Suffolk Street, Dublin 2, 01-677 1433 >> Wildchild Originals 61 South Great George's Street, Dublin 2, 01-475 5099; www. wildchildoriginals. com >> Bo Concept www. boconcept. com